U.S. patent application number 13/848098 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-25 for vehicle centering system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Unitronics Parking Solutions Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is UNITRONICS PARKING SOLUTIONS LTD.. Invention is credited to Zvi RAZ, Haim SHANI.
Application Number | 20140286744 13/848098 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51484896 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140286744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHANI; Haim ; et
al. |
September 25, 2014 |
VEHICLE CENTERING SYSTEM
Abstract
An automated vehicle centering system for use with a transport
mechanism in an automated parking facility comprising a rotatable
platform for aligning a vehicle with a conveying direction of the
transport mechanism; a plurality of weighing platforms on said
rotatable platform for sensing a distribution of a weight of said
vehicle on the tires of said vehicle; and a controller to calculate
a center of weight for the tires based on said sensing and to
determine a centerline of said vehicle.
Inventors: |
SHANI; Haim; (Shoham,
IL) ; RAZ; Zvi; (Petach Tikva, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
UNITRONICS PARKING SOLUTIONS LTD. |
Ben Gurion Airport |
|
IL |
|
|
Assignee: |
Unitronics Parking Solutions
Ltd.
Ben Gurion Airport
IL
|
Family ID: |
51484896 |
Appl. No.: |
13/848098 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/816 ;
104/44 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04H 6/12 20130101; E04H
6/40 20130101; B60S 13/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/816 ;
104/44 |
International
Class: |
E04H 6/12 20060101
E04H006/12 |
Claims
1. An automated vehicle centering system for use with a transport
mechanism in an automated parking facility comprising: a rotatable
platform for aligning a vehicle with a conveying direction of the
transport mechanism; a plurality of weighing platforms on said
rotatable platform for sensing a distribution of a weight of said
vehicle on the tires of said vehicle; and a controller to calculate
a center of weight for the tires based on said sensing and to
determine a centerline of said vehicle.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of weighing
platforms comprises at least two weighing platforms.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said at least two weighing
platforms comprises four weighing platforms.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein each of said four weighing
platforms supports a different tire of said vehicle.
5. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of
load sensors to support said weighing platforms and to transmit
said distribution of said weight of said vehicle to said
controller.
6. A system according to claim 5 wherein said plurality of load
sensors comprises at least two load sensors for supporting each
weighing platform of said plurality of weighing platforms.
7. A system according to claim 6 wherein said at least two load
sensors comprise three load sensors.
8. A system according to claim 6 wherein said at least two load
sensors comprise four load sensors.
9. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a motorized
motion mechanism to impart rotary motion to said rotatable platform
responsive to a control signal from said controller.
10. A system according to claim 1 further comprising an interface
module for interfacing said controller with the transport
mechanism.
11. A method of aligning a centerline of a vehicle with a conveying
direction of a transport mechanism in an automated parking
facility, the method comprising: measuring a distributed weight of
the vehicle on each tire; determining a position of each tire based
on said distributed weight; and calculating the centerline of the
vehicle based on said determining of said position of each
tire.
12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising rotating the
vehicle until the centerline is aligned with the conveying
direction.
13. A method according to claim 11 further comprising calculating a
travel distance between the vehicle centerline and the conveying
direction.
14. A method according to claim 11 further comprising determining a
center of weight for each tire.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to automatic parking systems
generally and to a vehicle centering system for use with automated
parking systems in particular.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Automated parking systems have increased in demand over the
last 20 years as the number of automobiles continuously increase
worldwide and land availability for parking spaces continuously
decrease. This increased demand may be particularly felt in large
cities, especially in urban centers, where land is frequently
allocated for high-rise office and residential buildings which are
occupied by large concentrations of people, many with vehicles, and
limited space is allocated for parking purposes.
[0003] In an attempt to solve the limited parking space problem,
multi-story parking structures able to accommodate a relatively
large number of vehicles in each floor are frequently constructed.
These multi-story parking structures are generally configured to
allow vehicles to be driven through each floor by their drivers in
search of a parking space. These "drive-through" parking structures
frequently include facilities and equipment to support movement of
people within the parking structure. For example, they may include
relatively high-power illumination systems to allow drivers to see
where they are going, or ventilation systems to remove vehicle
exhaust gases and maintain suitable fresh air flow inside the
structure. They may also include elevators for transporting the
drivers between floors, stairs interconnecting the various floors,
among other facilities and equipment.
