U.S. patent application number 12/391304 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for system and method of determining fluid levels in containers including an infrared device for detecting a first value associated with an empty portion of a container (as amended).
Invention is credited to Chris Creegan, John Creegan, D.B. Yarbrough.
Application Number | 20100032593 12/391304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41652020 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100032593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yarbrough; D.B. ; et
al. |
February 11, 2010 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETERMINING FLUID LEVELS IN CONTAINERS
INCLUDING AN INFRARED DEVICE FOR DETECTING A FIRST VALUE ASSOCIATED
WITH AN EMPTY PORTION OF A CONTAINER (AS AMENDED)
Abstract
A system and method of determining fluid levels in containers is
disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a first value of infrared
energy associated with an empty portion of a container is detected
and the container is scanned to detect a second value of infrared
energy that is different from the first value of infrared energy.
The method also includes to store an upper limit value associated
with a vertical location of an upper surface of a fluid level when
the second value of infrared energy is detected and to scan the
container to detect a third value of infrared energy that is
different from the second value of infrared energy. In addition, a
lower limit value associated with a vertical location of a lower
surface of the fluid relative to the upper surface is stored when
the third value of infrared energy is detected. A height of the
fluid is determined using a difference between the upper limit
value and the lower limit value.
Inventors: |
Yarbrough; D.B.; (Winter
Park, FL) ; Creegan; John; (Winter Park, FL) ;
Creegan; Chris; (Winter Park, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
McKinney Law, LLC
121 S. Orange Ave, Suite 1500
Orlando
FL
32801
US
|
Family ID: |
41652020 |
Appl. No.: |
12/391304 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61086472 |
Aug 6, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
250/577 ;
73/293 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01F 25/0061 20130101;
G01F 23/292 20130101; G01F 23/22 20130101; B60P 3/228 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
250/577 ;
73/293 |
International
Class: |
G01N 21/85 20060101
G01N021/85; G01F 23/292 20060101 G01F023/292 |
Claims
1. A method of determining a fluid level in a container, the method
comprising: detecting a first value of infrared energy associated
with an empty portion of the container; vertically scanning the
container to detect a second value of infrared energy that is
different from the first value of infrared energy; storing an upper
limit value associated with a vertical location of an upper surface
of a fluid level when the second value of infrared energy is
detected; vertically scanning the container to detect a third value
of infrared energy that is different from the second value of
infrared energy; storing a lower limit value associated with a
vertical location of a lower surface of the fluid relative to the
upper surface when the third value of infrared energy is detected;
and determining a height of the fluid using a difference between
the upper limit value and the lower limit value.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising aiming an infrared
device at the container and activating a trigger.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising calculating a volume
of fluid in the container using the height of the fluid.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the infrared device further
comprising a motor means for controlling scanning the
container.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising displaying the volume
of fluid in the container.
6. The method of claim 4, further comprising referencing the
infrared device at a start of each scanning session.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the infrared device includes a
phase locked loop motor control circuit.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein the motor means includes a
computer controlled stepper motor with encoder.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein the motor means oscillates an
infrared sensor of the infrared device to capture the first value
and the second value of infrared energy emitted from the container
relative to a spatial reference point.
10. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining whether
the infrared sensor is at a scanning limit.
11. A system of determining a fluid level in a container, the
system comprising: an infrared device to detect at least a first
value, second value and third value of infrared energy emitted from
the container relative to a spatial reference point, wherein the
first value of infrared energy is associated with an empty portion
of the container, the second value of infrared energy is associated
with a vertical location of an upper surface of a fluid level, and
the third value is associated with a vertical location of a lower
surface of the fluid relative to the upper surface; a scanning
module to control the infrared device; and a differencing module to
determine a height of fluid in the container using the difference
between the upper surface and lower surface of the fluid.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a comparison module
to compare the current volume of fluid of the container to at least
one previously recorded volume.
13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a memory device for
storing a geometric configuration of the container to calculate a
current volume of liquid in the container.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising a display means for
displaying the current volume of liquid in the container.
15. The system of claim 12, further comprising a graphical user
interface (GUI) to enter and manage the geometric configuration of
the container.
16. The system of claim 11, further comprising focusing optics
disposed adjacent to an infrared sensor.
