U.S. patent application number 12/963349 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-31 for electronic apparatus with router device for managing connections.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY ERICSSON MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS. Invention is credited to Joakim NELSON.
Application Number | 20110078317 12/963349 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37007407 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110078317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NELSON; Joakim |
March 31, 2011 |
ELECTRONIC APPARATUS WITH ROUTER DEVICE FOR MANAGING
CONNECTIONS
Abstract
A method and electronic apparatus is provided for establishing a
connection in a first electronic apparatus to a second electronic
apparatus using one of a plurality of clients. The method comprises
determining whether the first electronic apparatus and the second
electronic apparatus, to which a connection is requested, is
operating in the same network; establishing the connection using a
first client if the first and second electronic apparatuses are
operating in the same network; and establishing the connection
using a second client if the second electronic apparatus is
operating in a different network than the first electronic
apparatus.
Inventors: |
NELSON; Joakim; (Lund,
SE) |
Assignee: |
SONY ERICSSON MOBILE
COMMUNICATIONS
Lund
SE
|
Family ID: |
37007407 |
Appl. No.: |
12/963349 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11347286 |
Feb 6, 2006 |
7873743 |
|
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12963349 |
|
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60741883 |
Dec 5, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/227 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 76/10 20180201;
H04W 80/04 20130101; H04L 12/5692 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101;
H04L 29/06027 20130101; H04L 65/1016 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/227 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1-29. (canceled)
30. A first device comprising: a memory to store instructions; and
a processor, to execute the instructions, to: determine whether the
first device and a second device are both operating in a first
network, establish a connection, between the first device and the
second device, using a first client, when the first device and the
second device are both operating in the first network, and
establish the connection, using a second, different client, when
the first device is operating in the first network and the second
device is operating in a second, different network.
31. The first device of claim 30, where the processor is further
to: detect a request to establish the connection to the second
device, where the processor is to determine, in response to the
detected request, whether the first device and the second device
are both operating in the first network.
32. The first device of claim 31, where the processor is further
to: transmit a request for identification information of one of a
network or a network operator associated with the second device,
and receive, in response to the request for the identification
information, information associated with the second device, where
the processor is to determine, based on the information associated
with the second device, whether the first device and the second
device are operating in the first network.
33. The first device of claim 32, where the information associated
with the second device includes information indicating whether the
second device supports a circuit switched connection or a packet
switched connection.
34. The first device of claim 30, where, when determining whether
the first device and the second device are both operating in the
first network, the processor is further to: determine
identification information of one of a network or a network
operator associated with the second device, where the processor is
to determine, based on the identification information, whether the
first device and the second device are operating in the first
network.
35. The first device of claim 34, where the processor is to
determine the identification information based on information,
stored in the memory, associated with a contact that is associated
with the second device.
36. The first device of claim 30, where the processor is further
to: establish a circuit switched connection when the first client
is used to establish the connection; and establish a packet
switched connection when the second client is used to establish the
connection.
37. The first device of claim 30, where the processor is further
to: select the first client or the second client, from a plurality
of clients, to establish the connection based on at least one of
signal strength information, signal quality information, or
connection cost information.
38. A system comprising: a device to: determine whether the device
and another device associated with a same network; establish, using
a first client, a connection between the device and the other
device when the device and the other device are associated with the
same network; and establish the connection, using a second,
different client, when the device and the other device associated
with different networks.
39. The system of claim 38, where, when determining whether the
device and the other device are associated with the same network,
the device is further to: determine whether the device and the
other device are associated with the same network when
identification information, of one of a network or a network
operator associated with the other device, is obtained.
40. The system of claim 39, where, when the identification
information is not obtained, the device is further to: select a
particular client, from a plurality of clients, to establish the
connection based on at least one of signal strength information,
signal quality information, or connection cost information; and
establish the connection using the particular client.
41. The system of claim 39, where, when determining whether the
device and the other device are associated with the same network,
the device is further to: obtain the identification information of
the one of the network or the network operator associated with the
other device; and determine whether second identification, of one
of a second network or a second network operator associated with
the device, matches the identification information, of one of the
network or the network operator associated with the other
device.