[0004] Other types of multi-story parking structures may include
automated parking facilities. Automated parking facilities
generally eliminate the need for the vehicle to be driven through
the structure. These types of facilities generally include parking
slots in each floor into which a driverless vehicle is placed by an
automated conveying system. The automated conveying system may also
be used to remove the vehicle from the parking slot when the
vehicle is returned to the driver. In automated parking facilities,
drivers typically self-drive their vehicle into a vehicle
positioning station where it may be accessed by a transport
mechanism which is part of the automated conveyor system. The
transport mechanism, which may include a shuttle car, an elevator,
a crane, a movable platform, or any other type of equipment
suitable for moving and/or lifting the vehicle, may load the
vehicle and transport it to its respective parking place. An
example of such a vehicle positioning station is described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,469,676 to Colsman.
[0005] A potential advantage of automated parking facilities over
drive-through parking structures is a substantial reduction in
facilities and equipment required to support people as there is
very limited people movement inside the facility (only where
vehicles are received and returned to drivers). An additional
potential advantage is that the overall parking area may be
increased as ramps connecting the various floors are not required
and a height between floors may be made substantially low,
sufficient to accommodate a height of the vehicles. More
information on automated parking facilities may be obtained at
Applicant's website at www.unitronics.com.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0006] There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, an automated vehicle centering system for use
with a transport mechanism in an automated parking facility
comprising a rotatable platform for aligning a vehicle with a
conveying direction of the transport mechanism; a plurality of
weighing platforms on the rotatable platform for sensing a
distribution of a weight of the vehicle on the tires of the
vehicle; and a controller to calculate a center of weight for the
tires based on the sensing and to determine a centerline of the
vehicle.
[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of weighing platforms comprises at least two weighing
platforms.
[0008] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at
least two weighing platforms comprises four weighing platforms.
[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of
the four weighing platforms supports a different tire of the
vehicle.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
automated vehicle centering system further comprises a plurality of
load sensors to support the weighing platforms and to transmit the
distribution of the weight of the vehicle to the controller.
[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
plurality of load sensors comprises at least two load sensors for
supporting each weighing platform of the plurality of weighing
platforms.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at
least two load sensors comprise three load sensors.
[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the at
least two load sensors comprise four load sensors.
[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
automated vehicle centering system further comprises a motorized
motion mechanism to impart rotary motion to the rotatable platform
responsive to a control signal from the controller.
[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
automated vehicle centering system further comprises an interface
module for interfacing the controller with the transport
mechanism.
[0016] There is provided, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention, a method of aligning a centerline of a vehicle
with a conveying direction of a transport mechanism in an automated
parking facility, the method comprising measuring a distributed
weight of the vehicle on each tire; determining a position of each
tire based on the distributed weight; and calculating the
centerline of the vehicle based on the determining of the position
of each tire.
[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
method further comprises rotating the vehicle until the centerline
is aligned with the conveying direction.
[0018] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
method further comprises calculating a travel distance between the
vehicle centerline and the conveying direction.
[0019] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
method further comprises determining a center of weight for each
tire.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly
pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the
specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and
method of operation, together with objects, features, and
advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description when read with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a block diagram of an
exemplary vehicle centering system, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an automated parking
facility with a vehicle in an exemplary vehicle positioning
station, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 3A and 3B schematically illustrate a rotatable
platform in the vehicle positioning system, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an exemplary situation
where a vehicle is left by a driver on the rotatable platform in a
position diverging from a conveying direction axis, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method of
automatically aligning a vehicle in a vehicle positioning station
with a conveying direction in a transport mechanism in an automated
conveyor system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0026] It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of
illustration, elements shown in the figures have not necessarily
been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the
elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity.
Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be
repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0027] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as
not to obscure the present invention.
[0028] Automated parking facilities generally require that a driver
self-drive into a vehicle positioning station and position the
vehicle so that it is properly aligned with respect to a transport
mechanism. This generally entails aligning a center longitudinal
axis (centerline) of the vehicle with a direction of conveyance of
the transport mechanism and which may include the centerline of the
transport mechanism. Frequently, drivers must repeatedly move the
vehicle, adjusting its position until the vehicle and the transport
mechanism are properly aligned.
[0029] To assist a driver position the vehicle, the vehicle
positioning station is frequently equipped with guiding mechanisms.
These may include guide barriers on each side of the vehicle so
that the vehicle is properly aligned when positioned between the
barriers; markings on the floor of the station such as, for
example, lines and arrow, that may be followed by the driver; and
electronic means including sensors and display means that may be
used to guide the driver, and may include guiding lights and/or a
computer display. Regardless of the type of guiding mechanism,
vehicle positioning stations generally require driver participation
in the vehicle alignment process, which may be time consuming and a
burden both for the driver and for an operator of the automated
parking facility.
[0030] Applicants have devised a vehicle centering system which may
allow driver-less alignment of the vehicle with a conveying
direction of the transport mechanism irrespective of an initial
position of the vehicle in the vehicle positioning station. In a
three-step automatic process, the vehicle centering system
automatically determines an orientation of the vehicle on a
rotatable (positioning) platform by (1) determining a location of
each vehicle tire on the rotatable platform by sensing the
distribution of the weight of the vehicle on each tire and
calculating a center of weight of the tire, (2) determining a
centerline of the vehicle based on the location of the vehicle
tires, and (3) rotating the rotatable platform so that the
vehicle's centerline coincides with the conveying direction of the
transport mechanism.
[0031] Applicants have realized that the vehicle centering system
may provide a more efficient alternative to existing systems
requiring driver intervention, allowing vehicles to be moved in and
out from automated parking facilities at a faster rate. This may
potentially increase profitability of the automated parking
facility (as more vehicles may be handled over a same period of
time) while reducing possible user discomfort due to repeated
adjusting of the vehicle's position by reducing user intervention
in the alignment process.
[0032] Applicants have further realized that the principles of the
vehicle centering system described herein may be equally applicable
to other fields not related to vehicular parking/storage and which
may involve automatically adjusting a position of an item to allow
its centerline to coincide with a conveying direction of a
transport mechanism or a grasping mechanism (mechanism to grasp the
item). A person skilled in the art may realize that applications
may include any type of automatic storage system which may include
an automatic conveying system, automatic machining systems, and
automatic package handling systems, among much other type of
systems.
[0033] Reference is now made to FIG. 1 which schematically
illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary vehicle centering
system 100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Vehicle centering system 100 may be included in an automated
vehicle conveying system 20 which may be used in an automated
parking facility 10.
[0034] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, vehicle centering system 100 may include a controller
110; a plurality of load sensors 120; a motorized motion mechanism
130 which may include, for example, a motorized motion mechanism; a
rotatable platform 140; and an interface module 150. Vehicle
centering system 100 is configured to determine a position of a
vehicle resting on rotatable platform 140 by sensing a distribution
of the weight of the vehicle on each of the tires and determining
the center of weight of each tire, and to adjust a position of the
rotatable platform so as to bring a center line of the vehicle into
directional alignment with a conveying direction of a transport
mechanism in automated vehicle conveying system 20. Vehicle
centering system 100 may be further configured to determine the
weight of the vehicle for controlling access of the vehicle into
automated parking facility 10. For example, vehicle centering
system 100 may interface with control systems in automated parking
facility 10 to restrict access if the weight of the vehicle exceeds
a predetermined limit, say 3000 kg, or to restrict parking to
specific floors in automated parking facility 10, or to select an
appropriate automatic vehicle conveying system 20 suitable to
handle the weight of the vehicle.
[0035] Load sensors 120 are included as part of a weighing system
implemented on rotatable platform 140 and are configured to sense
the distribution of the weight of the vehicle on each tire while
resting on rotatable platform 140 and to transmit this information
to controller 110. Load sensors 120 may be distributed on rotatable
platform 140 into groups of one or more sensors, for example, 2
sensors, 3 sensors, 4 sensors, or more, where each group senses the
weight distribution on a specific tire. For example, load sensors
120 may be divided into four groups, each group sensing the weight
distribution on a different tire (one group for each tire).
Alternatively, load sensors 120 may be divided into two groups of
one or more sensors where one group senses the weight distribution
on the front two tires while the second group senses the weight on
the rear two tires. Alternatively, the two groups of load sensors
120 may be distributed so that one group senses the weight of the
tires on the left side of the vehicle and the other group on the
right side of the vehicle. According to an embodiment of the
invention, a position of each tire on the vehicle may be determined
by knowing the position on rotatable platform 140 of each load
sensor 120 in a group, the distributed weight of the vehicle sensed
by the group and the portion of the distributed weight sensed by
each sensor in the group. With this information, a center of weight
may be calculated for each tire. A computation of the position of
each tire within each group may then be easily determined using
techniques known in the art which may include, for example,
calculations involving Statics to determine the center of weight of
each tire.
[0036] Controller 110 may be configured to process the weight
information received from load sensors 120 and may calculate the
overall weight of the vehicle and the position of each tire in the
vehicle. Additionally, controller 110 may use the tire positioning
information to calculate the centerline of the vehicle.
Additionally, controller 110 may calculate a distance over which
rotatable platform 140 may be rotated to directionally align the
vehicle's centerline with the conveying direction of the transport
mechanism. This distance may be calculated as an angular distance,
a linear distance, and/or a sectorial distance.
[0037] Controller 110 may be additionally configured to control
motorized motion mechanism 130 responsive to the weight information
received from load sensors 120. Motorized motion mechanism 130 may
drive rotatable platform 140 and may cause the rotatable platform
to rotate over the calculated distance responsive to control
signals received from controller 110. The control signals may be
continuously sent, or alternatively periodically sent at
predetermined intervals, from controller 110 to motorized motion
mechanism 130. The control signal may be sent from controller 110
to motorized motion mechanism 130 over wireless and/or wired
means.
[0038] Controller 110 may be additionally configured to control
access of a vehicle to automated parking facility 10. Controller
110 may connect through interface module 150 to a main controller
(not shown) in automated vehicle conveying system 20 responsible
for controlling the transport mechanism. The connection between
interface module 150 and the main controller may be through wired
and/or wireless means. In an alternate embodiment of the present
invention, controller 110 may be the main controller in automated
vehicle conveying system 20, configured to control the vehicle
conveying system including vehicle centering system 100.
[0039] Reference is now also made to FIG. 2 which schematically
illustrates an automated parking facility 10 with a vehicle 30 in
an exemplary vehicle positioning station 160, according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Automated parking facility 10
may include a parking structure 15 including parking slots (not
shown) for accommodating vehicle 30 using automated vehicle
conveying system 20. Transport mechanism 40 may include a shuttle
car which may be slid under vehicle 30 when vehicle centerline 35
is aligned with transport mechanism center line 45 (as shown), and
which may lift the vehicle for moving it from vehicle positioning
station 160 to an empty parking slot in structure 15. Additionally,
shuttle car 40 may be used to return vehicle 30 from the parking
slot to vehicle positioning station 160. In alternative embodiments
of the present invention, transport mechanism 40 may include a
crane, a lift, an elevator, a movable platform, a conveyor, or any
other type of equipment suitable for moving and/or lifting vehicle
30 and transporting it to its respective parking slot in structure
15.
[0040] Vehicle positioning station 160 may house some or all of the
components of vehicle centering system 100, for example, rotatable
platform 140 including load sensors 120. Vehicle positioning
station 160 may be configured to receive vehicle 30 which may be
driven into the vehicle positioning station by its driver and left
resting on rotatable platform 140 in any position.
[0041] Reference is now also made to FIGS. 3A and 3B which
schematically illustrate rotatable platform 140 in vehicle
positioning system 100, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. Rotatable platform 140 includes a deck 142 having a
central vehicle positioning bay 144 with entry/exit ramps 158 on
opposing ends through which a vehicle may enter and leave the
vehicle positioning bay.
[0042] Rotatable platform 140 further includes, as shown in FIG. 3A
on vehicle positioning bay 144, four weighing platforms 146 on
which vehicle 30 may be positioned so that each vehicle tire rests
different weighing platform (one tire per weighing platform).
Alternatively to four weighing platforms 146 as shown, positioning
bay 144 may have two weighing platforms and may be oriented so that
the front tires of vehicle 30 rest on one weighing platform while
the rear tires rest on the other weighing platform, or
alternatively, so that the tires on the left side of the vehicle
rest on one weighting platform while those on the right side rest
on the second weighing platform. Separating between the weighing
platforms 146 which accommodate the front tires and the rear tires
of vehicle 30 may be platform separation decks 156, although a
skilled person may realize that such platform separation decks may
not be necessary and that the area covered by them may be covered
by weighing platforms 146. Alternatively, positioning bay 144 may
have three weighing platforms and may be oriented so that the front
tires of vehicle 30 rest on one weighing platform while the rear
tires rest each rest on a separate weighing platform, or
alternatively, so that the rear tires of vehicle 30 rest on one
weighing platform while the front tires rest each rest on a
separate weighing platform. Each weighing platform 146 is supported
by a group of load sensors 120 mounted at predetermined locations,
for example by a group of 3 sensors as shown in FIG. 3B. Each
sensor 120 in each group of sensors senses a portion of the weight
of vehicle 30 distributed through the tire resting on weighing
platform 146 and transmits the weight information to controller 110
for processing. A position of each tire on each weighing platform
146 may be determined based on the weight information transmitted
by each load sensor 120 in each group of sensors and its location
relative to the other load sensors in the group, so that the center
of weight may be determined for each tire.
[0043] Rotatable platform 140 additionally includes a plurality of
wheels 154, as shown in FIG. 3B, for rotating the rotatable
platform for aligning vehicle centerline 35 with the conveying
direction of transport mechanism 40. Wheels 154 may support
rotatable platform 140 together with vehicle 30 so that the number
of wheels used, their type, and their size, as may be realized by a
skilled person, may be determined by the loading characteristics of
the rotatable platform and the vehicle. The skilled person may also
realize that other mechanical means may be used to support and/or
to move the platform additionally or alternatively to wheels 154.
Wheels 154 may form part of motorized motion mechanism 130 and may
be hidden under deck 142 by wheel access covers 152. Rotatable
platform 140 may additionally include access doors 150 to allow
personnel associated with automated parking facility 10 to access
an underside of rotatable platform 140 for maintenance and other
purposes.
[0044] Reference is now also made to FIG. 4 which schematically
illustrates an exemplary situation where vehicle 30 is left by a
driver on rotatable platform 140 in a position diverging from the
conveying direction axis 50, according to an exemplary embodiment
of the present invention. Vehicle centering system 100 may detect
the position of the tires on vehicle 30 through load sensors 120
supporting weighing platforms 146, which transmit the acquired
weight information to controller 110. Controller 110 may use the
received information from load sensors 120 to determine vehicle
centerline 35 and to determine an angle of rotation a through which
rotatable platform 140 may be rotated to align the vehicle's
centerline with the direction of conveyance, axis 50. Additionally
or alternatively, controller 110 may determine a time of rotation
based on a drive speed of motorized motion mechanism 130.
Additionally or alternatively, controller 110 may rotate rotatable
platform 140 and may track the relative position of vehicle 30
through position tracking sensors for determining when the vehicle
centerline 35 is aligned with the direction of conveyance, axis
50.
[0045] Reference is now made to FIG. 5 which illustrates a flow
graph of an exemplary method of automatically aligning a vehicle in
a vehicle positioning station with a conveying direction in a
transport mechanism in an automated conveyor system, according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For convenience
in describing the method, reference will be made to vehicle
centering system 100 and to automated conveyor system 20. It is
noted that a skilled person may realize that the method may be
carried out in other ways, and which may include using more or less
steps, or a different sequence of steps, or any combination
thereof.
[0046] At 500, the position of each tire of vehicle 30 resting on a
weighing platform 146 may be determined. Each load sensor 120 in
each group of sensors supporting weighing platforms 146 transmits
weight information to controller 110. The weight information
includes the portion of the weight of the vehicle distributed
through each tire and sensed by the sensor. Controller 110 may use
computational techniques known in the art, for example Statics
calculations, to determine the position of a tire on a weighing
platform by determining the weight sensed by each sensor in a group
and the relative location of each sensor to the other sensors in
the group, and determining a center of weight of the tire.
Controller 110 may additionally determine the total weight of
vehicle 30.
[0047] At 502, vehicle centerline 35 is determined by controller
110 once the position of all four tires on vehicle 30 has been
determined. Alternatively, if only two weighing platforms are used,
for example a front and a rear weighing platform, or a left side
and a right side weighing platform, vehicle centerline 35 may be
determined by calculating the center of weight of the two rear
tires on the rear weighing platform, and of the two front tires on
the front weighting platform, and determining an intersecting line
between these rear and forward centers of weight. A similar
calculation may be performed for left side and right side weighing
platforms.
[0048] At 504, directional alignment of vehicle 30 is performed by
rotating rotatable platform 140 until vehicle centerline 35
directionally aligns with conveying direction axis 50. The rotation
distance or angle may have been previously determined at 500 or
502. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the
rotation distance or angle may be calculated real-time by
controller 110 based on detection information continuously, or
periodically, received from position tracking sensors.
[0049] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the
preceding discussions, it is appreciated that, throughout the
specification, discussions utilizing terms such as "processing,"
"computing," "calculating," "determining," or the like, refer to
the action and/or processes of a computer, computing system, or
similar electronic computing device that manipulates and/or
transforms data represented as physical, such as electronic,
quantities within the computing system's registers and/or memories
into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within
the computing system's memories, registers or other such
information storage, transmission or display devices.
[0050] Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatus
for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be
specially constructed for the desired purposes, or it may comprise
a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by
a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program
may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but
not limited to, any type of disk, including floppy disks, optical
disks, magnetic-optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs), compact
disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), random access memories (RAMs),
electrically programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically
erasable and programmable read only memories (EEPROMs), magnetic or
optical cards, Flash memory, or any other type of media suitable
for storing electronic instructions and capable of being coupled to
a computer system bus.
[0051] The processes and displays presented herein are not
inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus.
Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in
accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to
construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the desired
method. The desired structure for a variety of these systems will
appear from the description below. In addition, embodiments of the
present invention are not described with reference to any
particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a
variety of programming languages may be used to implement the
teachings of the invention as described herein.
[0052] While certain features of the invention have been
illustrated and described herein, many modifications,
substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of
ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that
the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications
and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.
* * * * *
References