U.S. patent application number 13/941479 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-23 for charging case for electronic devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is barnesandnoble.com llc. Invention is credited to David Christopher Klawon, William Alan Saperstein, Jason Cinge Wong.
Application Number | 20140021909 13/941479 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49946007 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140021909 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klawon; David Christopher ;
et al. |
January 23, 2014 |
CHARGING CASE FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for aiding in charging an electronic
device using a charging case. The charging case includes a
conductive contact and may connect to a conductive contact of the
electronic device while still allowing user access to the main
connector port of the electronic device. The charging case includes
a power module that may receive power from an external power
source. The power module may include an inductive coupling coil,
photovoltaic cells, or a power cable port. Circuitry within the
charging case may control and transmit power from the power module
to the electronic device through the conductive contacts. The
charging case may include a battery. The charging case may also
include a data module for receiving data from an external data
source, and the case circuitry may process and transmit data from
the data module to the electronic device through the conductive
contacts.
Inventors: |
Klawon; David Christopher;
(Tucson, AZ) ; Saperstein; William Alan; (San
Carlos, CA) ; Wong; Jason Cinge; (Millbrae,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
barnesandnoble.com llc |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49946007 |
Appl. No.: |
13/941479 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61673588 |
Jul 19, 2012 |
|
|
|
61673590 |
Jul 19, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
320/108 ;
320/107 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/025 20130101;
H02J 50/10 20160201; Y02E 10/56 20130101; H02J 7/00034 20200101;
H02J 7/0042 20130101; H02J 2207/40 20200101; H02J 7/35 20130101;
G06F 1/1632 20130101; H02J 7/0044 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/108 ;
320/107 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00; H02J 7/02 20060101 H02J007/02 |
Claims
1. An electronics case, comprising: a conductive contact configured
to connect to a conductive contact of an electronic device; a power
module configured to receive power from an external power source;
and charging case circuitry configured to transfer power from the
power module to an electronic device through the conductive
contact, thereby leaving a main connector port of the electronic
device available for use during charging of the device via the
case.
2. The electronics case of claim 1 further comprising a device port
access configured to allow access to the main connector port of the
electronic device.
3. The electronics case of claim 1 further comprising a data module
configured to receive data from an external data source and
transfer data to an electronic device through the conductive
contact.
4. The electronics case of claim 3 wherein the data module
comprises an inductive coil, and is configured to send and receive
data through inductive coupling.
5. The electronics case of claim 3 wherein the data module
comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi
circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port.
6. The electronics case of claim 1 wherein the power module
comprises at least one of: photovoltaic cells, an inductive coil
configured to electromagnetically couple to a primary inductive
charging coil, a set of conductive contacts, and/or a charging
cable port.
7. The electronics case of claim 1 further comprising a battery
configured to receive a charge from the power module and connect
into the battery slot of the electronic device.
8. The electronics case of claim 1 wherein the electronic device is
a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, or GPS device.
9. An electronics case, comprising: a conductive contact configured
to connect to a conductive contact of an electronic device; a power
and data module configured to receive power and data from an
external power source using common circuitry; and charging case
circuitry configured to transfer power and data from the power and
data module to an electronic device through the conductive contact,
thereby leaving a main connector port of the electronic device
available for use during charging of the device via the case.
10. The electronics case of claim 9 wherein the power and data
module comprises an inductive coil configured to wirelessly power
the electronic device through inductive coupling, and further
configured to send and receive data through inductive coupling.
11. The electronics case of claim 9 wherein the power and data
module comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port,
WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card
port.
12. The electronics case of claim 9 wherein the electronic device
is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, or GPS device.
13. The electronics case of claim 9 further comprising a battery
configured to receive a charge from the power module and connect
into the battery slot of the electronic device.
14. A system for charging an electronic device, comprising: a
charging pad comprising a primary inductive coupling circuit; and a
charging case configured to connect with the electronic device
through a conductive contact, thereby leaving a main connector port
of the electronic device available for use during charging of the
device via the case, the case comprising: a secondary inductive
coupling circuit configured to receive power from the primary
inductive coupling circuit; and charging case circuitry configured
to control power transfer from the secondary inductive coupling
circuit to the electronic device through the conductive
contact.
15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a processor within
the charging pad configured to transfer data by regulating the
current flow through the primary inductive coupling circuit, and
wherein the secondary inductive coupling circuit is further
configured to receive data from the primary inductive coupling
circuit.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the charging case circuitry is
further configured to perform power conditioning and/or preliminary
data processing prior to transferring power and/or data to the
electronic device through the conductive contact.