42. The system of claim 38, where the device is further to: detect
a request to establish the connection to the other device, where
the device is to determine, in response to the detected request,
whether the device and the other device are associated with the
same network.
43. The system of claim 38, where the device is further to:
transmit a request for identification information of one of a
network or a network operator associated with the other device, and
receive, in response to the request for the identification
information, information associated with the other device, where
the device is to determine, based on the information associated
with the other device, whether the device and the other device are
associated with the same network.
44. The system of claim 43, where the information associated with
the other device includes information indicating whether the other
device supports a circuit switched connection or a packet switched
connection.
45. The system of claim 38, where the device is further to:
establish a circuit switched connection when the first client is
used to establish the connection; and establish a packet switched
connection when the second client is used to establish the
connection.
46. A non-transitory computer-readable memory device including
instructions, executable by a processor of a first device, to
perform a method, the method comprising: detecting a request to
establish a connection between the first device and a second
device, where the first device is associated with a first network;
establishing the connection, using a first client, when the second
device is associated with the first network; and establishing the
connection, using a second, different client, when the second
device is associated with a second, different network.
47. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 46,
the method further comprising: determining whether the first device
and the second device are associated with a first network based on
detecting the request to establish the connection.
48. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 46,
the method further comprising: establishing a circuit switched
connection when the first client is used to establish the
connection; and establishing a packet switched connection when the
second client is used to establish the connection.
49. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 46,
the method further comprising: select the first client or the
second client, from a plurality of clients, to establish the
connection based on at least one of signal strength information,
signal quality information, or connection cost information.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
based on U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/741,883, filed
Dec. 5, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus
comprising a router device. The router device is adapted to
determine how a connection should be made to another electronic
apparatus. The invention also relates to a method for establishing
a connection between electronic devices in a communication
system.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] In an electronic apparatus, such as a mobile terminal, a
router device may be used to connect the electronic apparatus to
another electronic apparatus. Different types of networks through
which the two electronic apparatuses can communicate are in various
stages of development.
[0004] For example, mobile networks can today carry and handle data
traffic partly by use of packet data (e.g. according to 3G). This
will allow for Voice over IP services (VoIP) once the network
capability (acceptable latency, data speed, etc.) is improved to
allow these services. With 3G and later on HSDPA, mobile networks
will have the capability to run VoIP services with acceptable
quality. The introduction of WLAN will be another alternative for
VoIP services since more and more mobile devices will be equipped
with WLAN functionality.
[0005] One concern for connections that are not circuit switched
(CS) connections will be the quality. For example, the quality of
service for VoIP over cellular networks may not be equally good as
traditional CS voice, at least initially, but for certain consumer
segments that may be OK. Furthermore, a lower quality of service
might be acceptable when a user calls e.g., a friend but not when
the user calls a business associate. Using the techniques know in
the art, the user has to manually chose how to set up the
connection. Thus, using different access techniques to set up calls
may make the electronic apparatus cumbersome to manage.
[0006] A concern for network operators may be how to charge for
these services. Traditional circuit switched (CS) voice has often a
per minute pricing while packet switched (PS) data has flat rate or
bucket pricing.
[0007] VoIP may be introduced on top of an ordinary data channel,
e.g., by using a Skype client on top of 3G. That could then mean
that the traditional pricing model for the network operators will
be destroyed--i.e., people pay for data but are using a premium
voice service. This is highly un-attractive from an operator
perspective since it drains one of the most profitable services
they offer, voice traffic.
[0008] One of the costs and also potential revenues for an operator
is the interconnect fee to other operators. This means that an
outgoing call from one operator to another has to include the
interconnect fee, to be paid to the other operator. On the other
hand, will an incoming call generate in interconnect fee from the
other operator. One way to diminish this cost is to offer a low
price for calls within an operator's network, e.g., "Friends &
Family" packages. This may then generate a customer base in the own
network without having to charge other operators parts of the
incomes. This means that operators favors calls within its own
network.