17. The system of claim 16, further comprising a phase locked loop
motor control circuit.
18. The system of claim 17, further comprising a fourth value of
infrared energy associated with ambient conditions outside of the
container.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the infrared device is a
thermal imager.
20. The system of claim 11, further comprising a laser sighting
system synchronized to the sensor to visually indicate the location
on the container where the infrared energy is currently being
detected by the sensor.
Description
I. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/086,472 filed Aug. 4, 2008. The disclosure of
the provisional application is incorporated herein by
reference.
II. FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure is generally related to a system and
method of determining fluid levels in containers.
III. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] Fluid levels in transparent containers may be determined
visually. However, determining a fluid level in a container that is
not transparent is more difficult. A measuring stick may be
inserted into the container and removed with the level of fluid
determined by the wetted surface of the measuring stick. However,
the fluid level in containers may be desired to be obtained without
using a measuring stick or otherwise not requiring to be in
physical contact with the fluid to take a measurement. For example,
covertly determining tank levels at an enemy fuel depot or tanker
trucks is needed in military related operations. In addition,
determining whether there are any flooded compartments above the
waterline of a ship or determining the severity of flooding without
a visual inspection or using manual methods is needed.
[0004] However, in view of the prior art at the time the present
invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill
in the pertinent art how the identified needs could be
fulfilled.
IV. SUMMARY
[0005] In a particular embodiment, a system of determining fluid
levels in containers is disclosed. The system includes an infrared
device to detect at least a first value, second value and third
value of infrared energy emitted from the container relative to a
spatial reference point, wherein the first value of infrared energy
is associated with an empty portion of the container, the second
value of infrared energy is associated with a vertical location of
an upper surface of a fluid level, and the third value is
associated with a vertical location of a lower surface of the fluid
relative to the upper surface. The system further includes a
scanning module to control the infrared device and a differencing
module to determine a height of fluid in the container using the
difference between the upper surface and lower surface of the
fluid. In addition, the system includes a comparison module to
compare the current volume of fluid of the container to at least
one previously recorded volume.
[0006] One particular advantage provided by embodiments of the
system and method of determining fluid levels in containers is the
ability to detect and measure the fluid volume stored in
substantially any container. For example, the system may be used by
a homeland security team (e.g., coast guard, navy) to collect
intelligence on ships without requiring a full boarding. This may
be accomplished by measuring the amount of fluids being transported
in a universal container carried on a cargo ship. The device may
also be used to measure the amount of fluids being transported in
tanker trucks as they travel along a highway.
[0007] Another particular advantage provided by embodiments of the
system and method of determining fluid levels in containers is
automatically determining the volume of fluids added or removed
from the container since a previous reading. This allows more
accurate and efficient tracking of the disbursement of fluids.
[0008] Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present
disclosure will become apparent after review of the entire
application, including the following sections: Brief Description of
the Drawings, Detailed Description, and the Claims.
V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a particular embodiment of a
method of determining a fluid level in a container;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a particular embodiment of a system
of determining a fluid level in a container;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment
of an infrared device of the system of determining a fluid level in
a container;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a particular illustrative
embodiment of a system of determining a fluid level in a
container;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of
the infrared device used in the system to determine fluid levels in
containers; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a
general computer system.
VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, a particular illustrative embodiment of
a method of determining a fluid level in a container is disclosed
and generally designated 100. An infrared device is aimed at the
container, at 102, and a trigger is activated to activate the
device. A first value of infrared energy associated with an empty
portion of the container is detected, at 104. The infrared energy
emitted from all objects indicates the temperature of the object.
Infrared energy is part of the electromagnetic spectrum which
includes radio waves, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet,
gamma, and X-rays. Infrared energy is between the visible light
spectrum and radio waves. Infrared wavelengths are usually
expressed in microns with the infrared spectrum extending between
0.7 microns to 1000 microns. The 0.7 to 14 micron band is used for
infrared temperature measurement. Thus, the first value of infrared
energy indicates a temperature of the outside of the container wall
that is adjacent to an empty portion of the container.