17. The system of claim 14 further comprising a battery within the
charging case configured to receive power from the secondary
inductive coupling circuit.
18. The system of claim 14 wherein the primary inductive coupling
circuit comprises a plurality of inductive coupling coils, and
wherein a coil closest to the axis of the secondary inductive
coupling circuit is used to transfer power and/or data to the
secondary inductive coupling circuit.
19. The system of claim 14 wherein the charging case further
comprises at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi
circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port.
20. The system of claim 14 wherein the charging case circuitry is
further configured to transfer data to the primary inductive
coupling circuit of the charging pad by regulating a current
through the secondary inductive coupling circuit.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Nos. 61/673,588 and 61/673,590, both filed on Jul. 19,
2012. Each of these applications is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] This disclosure relates to charging electronic devices, and
more particularly, to a device case for aiding in charging a
device.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Electronic devices are present in various form factors, such
as, tablets, cell phones, laptops, eBook readers, etc. Charging
such electronic devices is necessary on a regular basis, and
typically the devices are charged by a connection to the main
connector port of the electronic device. Often, the main connector
port is located at a bottom portion of the device such that it may
stand upright while it is connected into a docking station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIGS. 1a-b illustrate an example charging case surrounding
an electronic touch screen device configured in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0005] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inductively
coupled charging case for an electronic device, configured in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0006] FIG. 3 shows a solar powered charging case for an electronic
device, configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a charging case
connected to an electronic device, configured in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 5 illustrates a method for aiding in charging a device
using a charging case, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Techniques are disclosed for aiding in charging an
electronic device using a charging case. The charging case may
attach to the outside of the electronic device and includes a
conductive contact and may connect to a conductive contact of the
electronic device while still allowing user access to the device's
main connector port. Thus, the charging case may allow user access
to the device's main connector port during charging. The charging
case includes a power module that may receive power from an
external power source. The power module may include, for example,
an inductive coupling coil, photovoltaic cells, or a power cable
port. Circuitry within the charging case may control and transmit
power from the power module to the electronic device and may
perform any necessary processing or conditioning before
transmitting power through the conductive contacts. The charging
case may include a battery that can act as a primary or backup
battery for the electronic device. The charging case may also
include a data module for receiving data from an external data
source, and the case circuitry may process and transmit data to the
electronic device through the conductive contacts. The data module
may include, for example, a short range transponder, one or more
data ports, or an inductive coupling coil.
[0010] General Overview
[0011] As previously explained, various charging techniques exist
for powering electronic devices, but such techniques may prevent
access to the main connector port during charging. The charging
case and charging techniques described herein provide a more
streamlined charging experience without occupying the device's main
connector port. In one embodiment, the charging case includes a
power receiver module, charging case circuitry, and a conductive
contact for connecting the case to an electronic device. The power
module of the charging case may receive power, for example, from an
external power source, and the charging case circuitry may be
configured to transfer a charge from the power module to the
electronic device through the conductive contact. The charging case
may charge the device's battery, in some embodiments, while in
other embodiments the charging case may include its own battery
that may act as a primary or back-up battery for the electronic
device. In one such example, the charging case includes a battery
that is configured to connect into the battery slot of the
electronic device such that the case conductive contact connects to
the device's battery contacts. The case may be, for example, a
customized case configured to fit a specific electronic device
model. The case may slide around the device like a sleeve, may snap
around the edges of the device, may include a device screen
protector, or have any other suitable case form factor that allows
for access to the main connector port of the device. In one
specific example, the case may include a flap that can cover the
front of the device. In some cases, the flap may fold behind the
device to function as a device stand, the flap may cause the device
to enter sleep mode when covering the device screen, and it may
wake the device up from sleep mode when the flap is opened.
[0012] The power receiver module of the charging case may be
connected to an external power source, for example, through a
standard charger connection (e.g., mini USB, micro USB, 8 pin, 16
pin, S20 pin, car adapter, etc.), through solar cells included on
the charger case, through inductive or magnetic coupling with a
charging pad or station, or through some other suitable power
transfer technique. Additionally, the charging case may include a
second set of conductive contacts that may be used to receive power
from a charging station. Solar and/or inductive coupling charging
may provide the device user with a wireless charging technique
which does not require a direct electrical connection with a
charging station.
