U.S. patent application number 13/484109 was filed with the patent office on 2013-12-05 for reversible rotation gearbox and applications thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to BISON GEAR & ENGINEERING CORP.. The applicant listed for this patent is Tyler Brauhn, Aaron Hansen, Jordan Kapitanoff, Robert Lewton, James Parejko. Invention is credited to Tyler Brauhn, Aaron Hansen, Jordan Kapitanoff, Robert Lewton, James Parejko.
Application Number | 20130324347 13/484109 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49670950 |
Filed Date | 2013-12-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130324347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lewton; Robert ; et
al. |
December 5, 2013 |
REVERSIBLE ROTATION GEARBOX AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF
Abstract
A gearbox includes a planetary gear assembly, a first gear
assembly, and a second gear assembly. The first gear assembly is
engaged to provide a first rotational input to the planetary gear
assembly when an input shaft is rotating in a first direction and
is disengaged when the input shaft is rotating in a second
direction. The second gear assembly provides a second rotational
input to the planetary gear assembly when the input shaft is
rotating in the first direction and provides a third rotational
input to the planetary gear assembly when the input shaft is
rotating in the second direction.
Inventors: |
Lewton; Robert; (Schaumburg,
IL) ; Brauhn; Tyler; (Batavia, IL) ; Hansen;
Aaron; (St. Charles, IL) ; Kapitanoff; Jordan;
(Aurora, IL) ; Parejko; James; (Aurora,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lewton; Robert
Brauhn; Tyler
Hansen; Aaron
Kapitanoff; Jordan
Parejko; James |
Schaumburg
Batavia
St. Charles
Aurora
Aurora |
IL
IL
IL
IL
IL |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
BISON GEAR & ENGINEERING
CORP.
St. Charles
IL
|
Family ID: |
49670950 |
Appl. No.: |
13/484109 |
Filed: |
May 30, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
475/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16H 37/0833 20130101;
F16H 3/005 20130101; F16H 2200/2035 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
475/218 |
International
Class: |
F16H 37/06 20060101
F16H037/06 |
Claims
1. A gearbox comprises: a planetary gear assembly; a first gear
assembly that is: engaged to provide a first rotational input to
the planetary gear assembly when an input shaft is rotating in a
first direction; and disengaged when the input shaft is rotating in
a second direction; and a second gear assembly that: provides a
second rotational input to the planetary gear assembly when the
input shaft is rotating in the first direction; and provides a
third rotational input to the planetary gear assembly when the
input shaft is rotating in the second direction.
2. The gearbox of claim 1, wherein the planetary gear assembly
comprises: a plurality of planet gears; a sun shaft mechanically
coupled to the plurality of planet gears and to the first gear
assembly; a planet gear carrier mechanically coupled to the
plurality of planet gears; and a ring gear assembly mechanically
coupled to the plurality of planet gears and to the second gear
assembly, wherein the first and second rotation inputs rotate the
planet gear carrier in a first output direction and wherein the
third rotation input rotates the plurality of planet gears, which
rotates the planet gear carrier in a second output direction.
3. The gearbox of claim 2, wherein the planet gear carrier
comprises: a clutch that is engaged when the input shaft is
rotating in the second direction and is disengaged when the input
shaft is rotating in the first direction, wherein, when the input
shaft is rotating in the first direction, the planet gear carrier
rotates in the first output direction at a first speed and, when
the input shaft is rotating in the second direction, the planet
gear carrier rotates in the second output direction at a second
speed.
4. The gearbox of claim 2, wherein the ring gear assembly
comprises: an inner ring gear mechanically couplable to the
plurality of planet gears; and an outer ring gear mechanically
couplable to the second gear assembly.
5. The gearbox of claim 1, wherein the first gear assembly
comprises: an input gear mechanically couplable to the input shaft;
an idler gear mechanically couplable to the input gear; and a sun
shaft gear mechanically couplable to the idler gear and to a sun
shaft of the planetary gear assembly, wherein one of the input gear
and the sun shaft gear includes a one-way clutch that is engaged
when the input shaft is rotating in the first direction and is
disengaged when the input shaft is rotating in the second
direction.
6. The gearbox of claim 1, wherein the second gear assembly
comprises: an input gear mechanically couplable to the input shaft
and to the ring gear assembly.
7. A gear motor comprises: a motor having a motor shaft; and a
gearbox mechanically couplable to the motor, the gearbox including:
a planetary gear assembly; a first gear assembly that is: engaged
to provide a first rotational input to the planetary gear assembly
when the motor shaft is rotating in a first direction; and
disengaged when the motor shaft is rotating in a second direction;
and a second gear assembly that: provides a second rotational input
to the planetary gear assembly when the motor shaft is rotating in
the first direction; and provides a third rotational input to the
planetary gear assembly when the motor shaft is rotating in the
second direction.
8. The gear motor of claim 7, wherein the planetary gear assembly
comprises: a plurality of planet gears; a sun shaft mechanically
coupled to the plurality of planet gears and to the first gear
assembly; a planet gear carrier mechanically coupled to the
plurality of planet gears; and a ring gear assembly mechanically
coupled to the plurality of planet gears and to the second gear
assembly, wherein the first and second rotation inputs rotate the
planet gear carrier in a first output direction and wherein the
third rotation input rotates the plurality of planet gears, which
rotates the planet gear carrier in a second output direction.
9. The gear motor of claim 8, wherein the planet gear carrier
comprises: a clutch that is engaged when the input shaft is
rotating in the second direction and is disengaged when the input
shaft is rotating in the first direction, wherein, when the input
shaft is rotating in the first direction, the planet gear carrier
rotates in the first output direction at a first speed and, when
the input shaft is rotating in the second direction, the planet
gear carrier rotates in the second output direction at a second
speed.
10. The gear motor of claim 8, wherein the ring gear assembly
comprises: an inner ring gear mechanically couplable to the
plurality of planet gears; and an outer ring gear mechanically
couplable to the second gear assembly.
11. The gear motor of claim 7, wherein the first gear assembly
comprises: an input gear mechanically couplable to the motor shaft;
an idler gear mechanically couplable to the input gear; and a sun
shaft gear mechanically couplable to the idler gear and to a sun
shaft of the planetary gear assembly, wherein one of the input gear
and the sun shaft gear includes a one-way clutch that is engaged
when the input shaft is rotating in the first direction and is
disengaged when the input shaft is rotating in the second
direction.
12. The gear motor of claim 7, wherein the second gear assembly
comprises: an input gear mechanically couplable to the motor shaft
and to the ring gear assembly.
13. A gearbox comprises: a planetary gear assembly that includes a
first one-way clutch and an output shaft; a first gear assembly
mechanically couplable to the planetary gear assembly and to an
input shaft, wherein the first gear assembly includes a second
one-way clutch; and a second gear assembly mechanically couplable
to the planetary gear assembly and to the input shaft, wherein,
when the input shaft is rotating in the first direction, the second
one-way clutch is engaged and the first one-way clutch is
disengaged such that the output shaft rotates in a first output
direction at a first speed and, when the input shaft is rotating in
the second direction at the speed, the second one-way clutch is
disengaged and the first one-way clutch is engaged such that the
output shaft rotates in a second output direction at a second
speed.
14. The gearbox of claim 13, wherein the planetary gear assembly
comprises: a plurality of planet gears; a sun shaft mechanically
coupled to the plurality of planet gears and to the first gear
assembly; a planet gear carrier mechanically coupled to the
plurality of planet gears, wherein the planet gear carrier includes
the first one-way clutch coupled to the sun shaft; and a ring gear
assembly mechanically coupled to the plurality of planet gears and
to the second gear assembly.
15. The gearbox of claim 14, wherein the ring gear assembly
comprises: an inner ring gear mechanically couplable to the
plurality of planet gears; and an outer ring gear mechanically
couplable to the second gear assembly.
16. The gearbox of claim 13, wherein the first gear assembly
comprises: an input gear mechanically couplable to the input shaft;
an idler gear mechanically couplable to the input gear; a sun shaft
gear mechanically couplable to the idler gear; and a sun shaft
mechanically couplable to the sun shaft gear and to the planetary
gear assembly, wherein one of the input gear, the idler gear, and
the sun shaft gear includes the second one-way clutch.
17. The gearbox of claim 13, wherein the second gear assembly
comprises: an input gear mechanically couplable to the input shaft
and to the ring gear assembly.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS--NOT APPLICABLE
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT--NOT APPLICABLE
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC--NOT APPLICABLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to motors and more particularly to a
reversible rotation gearbox for use with a motor.
[0003] Description of Related Art
[0004] As is known, there are various types of electric motors and
an almost endless variety of uses for them. For instances, an
electric motor may be an AC motor (e.g., synchronous or induction),
a servomotor, a DC motor, or an electrostatic motor (e.g., magnetic
motor). Regardless of the type, size, shape, and power level of an
electric motor may vary greater; it generally includes a stator and
a rotor. The stator, or rotor, generates a magnetic field, which
causes motion of the other, which causes an output shaft to rotate.
Note that a gearbox may be used to generate a higher or lower
rotation output speed than that of the motor's output shaft.
[0005] As is further known, an electric motor may be used in
applications that range from micro-mechanical systems (MEMS), to
food processing equipment, to household appliances, to power tools,
to automobiles, to toys, to large manufacturing equipment, etc. In
many applications, an electric motor is required to reverse its
direction of rotation (e.g., rotate clockwise and
counterclockwise). For an AC motor, its inputs are changed (e.g.,
lines switched, different capacitor connection, etc.) to change the
direction of the output shaft rotation. While this allows the
direction of rotation to change, it does not allow the speed of
rotation to change. If a change in speed is needed, a transmission
is generally required.
[0006] In a DC motor, a DC controller controls the voltage level
and polarity of a DC voltage provided to the DC motor. This allows
the DC motor to produce a higher rotational speed in one direction
than in the other direction, which is beneficial for garage door
openers that allow the garage door to open faster than it
closes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gearbox in
accordance with the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of operation of a
gearbox in accordance with the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another example of operation of
a gearbox in accordance with the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a gearbox
in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
motor-gearbox in accordance with the present invention; and
[0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a gearbox
in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gearbox 10
that includes a planetary gear assembly 12 (e.g., simple or
compound), a first gear assembly 14, and a second gear assembly 16.
The first and second gear assemblies 14 and 16 are coupled to an
input shaft (e.g., a shaft of a motor) and the first gear assembly
14 is coupled to a sun shaft 18 of the planetary gear assembly 12,
which includes, or is coupled to, an output shaft 54.
[0014] In an example of operation, when the input shaft is rotating
in a first direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise), the
first and second gear assemblies 14 and 16 are engaged, or locked.
As such, the first gear assembly 14 applies a force to the sun
shaft 18, causing it to rotate. The second gear assembly 16 applies
a force to the planetary gear assembly 12, causing the output shaft
54 to rotate in a first output direction (e.g., clockwise or
counterclockwise).
[0015] As a further example of operation, when the input shaft is
rotating in a second direction (e.g., opposite to that of the first
direction, the first gear assembly 14 is disengaged, thus not
applying a force to the sun shaft 18, and the second gear assembly
16 is engaged. In this mode of operation, the second gear assembly
16 is providing a force to the planetary gear assembly 12, causing
the output shaft 54 to rotate in an opposite direction. As will be
discussed in greater detail with reference to one or more of the
remaining figures, the output shaft rotates at a different speed
(e.g., faster or slower) than when the input shaft is rotating in
the first direction due to a planet gear carrier of the planetary
gear assembly 12.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example of operation of the
gearbox 10 when the input shaft is rotating in the first direction
20. In this example, the first and second gear assemblies 14 and 16
are engaged. The first gear assembly 14 generates a first
rotational input 22 that causes the sun shaft 18 to rotate. The
second gear assembly 16 generates a second rotational input 24 that
causes the planetary gear assembly 12 to rotate. The complimentary
rotational inputs 22 and 24 drive the planetary gear assembly 12 to
produce an output shaft 54 rotation in a first output direction 25
at a first speed. Note that direction of the first and second
rotational inputs 22 and 24 may be in the same direction as the
first shaft rotation direction 20 or in the opposite direction.
Further note that the speed of the first and second rotational
inputs 22 and 24 may be at the same speed as each other and as the
speed of the input shaft; may be at the same speed as each other
but at a different speed than that of the input shaft; may be at
different speeds than each other, with one of the speeds being the
same speed as that of the input shaft; or may be at different
speeds than each other, with each speed being different than the
speed of the input shaft.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another example of operation of
the gearbox 10 when the input shaft is rotating in a second
direction 26. In this example, the first gear assembly 14 is
disengaged and the second gear assembly 16 is engaged. The second
gear assembly 16 generates a third rotational input 28 drives the
planetary gear assembly 12 to produce an output shaft 54 rotation
in a second output direction 27 at a second speed.
[0018] The second output direction 27 is opposite to that of the
first output direction 25 and the second output speed is different
(e.g., faster or slower) than the first output speed.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a gearbox
10 that includes a planetary gear assembly 12, a first gear
assembly 14, and a second gear assembly 16. The planetary gear
assembly 12 includes a plurality of planet gears 46-48 (e.g., two
or more), the sun shaft 18, a ring gear assembly 40 (which includes
an outer ring gear 42 and an inner ring gear 44), and a planet gear
carrier 50. The first gear assembly 14 includes an input gear 30,
an idler gear 32, a sun shaft gear 34, and a clutch 36 (which is
shown to be part of the input gear 30, but could be part of sun
shaft gear 34). The second gear assembly 16 includes an input gear
38. The planet gear carrier 50 (e.g., a planet carrier) includes a
clutch 52, an output shaft 54, and planet gear couplers 55 (e.g.,
gears, shafts, etc.). Note that the clutch 36 may be a clutch, a
ratchet, or any other mechanical device that is engaged in one
direction and that is disengaged in an opposite direction.
[0020] In an example of operation, when the input shaft is rotating
in the first direction at a given speed, the one-way clutch 36 of
the input gear 30 is engaged, causing it to rotate in accordance
with the rotation of the input shaft. The input gear 30 drives the
idler gear 32, which, in turn, drives the sun shaft gear 34. The
sun shaft gear 34 is mechanically coupled (e.g., welded, press
fitted, screwed, bolted, glued, clamped, in physical contact via
gear teeth, etc.) to the sun shaft 18 causing it to rotate in the
same direction as the input shaft.
[0021] The sun shaft 18 is mechanically coupled to the planet gears
46-48, causing them to rotate in a first complimentary direction
(e.g., a direction based on the gearing of the first, second, and
ring gear assemblies and the first rotation of the input shaft).
For instance, the sun shaft 18 includes a sun gear where its teeth
mechanically couple to gear teeth of the planet gears 46-48. In
addition to the sun shaft driving the planet gears 46-48, the inner
ring gear 44 of the ring gear assembly 40 drives the planet gears
46-48. The inner ring gear 44 rotates in accordance with the
rotation of the outer ring gear 42, which is driven by the input
gear 38 of the second gear assembly 16.
[0022] To insure that the inner ring gear 44 and the sun shaft 18
are applying desired rotational forces on the planet gears 46-48,
the linear speed (i.e., distance traversed in a given time period)
of the sun shaft 18 is different (e.g., faster or slower) than the
linear speed of the inner ring gear 44. Accordingly, the gear ratio
of the input gear 30, the idler gear 32, and the sun shaft gear 34
is select to produce the desired linear speed of the sun shaft 18
and the gear ratio of the input gear 38 of the second gear assembly
16, the outer ring gear 42, and the inner ring gear 44 is select to
produce the desired linear speed of the inner ring gear 44.
[0023] With the sun shaft 18 rotating in the present direction, the
clutch 52 of the planet gear carrier 50 is disengaged. In this
manner, the sun shaft 18 and the input gear 38 are the inputs of
the ring gear assembly 12 causing the output shaft 54 of the
carrier 50 to rotate in a first output direction (e.g., clockwise
or counterclockwise) at a first output speed.
[0024] In another example of operation, when the input shaft is
rotating in the second direction at the given speed, the one-way
clutch 36 of the input gear 30 is disengaged. The input gear 38 of
the second gear assembly 16 is engaged to rotate the outer ring
gear 42 of the ring gear assembly 40, which causes the planet gear
carrier 50 to rotate in a complimentary second direction (e.g., a
direction based on the gearing of the second and ring gear
assemblies and the second rotation of the input shaft). For
instance, the individual planet gears do not rotate around their
individual axis, but the planet gear carrier 50 rotates based on
rotation of the sun shaft 18, which causes the individual planet
gears to rotate.
[0025] In this example, the clutch 52 of the planet gear carrier 50
is engaged. In this manner, the outer ring gear 42 is the input of
the ring gear assembly 12 causing the output shaft 54 of the
carrier 50 to rotate in a second output direction (e.g., clockwise
or counterclockwise) at a second output speed. Note that the second
output direction is opposite to the first output direction and the
second speed is different (e.g., greater than or less than) the
first output speed.
[0026] In a further example, the first direction of the rotation of
the input shaft is a clockwise direction and the second direction
of the rotation of the input shaft is a counterclockwise direction.
Accordingly, the second rotational input includes a clockwise
direction rotation and the third rotational input includes a
counterclockwise direction rotation.
[0027] In various embodiments of the gearbox 10, the gear
assemblies 12-16 may include more or less gears than shown in FIG.
4 to achieve a desire gear ratio, a desired output power, a desired
first output speed, and a desired second output speed. In addition,
the size, number of teeth, and material of each gear within each
assembly 12-16 may vary based on the application. For instance, if
the gearbox is used in a MEMS application, the gears will be
micrometers to millimeters in size and composed of silicon or other
MEMS material. Alternatively, if the gearbox is used in an
industrial application, the gears may be fractions of meters to
tens of meters in size and composed of steel, plastic, or other
industrial acceptable material.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
motor-gearbox that includes the gearbox 10 and a motor 60. The
motor includes a shaft 62, which is the input shaft to the gearbox.
The motor 60 may be a reversible AC motor such that, by changing
its inputs, the rotation of the shaft 62 may change direction, but,
in either direction, will be of a constant speed.
[0029] The gearbox is mechanically couplable to the motor (e.g.,
via the shaft 62) and includes the planetary gear assembly 12 that
includes a planet gear carrier, the first gear assembly 14, and the
second gear assembly 16. The first gear assembly 14 is engaged to
provide a first rotational input to the planetary gear assembly 12
when the motor shaft 62 is rotating in a first direction and is
disengaged when the motor shaft 62 is rotating in a second
direction. The second gear assembly 16 provides a second rotational
input to the planetary gear assembly 12 when the motor shaft 62 is
rotating in the first direction and provides a third rotational
input to the planetary gear assembly 12 when the motor shaft 62 is
rotating in the second direction.
[0030] When the first gear assembly 14 is engaged, a clutch of the
planet gear carrier is disengaged. In this manner, the sun shaft 18
and the second gear assembly 16 are the inputs of the planetary
gear assembly 12 causing the output shaft of the carrier to rotate
in a first output direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise)
at a first output speed. When the first gear assembly is
disengaged, the clutch of the planet gear carrier is engaged. In
this manner, the outer ring gear 42 is the input of the planetary
gear assembly 12 causing the output shaft of the carrier to rotate
in a second output direction (e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise)
at a second output speed.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a gearbox
10 includes a planetary gear assembly 12, a first gear assembly 14,
a second gear assembly 16, and a planet gear carrier 50. The first
gear assembly 14 is mechanically couplable (e.g., welded, press
fitted, screwed, bolted, glued, clamped, in physical contact via
gear teeth, etc.) to the planetary gear assembly 12 through sun
shaft 18 and to an input shaft 62. The first gear assembly 14 and
includes one or more gears, wherein one of the one or more gears
includes a first one-way clutch. The second gear assembly 16 is
mechanically couplable to the planetary gear assembly 12 and to the
input shaft 62 and includes one or more gears.
[0032] The planet gear carrier 50 is mechanically couplable to
planetary gear assembly 12 and includes an output shaft 54 and
second one-way clutch 52, which is coupled to the sun shaft 18.
When the input shaft is rotating in the first direction at a speed,
the one-way clutch 36 is engaged and the one-way clutch 52 is
disengaged such that the output shaft rotates in a first output
direction at a first speed. When the input shaft is rotating in the
second direction at the speed, the one-way clutch 36 is disengaged
and the one-way clutch 52 is engaged such that the output shaft 54
rotates in a second output direction at a second speed.
[0033] As may be used herein, the terms "substantially" and
"approximately" provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its
corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an
industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to
fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component
values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature
variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such
relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent
to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s)
"operably coupled to", "coupled to", and/or "coupling" includes
direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between
items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not
limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module)
where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify
the information of a signal but may adjust its current level,
voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein,
inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another
element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between
two items in the same manner as "coupled to". As may even further
be used herein, the term "operable to" or "operably coupled to"
indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections,
input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, one or more
its corresponding functions and may further include inferred
coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used
herein, the term "associated with", includes direct and/or indirect
coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within
another item. As may be used herein, the term "compares favorably",
indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals,
etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the
desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater magnitude than
signal 2, a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude
of signal 1 is greater than that of signal 2 or when the magnitude
of signal 2 is less than that of signal 1.
[0034] As may also be used herein, the terms "processing module",
"processing circuit", and/or "processing unit" may be a single
processing device or a plurality of processing devices. Such a
processing device may be a microprocessor, micro-controller,
digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit,
field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state
machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,
and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital)
based on hard coding of the circuitry and/or operational
instructions. The processing module, module, processing circuit,
and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memory and/or an
integrated memory element, which may be a single memory device, a
plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry of another
processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing
unit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access
memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory,
dynamic memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that
stores digital information. Note that if the processing module,
module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more
than one processing device, the processing devices may be centrally
located (e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or
wireless bus structure) or may be distributedly located (e.g.,
cloud computing via indirect coupling via a local area network
and/or a wide area network). Further note that if the processing
module, module, processing circuit, and/or processing unit
implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog
circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the memory
and/or memory element storing the corresponding operational
instructions may be embedded within, or external to, the circuitry
comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry,
and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memory element
may store, and the processing module, module, processing circuit,
and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operational
instructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/or
functions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memory
device or memory element can be included in an article of
manufacture.
[0035] The present invention has been described above with the aid
of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions
and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these
functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily
defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries
and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and
relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate
boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the
claimed invention. Further, the boundaries of these functional
building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of
description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the
certain significant functions are appropriately performed.
Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily
defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To
the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence
could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain
significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both
functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences
are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One
of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional
building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and
components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete
components, application specific integrated circuits, processors
executing appropriate software and the like or any combination
thereof.
[0036] The present invention may have also been described, at least
in part, in terms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the
present invention is used herein to illustrate the present
invention, an aspect thereof, a feature thereof, a concept thereof,
and/or an example thereof. A physical embodiment of an apparatus,
an article of manufacture, a machine, and/or of a process that
embodies the present invention may include one or more of the
aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc. described with
reference to one or more of the embodiments discussed herein.
Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporate the
same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may
use the same or different reference numbers and, as such, the
functions, steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar
functions, steps, modules, etc. or different ones.
[0037] Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from,
and/or between elements in a figure of any of the figures presented
herein may be analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time,
and single-ended or differential. For instance, if a signal path is
shown as a single-ended path, it also represents a differential
signal path. Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential
path, it also represents a single-ended signal path. While one or
more particular architectures are described herein, other
architectures can likewise be implemented that use one or more data
buses not expressly shown, direct connectivity between elements,
and/or indirect coupling between other elements as recognized by
one of average skill in the art.
[0038] The term "module" is used in the description of the various
embodiments of the present invention. A module includes a
processing module, a functional block, hardware, and/or software
stored on memory for performing one or more functions as may be
described herein. Note that, if the module is implemented via
hardware, the hardware may operate independently and/or in
conjunction software and/or firmware. As used herein, a module may
contain one or more sub-modules, each of which may be one or more
modules.
[0039] While particular combinations of various functions and
features of the present invention have been expressly described
herein, other combinations of these features and functions are
likewise possible. The present invention is not limited by the
particular examples disclosed herein and expressly incorporates
these other combinations.
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