[0016] Continuing to 106, the container is vertically scanned to
detect a second value of infrared energy that is different from the
first value of infrared energy. The second value of infrared energy
indicates a temperature of the outside of the container wall that
is adjacent to a portion of the container having fluid. The fluid
in the container will be at a lower temperature than air within the
empty portion of the container. Accordingly, the device determines
the location of the interface between the air in the empty portion
of the container and the surface of the fluid where the difference
between the first value of infrared energy and second value of
infrared energy is detected. Moving to 108, this upper limit value
that is associated with a vertical location of an upper surface of
a fluid level is stored when the second value of infrared energy is
detected.
[0017] The container is scanned to detect a third value of infrared
energy that is different from the second value of infrared energy,
at 110. Continuing to 112, the third value is stored as a lower
limit value associated with a vertical location of a lower surface
of the fluid relative to the upper surface. A height of the fluid
is determined using a difference between the upper limit value and
the lower limit value, at 114. A volume of fluid in the container
is calculated, at 116, using the height of the fluid that was
determined at 114.
[0018] The method may also include controlling the scanning of the
container using a motor means and a phase locked loop motor
control. The motor means may alternatively include a computer
controlled stepper motor with encoder. In operation, the motor
means may oscillate an infrared sensor of the infrared device to
capture the values of infrared energy emitted from the container
relative to a spatial reference point and determine whether the
infrared sensor (or optics) is at a scanning limit. Alternatively,
the motor means may oscillate the optics focusing infrared energy
to the sensor. The method may include displaying the calculated
volume of fluid in the container. In addition, the method may
include referencing or calibrating the infrared device at a start
of each scanning session.
[0019] A diagram that illustrates an example of detecting the
locations of infrared energy values is disclosed in FIG. 2 and
generally designated as 200. A truck 202 is pulling a trailer
container 204 that contains an unknown volume of fluid 212. A first
value of infrared energy is detected at location 206, which is the
empty portion of the container 204. The location may be stored
using an (x, y) Cartesian coordinate system or any other similar
type of system that may be used to identify a spatial location of
infrared energy. For example, the first value of infrared energy
associated with the empty portion of the container 204 is located
at (1.25, 4.5). The second value of infrared energy that is
different from the first value of infrared energy is associated
with the upper surface of the fluid level and is located at (1.25,
3.5). The third value of infrared energy that is different from the
second value of infrared energy and associated with a vertical
location of a lower surface of the fluid is located at (1.25, 3.0).
In this example, the readings along the x-axis are similar (i.e.,
1.25) and confirms that a substantially vertical scan, or "slice",
was completed of the container 204. Once, the upper surface of the
fluid 208 and the lower surface of the fluid 210 are located, then
the height of the fluid 212 is determined by the difference. For
example, the difference between 3.5 and 3.0 is 0.5, which is the
height of the fluid 212 in FIG. 2. The volume is determined using
the height of the fluid 212 and the geometric configuration of the
container 204. Alternatively, a thermal imager may be used to
capture the scene instead of an infrared sensor. The thermal image
may be analyzed to determine the upper and lower surfaces of the
fluid. The volume is determined from the thermal image using the
height of the fluid and geometric configuration of the container as
explained above.
[0020] Referring to FIG. 3, the system includes an infrared device
generally designated 300. The infrared device 300 may be tethered
to a terminal, personal computer and/or have a built in multiple
interface. In operation, the infrared device 300 is aimed at the
desired container 310 and a trigger 302 is activated by a user to
activate the infrared device 300. The infrared device 300 may
include a laser sighting system synchronized to the sensor to
visually indicate the location on the container where the infrared
energy is currently being detected by the sensor. The infrared
device 300 may include a transparent window 304 and a sensor (not
shown) that detects infrared energy. The sensor produces an
electric response representing the infrared energy that was
detected of a particular portion of the container 310. The
electronic response may be processed by conventional electronic
circuits. Once the infrared device 300 is activated, optics of the
infrared device 300 focus the infrared energy 306 to a small field
of view 308. Thus, the optics allow the infrared device 300 to be
operated from a distance from the container 310 to determine the
fluid level 312 in accordance with the method of FIG. 1. The
infrared device 300 may be handheld as shown in FIG. 3, or
alternatively, mounted to an aircraft, ship, vehicle, building or
other structure. In addition, the device 300 may store geometric
information of a bottle or other container based on barcodes and
the device 300 may include a barcode scanner. For example, a
barcode on an alcoholic beverage bottle may be scanned. The
information from the scanned barcode may be compared to a database
of barcodes to determine the type and size of the alcoholic
beverage container. A timestamp may be stored in the database as a
corresponding entry to indicate each time a particular bottle was
scanned and a volume determined. Thus, the volume of fluid consumed
from a particular bottle between two timestamps (e.g., beginning
and ending of a shift) may be indicated by the difference in
volumes corresponding to each respective timestamp. The system may
include a graphical user interface (GUI) to enter and manage the
geometric configuration of the container. A fourth value of
infrared energy associated with ambient conditions outside of the
container may also be detected and stored. Further, any number of
values of infrared energy may be detected and stored and the
illustrative embodiments provided herein are not intended to be
limiting.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 4, a particular illustrative
embodiment of a system of determining a fluid level in a container
is generally designated 400. In a particular embodiment, the system
400 may be configured to perform the methods and system depicted in
FIGS. 1-3 and includes a motor control circuit 412 and motor 414,
such as a computer controlled, phase-locked-loop controlled, or
otherwise synchronized solenoid, cam or voice-coil or some other
technique, which moves a supported pivoting member (not shown) of
the assembly 402. The pivoting member may be attached to the sensor
408 as shown in FIG. 4 or, alternatively, to the optics 404 for
focusing infrared energy from the reference target into the field
of view of the sensor 408 of the infrared device 300. The focal
length 406 is determined from the distance between the optics 404
and the sensor 408. The pivoting member may be attached using a
hinge, pivots or another technique, and can be attached from and
supported by its top edge, bottom edge or side to oscillate the
sensor 408 or, alternatively, the optics 404.
[0022] The system 400 includes at least one processor 410 and a
memory 420 that is accessible to the processor 410. The memory 420
includes media that is readable by the processor 410 and that
stores data and program instructions that are executable by the
processor 410. For example, the processor 410 may receive data
representing the geometric configurations of containers and
instructions used to calculate a volume of fluid. In addition, the
data may also include historical values of volumes of fluid
calculated previously for the containers and instructions used to
calculate the volume of fluid added/removed since the last reading.
An input device 422 and a display 416 are coupled to the device
402. In a particular embodiment, the input device 422 may include a
keyboard, a pointing device, a touch screen, a speech interface,
another device to receive user input, or any combination
thereof.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram of particular
illustrative embodiment of a system to determine a fluid level in a
container is depicted and generally designated 500. In a particular
embodiment, the system 500 may be configured to perform the method
100 depicted in FIG. 1. The system 500 includes an infrared device
530 having at least one processor 508 and a memory 510 that is
accessible to the processor 508. The memory 510 includes media that
is readable by the processor 508 and that stores data and program
instructions that are executable by the processor 508, including a
scanning module 512 for controlling the infrared device, a
differencing module 514 for determining the height and volume of
fluid in a container, a comparison module 516 for determining the
volume of a fluid added or removed from a container based on stored
historical data, and a data file 518 that includes configurations
of containers to calculate volume 522 and values of volume of fluid
calculated previously for at least one container 524. A display 250
is coupled to the system 500 and may include a liquid crystal
display, a light emitting diode screen, or any other type of
display suitable for this purpose may be used. Although depicted as
separate components, the scanning module 512, the differencing
module 514, the comparison module 516, or any combination thereof,
may be integrated into a single software package or software
applications that are compatible to interoperate with each
other.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a general
computer system is shown and is designated 600. The computer system
600 may include a set of instructions that may be executed to cause
the computer system 600 to perform any one or more of the methods
or computer based functions disclosed herein. The computer system
600, or any portion thereof, may operate as a standalone device
such as the infrared device 300 or may be connected, e.g., using a
network, to other computer systems or peripheral device.
[0025] In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate
in the capacity of a server or a transmitter. The computer system
600 may also be implemented as or incorporated into various
devices, such as the infrared device 300, personal computer (PC), a
tablet PC, a media device (STB), a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a
desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, a
land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a
facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a
web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other
machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or
otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a
particular embodiment, the computer system 600 may be implemented
using electronic devices that provide voice, video or data
communication. Further, while a single computer system 600 is
illustrated, the term "system" shall also be taken to include any
collection of systems or sub-systems that individually or jointly
execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform one or
more computer functions.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the computer system 600 may
include a processor 602, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a
graphics-processing unit (GPU), or both.
[0027] Moreover, the computer system 600 may include a main memory
604 and a static memory 606 that can communicate with each other
via a bus 608. As shown, the computer system 600 may further
include a video display unit 610, such as a liquid crystal display
(LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), a flat panel display, a
solid-state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT). Additionally, the
computer system 600 may include an input device 612, such as a
keyboard, and a cursor control device 614, such as a mouse. The
computer system 600 can also include a disk drive unit 616, a
signal generation device 618, such as a speaker or remote control,
and a network interface device 620.
[0028] In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 6, the disk
drive unit 616 may include a computer-readable medium 622 in which
one or more sets of instructions 624, e.g. software, can be
embedded. Further, the instructions 624 may embody one or more of
the methods or logic as described herein. In a particular
embodiment, the instructions 624 may reside completely, or at least
partially, within the main memory 604, the static memory 606,
and/or within the processor 602 during execution by the computer
system 600. The main memory 604 and the processor 602 also may
include computer-readable media.
[0029] In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware
implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits,
programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be
constructed to implement one or more of the methods described
herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of
various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and
computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may
implement functions using two or more specific interconnected
hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals
that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as
portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.
Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and
hardware implementations.
[0030] In accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure, the methods described herein may be implemented by
software programs executable by a computer system. Further, in an
exemplary, non-limited embodiment, implementations can include
distributed processing, component/object distributed processing,
and parallel processing.
[0031] The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable
medium that includes instructions or receives and executes
instructions responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device
connected to a network can communicate voice, video or data over
the network. Further, the instructions may be transmitted or
received over the network via the network interface device.
[0032] The term medium includes a single medium or multiple media,
such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated
caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The
term medium shall also include any medium that is capable of
storing, encoding or carrying out a set of instructions for
execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform
any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.
[0033] In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the
computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a
memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile
read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a
random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.
Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a
magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other
storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal
communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment
to an email or other self-contained information archive or set of
archives may be considered an equivalent to a tangible storage
medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any
one or more of a computer-readable medium and other equivalents and
successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.
[0034] In accordance with various embodiments, the methods
described herein may be implemented as one or more software
programs running on a computer processor. Dedicated hardware
implementations including, but not limited to, application specific
integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware
devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods
described herein. Furthermore, alternative software implementations
including, but not limited to, distributed processing or
component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or
virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the
methods described herein.
[0035] It should also be noted that instructions and data of the
disclosed methods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage
medium, such as: a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a
magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk; or a solid state
medium, such as a memory card or other package that houses one or
more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or
other re-writable (volatile) memories. The software may also
utilize a signal including computer instructions. A digital file
attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or
set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a
tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered
to include a tangible storage medium or distribution medium as
listed herein, and other equivalents and successor media, in which
the software implementations herein may be stored.
[0036] Although the present specification describes components and
functions that may be implemented in particular embodiments with
reference to particular standards and protocols, the invention is
not limited to such standards and protocols. For example, standards
for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g.,
TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the
art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more
efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.
Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same or
similar functions as those disclosed herein are considered
equivalents thereof.
[0037] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are
intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the
various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as
a complete description of all of the elements and features of
apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods
described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those
of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other
embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such
that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made
without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly,
the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative
rather than restrictive.
[0038] One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to
herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term "invention"
merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit
the scope of this application to any particular invention or
inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have
been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated
that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or
similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments
shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent
adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of
the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically
described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art
upon reviewing the description.
[0039] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37
C.F.R. .sctn.1.52(b) and is submitted with the understanding that
it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of
the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description,
various features may be grouped together or described in a single
embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This
disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that
the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly
recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect,
inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the
features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following
claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each
claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject
matter.
[0040] The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered
illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are
intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other
embodiments, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the
scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest
permissible interpretation of the following claims and their
equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the
foregoing detailed description.
* * * * *