GB2512211A - Making and using alphanumeric codes online - Google Patents

Abstract

A system consists of one or more computers 110 or mobile devices 105 comprising a facility to enable an internet connection 115 and utilises the internet to upload data online and generate an alphanumeric code 140 related to an online content location, wherein generating an alphanumeric code is characterised by uploading of online and instruction data and the alphanumeric code is recognisable in offline media. Preferably the number of characters used to create the code may be chosen by a user. A single alphanumeric code may be linked to two separate locations and each may be updated individually.

Description

MAKING AND USING ALPHANUMERIC CODES ONLINE

The present invention relates to a system for creating individual alphanumeric codes for use in print, radio and TV containing individual address and unique instruction data for use in a proprietary navigator input textbox connected to the Internet.

Finding a solution that enables an unlimited number of Internet address locations or individual URL's for placing in offline media has required using swipe cards, smartcards or 2D barcodes such as QRcodes to access online related address location, specifically deep level content within a website, unfortunately this solution requires the use of hardware to enable URL access and in some cases is limited to having an attached camera. Whilst other methods discussed in prior art have shortened the UIRL address with shortened domain name addresses, known as shortURL's mostly catering to online hyperlinking by use of a mobile for tweeting, placing in an email or if viewed offline having to enter the full shortUkL providers domain with the location code in the address box of a browser.

The present invention aims to offer a solution to enable easy and direct online content access for mobiles, tablet, laptop or desktop PC/Mac computer users where an unlimited number of online content providers may be catered to whilst providing the technology to directly access any related Internet content by use of specific instructions included in the alphanumeric code that contains the fewest number of individually related input characters.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is a facility provided to upload photos or other media data content directly though a connected computing device to a server database that generates a unique alphanumeric code created specifically for offline use that enables the related online content to be verified as safe for the user viewing it.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is a facility to determine from a selection of different alpha/numeric/symbol or alt/code categories that are generated using a unique algorithm to enable creating different categories and related instruction data where the client may choose either to generate random alphanumeric characters related to the online content location or choose their own brand related alphanumeric characters for use by any offline media facility.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the alphanumeric code relating to an Internet content location may also be included into a variety of different graphic images that when clicked on would take the online visitor to the related online location, it would also be possible to show the original long form UIRL thereby enabling the online visitor to determine whether to proceed to the website or not In accordance with another aspect of the present invention all generated online content related codes would allow the user to view two different individual content locations using the same code depending whether they were on a desktop computer or mobile device for Internet use.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the URL related alphanumeric codes that include instruction data are for use in a proprietary online textbox navigator, that enables the algorithm used in the creation of the alphanumeric code to coordinate the transfer of the alphanumeric code to facilitate the accessing of the related online location address.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the proprietary alphanumeric code navigator online input textbox used for entering the offline related alphanumeric codes enables an unlimited number of URL related alphainimeric codes to be created for offline use containing the smallest number of input characters for entering into the texthox navigator.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention the unique alphanumeric related code may be brand related and created in sequence or randomly in any required number of units and when used provide comprehensive user analytical data for viewing by the relevant alphanumeric code account holder.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1. is a schematic illustration of uploading data online thereby creating a unique alphanumeric code related to the online location and any specific instruction data.

Figure 2. is a flow diagram illustrating the creating of different specific instruction for alphanumeric code related data.

Figure 3. is a block diagram (a) illustrating the transfer of data from a computing device online to make the alphanumeric code and (b) using the related alphanumeric location code.

Figure 4. is a schematic illustration of one of the different ways the alphanumeric code being created for specific use.

Figure 5. Is a schematic illustration of bulk creating the alphanumeric codes for example coupon usage.

Figure 6. is a schematic illustration of the process being used in offline print media to directly link to related online content.

Figure 7. is a schematic illustration of using the textbox navigator to access related online content.

Figure 8. is a schematic illustration of incorporating the alphanumeric code with a Qrcode and audio input for use when no camera is inconvenient to use.

Figure 9. is a schematic illustration of the process being used in offline media to access related online content.

Figure 10. is a schematic illustration of alt/codes being generated for public use in social media or email for poster one click access.

The System discussed comprises a number of components that cooperate to effect the ease of accessing online content from related offline media. The components comprise uploaded content IS located in various databases that create unique instruction data and the accessing of the uploaded content by use of a variety of different location related alphanumeric codes used to enable determining the specific actions required to access and return the requested Internet content. The following figures 1 through 10 show examples of the different components illustrated to show the system application.

Figure 1. is a schematic illustration of uploading data to create a unique alphanumeric code relating to an online location. The user in this example takes a photo by camera 100 and then either transmits it to a computer 110 with an online connection or to the Tnternet 115 or if the camera device 105 has an online connection FTP facility built within itself, or by use of a Smartphone 105 connects directly to the hternet 115 to a server location 120 that would store the photo and generate a unique alphanumeric code related to the specific online location including an instruction code for use by a proprietary navigator input textbox. This uiuque alphanumeric code would then be returned to the user by FTP 125 as a web page 130 or it may be by text message or email program facility 135 so the user can see the related address 140 as an example of the unique alphanumeric code e/4h.p' that includes instruction data to he placed in any offline media such as print, radio or TV for use in the proprietary navigator textbox to enable deciphering specific instruction data. It would now be possible for anyone to upload any data or of an item they wanted to sell in local print media classifieds and include the unique alphanumeric code, so interested parties could easily go online with a PC/Mac or mobile device to view the related item. This method of linking to specific online content from offline media would also apply to accessing mp3, films, games or other entertainment media, uploading or downloading graphic content or software and also viewing TV programs on an online connected TV.

Figure 2. is a flow diagram illustrating creating different specific instructions for use with alphanumeric code related data for users when they upload or want to highlight any online content.

When a user wishes to upload data that can be of any digital generated content or from different digital mediums to a specific location on the Internet accessed by browser or FTP 205, this data may be uploaded through use of a browser, website, toolbar App, gadget or other means 210. When the data is uploaded by use of a App, or through a browser it sends a request to the server connected to a database that may poll the data to determine whether it contains any viruses or other malware and also where it is originating from and if a requested alphanumeric is available, if it does not meet required conditions 220 it returns a message to the user 225 if the data is OK it is passed onto tile database that allocates the uploaded data a unique alphanumeric code related to its online address location including additional information for use when the alphanumeric is used in a proprietary navigator, it may also contain how the data is to be accessed and what additional actions the requested data must undertake after activation 230 this unique alphanumeric code is then returned to the user to enable predetermined actions to be taken when accessing online content 235. The following examples are used to illustrate some of the many different predetermined actions available when creating an alphanumeric code and using it in tile navigator textbox that deciphers the entered alphanumeric code. Alphanumeric code may be for uploading photos, videos or any other digital data 240 or the use could be for a commercial application where the number of characters for the alphanumeric code may be chosen as well as the actual characters themselves for branding purposes, and may be made in sequence. The alphanumeric code instructions may also be for delivering a split screen utilising 2 or more different online content locations 245, in the same window, one for the title selection and the other for any related but separately located content. This could also be for a car company advertising a new car in the title screen and different dealers in the related sub screen, this could be for one or more different sub screens determined by the pre programmed actions as instructed by the alphanumeric code. The alphanumeric codes can also be generated in a numeric sequence for coupon usage 250 or for instance a real estate company that wants to make it easy for perspective customers to view sales or rentals or any other service, they can choose to make the alpha numeric codes in a group all related to and uniquely identifiable as being for their company 255 that can be updated after a sale for instance by keeping the same alphanumeric and just changing the related details or URL 260. There would also be comprehensive analytics with regard to user information, device, browser, OS, location etc 265 For email use an alphanumeric code could be used to access a specific related email address that when used in the navigator would he instructed to open the default email client program and place the related email address in the To' address line 270 there also may be a facility to make short term random email addresses for use when a user is suspicious that the email address is being harvested 275. There may also be a direct phone or text message alphanumeric code that instructs a mobile device when used to place the related phone number in the phone to make a call or send a text 280. The user may also determine how long they wanted the alphanumeric code to be is valid. For example the user may only want to make the alphanumeric code to be valid for a few hours, to enable accessing specific deep level online content containing a very long UIRL, on a mobile or if they were at their computer having a conversation on the phone and wanted the party they were talking to, to go to a specific page at the same website they were talking about, then they could make a short term alphanumeric code that may also have the option to save the alphanumeric code to an archive file for viewing at a later date. This archive facility would contain all the related short term alphanumeric codes containing the same character sequence and would be viewed according to the date it was made by selection. This would then enable the recycling of all short-term alphanumeric codes. There may also be different options with regards to how the alphanumeric is returned, for example the user may choose to receive only data for mobile use or only data for pasting into an email or data for all eventualities such as hyperlinking, alphanumeric code only, 2D barcode for mobile smartphone media related use.

Figure 3. is a block diagram (a) illustrating the transfer of data from a computing device online to make an alphanumeric code and (b) using the returned alphanumeric location code that contains various instructions to enable a series of different actions to be taken.

(a) URL data is entered into an input textbox facility in an account sewer website on a computing device 310 or by FTP. It may also be created by clicking make alphanumeric code btn on a toolbar facility that would create a unique alphanumeric of the website page URL being viewed on the browser at the time. After the button is clicked it is transferred through the CPU 315 where the ROM 325 passes it to the data buffer 320 before it is transferred to an online server database 335 for saving into a database according to the instructions required when placed in offline media. (b) A user wishing to access online content related to the alphanumeric code sees or hears it 340 the user can then enter it into a proprietary navigator text box 340 in a computing device or mobile 345 where the computer device 350 is connected to the Internet 355 the entered data is then transmitted to the as instructed remote server 360 that contains the means to decipher related online location data and instruction data as indicated by the alphanumeric code and returns the related online data for viewiiig by the user 365 in this example back to the users computing device. As an example all data transferring to or from a server location may take place in the background by FTP after the alphanumeric code has been entered, this may also include updating account data for on going usage or to renew a registration or to just make the computing device ready to receive data from an Internet location.

Figure 4. is a schematic illustration of one of the many different facilities alphanumeric code could be created by for individual use. In the following example A 400, B405, C 410 show the sequence of an account that has been setup related to a unique branding prefix 415 to make a group of brand related websites 420 email addresses access 425 and direct phone number access 430 for mobile use, all related to a unique ID to identify the individual information entered from any other related to the brand prefix 415.

After the information is entered into the provided related textbox the send btn is clicked. Although there are 3 textboxes provided to enter the related data into it would not be necessary to fill all fields to receive an alphanumeric code, as alphanumeric code would be created for only entered data field. After the data for required alphanumeric code is entered and (B) 405 the send button has been is activated the following 405 would be received containing the requested alphanumeric codes for the entered fields. In this example the website access code is shown 440 with the email client access code 445 and the direct phone number input code 550 there would also be provided a proprietary QRcode 455 with the related alphanumeric 460 included. The input data would be shown 470 and this could be updated (C) 410 by entering the prefix and ID 475 to access the individual account to update that then enables either updating only one item or all three 480 to update would also require the individuals name 485 and the update password held by a manager 490. Tt would now be possible created alphanumeric codes for estate agents, car dealers, event organisers for stand use or any other related group users to enable the brand to be coordinated and recogiisable.

Figure 5. Is a schematic illustration of creating tile alphanumeric codes in bulk for example coupon use. The following A 500, B 505, C 510 illustrate the sequence of making goups of multiple alphanumeric codes for coupon use where they may all access the same URIL with different individual alphanumeric codes to enable tracking usage through comprehensive analytics. The account holder with brand related prefix enters the URL 515 for the alphanumeric codes to access when used in the proprietary Navigator textbox, the specific group of codes would have a Jo reference 520 and the account holder can then decide how many to make 525 from 10 to millions then send would be clicked. (B) 505 shows the returned group alphanumeric codes 545 all related to the same URII 530 they would also have a proprietary QRcode 535 with tile alphanumeric included 540, the group of alphanumeric codes 545 could be copied 550 for printing purposes for example on individual products like cans, sweet packets, washing up liquids, laundry powder or just about any individual product offered for sale where a coupon may be used to increase sales. (C) 510 shows the use of the different alphanumeric codes all related to the same URL 555 and identified by group reference data 560, 565 shows 2 QRcode related alphanumeric codes have been used, 570 shows 4 codes have been used 570 and 575 shows monthly usage. Comprehensive analytics would also be available for individual code usage when the alphanumeric is entered individually or by group usage analytics.

The alphanumeric codes may be created sequentially as well as randomly there may also be a facility to change the URL link from any individual generated alphanumeric in a group so that different coupon or discount amounts may be found when accessing the individual alphanumeric.

Figure 6. is a schematic illustration of the process being used in offline print media to directly link to related online content. A 600, B 605, C 610 and D 615. The process starts when a journalist goes online to research information for a story 620 and while visiting the website on a browser with the proprietary toolbar App 625 uses it to make an alphanumeric code of the wehpage being viewed by clicking on it, this activates B 605 by opening a small browser screen on the computing device showing the URL 630 of the website being viewed, the publishers unique prefix 635 and the related alphanumeric code 640 there would also be the TP address 655 of the computer that made the code and the time/date 660 it was made. The journalist can now copy 645 the related code directly to the article being written by pasting it in the related article to be used by any reader as an offline hyperlink. C 610 shows an illustration of a page from in this example The Dallas Morning News 665 where an alphanumeric code has been used 670 so readers D 615 can access more information about the article online, a reader enters the code 670 into the proprietary navigator and the related webpage is shown in this example with the banner of The Dallas Morning News 675, with the related website information page below 680 this process could also show a variety of different split screens with different application banners or other information or none. It is now possible to create simple direct offline links to related online content so that any print article that has used Internet research can place alphanumeric codes in the type on the printed page for anyone to access further infonnation just like hyperlinking online.

Figure 7. Is a schematic illustration of the different input navigators examples that would be available to enable the transferring of the alphanumeric code 710 when entered into the input navigator 715 to enable using it to transfer it for deciphering the algorithm used to specify the codes action sequence requirements included when it was created. When an alphanumeric code is made it is created to enable a user to enter the alphanumeric code for this example into an input navigator on a desktop computer, laptop, tablet or mobile Smartplione 720 to access the related online content.

When a user sees or hears an alphanumeric code 710 they can use it by entering it into, in this example, a Navigator 725 in a Smartphone and then click the GO button to directly access the related online content that will be returned to the uses computing device screen.

There would be a selection of different Navigators to choose from for desktop computer use 730 and also mobile use 725 with an input Navigator that can easily be place on a remote website 715 by use of the available Api code 735 in this example, this would enable the IS transferring of the alphanumeric from a remote third party to enable deciphering the alphanumeric code to enable perfonning the requested actions as encrypted in the code by the proprietary algorithm used.

Figure 8. is a schematic illustration of incorporating the alphanumeric code with a Qrcode and audio input for use when no camera or the camera is inconvenient to use. The online content location alphanumeric code 820 is created according to content location and what instruction data will be encoded and then this alphanumeric code data will be used when creating a QRcode 825, on the top of the QRcode in this example is an online location 830 to enter the alphanumeric code if a user has not seen one before. The code is also placed at the bottom of the QRcode 835 so a user can enter it into a Navigator input textbox in this case Navigator 840 when a user does not have 2D barcode scanner on their computing in Ii device, they could also enter it by voice input on a smartphone 850, 855. There will also be a multitude of different App's, Api's, gadgets, widgets, browser toolbar Apps, and affiliated websites with the navigator textbox input facility made available with which to utilise the alphanumeric code. By including the alphanumeric code 835 on the 2D barcode 825 enables the QRcode to he used by all computer related devices with an Internet commection that do not have a camera attached.

Figure 9. Is a schematic illustration of the process being used in offline media. By utilising the system as described in this example a user could be talking on the phone 900 watching TV 905 listening to the radio 910 or reading a magazine or newspaper 915 the alphanumeric code 925 in a news paper 915 can be used on a mobile Smartphone input navigator 920 or a tablet or desktop computer 920 or internet connected TV input navigator 920 or even a remote control gadget to enter the alphanumeric code into a TV input navigator on screen or remote handset itself 920 that was Internet enabled 935 by use of satellite, cable, wirelessly, broadband or other connecting facility that would provide an online connection and where the different coloured buttons on the remote may open different input related text boxes for uploading or downloading data.

With the convergence of different technologies related to entertainment and the process of downloading media to different consumer products it is now possible to easily connect computers to TV's or other screen enabled devices that may contain a computer within to enable accessing the Internet. By offering a system that enables alphanumeric codes to be entered into a TV by a remote handset enables a direct interactive media connected to the Internet that enables choosing individual alphanumeric related TV shows.

The alphanumeric code may also be coded to enable a viewer to select products or services that the user was interested in, so that during a commercial break the advertising directed to viewers would be beneficial rather than a bore. The use of the term photos, videos, data, music or other entertainment media such as computer gaming, gambling or social pages to name a few would all he interchangeable within the scope of this invention and the use of one term may include any or all where applicable.

Figure 10. is a schematic illustration of alt/codes being generated for public use in social media or email for poster one click access. A user in this example has made a alphanumeric code of Alt/code characters 11 00 by entering a URL into the code generator iii a browser, alphanumeric code has been generated 1105 in this example it could also be incorporated into a graphic image 1110 that when a mouse is passed over tile graphic image the original URL can be viewed or the graphic can be clicked on to visit the related online content related to the alphanumeric code in a poster or other graphic.

The hyperlink graphic images may also be personalised 1115 and 1125 as in this example with the alphanumeric code that is visible.

The alphanumeric code 1105 could be sent to mobile devices to enable the mobile device to access the related Internet content by clicking on the alphanumeric code to use it for online hyperlinking on any Internet connected computing device. When a mouse is passed over the graphic image 1110 it could also show instructions or if a timed alphanumeric code then the expiry date of the alphanumeric code would be shown. The image related alphanumeric codes 1120 could be password or secure access codes that only those possessing the code could use to access secure sites.

By using the Alt/codes for public use reduces the possibility of hackers using the facility to launch spain as it would be difficult to disguise the Alt/codes.

Embodiments of the present invention enable users to access data on the Internet and also mobile Internet in a much simpler way than previously provided with fewer characters to enter to access any related online content no mailer how deep within a website it is located and also enables specific actions to be taken when the alphanumeric is used and allows non Internet address data the ability to make an alphanumeric code. There may also be graphic devices that would be unique to each of the different alphanumeric code facility providers and when a user saw it they would immediately know it was an alphanumeric code related to specific online data for use in the navigator textbox to instantly access the related data by entering it into browser navigator textbox or other previously mentioned facility on the users Internet connected desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile computing device. The alphanumeric code may also be obfuscated and relate to a secret page within a website only accessible to those in possession of the alphanumeric code key.

Photo related data could contain a description and also enable a direct connection to a remote phone or website. There also may be online content that requires two or more different alphanumeric codes to access the specific content by entering them in sequence. A 2D barcode may also contain two different online content locations one for direct access and the other to notify and send data to evaluate mobile content. Tt should also be appreciated that any function as described herein can also be utilised by other aspects of the process and system such as making a payment for access to any online content by the content provider receiving the mobile number of the Smartphone used, or by WAY payment facility to make charges against it, for accessing the mobile online content which could be any domain access. An account may also be set up to deduct access fees from an account according to the data accessed. The account could be prepaid and tip-datable and may be used in addition it should be appreciated that when generating a simple alphanumeric code from an entered IJRL it may also he used for a mobile website, and this process may poil the entered UIRL to enable checking if it was on a blacklist for phising or a virus contaminated website, if it were, no alphanumeric code would be generated, and it may also determine if the website was a mobile website where the frames had been stripped so that mobile users would not download sites that were not mobile compatible. It may even be possible to create email address alphanumeric codes from postal or zip codes or car licence plate numbers internationally by IP address restricting countries or area zones. It would also be possible to make a personalised alphanumeric code of the same numbers used in short code SMS messaging services, making it possible for users to go directly to the related online content, without the cost of sending a SMS text message by using the same sequence of characters in the navigator textbox. It may also be possible to use a graphic to enable users to access software online so they don't have to purchase it, to use it they merely enter the software site by clicking on the graphic image device and enter a password or even personalised alphanumeric code or choose a picture or a geometric design from a group of pictures or designs that they have previously set up as their password' protection for their personal files online.

Embodiments of the invention also extend to accessing further applications or inputting data by use of a barcode, data carrier, wirelessly, radio signal, CD, scan, copy&paste, memory chip, USB memory, keyboard, ER transmission or vocally and may be any entity or device capable of carrying the required facility identification of the alphanumeric code. As a further example, the making or using of a alphanumeric code may be by any transmissible carrier such as magnetic, SIM, electrical, optical or scanned signal or voice, which may he conveyed via electrical or optical cable or radio or other means. When it is embodied in a signal that may be conveyed directly by cable or other means, it may be constituted by such cable or other device or means. Alternatively, it may be in an integrated circuit in which the data is embedded. The system relates to all operating systems for use in the performance of the relevant inventive processes and any facilities, tools or device or process that may be suitable for use in the implementation of the linking to an server or account server in this example when utilising this system to validate first then implement the debiting of an individual account at a server for providing the service as offered by the online facilitator to any user, according to the inventive process through use of a browser, gadget, widget, website or toolbar and also includes updating at an account server a cost per/click for alphanumeric code use, for billing purposes.

Accessing specific OPS data may also be catered to, thereby providing easy access to vehicle location or other OPS alphanumeric related services such as child minding, by entering a name or car license number that the navigator would recognise it was for a GPS lookup and access the GPS location from a service that may be using cell triangulation or satellite method of GPS, this may also be used for treasure hunt games by providing UPS location related alphanumeric codes on radio or TV shows for vie wers to win prises. A simple explanation of multiple uses is Radio or TV presenters can make an alphanumeric code on the fly whilst talking about a specific online content or even a location within tile content so that listeners or viewers do not have to hunt for the specific location. This would create a truly unique interactive medium where a show could continue on the internet and all a viewer or listeners has to do is enter a few characters into the navigator textbox to continue watching or listening to the show on a desktop computer or mobile device Radio and TV companies could have their own unique prefix when automatically generating an alphanumeric code by entering the content location into a proprietary input textbox thereby generating an alphanumeric code for use in any related navigator textbox The alphanumeric code facility could also be IP sensitive if taking the viewer/listener to the related online content which could be for downloading data from a database with no website presence directiy.

Interactive games could be created where viewers follow clues using alphanumeric codes relating to geographical locations to solve a mystery or piay against each other or download avatars that wouid be viewed live on TV or heard on radio as they progress through the game. Singles could meet at predefmed alphanumeric locations.

By utilising an alphanumeric code in print and broadcast medium makes the Internet interactive with the offline media, whist still offering privacy through the use of password access to restricted media, where the password or alphanumeric code may be found in either earlier broadcasts or the printed media. Unlike aH other offline to related online content linking facilities this process can be any number of physical world found related alphanumeric characters from just 1 and requires no specialised computer hardware or software to use.

Claims (9)

1. CLAIMS1. A system Litilising the Internet to upload data online thereby generating a alphanumeric code related to an online content location; Consisting of: One or more computers or mobile devices containing therein a facility to enable an Internet connection; Wherein making alphanumeric codes for Internet use is characterised by said uploading of online and instruction data thereby generating an alphanumeric code related to online content location and any actions that can then be recognisable in offline media for use in an input textbox navigator..
2. 2. A system utilising the Internet to upload data online thereby generating an alphanumeric code related to an online address location according to claim 1 where the alphanumeric code generated contains alpha/numeric characters and symbols..
3. 3. A system utilising the Internet to upload data thereby generating an alphanumeric code related to an online content location according to claim 1 wherein said alphanumeric code representing specific online content may be personalised.
4. 4. A system utilising the Internet to upload data online thereby generating an alphanumeric code related to an online content location according to claim 1 wherein said alphanumeric code may represent 2 different online locations, one for PC and Mac use and the other for the mobile and tablet use.
5. 5. A system utilising the Internet to upload data online thereby generating an alphanumeric code related to an online content location according to claim 1 wherein the number of characters used to create the alphanumeric code may be chosen by the user.
6. 6. A system utilising the Internet to upload data online thereby generating an alphanumeric code related to an online content location according to claim 1 wherein one alphanumeric code may Jo be linked to two separate locations and where each may be updated Individually.
7. 7. A system for making and utilising a alphanumeric code as described in the description which includes the various components, methods or processes and uses thereof
8. 8. A system for making an alphanumeric code according to the drawings which includes the various components, methods or processes and uses thereof
9. 9. A system to enable the use of a input navigator to utilise alphanumeric codes by deciphering them to determine the intendeduse according to the description and drawings.