[0013] In one embodiment, the power module of the charging case
includes a secondary conductor coil, and a primary conductor within
a charging pad may be inductively/magnetically coupled with the
charging case's secondary coil. In such an example, a current flow
through the primary coil creates an electromagnetically induced
voltage across the secondary coil. In one such example, placing the
coils along a common axis such that the magnetic field created by
the primary coil passes through the secondary coil may enhance the
inductive coupling. The charging pad may include multiple primary
inductive coupling coils, in some embodiments, and when the device
case is placed on the charging pad the coil closes to the axis of
the case's secondary coil may be activated. The charging circuitry
of the charging case may then transfer the electromagnetically
induced power from the conductor coil to the electronic device
through the case's conductive contact. Inductive charging may be
implemented using any standard or proprietary wireless charging
interface. For example, inductive charging may be implemented using
the Qi wireless charging interface standard developed by the
Wireless Power Consortium and may have a power transfer range of up
to 4 cm, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the effective
power transfer range may be as small as 5 mm.
[0014] In another embodiment, the power module of the charging case
may include an array of photovoltaic cells that may be placed along
the outside of the device case to collect solar power. In such an
embodiment, the charging case circuitry may charge the electronic
device through the conductive contacts without the need for a wire,
and without needing to set the charging case on a specific charging
pad or docking station. In one embodiment, the back of the charging
case may be covered with photovoltaic cells because it may have the
greatest unused and exposed surface area on the case. In another
embodiment, photovoltaic cells may be placed on the front of the
charging case around one or more edges of the device screen, or on
any other unused and exposed surface of the device case.
[0015] The charging case may further include a data module, in some
embodiments, that allows for additional data transfer to the
electronic device through the charging case. In one such example,
the charging case may include a short-range transponder or one or
more data ports (e.g., Ethernet, WiFi, mini USB, micro USB, SD
card, etc.), which allow for data transfer in addition to the
device's main connector port. In one particular example, a near
field communication (NFC) link may be used to transfer data to or
from an electronic device through the charging case's circuitry. In
some embodiments, the data module and the power module may utilize
common circuitry for receiving power and data. For example,
inductive coupling may be used for data transfer in addition to
creating a charge source for the electronic device. In such an
example, the charger case includes a conductor coil that may be
magnetically coupled to an external conductor coil, and any change
in current flow through the external conductor coil may be detected
at the charger case's coil. The current flow data may be
communicated to the electronic device through the case's conductive
contacts, thus transferring data to the electronic device through
inductive/magnetic coupling. When data is not being transferred via
inductive coupling, the conductor coils may be used for charging
the electronic device.
CHARGING CASE EXAMPLES
[0016] FIGS. 1a-b illustrate an example charging case surrounding
an electronic touch screen device configured in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, in this
particular example the charging case can snap around the four
corners of the electronic device and the case includes a device
port access that allows for access to the device's main connector
port. In this example embodiment, the device screen is a touch
screen display and the device could be, for example, a tablet such
as the NOOK.RTM. tablet or eReader by Barnes & Noble. In a more
general sense, the device may be any mobile electronic device, such
as a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader, GPS system, etc.
As will be appreciated in light of this disclosure, the claimed
invention is not intended to be limited to any specific kind or
type of electronic device or form factor.
[0017] In this example configuration, the charging case leaves the
front of the electronic device completely accessible to the user.
Thus, the conductive contacts of the charging case must connect to
the electronic device through conductive contacts on the back of
the device, and this connection will be discussed in reference to
FIG. 2. In this specific example, the electronic device includes a
number of control features and a press-button (sometimes called a
home button herein). The hardware control features provided on the
device in this example embodiment are configured as elongated
press-bars and can be used, for example, to page forward (using the
top press-bar) or to page backward (using the bottom press-bar),
such as might be useful in an eReader application. In this example
configuration, the home button is a physical press-button that may
be associated with and control numerous device actions, such as,
showing a navigation menu, exiting a navigation menu, putting the
device to sleep, etc. Other embodiments may have fewer or
additional such control features, or different control features
altogether, depending on the target application of the device, and
the charging case may be configured so as to not interfere with a
user's access to these control features. Any such general controls
and features can be implemented using any suitable conventional or
custom technology, as will be appreciated. In some specific example
embodiments, the charging case may be attached to an electronic
device measuring about 7'' to 9'' high by about 5'' to 6'' wide by
about 0.5'' thick, and weighing about 7 to 8 ounces. Any number of
suitable form factors can be used, depending on the target
application (e.g., laptop, mobile phone, GPS unit, etc.). The
charging case may be smaller, for example, for smartphone and
tablet applications and larger for laptop applications.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of an inductively
coupled charging case for an electronic device, configured in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be
seen, this example charging case includes case electronics that are
connected with a case conductive contact as well as a secondary
charging coil. The electronic device is fixed within the charging
case, and the device conductive contact is in physical contact with
the charging case's conductive contact. The charging case is lying
on top of a charging pad, which includes charging pad electronics
that are connected to a primary charging coil, as well as an
external power source, such as a 120V AC power outlet, for example.
