U.S. patent application number 13/015338 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-04 for information processing apparatus and audio output control method of an information processing apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Nobuyuki Kurihara.
Application Number | 20110187939 13/015338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44341353 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110187939 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kurihara; Nobuyuki |
August 4, 2011 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND AUDIO OUTPUT CONTROL METHOD OF
AN INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS
Abstract
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus
includes a display, a speaker, a connector, a multi-display module,
an audio driver, and an audio-output controller. The connector is
configured to output a video signal and an audio signal. The
multi-display module is configured to control an outputting of the
video signal in order to display a part of an image on the display
and another part of the image at an external apparatus connected to
the connector. The audio driver is configured to control an
outputting of the audio signal at the speaker and the connector.
The audio-output controller is configured to control the audio
driver to output the audio signal to the speaker or the connector
in accordance with the state of displaying the image at the display
or the external apparatus, if the multi-display module displays the
parts of the image on the display and the external apparatus.
Inventors: |
Kurihara; Nobuyuki;
(Ome-shi, JP) |
Assignee: |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
44341353 |
Appl. No.: |
13/015338 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
348/738 ;
348/E5.122 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4122 20130101;
H04N 5/60 20130101; H04N 21/443 20130101; G06F 3/165 20130101; H04N
21/43635 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
348/738 ;
348/E05.122 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/60 20060101
H04N005/60 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 29, 2010 |
JP |
2010-019542 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a display; a
speaker; a connector configured to output a video signal and an
audio signal; a multi-display controller configured to control
video signal output to display a part of an image at the display
and another part of the image at an external apparatus connected to
the connector; an audio driver configured to control audio signal
output at the speaker and the connector; and an audio-output
controller configured to control the audio driver to output the
audio signal to either the speaker or the connector based on
whether a part of the image is displayed at the display or the
external apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio-output controller
comprises a priority controller configured to set priorities to
application programs, and wherein the audio-output controller is
configured to control the audio driver to output the audio signal
to the speaker when the display displays an image of the
application program to which the highest priority has been set, and
to control the audio driver to output the audio signal to the
connector when the external apparatus displays the image of the
application program to which the highest priority has been set.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the audio-output controller is
configured to control the audio driver to output the audio signal
to the speaker when the image of the application program to which
the highest priority has been set is displayed partly at the
display and partly at the external apparatus and a larger part of
the image is displayed at the display, and to control the audio
driver to output the audio signal to the connector when the image
of the application program to which the highest priority has been
set is displayed partly at the display and partly at the external
apparatus and the larger part of the image is displayed at the
external apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an audio output
detector configured to determine whether the external apparatus is
capable of outputting audio data, wherein the audio-output
controller is configured to control the audio driver to output the
audio signal to the speaker when the external apparatus is not
capable of outputting audio data.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector is configured to
detachably connect a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
cable.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the audio-output controller is
configured to control the audio driver to output the audio signal
to the speaker when the display displays an image of a
predetermined application program, and to control the audio driver
to output the audio signal to the connector when the external
apparatus displays the image of the predetermined application
program.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the audio-output controller is
configured to control the audio driver to output the audio signal
to the speaker when the image of the predetermined application
program is displayed partly at the display and partly at the
external apparatus and a larger part of the image is displayed at
the display, and to control the audio driver to output the audio
signal to the connector when the image of the predetermined program
is displayed partly at the display and partly at the external
apparatus and the larger part of the image is displayed at the
external apparatus.
8. A method of controlling audio output on an information
processing apparatus comprising a display, a speaker, a connector
configured to output a video signal and an audio signal, a
multi-display controller configured to control video signal output
to display a part of an image at the display and another part of
the image at an external apparatus connected to the connector, and
an audio driver configured to control audio signal output at the
speaker and the connector, the method comprising: controlling the
audio driver to output the audio signal to either the speaker or
the connector based on whether a part of the image is displayed at
the display or the external apparatus.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein controlling the audio driver
comprises setting priorities to application programs, and
controlling the audio driver to output the audio signal to the
speaker when the display displays an image of the application
program to which the highest priority has been set, and controlling
the audio driver to output the audio signal to the connector when
the external apparatus displays the image of the application
program to which the highest priority has been set.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein controlling the audio driver
further comprises controlling the audio driver to output the audio
signal to the speaker when the image of the application program to
which the highest priority has been set is displayed partly at the
display and partly at the external apparatus and a larger part of
the image is displayed at the display, and controlling the audio
driver to output the audio signal to the connector when the image
of the application program to which the highest priority has been
set is displayed partly at the display and partly at the external
apparatus and the larger part of the image is displayed at the
external apparatus.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining whether
the external apparatus is capable of outputting audio data, wherein
controlling the audio driver further comprises controlling the
audio driver to output the audio signal to the speaker when the
external apparatus is not capable of outputting audio data.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the connector is configured to
detachably connect a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
cable.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein controlling the audio driver
further comprises controlling the audio driver to output the audio
signal to the speaker when the display displays an image of a
predetermined application program, and controlling the audio driver
to output the audio signal to the connector when the external
apparatus displays the image of the predetermined application
program.