[0009] Thus, there is a need for a method and apparatus within an
electronic apparatus to decide what connection options are
available for each call and to connect each call using the
connection option dictated by the user's or network operator's
rules or preferences.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] According to a first embodiment, a method for establishing a
connection in a first electronic apparatus to a second electronic
apparatus using one of a plurality of clients, comprises
determining whether the first electronic apparatus and the second
electronic apparatus, to which a connection is requested, is
operating in the same network; establishing the connection using a
first client if the first and second electronic apparatuses are
operating in the same network; and establishing the connection
using a second client if the second electronic apparatus is
operating in a different network than the first electronic
apparatus.
[0011] The determining may comprise determining an identifier for a
network or network operator for the second electronic apparatus;
and determining whether the determined identifier matches an
identifier for the network or network operator of the first
electronic apparatus.
[0012] The method may comprise setting up a circuit switched
connection when the first client is used.
[0013] The method may comprise setting up a PS connection when the
second client is used.
[0014] The method may comprise using a voice over IP connection to
set up the PS connection.
[0015] The method may comprise using a WLAN connection to set up
the PS connection.
[0016] The method may comprise retrieving said identifier from a
database stored within the first electronic apparatus.
[0017] The method may comprise retrieving said identifier from a
database stored externally from the first electronic apparatus.
[0018] The method may comprise retrieving the identifier from a
database provided by the network operator of the first electronic
apparatus.
[0019] The method may comprise retrieving the identifier from a
database, which is manually created by a user of the first
electronic apparatus.
[0020] The first client may be the client which provides the
strongest connection.
[0021] The first client may be the client which provides the
cheapest connection.
[0022] The first client may be the client which provides the
connection with the lowest interconnect fees.
[0023] The method may comprise selecting any one of the available
clients when an identifier for the second electronic apparatus can
not be determined
[0024] According to a second embodiment, a method for establishing
a connection in a first electronic apparatus using one of a
plurality of clients in a communication system comprises
determining whether the first electronic apparatus and the second
electronic apparatus, to which a connection is requested, is
operating in the same network; determining if a plurality of
clients are available to be used to set up the connection to the
second electronic apparatus; and establishing the connection using
a selected client from said plurality of clients, wherein the
selected client is selected based on predetermined rules.
[0025] The method may comprise selecting the client which provides
the strongest connection.
[0026] The method may comprising selecting the client which
provides the cheapest connection.
[0027] The method may comprise selecting the client which provides
the connection with the lowest interconnect fees.
[0028] According to a third embodiment, an electronic apparatus,
which is a first electronic apparatus, for establishing a
connection in a communication system, comprises: at least a first
and a second client adapted to establish a connection in a
communication system; a router including a processing device and a
connection device. The processing device is adapted to determine,
when a connection to the second electronic apparatus is requested,
whether the first electronic apparatus and the second electronic
apparatus are operating in the same network. The connection device
is adapted to establish the connection using the first client if
the first and second electronic apparatuses are operating in the
same network, and establish the connection using the second client
if the second electronic apparatus is operating in a different
network than the first electronic apparatus.
[0029] The processing device may be adapted to determine an
identifier for a network or network operator for the second
electronic apparatus, and determine whether the determined
identifier matches an identifier for the network or network
operator of the first electronic apparatus.
[0030] The connection device may be adapted to use the first client
to set up a CS connection.
[0031] The connection device may be adapted to use the second
client to set up a PS connection.
[0032] The connection device may be adapted to use a voice over IP
connection to set up the PS connection.
[0033] The connection device may be adapted to use a WLAN
connection to set up the PS connection.
[0034] The processing device may be adapted to retrieve said
identifier from a database stored within the first electronic
apparatus.
[0035] The processing device may be adapted to retrieve said
identifier from a database stored externally from the first
electronic apparatus.
[0036] The electronic apparatus may be a portable or handheld
mobile radio communication equipment, a mobile radio terminal, a
mobile telephone, a pager, a communicator, an electronic organizer,
a smartphone or a computer.
[0037] According to a further embodiment, a computer program
product comprises computer program code portions for executing any
of the methods when said computer program code portions are run by
an electronic device having computer capabilities.
[0038] According to a fifth embodiment, a computer readable medium
has stored thereon a computer program product comprising computer
program code portions for executing any of the methods when said
computer program code portions are run by an electronic device
having computer capabilities.
[0039] Further embodiments of the invention are defined in the
dependent claims.
[0040] Some embodiments of the invention provides for an electronic
apparatus with a router device and methods for determining how a
connection should be set up to a second electronic apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0041] Further objects, features and advantages of embodiments of
the invention will appear from the following detailed description,
reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0042] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an electronic apparatus
connected to a network;
[0043] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communications system
comprised of a plurality of networks;
[0044] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the method for
establishing a connection; and
[0045] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of one embodiment of the method for
establishing a connection according to one embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0046] Embodiments of the invention will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however,
be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as
limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to
those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed
description of the particular embodiments illustrated in the
accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the
invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like
elements.
[0047] FIG. 1 illustrates an electronic apparatus 1. The electronic
apparatus 1 may comprise a man-machine interface, such as a keypad
2, a display 3, a joystick 4, a microphone 5 and a loudspeaker 6,
through which a user may interact with the electronic apparatus 1.
The electronic apparatus 1 may be a portable or handheld mobile
radio communication equipment, a mobile radio terminal, a mobile
telephone, a pager, a communicator, an electronic organizer, a
smartphone or a computer. The electronic apparatus 1 may be
connected to a network 10.
[0048] The electronic apparatus 1 may comprise various applications
for carrying out functions within the electronic apparatus 1. The
applications may be provided within an operational platform.
Alternatively or additionally, the applications may be provided
within a communication platform. The operational platform may
comprise systems software run by an application processor, such as
a CPU 7(Central Processing Unit), which may also be referred to as
the ACPU (Application CPU). Similarly, the communication platform
may comprise both hardware and software for carrying out e.g.,
communication with the network 10. Thus, also the communication
platform may comprise a CPU, which may be referred to as a CCPU,
(Communication CPU), for providing various applications. The ACPU
and the CCPU may run different operational systems. Also, the
communication platform and the operational platform may interact to
exchange information.
[0049] The electronic apparatus 1 further comprises a router device
11. The router device 11 determines how to establish a connection
to a second electronic apparatus. According to one embodiment, the
router device 11 determines whether the second electronic apparatus
is located or operating within the network 10 or within a different
network (not illustrated). As will be explained below in more
detail, the electronic apparatus 1 may also comprise a database 12,
which contains identifiers which identify the network or network
operator for other electronic apparatuses. The router device 11
also comprises a connection device 16 for establishing a connection
with another electronic apparatus in a known manner using clients
13-15. The plurality of clients 13-15 are used for establishing a
variety of connections in the communication system as will be
explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 2. The first
client may be used for establishing a circuit switched (CS)
connection, while the second and third clients may be used to
establish a packet switched (PS) connection.
[0050] As different types of communications networks become
available, the router device 11 will have to decide which
communication network to use to connect a call. The router device
11 may be programmed by, for example, the user or the network
operator to follow a set of rules when deciding which client to use
to set up a connection. For example, the router device 11 may be
adapted to select the client which provides the connection with the
strongest signal or the highest quality. Alternatively, the router
device 11 may select the client which provides the cheapest
connection or the connection with the lowest interconnect fees. The
rules for setting up the connection may be based on other criteria
and the invention is not limited to the examples given.
[0051] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a communication system
200 within which the present invention may operate. In this
illustrative example, a plurality of electronic apparatuses 212,
216, 222, 232 are operating in various communication networks 210,
220, 230, but the invention is not limited thereto. The electronic
apparatus 212 can communicate with the other electronic apparatuses
216, 222, 232 using various connections as will be explained in
more detail below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating how a connection is
established according to one embodiment of the invention. In this
illustrative example, the router device 11 will manage the
selection of client device to set up the connection to a second
electronic apparatus. The router device 11 will select a first
client to set up a CS connection if the electronic apparatus, to
which a connection is requested, is operating in the same network
as the calling electronic apparatus and will select from other
available clients to set up a PS connection if the electronic
apparatuses are operating in different networks. When the router
device 11 determines that a connection is being requested to a
second electronic device in step 301, the router device 11 needs to
determine if the second electronic apparatus is operating in the
same network as the first electronic apparatus 212, within which
the request is generated. The request for a connection may be made
by inputting, or selecting from an contact manager, a subscriber
number of the second electronic apparatus.
[0053] To determine in which network the second electronic
apparatus is operating, the network and/or the network operator for
the second electronic apparatus may be determined To determine the
network operator or network of the second electronic apparatus, the
router device 11 may locate or determine an identifier, which
identifies the network or network operator of the second electronic
apparatus in step 303. The identifier, for example, a specific
subscriber number, may be downloaded or retrieved from a database
in the electronic apparatus 212 (database 12) or from a database
external to the electronic apparatus 212 (database 217). The
database may be provided by the operator of the network serving the
electronic apparatus 212. Alternatively, the contacts in a phone
book for the electronic apparatus 212 may be marked with the
identifier of the network operator or network serving the contact.
The contacts can either be marked manually by the user or may be
provided by the network operator for the electronic apparatus 212.
If an identifier is not available for the second electronic
apparatus, the router device 11 may select an available client
based on a predetermined set of rules in step 305. For example, the
router device 11 may select a client to set up a CS connection
before trying a client to set up a PS connection, or vice
versa.
[0054] If the network or network operator is not identifiable from
the subscriber number, a separate identifier for the network or
network operator may be provided. The separate identifier may,
e.g., be a unique number, which is assigned to each network or
network operator. The separate identifier may also be a
notification in a contact manager, which has been manually inputted
by the user, such as a cross in a box. The identification in the
contact manager may also be provided by a service provider, such as
the operator of the electronic apparatus. A request for the
identifier may be submitted to the service provider providing this
service. The request may, e.g., be submitted each time a request
for a connection is made. Alternatively, the request is submitted
in response to updating the contact list in this respect.
Alternatively or additionally, the identifier is provided by an IMS
(IP Multimedia Subsystem) service, which, e.g., may provide network
identification, capabilities identification, etc. The
identification received in response to submitting an identification
request to a network server. The capability information may
comprise information whether the second electronic apparatus is
adapted for CS and/or PS connections. Then, the electronic
apparatus 1 may also determine whether it at all is worth trying to
set up a PS/CS connection.
[0055] In some embodiments, when the identifier of the second
electronic apparatus has been acquired, it may be determined
whether the acquired identifier matches an identifier for the
network or network operator of the first electronic apparatus. If
the identifiers match, it is determined that the first and the
second electronic apparatus are operating in the same network.
[0056] Once the identifier has been found in step 303, the router
device 11 checks to see if the network or network operator for the
electronic apparatus 212 is the same as the network or network
operator of the second electronic apparatus in step 307. If it is
the same network or network operator, the router device selects a
first client 13 to set up the connection to the second electronic
apparatus in step 309. For example, if electronic apparatus 212 is
trying to contact electronic apparatus 216, the router device 11 in
electronic device 212 will use the first client 13 to set up a CS
connection via, e.g., a mobile telecommunication network, such as a
GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) or 3G network, since
electronic apparatuses 212 and 216 are both in the same network. As
a result, the connection is made via the base station 214.
[0057] In the alternative, if it is determined in step 307 that the
first and the second electronic apparatuses are operating in
different networks, the router device 11 sets up a PS connection.
The PS connection may be established via an IP network 240, such as
the Internet or a LAN (Local Area Network). In this example, the
router 11 sets up the connection using the second client 14 in step
311. As illustrated in FIG. 2, if the electronic apparatus 212 is
trying to contact electronic apparatus 232 in a second network 230,
the router device 11 in electronic apparatus 212 will select the
second client 14 to set up a PS connection, such as VoIP using,
e.g., a 3G connection. The connection would be routed through a
gateway 218 to the IP network 240 to the electronic apparatus 232
using VoIP. Likewise, if the electronic apparatus 212 is trying to
contact electronic apparatus 222 in a third network 220, the router
device 11 will select a third client to set up the PS connection
using, for example, a WLAN connection. The connection may be routed
through a WLAN device 219, such as a WLAN router, to the IP network
240 to the electronic apparatus 222.
[0058] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating how a connection is
established according to another embodiment of the invention. When
the router device 11 determines that a connection is being
requested to the second electronic apparatus in step 401, the
router device 11 determines the identity of the network or network
operator of the second electronic apparatus, in step 403, as
described above with reference to FIG. 3. If an identifier is not
available for the second electronic apparatus, the router device 11
may select an available client based on a predetermined set of
rules in step 405. For example, the router device 11 may select a
first client to set up a CS connection before trying a second
client to set up a PS connection, or vice versa.
[0059] If the identifier has been found for the network or network
operator of the second electronic apparatus, the router device 11
determines if there are several available clients to set up the
connection in step 407. If there is only one available client, the
router device 11 sets up the connection using the only available
client in step 409. However, when there is a plurality of clients
available to set up the connection to the second electronic
apparatus, the router device 11 will select one of the clients to
set up the connection based on predetermined rules in step 411. As
mentioned above, the router device 11 may select the client which
provides the connection with the strongest signal or the highest
quality. Alternatively, the router device 11 may select the client
which provides the cheapest connection or the connection with the
lowest interconnect fees. The rules for setting up the connection
may be based on other criteria and the invention is not limited
thereto. The connection is then set up using the selected client in
step 413. The availability may be determined on whether operative
connection to the network is present.
[0060] The router has been described above as capable of making
various determinations and setting up connections. To make these
determinations, the router may comprise a processing device. The
functions of the processing device may, e.g., be implemented using
software, which may be run by a processor, such as CPU 7.
Alternatively, the processing device may be implemented by an ASIC
(Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field
Programmable Gate Array). The setting up of the connections may be
made by the connection device. At least portions of the connection
device may be implemented by software to be run by a processor,
such as CPU 7. Alternatively, the processing device may be
implemented by an ASIC or an FPGA. The clients may implemented in
the same manner as the processing device and the communication
device. For example, the functionalities of the processing device,
the connection device and/or the clients may be implemented in a
Java application.
[0061] Embodiments of the invention provide for flexible set up of
connections. The user of the electronic apparatus does not need to
actively choose which client to use each time a connections is set
up. The determination of the networks, in which the electronic
apparatuses are operative, may be made automatically without the
need for the user to make any settings. This makes the management
for setting up of connections very convenient for the user.
[0062] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are
intended to include the plural forms as well, unless expressly
stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms
"includes," "comprises," "including" and/or "comprising," when used
in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof. It will be understood that when an element is
referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element,
it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or
intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, "connected" or
"coupled" as used herein may include wirelessly connected or
coupled. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0063] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such
as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be
interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their
meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0064] The invention may be embedded in a computer program product,
which enables implementation of the method and functions described
herein. The invention may be carried out when the computer program
product is loaded and run in a system having computer capabilities,
such as a processor. Computer program, software program, program
product, or software, in the present context mean any expression,
in any programming language, code or notation, of a set of
instructions intended to cause a system having a processing
capability to perform a particular function directly or after
conversion to another language, code or notation. The computer
program product may be stored on a computer readable medium.
[0065] The present invention has been described above with
reference to specific embodiments. However, other embodiments than
the above described are equally possible within the scope of the
invention. Different method steps than those described above,
performing the method by hardware or software, may be provided
within the scope of the invention. The different features and steps
of the invention may be combined in other combinations than those
described. The scope of the invention is only limited by the
appended patent claims.
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