In this specific example, the charging pad electronics provide a
current to the primary charging coil from the external power
source, and the current flowing through the primary charging coil
may create a magnetic field. This magnetic field is detected by the
secondary charging coil, and causes an electromagnetically induced
voltage across the secondary charging coil. The case electronics
may then transfer this voltage to the electronic device through the
case's conductive contact. In one embodiment, the secondary
charging coil is located along the same axis as the primary
charging coil, such that the magnetic field created by the primary
coil passes through the center of the secondary coil, enhancing the
inductive coupling. As discussed above, inductive charging may be
implemented using any standard or proprietary wireless charging
interface (e.g., the Qi wireless charging interface standard
developed by the Wireless Power Consortium). The charging pad
electronics may also include, for example, a processor that is
configured to control the current flow through the primary charging
coil. In such an embodiment, a change in current through the
primary charging coil will induce a change in voltage across the
secondary coil and this change in voltage may be detected and
processed by the case electronics. Thus, by regulating the current
flow through the primary charging coil using the processor, data
may be communicated to the charging case through inductive
coupling. In such an example, inductive coupling circuitry may be
used to communicate data to the device and charge the device
through the charging case.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a solar powered charging case for an electronic
device, configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention. As can be seen, in this particular example the charging
case can snap around the outer edge of the electronic device,
leaving the front of the electronic device completely accessible to
the user. In this example embodiment, the device screen is a touch
screen display and the device includes a number of control features
and a press-button (sometimes called a home button herein). As
discussed above, the hardware control features provided on the
device in this example embodiment are configured as elongated
press-bars and the home button is a physical press-button that may
be associated with and control numerous device actions. Other
embodiments may have fewer or additional such control features, or
different control features altogether, depending on the target
application of the device, and the charging case may be configured
so as to not interfere with a user's access to these control
features. In this particular example, the charging case includes an
array of photovoltaic cells built into the case that can use solar
power to charge the device battery. The cells are placed on the
front of the charging case around the top border, in this
particular example, such that they will not interfere with the
user's view of the device screen. In other embodiments,
photovoltaic cells may be placed on the back of the electronic
device, or on any other unused and exposed surface of the device
case.
[0020] Architecture
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a charging case
connected to an electronic device, configured in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, the system
generally includes a charging case that is capable of connecting to
an electronic device through conductive contacts. In this example
case, the electronic device includes a conductive contact point, as
well as a main connector port. The charging case connects at the
conductive contacts so as to leave the main connector port
accessible while the charging case is connected. As can be seen,
the charging case includes a conductive contact point, charging
case circuitry, a power module, and a data module, in this
particular embodiment. The power module and data module may be
connected to external power and data sources. In some embodiments,
the power source may include a cable, an inductive charging coil, a
light source, or any other source of power that a power module may
collect power from. The power module may include, for example, a
secondary inductive coil similar to the one described in FIG. 2, an
array of photovoltaic cells, a cable port, one or more conductive
contacts, or some other module for collecting power. The data
module may include, for example, NFC circuitry, a short-range
transponder, a data port (e.g., Ethernet, WiFi, mini USB, micro
USB, SD card, etc.) that allows for data transfer in addition to
the device's main connector port, or an inductive coil configured
to receive data from an external inductively coupled data source.
In some embodiments, the power and data modules can be implemented
with common circuitry in a single module, and the data and power
may be transmitted through the same external data and power source.
For example, in one embodiment, inductive coupling may be used to
transmit power and data to the charging case. The charging case
circuitry may include, for example, a linear regulator, bridge
rectifier, inductive transponder circuitry, or any other necessary
circuitry for processing or conditioning data or power before
transferring it to the electronic device through the conductive
contacts.
[0022] Methodology
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates a method for aiding in charging a device
using a charging case, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention. In one example embodiment, the elements of the
following method may be carried out on the various system modules
described in reference to FIG. 4. As can be seen, in this example
case, the method starts by receiving 501 power at the charging case
from an external power source. The power may be received by the
power module of FIG. 4, and as discussed above, the power module
may include photovoltaic cells, a power cable port, inductive
charging coils, etc. The method may continue with processing 502
the power at the charging case circuitry. The circuitry may be used
to control and/or condition any power received from the power
module before transferring it to the electronic device, and the
power may be processed by the charging case circuitry of FIG. 4.