14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored
thereon a computer program which is executable by a computer
comprising a display, a speaker, a connector configured to output a
video signal and an audio signal, a multi-display controller
configured to control video signal output to display a part of an
image at the display and another part of the image at an external
apparatus connected to the connector, and an audio driver
configured to control audio signal output at the speaker and the
connector, the computer program comprising instructions capable of
causing the computer to execute functions of: controlling the audio
driver to output the audio signal to either the speaker or the
connector based on whether a part of the image is displayed at the
display or the external apparatus.
15. The medium of claim 14, wherein the computer program further
comprises instructions capable of causing the computer to execute
functions of: setting priorities to application programs;
controlling the audio driver to output the audio signal to the
speaker when the display displays an image of the application
program to which the highest priority has been set; and controlling
the audio driver to output the audio signal to the connector when
the external apparatus displays the image of the application
program to which the highest priority has been set.
16. The medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program further
comprises instructions capable of causing the computer to execute
functions of: controlling the audio driver to output the audio
signal to the speaker when the image of the application program to
which the highest priority has been set is displayed partly at the
display and partly at the external apparatus and a larger part of
the image is displayed at the display; and controlling the audio
driver to output the audio signal to the connector when the image
of the application program to which the highest priority has been
set is displayed partly at the display and partly at the external
apparatus and the larger part of the image is displayed at the
external apparatus.
17. The medium of claim 14, wherein the computer program further
comprises instructions capable of causing the computer to execute
functions of: determining whether the external apparatus is capable
of outputting audio data; and controlling the audio driver to
output the audio signal to the speaker when the external apparatus
is not capable of outputting audio data.
18. The medium of claim 14, wherein the connector is configured to
detachably connect a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
cable.
19. The medium of claim 14, wherein the computer program further
comprises instructions capable of causing the computer to execute
functions of: controlling the audio driver to output the audio
signal to the speaker when the display displays an image of a
predetermined application program; and controlling the audio driver
to output the audio signal to the connector when the external
apparatus displays the image of the predetermined application
program.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-019542, filed
Jan. 29, 2010; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a technique
of controlling audio outputs, which is fit for use in personal
computers that can output video signals and audio signals to, for
example, television receivers or display apparatuses including a
loudspeaker.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years, personal computers, each including a
High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector, have come
into use in increasing numbers. HDMI is an interface standard that
enables one cable to transmit both video signals and audio signals.
Any user of a notebook personal computer with an HDMI connector can
therefore enjoy viewing, on a large screen, any high-definition TV
program received through the HDMI connector and played back by the
personal computer.
[0004] As in this case of connecting a personal computer and a
television receiver to each other, a plurality of electronic
apparatuses, each including the function of displaying images and
the function of outputting audio data, are now connected and used
in combination on more and more occasions. Hence, various methods
of appropriately setting the apparatuses, to which video signals
and audio signals should be output, have hitherto been proposed.
(See, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No.
2009-44253.)
[0005] If a television receiver is connected to, for example, a
personal computer, images may be displayed on the screen of only
one of these apparatuses, or on the screens of both apparatuses.
Two methods of displaying images on both apparatuses are available.
One is the clone display method that displays the same image on the
screens of both apparatuses at the same time. The other is the
multi-display method that displays a part of an image at one
apparatus and the other part of the image on the other apparatus.
In the multi-display method, one apparatus is primary, and the
other is secondary. In the multi-display disclosed in Jpn. Pat.
Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2009-44253, for example, the audio
output is controlled, causing the primary apparatus to produce
audio.
[0006] In the multi-display method, however, the audio data will
inevitably output at the primary apparatus, not at the secondary
apparatus which the user keeps his or her eyes on, if the secondary
apparatus displays the window of a software item (application
program) that is important to the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] A general architecture that implements the various feature
of the embodiments will now be described with reference to the
drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided
to illustrate the embodiments and not to limit the scope of the
invention.
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing the first mode of
using an information processing apparatus according to an
embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing the second mode of
using the information processing apparatus according to the
embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the system
configuration of the information processing apparatus according to
the embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an exemplary function block diagram for explaining
the operating principle of the audio output control performed by
the information processing apparatus according to the
embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing the sequence of the
audio output control performed by the information processing
apparatus according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Various embodiments will be described hereinafter with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0014] In general, according to one embodiment, an information
processing apparatus includes a display, a speaker, a connector, a
multi-display module, an audio driver, and an audio-output
controller. The connector is configured to output a video signal
and an audio signal. The multi-display module is configured to
control an outputting of the video signal in order to display a
part of an image on the display and another part of the image at an
external apparatus connected to the connector. The audio driver is
configured to control an outputting of the audio signal at the
speaker and the connector. The audio-output controller is
configured to control the audio driver to output the audio signal
to the speaker or the connector in accordance with the state of
displaying the image at the display or the external apparatus, if
the multi-display module displays the parts of the image on the
display and the external apparatus.
[0015] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram showing the first mode of
using an information processing apparatus according to the
embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 according to the
embodiment is implemented as a notebook personal computer.
[0016] Assume that the information processing apparatus 1 is
connected to a display apparatus 2 including a loudspeaker, by an
HDMI cable 3, as shown in FIG. 1. Further assume that the
multi-display method is performed, whereby the liquid crystal
display (LCD) incorporated in the information processing apparatus
1 displays a part of an image and the display apparatus 2 connected
by the HDMI cable 3 to the apparatus 1 displays the other part of
the image.
[0017] The user can move any window the application program
displays on the screen and change the size of the window as
desired, by operating a keyboard or a pointing device. Thus, during
the multi-display, the user can have the window displayed at the
information processing apparatus 1 or the display apparatus 2,
whichever apparatus he or she likes. In addition, the user can move
the window from the information processing apparatus 1 to the
display apparatus 2, over vice versa. In the case shown in FIG. 1,
the LCD incorporated in the information processing apparatus 1
displays a window "a", by using an application program. The user is
supposed to keep watching the LCD screen of the information
processing apparatus 1 while the LCD is displaying the window "a".
It is therefore desired that the loudspeaker incorporated in the
information processing apparatus 1 should produce audio.
[0018] FIG. 2 shows the case where the display apparatus 2 displays
the window "a". The user is supposed to keep watching the screen of
the display apparatus 2 while the display apparatus 2 is displaying
the window "a". It is therefore desired that the loudspeaker
incorporated in the display apparatus 2 should produce audio.
[0019] In view of this, the information processing apparatus 1 is
configured to appropriately output the audio data to the
loudspeaker incorporated in the apparatus 1 or the HDMI connector
that connects the display apparatus 2 to the information processing
apparatus 1, in accordance with the state of displaying the window
"a". This technique will be described below, in detail.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exemplary diagram showing the system
configuration of the information processing apparatus 1. As shown
in FIG. 3, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a
central processing unit (CPU) 11, a memory controller hub (MCH) 12,
a main memory 13, a graphics controller 14, a VRAM 14A, an LCD 15,
an I/O controller hub (ICH) 16, a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
read-only memory (ROM) 17, a hard disk drive (HDD) 18, an optical
disc drive (ODD) 19, a sound controller 20, a loudspeaker 21, an
embedded controller/keyboard controller (EC/KBC) 22, a keyboard 23,
a pointing device 24, a network controller 25, an HDMI connector
26, and a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) device 27.
[0021] The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the other components
of the information processing apparatus 1, and executes various
programs loaded into the main memory 13 from the HDD 18 and ODD 19.
Among these programs the CPU 11 may execute are: OS 100 for
managing resources, audio control manager (ACM) 150 operating under
the control of OS 100, and various application programs 200. The
audio control manager 150 is a program that sets the destination of
the above-mentioned audio data. Further, the CPU 11 executes the
BIOS stored in the BIOS-ROM 17. The BIOS is a program that controls
hardware.
[0022] The MCH 12 works as a bridge device that connects the CPU 11
and the ICH 16 to each other, and also as a memory controller that
controls the access to the main memory 13. The MCH 12 further
includes a function of communicating with the graphics controller
14. The graphics controller 14 is a display controller that
controls the LCD 15 incorporated in the information processing
apparatus 1. The graphics controller 14 produces a video signal
from the video data written into the VRAM 14A. The video signal,
thus produced, will be supplied to the LCD 15. The graphics
controller 14 further includes a function of outputting the video
signal to an external apparatus through the HDMI connector 26.
[0023] The ICH 16 controls each device on the Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) bus, and each device on the Low Pin Count (LPC)
bus. Further, the ICH 16 is connected directly to the BIOS-ROM 17,
HDD 18, ODD 19 and sound controller 20, and includes a function of
controlling these components. The HDD 18 stores, for example,
broadcast TV program data and AV content downloaded via the
Internet. The ODD 19 incorporates, for example, a Digital Versatile
Disc (DVD) storing AV content. The sound controller 20 is an audio
source device and configured to produce audio signals from audio
data and to output the audio signals to the loudspeaker 21.
Further, the audio controller includes a function of outputting
audio signals to an external apparatus through the HDMI connector
26.
[0024] The EC/KBC 22 is a one-chip micro-processing unit (MPU)
including an embedded controller and a keyboard controller, which
are integrated together. The embedded controller is configured to
control power. The keyboard controller is configured to control the
inputting of data as the user operates the keyboard 23 or the
pointing device 24. Even while the information processing apparatus
1 remains off, the EC/KBC 22 operates, determining whether the
information processing apparatus 1 has been turned on or not. If an
event occurs, making it necessary to activate the information
processing apparatus 1, the EC/KBC 22 performs a control to
activate the information processing apparatus 1. The EC/KBC 22
keeps the supply of power to the CEC controller 27, even while the
information processing apparatus 1 remains off.
[0025] The network controller 25 is a communication device that
performs communication with an external network such as the
Internet. The HDMI connector 26 is a terminal, to which the HDMI
cable 3 is removably connected. Controlled by the EC/KBC 22, the
CEC controller 27 controls data transmit, including the
transmission of various control commands through the HDMI connector
26. One of the events the EC/KBC 22 should monitor is the receipt
of the power-on command at the CEC controller 27. The communication
the CEC controller 27 performs can recognize the functions of the
display apparatus 2 connected to the information processing
apparatus 1, determining, for example, whether the display
apparatus 2 connected by the HDMI cable 3 includes a function of
outputting audio data.
[0026] The operating principle of the audio output control the
audio control manager 150 performs in the information processing
apparatus 1 include the above-described system configuration will
be explained with reference to FIG. 4.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the audio control manager 150 includes a
priority management table 151, a coordinate management table 152,
and an audio-output switching control module 153.
[0028] The priority management table 151 is a table for managing
the priority of an application program that achieves the outputting
of audio data. The priority management table 151 includes a user
interface function the user may use to set the priority of the
application program. The coordinate management table 152 is a table
for managing the coordinates of the window displayed by an
application program that achieves the outputting of audio data. The
audio-output switching control module 153 is a module that sets the
loudspeaker 21 or the HDMI connector 26 to which the sound
controller 20 should output an audio signal, by using the priority
management table 151 and coordinate management table 152.
[0029] The audio control manager 150 is incorporated as permanent
program in the information processing apparatus 1. When activated,
the audio control manager 150 initializes the coordinate management
table 152 and requests the OS 100 to transmit an event notification
when any application program 200 is activated or terminated. The
coordinate management table 152 is initialized by setting the
coordinates of the window that the application program managed by
the priority management table 151 will display, to values that the
coordinates never have in a normal state.
[0030] The audio control manager 150 includes two functions. One
function is to cause the CEC controller 27 to communicate with the
display 2 connected by the HDMI cable 3 to the information
processing apparatus 1, thereby to determine whether the display 2
can output audio data. The other function is to determine whether
the information processing apparatus 1 is performing the
multi-display by cooperating with the OS 100. The audio control
manager 150 controls the outputting of audio data in accordance
with the window display state, if the display 2 can output audio
data while the information processing apparatus 1 is performing the
multi-display.
[0031] When activated, the application program 200 notifies the
coordinates of the window it has displayed, to the audio control
manager 150. Further, if the application program 200 changes the
window in size or moves the window, it notifies the coordinates of
the window thus changed or moved, to audio control manager 150. On
receiving the notification, the audio control manager 150 updates
the coordinate management table 152, recording the coordinates the
window has at present.
[0032] Every time the audio-output switching control module 153
receives these notifications, it reads, from the coordinate
management table 152, the coordinates of the window to be displayed
by the application program, which window has higher priority than
any other windows whose effective coordinate values are stored in
the coordinate management table 152. Then, the audio-output
switching control module 153 determines which device displays the
window, the LCD 15 or the display 2. If the LCD 15 displays the
window, the audio-output switching control module 153 controls the
sound controller 20 via the sound driver 101 of the OS 100, so that
the loudspeaker 21 may output the audio signal. If the display 2
displays the window, the audio-output switching control module 153
controls the sound controller 20 via the sound driver 101 of the OS
100, so that the audio signal may be output from the HDMI connector
26.
[0033] When notified of an event indicating the termination of the
application program 200, the audio-output switching control module
153 of the audio control manager 150 determines whether the
application program 200 has priority set by the priority management
table 151 (or whether the application program 200 is one for
achieving the outputting of audio data). If the application program
200 has priority set by the priority management table 151, the
audio-output switching control module 153 updates the coordinate
management table 152 in order to initialize the coordinates of the
window for the application program.
[0034] After updating the coordinate management table 152, the
audio-output switching control module 153 performs the same process
it did it was notified of the coordinates of the window changed or
moved as described above. That is, the audio-output switching
control module 153 reads, from the coordinate management table 152,
the coordinates of the window to be displayed by the application
program (displaying a window), which window has higher priority
than any other windows whose effective coordinate values are stored
in the coordinate management table 152. Then, the audio-output
switching control module 153 determines which device displays the
window, the LCD 15 or the display 2. If the LCD 15 displays the
window, the audio-output switching control module 153 controls the
sound controller 20 via the sound driver 101 of the OS 100, so that
the loudspeaker 21 may output the audio signal. If the display 2
displays the window, the audio-output switching control module 153
controls the sound controller 20 via the sound driver 101 of the OS
100, so that the audio signal may be output from the HDMI connector
26.
[0035] In the instance of FIG. 4, the application program
(Application 1 [TV]) for receiving and displaying that receives
broadcast TV programs and the application program (Application 2
[BD]) for playing back the content recorded on a Blu-ray Disc are
operating, and the Application 1 (TV) has been set to higher
priority than Application 2 (BD). Hence, if Application 1 (TV) and
Application 2 (BD) are independently displayed, the audio data will
be output from the side where the window of Application 1 (TV) is
displayed. If only Application 1 (TV) is terminated in this state,
automatic switching will be performed to output the audio data from
the side where the window of Application 2 (BD) is displayed. In
the case where the window of Application 1 (TV) is moved from one
side to the other, the destination of the audio data will be
automatically switched.
[0036] The audio control manager 150 operates as described above.
Thus, in the information processing apparatus 1, the control is
achieved to output the audio data at the side that displays the
window of the application set to the highest priority and is
therefore supposed to be attracting the user's eyes (if the display
2 has the function of outputting audio data, while the information
processing apparatus 1 is performing the multi-display).
[0037] As described above, the multi-display method displays a part
of an image at one apparatus and the other part of the image on the
other apparatus. Therefore, the window of the application program
set to the highest priority may be displayed, partly by the LCD 15
incorporated in the information processing apparatus 1 and partly
by the display 2 connected to the apparatus 1 by the HDMI cable 3.
In this case, the audio data may be output, first from the
upper-left corner of the window (defined by the coordinates).
Alternatively, the areas of the image parts may be determined from
the coordinates and size notified from the application program, and
the audio data may be output from the image part of the larger
area.
[0038] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing the sequence of the
audio output control performed by the information processing
apparatus 1.
[0039] If notified of the coordinates of a window from the
application program 200 that achieves the outputting of audio data
(YES in Block A1), or if notified of the termination of this
application program 200 from the OS 100 (YES in Block A2), the
audio control manager 150 first updates the coordinate management
table 152 (Block A3).
[0040] Then, the audio control manager 150 refers to the coordinate
management table 152 thus updated and also to the priority
management table 151, thereby detecting the application program 200
set to the highest priority and being executed (Block A4), and
detecting the location where the window of the application program
200 detected should be displayed (Block A5).
[0041] The audio control manager 150 then determines whether the
location where to display the window detected is identical to the
location to which the audio data is now being output (Block A6). If
these locations are not identical (NO in Block A6), the audio
control manager 150 will instruct, via the sound driver 101 of the
OS 100, the sound controller 20 to output the audio signal from the
location where the window detected is displayed (Block A7).
[0042] As has been described, the information processing apparatus
1 can appropriately set the apparatuses to which audio signals
should be output during the multi-display.
[0043] Since the audio output control process described above can
be achieved by a computer program, the computer program is
introduced into a computer through a computer-readable storage
medium, thereby making it possible to achieving advantageous effect
similar to those of the embodiment.
[0044] The various modules of the systems described herein can be
implemented as software applications, hardware and/or software
modules, or components on one or more computers, such as servers.
While the various modules are illustrated separately, they may
share some or all of the same underlying logic or code.
[0045] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
* * * * *