U.S. patent application number 11/328613 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for system and method for participation in interactive applications.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hai Duong Nguyen, Ranjith Weeresinghe.
Application Number | 20070167225 11/328613 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38263888 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070167225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nguyen; Hai Duong ; et
al. |
July 19, 2007 |
System and method for participation in interactive applications
Abstract
A system for interactive participation in applications is
provided. The system includes a computing device having a processor
and an interactive application accessible by a user of the
computing device. The interactive application is operable for
selecting multiple participants to invite to participate in the
interactive application. The interactive application is operable to
promote communicating a signal to one or more other computing
devices associated with the invited participants. At least some of
the invited participants use the associated other computing devices
to select to participate in the interactive application with the
user of the computing device in response to receiving the signal
from the computing device regarding participation in the
interactive application.
Inventors: |
Nguyen; Hai Duong; (Plano,
TX) ; Weeresinghe; Ranjith; (Allen, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CONLEY ROSE, P.C.
5700 GRANITE PARKWAY, SUITE 330
PLANO
TX
75024
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
|
Family ID: |
38263888 |
Appl. No.: |
11/328613 |
Filed: |
January 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/795 20140902;
A63F 13/10 20130101; A63F 2300/5566 20130101; A63F 13/12
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/029 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A system for interactive participation in applications,
comprising; a first device operable by a user for selection of an
application for participation with multiple participants, the first
device further operable for selection of at least one participant
to engage in the application; and a second device in communication
with the first device and operable by at least one participant, the
second device operable for the at least one participant to select
to participate in the application with the user of the first device
in response to receiving a signal from the first device regarding
participation in the application.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the application is operable for
multi-user operation such that the user of the first device is able
to interact with the application while the at least participant
interacts with the application on the second device such that at
least some interactions by the first user are observable by the at
least one participant.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein participating in the application
is further defined as selection of a least one participant to
engage in working on a workgroup application.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the application is further
defined as a game and wherein participating in the application is
further defined as selection of at least one player to engage in
play of the game.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one participant
selects to participate by a single input via the second device that
initiates participation in the application by the at least one
participant via the second device.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein selecting to participate is
further defined as initiating participation in the application by
the at least one participant using the second device.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second devices are
selected from a group consisting of mobile phones, wireless
devices, wireless handsets, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
portable computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, desktop
computers, workstation computers, set-top boxes, and game
platforms.
8. A system for interactive participation in applications,
comprising; a computing device having a processor; and an
interactive application accessible by a user of the computing
device, the interactive application operable for selecting multiple
participants to invite to participate in the interactive
application and further operable to promote communicating a signal
to one or more other computing devices associated with the invited
participants, at least some of the invited participants using the
associated other computing devices to select to participate in the
interactive application with the user of the computing device in
response to receiving the signal from the computing device
regarding participation in the interactive application.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the interactive application is
further operable for selection of a minimum number of participants
required to initiate participation in the interactive
application.
10. The system of claim 8, where the application is further defined
as an interactive multi-participant application selected from a
group consisting of video games, productivity applications, and
interactive workgroup applications.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the computing device and the
other computing devices are selected from a group consisting of
mobile phones, wireless devices, wireless handsets, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, laptop computers,
tablet computers, desktop computers, workstation computers, set-top
boxes, and game platforms.
12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a server and wherein
at least a portion of the interactive application is deployed on
the server which is accessible by the computing device and other
devices used by the invited participants
13. The system of claim 8, wherein at least a component of the
interactive application deployed on the computing device.
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a presence sever to
determine whether participants to invite are available to
participate in the interactive application.
15. A method of participation in applications, comprising:
selecting, by an organizer, an application; selecting, by the
organizer, multiple participants to invite to participate in the
application; sending invitations to at least some of the invited
participants; at least some of the invited participants receiving a
signal related to being invited to participate in the application;
at least some of the participants selecting to participate in the
application in response to receiving the signal; and the organizer
and at least some of the invited participants participating in the
application in response to at least some of the participants
selecting to participate.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: wherein the
organizer uses a device having access to the application to select
and invite the participants and to participate in the application;
wherein each of the at least some participants have devices having
access to the application, the at least some participants use the
respective devices to select to participate in the application
participate; and wherein the at least some of the participants
select, using the device and via a user interface associated with
the application, to participate and in response the application
launches on the participant's device.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the user selection is further
defined as a single input by the user using the device.
18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: selecting a minimum
number of participants required to initiate the application for
participation; and determining whether the participants are
available to participate.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein determining whether the
participants are available comprises: a presence server determining
whether a mobile device associated with invited participant is
accessible; and determining whether the participant has selected
not to be disturbed.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: wherein the
organizer uses a mobile handset and the application is further
defined as a game; and wherein at least one participant uses a
personal computer.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] None.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present disclosure is directed to an architecture and
applications to support interactive applications, and more
particularly, but not by way of limitation to, a system to initiate
an invitation to an interactive application that multiple users may
actively participate in simultaneously.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] There are situations when multiple users may participate in
an interactive application such as games, collaborative business
applications and so on. A person may desire to invite one or more
people to participate in the interactive application. There are
methods to inform other users about participation in an interactive
application such as by e-mail, instant messaging, voice call or
voice mail. An organizer of such an interactive application may
need to spend considerable time setting-up the application before
inviting the other participants. Invited participants may need, for
example, to enter commands to log-in or connect to a server in
order to participate, and enter passwords or other codes. The
participants may also need to select the specific interactive
application to use, and so on. The organizer may also need to send
messages or make voice calls to determine whether non-participating
invitees have decided not to participate or whether they are
actually just having technical difficulties in participating.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one embodiment, a system for interactive
participation in applications is provided. The system includes
first and second devices. The first device is operable by a user
for selection of an application for participation with multiple
participants. The first device is further operable for selection of
at least one participant to engage in the application. The second
device is in communication with the first device and is operable by
at least one participant. The second device is operable for the at
least one participant to select to participate in the application
with the user of the first device in response to receiving a signal
from the first device regarding participation in the
application.
[0007] In another embodiment, a system for interactive
participation in applications is provided. The system includes a
computing device having a processor and an interactive application
accessible by a user of the computing device. The interactive
application is operable for selecting multiple participants to
invite to participate in the interactive application. The
interactive application is operable to promote communicating a
signal to one or more other computing devices associated with the
invited participants. At least some of the invited participants use
the associated other computing devices to select to participate in
the interactive application with the user of the computing device
in response to receiving the signal from the computing device
regarding participation in the interactive application.
[0008] In still other embodiments, a method is provided for
participation in applications. The method includes selecting, by an
organizer, an application. The method includes selecting, by the
organizer, multiple participants to invite to participate in the
application. The method includes sending invitations to at least
some of the invited participants, and at least some of the invited
participants receiving a signal related to being invited to
participate in the application. The method includes at least some
of the participants selecting to participate in the application in
response to receiving the signal. The method includes the organizer
and at least some of the invited participants participating in the
application in response to at least some of the participants
selecting to participate.
[0009] These and other features and advantages will be more clearly
understood from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a more complete understanding of the presentation and
the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following
brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings in detailed description, wherein like reference numerals
represent like parts.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an event diagram of a system to create an
application group for an interactive application, according to one
embodiment of the present disclosure, where a user may use a client
application user interface on a wireless device to setup a gaming
group that may be used to invite multiple users of wireless devices
to participate in an interactive application.
[0013] FIG. 3 is an event diagram of a system to initiate an
invitation to an interactive application, according to another
embodiment of the present disclosure, in this case for the user to
invite multiple users of the interactive application group to
participate in an the interactive application using a previously
created interactive application group.
[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system
operable for some of the various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile device
operable for some of the various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0016] It should be understood at the outset that although an
exemplary implementation of one embodiment is illustrated below,
the present system may be implemented using any number of
techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present
disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary
implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below,
including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and
described herein, but may be modified within the scope of the
appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.
[0017] Wireless device and personal computer users participate in
interactive applications where multiple users may participate
simultaneously. Although the term application is herein, it is
intended to include, but is not limited to, online games, business
applications and any other interactive or collaborative
applications whereby multiple users in different locations using
the same or different computing devices may participate,
collaborate, or interact with one another via the application. For
the purpose of clarity for this disclosure, a game or video game
will be used as the exemplary interactive application, but it
should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to
games and might be any of the above-described or other types of
applications.
[0018] To participate in an interactive game, a person may wish to
connect with the gaming server using, for example, a wireless
device, personal computer or other device. A wireless device may
be, but is not limited to, a digital, cellular and other wireless
handset or phone, PDA's, portable or other computer or computing
devices and so on. Many online games allow multiple users to play
in an interactive manner with other users of the game. As discussed
above, the current systems for inviting and participating with
multiple people in interactive applications, such as games, are
cumbersome and inefficient.
[0019] The present disclosure provides a system where an organizer
using, for example, a mobile handset, selects a game, identifies a
list of participants to invite and selects to send an invitation to
those participants. According to one embodiment, when the game and
participants are have been established, the organizer may simply
need to select one button or make a single or simplified input to
initiate the game and invitations, or push-to-game if you will. The
application organizing the game may be a client on the mobile
handset, or other architectures or configurations may be used, some
of which will be discussed hereinafter. The participants receive
invitations according to various methods and then select, again by
a single or simplified input or command, to begin participating in
the game or application. It should be noted that the organizer of
one game, may be a participant in the games of other organizers.
The organizer as noted herein is the user that selects the game and
the participants to invite and initiates game setup and play.
[0020] The invitations may be in various forms such as user
interfaces on a mobile handset whereby the user selects, for
example, "Yes" or "No" to begin play, or a special ring-tone on the
wireless device indicative of an invitation to play a particular
game and soliciting a response. In some embodiments only the
organizer is able to invite participants; however, in other
embodiments, other group members are able to invite others to
participate at any given time. A group member may wish to indicate
to other group members whether or not at any point in time the
member is willing to possibly participate in a game.
[0021] A presence server may be used to determine whether the
participants are accessible via the participant's mobile handset.
Once the invitation is received by one or more people, the group
member invited may choose whether or not to participate. Invitees
in meeting or otherwise unable to participate may enable a "Do Not
Disturb" or other feature on their mobile handset or system which
may be automatically interpreted as declining the invitation to
participate. The disclosure provides that the organizer of a game
or application may set a minimum number of group members or
participants needed to initiate game play. Once the minimum number
of participants accept the invitation to play, the game is started.
If the minimum number of players is not met after a given amount of
time, the organizer may decide to either wait for a longer period
of time for other members to join or the organizer may cancel the
invitation for game play to all group members.
[0022] In one embodiment, users may create interactive application
groups in order to more easily facilitate taking part in the
interactive application between one or more users. The organizer is
provided with information regarding participants, such as
identifying those participants that are located by the presence
server, those that have joined, those declining, and other relevant
information.
[0023] Turning now to FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown according to
one embodiment, of a system for multiple users to simultaneously
participate in an interactive application. An IP core network 20
may be used as the first point of contact for a wireless device 10
that may be, but is not limited to, a digital, cellular and other
wireless phones, PDA's, portable computers and so on. For the
purposes of this disclosure, the IP core network 20 is used for
access to the Internet. The IP core network 20 may also be the
first point of contact for a personal computer 15. It will be
appreciated that the organizer and/or participant may be using a
mobile handset, such as the wireless device 10, or may be using a
laptop, desktop, workstation or other computers, such as the
personal computer 15. For purposes of clarity, the wireless device
10 may be used to illustrate the interface to the interactive
application.
[0024] The wireless device 10 communicates wirelessly with the IP
core network 20 via communication channel 100. The IP core network
20 may route the data sent by the wireless device 10 to a server 25
via communication channel 120. The server 25 may be defined as the
hardware and software that runs on a host that relays information
to a client upon the client sending it a request. Servers 25 are
selected from, but not limited to, application servers, web
servers, database servers, and so forth.
[0025] A presence server 30 may be used to determine if
participants in a group are available, such as whether the
participant's wireless device is present and accessible by the
wireless network. The presence server 30 is also operable for
authenticating and authorizing requests, read/write presence
information, updating and maintaining group lists, subscribe and
unsubscribe for group lists, etc. In one embodiment, the presence
server 30 may be a separate server or may reside on or be combined
with the server 25. An initiate application server 40 may be used
to send invitations to other users to participate in an interactive
application as well as establishing connections for users in order
to participate in the interactive application. In one embodiment,
the initiate application server 40 may be a separate server or may
reside on the server 25.
[0026] In one embodiment, the application or game may be provided
or reside on, or be launch or run on an application server 35. The
application server 35 may be a server such as the server 25 that
may be used to hold the instructions used to play the interactive
application. The interactive application may reside or run on other
servers, on the personal computer 15, the wireless device 10, or
elsewhere. In some embodiments, a client application 5 may be
provided on the personal computer 15 and/or the wireless device 10.
The client application 5 may include or be associated with the
application or game or promote the operation of the application or
game. In such an embodiment, the server 35 may include all or
portion of the game or application as well. Other architectures and
dispositions of the applications/games will readily suggest
themselves to one skilled in the art and are within the spirit and
scope of the present disclosure.
[0027] A client application 5 is illustrated as provided on the
wireless device 10 and personal computer 15. In other embodiments,
the client application 5 may not actually reside on, but instead
only be accessible by the wireless device 10 and personal computer
15 and reside elsewhere in the system. The client application 5 may
include various components for setting-up, organizing, initiating,
and playing the interactive application and/or game. For example,
the client application 5 may have various user interfaces or
windows helpful for identifying and organizing participants,
groups, and so on and relating or associating these
participant(s)/group(s) to the game(s) to be played.
[0028] For example, each game may have a different group of
participants. The client application 5 may have tools so that the
organizer can easily edit participants for a particular game, copy
groups from one game to another, edit game and participant
information, and so on. The client application 5 may include
information and settings such as how many participants must join
before the game is started, and what to do if fewer than the
minimum, or perhaps more than the maximum, number join. When fewer
join, the organizer, via the client application 5, may select to
cancel the game, continue to wait for other participants to join,
or attempt to re-invite or otherwise contact other participants.
Each of these and other options may be selectable, such as via a
check-box, in the client application 5 user interface.
[0029] Specific setting for each game or other local or global
parameters for game play or participation may be set via the client
application 5. The client application 5 may have intuitive inputs
that anticipate and auto-fill fields based on previous inputs or
learned behavior by the organizer. The client application 5 may
have standard inputs and selection components well known to those
skilled in the art and may include, but are not limited to,
graphical user interfaces common in mobile handsets and computers.
These navigation and selection components may be similar to those
found in Microsoft Window or other standard off-the-shelf software
applications that come standard on computers, mobile handsets, or
personal digital assistants and may include standard pull-down
menus and other menuing components and graphical user interfaces
(GUIs).
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2, an event diagram is depicted that
describes a system where a user of the wireless device 10 uses the
client application 5 to setup a gaming group that may be used to
invite multiple users having wireless devices 10 to participate in
an online game. The user via the client application 5 sends a
request 200 to the initiate application server 40 to create a
gaming group. The initiate application server 40 then receives and
maintains the parameters from the user for the gaming group 205.
The user client application 5 may then request the initiate
application server 40 to add one or more participants to the gaming
group 210.
[0031] The user may populate the gaming group from information
keyed in manually, selected or imported from the address book, or
imported or accessed from other systems of the mobile device 10.
The initiate application server 40 receives the request and adds
the participants to the gaming group. The presence server 30
provides the information as to whether each gaming group member is
available and willing to participate 215. The organizer, via the
client application 5, may then request the games available to
choose from 220 which are provided 225 by the initiate applications
server 40. The user has the opportunity to choose which game is to
be used for the gaming group along with setting the minimum number
of gaming group members needed to play the game 230. The initiate
application server 40 then sets the game selected by the user for
this gaming group and also sets the selected minimum number of
participants needed to initiate game play 235.
[0032] The gaming group created also allows for any gaming group
member to indicate whether they expect to be available and are
interested in participating. This may include requesting that the
participant complete a request, such as a survey, indicating
whether or not the participant would be interested in playing,
favorable or expected play times, and so on. The participant may
complete and return the survey, which is used by the organizer to
set-up the game and participants. This will allow any user to see
how many possible gaming group members may be willing to play at a
particular time. Based on this information, such as if several of
the gaming group members indicate they do not expect to be
available for game play at particular times or are not interested,
the organizer, via the client application 5, may decide to
reschedule the game and invite the members to participate at a
later time when more gaming group members indicate they are
available. The gaming group is now ready be used to initiate game
play with all available gaming group members. In some embodiments,
the organizer may know that certain participant(s) are willing and
interested in playing a game. In this case, the organizer may
merely select to add these participant(s) to the group without any
response or other communication from the participant(s).
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 3, an event diagram is depicted that
describes a system for the organizer to send via the wireless
device 10 an invitation to one or more users of wireless devices 10
or personal computers 15 to participate in an interactive game. In
this diagram, a gaming group previously created is requested 300
from the server 25. The organizer, via the user interface of the
client application 5, may select a single or simplified input or
keystroke to initiate game play. The application server 35 may then
be used to set-up game connections with other devices and informs
the initiate application server 40 when the connections are ready
305.
[0034] In one embodiment, the application server 35 sets up the
gaming connections and informs the initiate application server 40
when the connections are ready. The wireless device 10 attempts to
initiate the invitation to the gaming group members and is now
accepted into the game 310 by the application server 35. The
initiate application server 40 launches the game and a link to the
application server 35 to all members of the gaming group along with
sending an invitation to play the game to all gaming members that
are available 315. In one embodiment, several gaming group members
may accept the invitation to play 320, causing a connection to be
made 325 with the application server 35 and the gaming group
members whom accepted the invitation to play.
[0035] In one embodiment, participants are provided with the client
application 5 on their respective wireless devices 10 or personal
computers 15 as well. The participants may receive the invitation
to participate in the game or application in the form of a signal,
unique ring-tone, pop-up window or interface notice, or so on. The
participant, via the client application 5, selects via a single or
simplified input or keystroke to accept (or decline) to participate
and then begins participation in the game or application. Once the
minimum number of players required to start the game is achieved
330, the initiate application server 40 may then notify the
application server 35 to start the game 335. The game is in
progress between the organizer of the game and all gaming group
members who accepted the invitation to play. Should the minimum
number of players not be achieved, the game play may not be
initiated or the organizer may choose to wait a longer period of
time for the other group members to accept to play or the organizer
may decide to initiate play even though the minimum number of
players was not achieved.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a typical,
general-purpose computer system suitable for implementing one or
more embodiments disclosed herein. The computer system 380 includes
a processor 382 (which may be referred to as a central processor
unit or CPU) that is in communication with memory devices including
secondary storage 384, read only memory (ROM) 386, random access
memory (RAM) 388, input/output (I/O) 390 devices, and network
connectivity devices 392. The processor may be implemented as one
or more CPU chips.
[0037] The secondary storage 384 is typically comprised of one or
more disk drives or tape drives and is used for non-volatile
storage of data and as an over-flow data storage device if RAM 388
is not large enough to hold all working data. Secondary storage 384
may be used to store programs which are loaded into RAM 388 when
such programs are selected for execution. The ROM 386 is used to
store instructions and perhaps data which are read during program
execution. ROM 386 is a non-volatile memory device which typically
has a small memory capacity relative to the larger memory capacity
of secondary storage. The RAM 388 is used to store volatile data
and perhaps to store instructions. Access to both ROM 386 and RAM
388 is typically faster than to secondary storage 384.
[0038] I/O 390 devices may include printers, video monitors, liquid
crystal displays (LCDs), touch screen displays, keyboards, keypads,
switches, dials, mice, track balls, voice recognizers, card
readers, paper tape readers, or other well-known input devices. The
network connectivity devices 392 may take the form of modems, modem
banks, ethernet cards, universal serial bus (USB) interface cards,
serial interfaces, token ring cards, fiber distributed data
interface (FDDI) cards, wireless local area network (WLAN) cards,
radio transceiver cards such as code division multiple access
(CDMA) and/or global system for mobile communications (GSM) radio
transceiver cards, and other well-known network devices. These
network connectivity 392 devices may enable the processor 382 to
communicate with an Internet or one or more intranets. With such a
network connection, it is contemplated that the processor 382 might
receive information from the network, or might output information
to the network in the course of performing the above-described
method steps. Such information, which is often represented as a
sequence of instructions to be executed using processor 382, may be
received from and outputted to the network, for example, in the
form of a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave
[0039] Such information, which may include data or instructions to
be executed using processor 382 for example, may be received from
and outputted to the network, for example, in the form of a
computer data baseband signal or signal embodied in a carrier wave.
The baseband signal or signal embodied in the carrier wave
generated by the network connectivity 392 devices may propagate in
or on the surface of electrical conductors, in coaxial cables, in
waveguides, in optical media, for example optical fiber, or in the
air or free space. The information contained in the baseband signal
or signal embedded in the carrier wave may be ordered according to
different sequences, as may be desirable for either processing or
generating the information or transmitting or receiving the
information. The baseband signal or signal embedded in the carrier
wave, or other types of signals currently used or hereafter
developed, referred to herein as the transmission medium, may be
generated according to several methods well known to one skilled in
the art.
[0040] The processor 382 executes instructions, codes, computer
programs, scripts which it accesses from hard disk, floppy disk,
optical disk (these various disk based systems may all be
considered secondary storage 384), ROM 386, RAM 388, or the network
connectivity devices 392.
[0041] The system described above may be implemented on any
hand-held, portable, or mobile wireless electronic device, such as
wireless device 10, which is well known to those skilled in the
art. An exemplary wireless device 180 for implementing one or more
embodiments disclosed herein is illustrated in FIG. 5. The wireless
device 180 includes a processor 1210 (which may be referred to as a
central processor unit or CPU) that is coupled to a first storage
area 1220, a second storage area 1230, an input device 1240 such as
a keypad, and an output device such as a display screen 200.
[0042] The processor 1210 may be implemented as one or more CPU
chips and may execute instructions, codes, computer programs, or
scripts that it accesses from the first storage area 1220 or the
second storage area 1230. The first storage area 1220 might be a
non-volatile memory such as flash memory. The second storage area
1230 might be firmware, or other non-volatile storage for data, or
a similar type of memory.
[0043] While several embodiments have been provided in the present
disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and
methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without
departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The
present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details
given herein, but may be modified within the scope of the appended
claims along with their full scope of equivalents. For example, the
various elements or components may be combined or integrated in
another system or certain features may be omitted, or not
implemented.
[0044] Also, techniques, systems, subsystems and methods described
and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate
may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules,
techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the
present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly
coupled or communicating with each other may be coupled through
some interface or device, such that the items may no longer be
considered directly coupled to each other but may still be
indirectly coupled and in communication, whether electrically,
mechanically, or otherwise with one another. Other examples of
changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one
skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the
spirit and scope disclosed herein.
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