The processing may include, for example, rectification, filtering,
and regulating, or any other suitable power conditioning processes.
The method may continue with determining 503 whether data is
received at the charging case. The data may be received by the data
module of FIG. 4 and the data module may include one or more data
ports, an inductive coupling coil, a short-range transponder, or
any other suitable data reception module. If no data is received at
the charging case, the method may continue with transmitting 504
power through the conductive contacts to the electronic device. The
conductive contacts of FIG. 4 may be used to transmit the power
from the charging case to the electronic device. If data is
received at the charging case, the method may continue with
processing 505 the data at the charging case circuitry. The data
processing may be performed by the charging case circuitry of FIG.
4. In some embodiments, the circuitry may perform preliminary
processing of the data received at the charging case before
transmitting the data to the electronic device. The method may
continue with transmitting 506 the data to the electronic device
through the conductive contacts. The conductive contacts of FIG. 4
may be used to transmit data from the charging case to the
electronic device.
[0024] Numerous variations and embodiments will be apparent in
light of this disclosure. One example embodiment of the present
invention provides an electronics case including a conductive
contact configured to connect to a conductive contact on an
electronic device. The electronics case also includes a power
module configured to receive power from an external power source,
as well as charging case circuitry configured to transfer power
from the power module to an electronic device through the
conductive contact, thereby leaving a main connector port of the
electronic device available for use during charging of the device
via the case. In some cases, the electronics case further includes
a device port access configured to allow access to the main
connector port of the electronic device. In some cases, the
electronics case further includes a data module configured to
receive data from an external data source and transfer data to an
electronic device through the conductive contact. In some such
cases, the data module includes an inductive coil, and is
configured to send and receive data through inductive coupling. In
other such cases, the data module includes at least one of an: NFC
circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB
port, and/or SD card port. In some cases, the power module includes
at least one of: photovoltaic cells, an inductive coil configured
to electromagnetically couple to a primary inductive charging coil,
a set of conductive contacts, and/or a charging cable port. In some
cases, the electronics case further includes a battery configured
to receive a charge from the power module and connect into the
battery slot of the electronic device. In some cases, the
electronic device is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader,
or GPS device.
[0025] Another example embodiment of the present invention provides
an electronics case including a conductive contact configured to
connect to a conductive contact of an electronic device. The
electronics case also includes a power and data module configured
to receive power and data from an external power source using
common circuitry, and charging case circuitry configured to
transfer power and data from the power and data module to an
electronic device through the conductive contact, thereby leaving a
main connector port of the electronic device available for use
during charging of the device via the case. In some cases, the
power and data module includes an inductive coil configured to
wirelessly power the electronic device through inductive coupling,
and further configured to send and receive data through inductive
coupling. In some cases, the power and data module includes at
least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port, WiFi circuit, mini USB
port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port. In some cases, the
electronic device is a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, eBook reader,
or GPS device. In some cases, the electronics case further includes
a battery configured to receive a charge from the power module and
connect into the battery slot of the electronic device.
[0026] Another example embodiment of the present invention provides
a system for charging an electronic device including a charging pad
comprising a primary inductive coupling circuit. The system also
includes a charging case configured to connect with the electronic
device through a conductive contact, thereby leaving a main
connector port of the electronic device available for use during
charging of the device via the case. The case includes a secondary
inductive coupling circuit configured to receive power from the
primary inductive coupling circuit, and charging case circuitry
configured to control power transfer from the secondary inductive
coupling circuit to the electronic device through the conductive
contact. In some cases, the system further includes a processor
within the charging pad configured to transfer data by regulating
the current flow through the primary inductive coupling circuit,
and wherein the secondary inductive coupling circuit is further
configured to receive data from the primary inductive coupling
circuit. In some cases, the charging case circuitry is further
configured to perform power conditioning and/or preliminary data
processing prior to transferring power and/or data to the
electronic device through the conductive contact. In some cases,
the system further includes a battery within the charging case
configured to receive power from the secondary inductive coupling
circuit. In some cases, the primary inductive coupling circuit
includes a plurality of inductive coupling coils, and wherein a
coil closest to the axis of the secondary inductive coupling
circuit is used to transfer power and/or data to the secondary
inductive coupling circuit. In some cases, the charging case
further includes at least one of an: NFC circuit, Ethernet port,
WiFi circuit, mini USB port, micro USB port, and/or SD card port.
In some cases, the charging case circuitry is further configured to
transfer data to the primary inductive coupling circuit of the
charging pad by regulating a current through the secondary
inductive coupling circuit.
[0027] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and
variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended
that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed
description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *