U.S. patent application number 11/126655 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-29 for transparent light emitting members and method of manufacture.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lumitex, Inc.. Invention is credited to Larson, David B., Lockwood, Rick, Mezei, George A., Page, David J..
Application Number | 20050210643 11/126655 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32042265 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050210643 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mezei, George A. ; et
al. |
September 29, 2005 |
Transparent light emitting members and method of manufacture
Abstract
Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a
pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more
surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to
be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut
using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting
tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may
be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or
grooves.
Inventors: |
Mezei, George A.; (Fountain
Valley, CA) ; Lockwood, Rick; (Garden Grove, CA)
; Page, David J.; (Painesville, OH) ; Larson,
David B.; (Huntington Beach, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RENNER OTTO BOISSELLE & SKLAR, LLP
1621 EUCLID AVENUE
NINETEENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44115
US
|
Assignee: |
Lumitex, Inc.
Strongsville
OH
|
Family ID: |
32042265 |
Appl. No.: |
11/126655 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11126655 |
May 11, 2005 |
|
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10264576 |
Oct 4, 2002 |
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6910783 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
29/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/0036 20130101;
G02B 6/001 20130101; G02B 6/0021 20130101; Y10T 29/40 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
029/025 |
International
Class: |
B21F 041/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of making an illuminator comprising cutting a pattern
of shallow notches or grooves in at least one surface of a
transparent member using a circular cutting tool, and controlling
the relative speed of the cutting tool and the feed rate of the
cutting tool relative to the member to produce a roughened surface
on the notches or grooves.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the relative speed
of the cutting tool and the feed rate of the cutting tool relative
to the member is varied during cutting of at least some of the
notches or grooves to vary the amount of roughening of the surface
on the notches or grooves.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein at least one of the relative speed
of the cutting tool and the feed rate of the cutting tool relative
to the member is progressively varied during cutting of at least
some of the notches or grooves to progressively vary the amount of
roughening of the surface of the notches or grooves.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the amount of roughening of the
surface of at least some of the notches or grooves is progressively
varied along the length of the notches or grooves.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein the amount of roughening of the
surface of at least some of the notches or grooves progressively
varies along the length of the member.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the notches or grooves are cut in
more than one surface of the member.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the depth of the cutting tool is
varied during cutting of at least some of the notches or grooves to
vary the depth of such notches or grooves.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the depth of the cutting tool is
progressively varied during cutting of at least some of the notches
or grooves to progressively vary the depth of such notches or
grooves along the length of the member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/264,576, filed Oct. 4, 2002, the entire disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to transparent light emitting members
that have specially shaped notches or grooves in one or more
surfaces to create a selected light output distribution from such
members and their method of manufacture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is well known that light transparent members including
for example rods, panels, films, sheets and plates, can be made
into light emitting members or illuminators by notching the members
in a certain pattern. However, such notches are typically
relatively sharp grooves, which do not scatter light very finely.
Also the sharp grooves make the light emitting members more
susceptible to breakage during installation or when placed under
tension. The light emitting members may be used, for example, as a
back light and/or front light for transparent or translucent
devices such as LCDs, dials, gauges, pictures, point of sale
advertising, decorative devices, and so on. Also such light
emitting members may have special usages in optical scanning and
array devices and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the light
emitting members have rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or
more surfaces that scatter the light emitted from the members.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
rounded shallow notches or grooves reduce the risk of breakage of
the light emitting members during installation or when the members
are placed under tension.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
notches or grooves are generally U or C shaped.
[0007] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
light emitting members with rounded shallow notches or grooves are
relatively inexpensive and easy to mold.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the
light emitting members with rounded shallow notches or grooves
allow for easy low volume manufacturability of the members with any
desired amount of smoothness or roughness on the faces of the
notches or grooves.
[0009] In accordance with still another aspect of the invention,
the light emitting members may have special arcuate shapes for use
in special lighting applications.
[0010] These and other aspects of the present invention will become
apparent as the following description proceeds.
[0011] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described
and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following
description and the annexed drawings setting forth in detail
certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being
indicative, however, of but several of the various ways in which
the principles of the invention may be employed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In the annexed drawings:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevation view of a rod-like
transparent light emitting member of the present invention having a
pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in a surface of the
member for causing light entering the member to be reflected or
refracted (i.e., emitted) from the member.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section through the light
emitting member and one of the notches or grooves of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic side elevation view of a rod-like
transparent light emitting member of the invention shown lighted
from both ends rather than just one end as shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic fragmentary side elevation
views of an end portion of a light emitting member of the present
invention showing alternative ways of optically coupling a light
source to an edge of the member.
[0017] FIGS. 5-9 are schematic end elevation views of rod-like
light emitting members of the type shown in FIGS. 1-3 having
different cross-sectional shapes, FIG. 5 showing a cylindrical
cross-sectional shape, FIG. 6 showing an elliptical cross-sectional
shape, FIG. 7 showing a semi-cylindrical cross-sectional shape,
FIG. 8 showing a rectangular cross-sectional shape, and FIG. 9
showing a triangular cross-sectional shape.
[0018] FIG. 10 is a schematic end elevation view of a rod-like
light emitting member of the present invention having a rectangular
cross-sectional shape similar to FIG. 8 but with three sides having
rounded shallow notches or grooves instead of just one as shown in
FIG. 8 to produce a brighter light output.
[0019] FIGS. 11 and 13 are schematic side elevation views of other
rod-like light emitting members of the present invention having
different notching patterns to produce a desired light output
distribution from such members.
[0020] FIGS. 12 and 14 are schematic end elevation views of the
light emitting members of FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively, as seen
from the right ends thereof.
[0021] FIG. 15 is a schematic side elevation view of another
rod-like light emitting member of the present invention having a
rounded shallow notch or groove extending longitudinally along the
member.
[0022] FIG. 16 is a schematic transverse section through the light
emitting member and rounded groove of FIG. 15, taken along the
plane of the line 16-16 thereof.
[0023] FIG. 17 is a schematic side elevation view of another
rod-like light emitting member of the present invention having
longitudinally spaced notches or grooves along the length of the
member in the shape of rounded shallow dimples.
[0024] FIG. 18 is a schematic transverse section through the light
emitting member and one of the dimples of FIG. 17, taken along the
plane of the line 18-18 thereof.
[0025] FIG. 19 is a schematic side elevation view of another light
emitting member of the present invention in the shape of a panel
having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in a surface
of the member.
[0026] FIG. 20 is a schematic bottom plan view of the light
emitting member of FIG. 19.
[0027] FIG. 21 is a schematic bottom plan view of another
panel-like light emitting member of the present invention that is
arcuately shaped with spaced apart ends and is lighted from one end
only.
[0028] FIG. 22 is a schematic side elevation view of the light
emitting panel member of FIG. 21 as seen from the right side
thereof.
[0029] FIG. 23 is a schematic bottom plan view of another arcuately
shaped light emitting panel member of the present invention that
has sideways enlargements and is lighted from both ends.
[0030] FIG. 24 is a schematic side elevation view of the light
emitting panel member of FIG. 23 as seen from the right side
thereof.
[0031] FIG. 25 is a schematic bottom plan view of another arcuately
shaped light emitting panel member of the present invention which
has two ends that are joined together and lighted by a single light
source.
[0032] FIG. 26 is a schematic side elevation view of the light
emitting panel member of FIG. 25 as seen from the right side
thereof.
[0033] FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of another arcuately shaped
light emitting panel member of the present invention with a
selective (non-uniform) notching pattern in a surface of the member
to produce a selective (non-uniform) light output distribution
pattern from the member.
[0034] FIG. 28 is a schematic side elevation view of the light
emitting panel member of FIG. 27 as seen from the right side
thereof.
[0035] FIG. 29 is a schematic side elevation view of a light
emitting member of the present invention having a notched pattern
in two or more sides of the member to produce a selective light
output distribution pattern from the member.
[0036] FIG. 30 is a schematic side elevation view of a light
emitting member of the present invention having a reflective
coating or film covering the notched surface of the member to
reflect light back through the member.
[0037] FIG. 31 is a schematic side elevation view of a light
emitting member of the present invention having a sheet or film
such as a diffuser, brightness enhancement film, or other optical
device adjacent the member to alter the light output distribution
from the member.
[0038] FIG. 32 is a schematic side elevation view of a light
emitting member of the present invention having a UV protective
film or sleeve covering the member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Referring now in detail to the drawings, and initially to
FIG. 1, there is shown one transparent light emitting member 1 of
the present invention in the shape of an elongated rod 2 having a
pattern of notches or grooves 3 in a surface 4 of the member for
causing light that is transmitted through the member by internal
reflection to be reflected or refracted out of the member as well
known in the art. However, the notches or grooves 3 of the present
invention, rather than being relatively sharp grooves as is
conventional practice, are rounded shallow notches or grooves each
having a generally U or C cross-sectional shape as schematically
shown in FIG. 2. These rounded notches or grooves 3 may have a
minimum depth and width of radius of no more than a few thousandths
of an inch, depending on the length and thickness of the light
emitting member, and have the advantage that they will scatter the
light more finely than sharp grooves and will reduce the risk of
breakage of the members during installation or when the members are
placed under tension. Also the surfaces of the notches may be
smooth or textured or roughened as desired to extract less or more
light out through the notches or grooves.
[0040] Such light emitting members may be molded or cast or
machined or cut out of any suitable transparent, clear or colored
(including scintillating or fluorescent) material including glass
or plastic such as acrylic, polycarbonate, styrene, or urethane or
the like. The notches or grooves 3 may be painted or covered with a
reflective color. Also, different notches may be coated with
different colors for decorative or visibility purposes when the
light emitting member is lighted by one or more white light
sources.
[0041] Such light emitting members may be lighted from one or both
end edges using any suitable light source 5. The rod-like light
emitting member 2 of FIG. 1 is shown lighted from one end by a
narrow angle light emitting diode (LED) 6 inserted in a slot,
cavity or opening 7 machined, molded, cast or otherwise formed in
the light emitting member. Light source 5 may be held in place
within the opening 7, for example, by an interference fit or by
embedding, potting or bonding the light source in place using a
suitable embedding, potting or bonding material 8. Bonding can also
be accomplished using a variety of methods that do not incorporate
extra material, for example, thermobonding, heat staking,
ultrasonic or plastic welding or the like. Other methods of bonding
include insert molding and casting around the light source.
[0042] The light source 5 may also be held adjacent an edge of
light emitting member 1 using for example a few drops of adhesive,
or by heat shrinking a heat-shrinkable tube 10 around both the
light source 5 and an edge of the light emitting member 1 as
schematically shown in FIG. 4a. Also a remote light source 5 may be
optically coupled to the edge of the light emitting member by
focusing the light source on the input surface 11 of a light guide
12 suitably connected to the light emitting member as schematically
shown in FIG. 4b.
[0043] If LEDs are used as the light source, suitable holes 7 may
be molded or cast in one or more edges of the light emitting member
for receipt of the LEDs as schematically shown in FIG. 1.
[0044] Using LEDs as the light source has the benefit that LEDs
produce very little heat, consume small amounts of electric power,
have a relatively long life, are relatively inexpensive, are not
damaged by vibration, and do not produce EMI. However, other types
of light sources may also be used including, for example, an arc
lamp, an incandescent bulb, a lens end bulb, a line light, a
halogen lamp, a neon bulb, a fluorescent tube, a fiber optic light
pipe transmitting from a remote source, a laser or laser diode, or
any other suitable light source.
[0045] The density and/or depth or size of the notches 3 may be
varied along the surface of the light emitting member 1 in order to
obtain a selected light output distribution from the member. For
example, the amount of light traveling through the light emitting
member will ordinarily be greater in areas closer to the light
source than in areas further removed from the light source. The
pattern of notches or grooves 3 may be used to adjust for the light
variances within the light emitting member, for example, by placing
the notches 3 closer together as the distance from the light source
increases to provide a more uniform light output distribution from
the light emitting member. Also, depending on the length and
cross-sectional thickness of the light emitting member, the notches
3 may be made progressively deeper and/or wider with increased
distance from the light source to provide a more uniform light
output from the member.
[0046] When the light emitting member is lighted from one end only
as shown in FIG. 1, placing the notches 3 progressively closer
together and/or making the notches progressively deeper and/or
wider as the distance from the lighted end edge increases will
result in a more uniform light output distribution from the light
emitting member. Further, the faces of the notches may be made
progressively more textured or rougher with increased distance from
the light source to provide a more uniform light output
distribution from the member.
[0047] A reflective film or coating 15 may be provided on the
non-lighted end edge of the light emitting member (if lighted from
only one end edge as schematically shown in FIG. 1) as by applying
a reflective film to such non-lighted end edge or coating such
non-lighted end edge with white or silver reflective paint to
minimize light loss from such non-lighted end edge.
[0048] The light emitting member 1 may also be lighted from both
ends as schematically shown in FIG. 3 for increased light output.
In that event, the notches or grooves 3 may be placed closer and
closer together as the distance from both lighted end edges
increases toward the middle where the concentration of the notches
will be greatest to provide a more uniform light output
distribution from the light emitting member.
[0049] FIG. 5 shows the rod-like light emitting member 1 of the
invention as having a cylindrical cross-sectional shape 16.
However, light emitting member 1 may have other cross-sectional
shapes as well for varying the output ray angle distribution of the
emitted light to suit a particular application. For example,
changing the cross-sectional shape of the member 1 from the
cylindrical cross section 16 shown in FIG. 5 to an elliptical cross
section 17 as shown in FIG. 6 will narrow the view angle of the
light produced, whereas changing the cross-sectional shape to a
semi-cylindrical cross section 18 as shown in FIG. 7 will widen the
view angle.
[0050] If a non-angular light output is desired, a rectangular
cross-sectional shape 19 as shown in FIG. 8 or a triangular
cross-sectional shape 20 as shown in FIG. 9 may be used. Also, the
light output distribution from a light emitting member 1 with a
rectangular cross-sectional shape 19 can be made brighter by
notching three of the four sides 4, 21, 22 and 23 instead of just
one of the sides 4 as schematically shown in FIG. 10.
[0051] FIGS. 11 and 12 show a variation of the notching pattern
along a rod-like light emitting member 1 in which the notches 3
closest to the lighted end 25 are made relatively parallel to the
light emitting member to cause a relatively small percentage of the
transmitted light to be emitted and the notches 3 further removed
from the lighted end are made more and more perpendicular to the
axis of the light emitting member as the distance from the lighted
end increases to cause a greater percentage of the transmitted
light to be emitted to produce a more uniform light output
distribution from the light emitting member.
[0052] FIGS. 13 and 14 show another pattern of notches 3 extending
along the length of a rod-like light emitting member 1 that is
lighted from both ends. In this embodiment the notches 3 are
located along an arc 26, with the notches closest to the top
surface of the member adjacent the middle producing brighter light
when viewed from the proper angle.
[0053] FIGS. 15 and 16 show another rod-like light emitting member
1 of the invention in which a rounded shallow notch or groove 3
extends along the length of the member for causing light to be
emitted therefrom. The groove 3 may be coated with a suitable
reflective material 15 such as reflective paint or tape as
schematically shown in FIG. 16 to increase its effectiveness in
reflecting light.
[0054] If the light emitting member 1 of FIGS. 15 and 16 is lighted
from one end only as schematically shown in FIG. 15, the depth of
the light emitting groove 3 may if desired progressively increase
as the distance from the lighted end increases to produce a more
uniform light output distribution. Also, the unlighted end edge of
the light emitting member 1 may be coated with a suitable
reflective material 15 such as reflective paint or tape.
[0055] If the light emitting member 1 of FIGS. 15 and 16 is lighted
from both ends, the groove 3 may if desired be made shallower at
the ends and progressively deeper from the ends toward the middle
to produce a more uniform light output distribution from the
member. Moreover, while the rod-like light emitting member 1 shown
in FIGS. 15 and 16 has a generally cylindrical cross section, the
light emitting member may have other cross-sectional shapes
including for example the semi-cylindrical, elliptical, square and
triangular shapes previously discussed to obtain a desired light
output distribution to suit a particular application. Regardless of
the shape of the rod-like light emitting members, the notches or
grooves may be provided on more than one side of the members as
desired. Also, any of the light emitting members of the present
invention may be curved along their length to suit a particular
application.
[0056] FIGS. 17 and 18 show another rod-like light emitting member
1 of the invention in which a plurality of longitudinally spaced
notches 3 in the shape of rounded shallow dimples 28 are provided
along the length of the member for causing light to be emitted
therefrom. If the light emitting member is lighted from one end
only as shown in FIG. 17, the dimples 28 may be made progressively
deeper and/or closer together as the distance from the light source
increases to produce a more uniform light output distribution. The
surface of the dimples 28 may be coated with a suitable reflective
material 15 such as reflective paint or tape as schematically shown
in FIG. 18. Also, the unlighted end edge of the light emitting
member may similarly be coated with a suitable reflective coating
15.
[0057] If the light emitting member 1 of FIGS. 17 and 18 is lighted
from both ends, the dimples 28 may be made progressively deeper or
closer together as the distance from both ends increases toward the
middle with the depth of the dimples being greatest or the spacing
between dimples being closest together at the middle to produce a
more uniform light output distribution. While the light emitting
member 1 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 has a cylindrical cross-sectional
shape, the member may have any of the other cross-sectional shapes
previously described to fit a particular application. Also, the
dimples 28 may be elongated and be provided along more than one
side of the member if desired. In addition, the member itself may
be curved along its length to suit a particular application.
[0058] FIGS. 19 and 20 show another light emitting member 30 of the
invention in the shape of a panel 31 having a greater
cross-sectional width than thickness and bottom and top surfaces 32
and 33. The panel 31 may be lighted from one or both end edges and
also from one or both side edges as schematically shown in FIG. 20.
The number of light sources 5 utilized will depend on the size of
the panel as well as the type of light sources used and the
brightness and uniformity of light output desired. If LEDs 6 are
used as the light source, wide viewing angle LEDs may be used for
lighting the panel as opposed to the narrow viewing angle LEDs used
to light rod-like light emitting members.
[0059] A pattern of rounded shallow generally U or C shaped notches
or grooves 3 having the cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 2 may
be provided in one or more surfaces of the panel member 31 for
causing transmitted light to be emitted therefrom. If the panel is
lighted from only one end edge, the notches or grooves 3 may be
placed closer together as the distance from the lighted end edge
increases to provide a more uniform light output distribution from
the panel. Moreover, additional notches or grooves 3' may be
provided in one or more edges of the panel member 31 in order to
reflect the light wherever it is needed.
[0060] The light emitting panel 31 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20 is
substantially rectangular in shape. However, the light emitting
panel 31 may also be arcuately shaped as schematically shown in
FIGS. 21-28. The curved side edges 34 and 35 of the arcuately
shaped panels 31 should either be highly polished or covered with a
reflective material or coating 15 such as paint to reflect light
back into the panel. Such arcuately shaped panels may be lighted
from one end edge as schematically shown in FIG. 21 or lighted from
both end edges as schematically shown in FIG. 23. Moreover, the
arcuate panels may have sideways enlargements 36 along their length
as schematically shown in FIG. 23. Further, the ends of the
arcuately shaped panels may be joined together at 40 and lighted by
a single light source 5 as schematically shown in FIG. 25.
[0061] If a uniform light output distribution is desired from the
arcuately shaped panels, the notches 3 may be placed closer and
closer together (or made deeper and deeper or larger and larger) as
the distance from the lighted edges increases as schematically
shown in FIGS. 19-26. Alternatively, if a selective (non-uniform)
light output distribution is desired, for example, if only certain
areas need lighting, the notches 3 may be grouped in special
patterns on selected areas of the panel 31 as schematically shown
in FIGS. 27 and 28.
[0062] The arcuate shaped panels 31 are shown in FIGS. 21-28 as
being generally ring shaped. However, such panels may also have
other arcuate shapes including for example "J", "S" or "U"
shapes.
[0063] Any of the light emitting members of the invention may also
have patterns of rounded shallow notches or grooves on more than
one side. FIG. 29 shows a light emitting member 1 or 30 having a
pattern of notches or grooves 3 on both the top and bottom surfaces
of the member to produce a specified lighting pattern. Also, any of
the light emitting members of the invention may have a suitable
reflective coating or film on different surfaces of the members to
reflect light back into or through the members. FIG. 30
schematically shows one such light emitting member 1 or 30 having a
reflective layer 15 on the notched side 4 or 32 to reflect light
back through the other side and on the end edge opposite the
lighted end edge to reflect light back into the member.
[0064] Moreover, any of the light emitting members 1 or 30 of the
invention may have a suitable sheet, film or coating 41 such as a
diffuser, brightness enhancement film or other optical device
adjacent one or more sides of the member as schematically shown in
FIG. 31 to alter the light output distribution from the member, for
example, make it more even or brighter or change the view
angle.
[0065] If the light emitting members are used outdoors and are
vulnerable to the sun's UV rays, a transparent UV protective film
or sleeve 42 may cover the light emitting members 1 or 30 as
schematically shown in FIG. 32. Also a white or mirror-type
background may be provided for the members if desired.
[0066] These various light emitting members with rounded shallow
notches or grooves are relatively easy and inexpensive to mold.
Also such members allow for easy low volume manufacturability
because little or no tooling is required for custom applications.
Low volume manufacturability may involve using a low speed circular
cutting tool such as a ball mill, with a high feed rate of the
cutting tool and/or members such that the cutting tool will leave
tool marks on the face of the notches or grooves thus producing a
textured or roughened surface to extract more of the light through
the notches or grooves. The amount of texturing or roughness of the
notches or grooves may be varied along the surface of the light
emitting members in order to obtain a selected light output
distribution from the members by varying the cutter speed and/or
feed rate. For example, the notches or grooves may be made
progressively more textured or roughened with increased distance
from the light source to provide a more uniform light output
distribution from the members. Also the depth of the notches or
grooves may be progressively increased or decreased by
progressively increasing or decreasing the depth of the cutting
tool.
[0067] Although the invention has been shown and described with
respect to certain embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent
alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the
art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. In
particular, with regard to the various functions performed by the
above described components, the terms (including any reference to a
"means") used to describe such components are intended to
correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which
performs a specified function of the described component (e.g.,
that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally
equivalent to the disclosed component which performs the function
in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Also, all of the disclosed functions may be computerized and
automated as desired. In addition, while a particular feature of
the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of
several embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more
other features of the other embodiments as may be desired and
advantageous for any given or particular application.
* * * * *