U.S. patent application number 15/183008 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-21 for projected laser lines/graphics to visually indicate truck turning path.
The applicant listed for this patent is DENSO International America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Marc ARCEO, Gareth WEBB.
Application Number | 20170361763 15/183008 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60629109 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170361763 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WEBB; Gareth ; et
al. |
December 21, 2017 |
Projected Laser Lines/Graphics To Visually Indicate Truck Turning
Path
Abstract
A system and method are provided and include a light source
projector with a positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle
that projects laser lines on a roadway upon which the subject
vehicle is traveling. A controller receives steering angle data
from a steering system of the subject vehicle, the steering angle
data corresponding to a steering angle of the subject vehicle. The
controller determines a turning path of the subject vehicle based
on the steering angle data and controls the positional actuator to
project the laser lines on the roadway to correspond to the
determined turning path of the subject vehicle.
Inventors: |
WEBB; Gareth; (Farmington,
MI) ; ARCEO; Marc; (Livonia, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DENSO International America, Inc. |
Southfield |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60629109 |
Appl. No.: |
15/183008 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60W 2420/52 20130101;
B60Q 2400/50 20130101; B60K 2370/177 20190501; B60W 2420/54
20130101; B60K 2370/193 20190501; B60K 2370/178 20190501; B60W
2050/143 20130101; B60K 2370/333 20190501; B60K 2370/188 20190501;
G08G 1/166 20130101; B60K 2370/334 20190501; B60W 50/0098 20130101;
B60Y 2200/145 20130101; B60Q 1/50 20130101; B60K 2370/797 20190501;
B60Q 9/008 20130101; B60K 35/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60Q 1/28 20060101
B60Q001/28; G08G 1/00 20060101 G08G001/00; B60K 35/00 20060101
B60K035/00 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: at least one light source projector with at
least one positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle that
projects at least one laser line on a roadway upon which the
subject vehicle is traveling; a controller that receives steering
angle data from a steering system of the subject vehicle, the
steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle of the
subject vehicle; and at least one sensor that senses an object
located in a surrounding area of the vehicle; wherein the
controller is configured to determine a turning path of the subject
vehicle based on the steering angle data, to determine a location
of the object, to determine whether the object is located in the
turning path of the subject vehicle based on the determined turning
path and the determined location of the object, and to control the
at least one positional actuator to project the at least one laser
line on the roadway to correspond to the determined turning path of
the subject vehicle and to project an arrow on the roadway in front
of the subject vehicle, the arrow graphically indicating a
direction to steer the subject vehicle to avoid colliding with the
object.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one laser line
includes a first laser line corresponding to a driver side of the
vehicle and a second laser line corresponding to a passenger side
of the vehicle.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller generates an alert
in response to determining that the object is located within the
determined turning path of the subject vehicle.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the alert includes changing a
color of the at least one laser line projected on the roadway.
5. The system of claim 3, wherein the alert includes at least one
of blinking or flashing the at least one laser line projected on
the roadway.
6. (canceled)
7. The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one sensor includes
at least one of a camera, a Lidar sensor, a radar sensor, and an
ultrasonic sensor.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the subject vehicle includes a
tractor unit and a semi-trailer and the controller determines the
turning path of the subject vehicle based on a turning path of the
tractor unit.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the controller determines a
turning path of the semi-trailer and wherein the at least one laser
line includes a first set of laser lines corresponding to the
turning path of the tractor unit and a second set of laser lines
corresponding to the turning path of the semi-trailer.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source
projector includes a laser diode.
11. A method comprising: projecting, with at least one light source
projector having at least one positional actuator mounted on a
subject vehicle, at least one laser line on a roadway upon which
the subject vehicle is traveling; receiving, with a controller,
steering angle data from a steering system of the subject vehicle,
the steering angle data corresponding to a steering angle of the
subject vehicle; determining, with the controller, a turning path
of the subject vehicle based on the steering angle data; sensing,
with at least one sensor, an object located in a surrounding area
of the vehicle; determining, with the controller, a location of the
object and whether the object is located within the determined
turning path of the subject vehicle based on the determined turning
path and the determined location of the object; and controlling,
with the controller, the at least one positional actuator to
project the at least one laser line on the roadway to correspond to
the determined turning path of the subject vehicle and to project
an arrow on the roadway in front of the subject vehicle, the arrow
graphically indicating a direction to steer the subject vehicle to
avoid colliding with the object.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one laser line
includes a first laser line corresponding to a driver side of the
vehicle and a second laser line corresponding to a passenger side
of the vehicle.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: generating, with
the controller, an alert in response to determining that the object
is located within the determined turning path of the subject
vehicle.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the alert includes
changing a color of the at least one laser line projected on the
roadway.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the alert includes
at least one of blinking or flashing the at least one laser line
projected on the roadway.
16. (canceled)
17. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor
includes at least one of a camera, a Lidar sensor, a radar sensor,
and an ultrasonic sensor.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein the subject vehicle includes a
tractor unit and a semi-trailer, the method further comprising
determining, with the controller, the turning path of the subject
vehicle based on a turning path of the tractor unit.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining, with
the controller, a turning path of the semi-trailer, wherein the at
least one laser line includes a first set of laser lines
corresponding to the turning path of the tractor unit and a second
set of laser lines corresponding to the turning path of the
semi-trailer.
20. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one light source
projector includes a laser diode.
21. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one laser line
includes two laser lines indicating the determined turning path of
the subject vehicle and wherein the arrow is projected on the
roadway between the two laser lines.
22. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one laser line
includes two laser lines indicating the determined turning path of
the subject vehicle and wherein the arrow is projected on the
roadway between the two laser lines.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that
project laser lines and graphics onto a road surface for indicating
a turning path of a vehicle, such as a truck.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure, which is not necessarily prior art.
[0003] Drivers of large vehicles, such as semi-trailer trucks, can
have difficulty making tight turns and gauging the clearance and
path of the vehicle relative to objects, such as other vehicles, in
the vicinity of the vehicle. For example, due to the height of the
cab in a semi-trailer truck, the left hand drive seating position,
and the distance of the turn radius, it can be difficult for the
driver of a semi-trailer truck to make a right-hand turn around a
corner. For example, it can be difficult for the driver of a
semi-trailer truck to accurately gauge the clearance of the
semi-trailer truck relative to on-coming traffic, relative to
vehicles in a parallel turn lane, and relative to objects located
on the corner around which the semi-trailer truck is turning.
SUMMARY
[0004] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0005] The present teachings include systems and methods for
projecting laser lines and graphics onto a roadway. A light source
projector with a positional actuator mounted on a subject vehicle
projects laser lines on a roadway upon which the subject vehicle is
traveling. A controller receives steering angle data from a
steering system of the subject vehicle, the steering angle data
corresponding to a steering angle of the subject vehicle. The
controller determines a turning path of the subject vehicle based
on the steering angle data and controls the positional actuator to
project the laser lines on the roadway to correspond to the
determined turning path of the subject vehicle.
[0006] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0007] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of select embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a subject vehicle with a laser line and
graphics projection system.
[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with
the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser
lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning
path.
[0010] FIG. 3 illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with
the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser
lines on the roadway to visually indicate the turning path of the
tractor unit and of the semi-trailer.
[0011] FIG. 4 illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with
the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser
lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning path
and projecting a graphic driving instruction.
[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with
the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser
lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning path
and projecting a graphic driving instruction.
[0013] FIG. 6 illustrates the subject vehicle turning a corner with
the laser line and graphics projection system projecting laser
lines on the roadway to visually indicate the truck turning path
and projecting a graphic driving instruction.
[0014] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016] With reference to FIG. 1, a vehicle 10 including a laser
line and graphics projection system is illustrated. Although the
vehicle 10 is illustrated as a semi-trailer truck in FIG. 1, the
present teachings apply to any other suitable vehicle, such as an
automobile, sport utility vehicle (SUV), a mass transit vehicle
(such as a bus), or a military vehicle, as examples. In the example
of FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 includes a tractor unit 12 and a
semi-trailer 14 that is coupled to and towed by the tractor unit
12.
[0017] The vehicle 10 includes a steering system 20 and a
controller 28 that controls the laser line and graphics projection
system, as discussed in further detail below. The vehicle 10 can
also include a global positioning system (GPS) 30 that detects or
determines a current location of the vehicle 10. In this
application, including the definitions below, the terms
"controller," "module," and "system" may refer to, be part of, or
include circuits or circuitry that may include processor hardware
(shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory
hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by
the processor hardware. The code is configured to provide the
features of the controller, modules, and systems described herein.
In addition, in this application the terms "module" or "controller"
may be replaced with the term "circuit."
[0018] The vehicle can also include an image sensor 50, such as a
camera, and an environmental sensor 52, such as Lidar sensors,
radar sensors, ultrasonic sensors, or other sensors mounted on the
front of the tractor unit 12.
[0019] The image sensor 50 and the environmental sensor 52 detect
information about the surroundings of the vehicle 10, including,
for example, other vehicles, lane lines, guard rails, objects in
the roadway, building, pedestrians, etc. Data from the image sensor
50 and the environmental sensor 52 can be communicated to and
received by the controller 28.
[0020] The vehicle 10 includes a bank of light source projectors 40
on a front portion of the vehicle 10, such as a front portion of
the tractor unit 12, with each light source projector 40 having a
corresponding positional actuator 42. In the example of FIG. 1A,
the light source projectors 40 are positioned on a lower front
portion of the tractor unit 12. Additionally or alternatively, the
light source projectors 40 can be positioned at other locations on
the tractor unit 12. While a single bank of light source projectors
40 is shown in FIG. 1, the vehicle 10 can have multiple banks of
light source projectors 40 mounted to the vehicle. For example, the
vehicle 10 may have a first bank of light source projectors 40,
with corresponding positional actuators 42, mounted on a lower
driver side of the front of the vehicle 10, such as a lower front
driver side of the tractor unit 12, and a second bank of light
source projectors 40, with corresponding positional actuators 42,
mounted on a lower passenger side of the front of the vehicle 10,
such as a lower front passenger side of the tractor unit 12. The
light source projectors 40 can include a suitable light source,
such as a laser diode emitting a laser beam of visible light.
Additionally or alternatively, the light source projectors 40 can
include other light emitting diodes (LEDs), or other light sources,
such as incandescent light sources, halogen light sources, xenon
light sources, light bulbs, or other suitable light sources
configured to produce a suitable beam of light that can be focused
and directionally projected onto the roadway of the vehicle.
[0021] The positional actuators 42 can adjust a directional
position of the light source projectors 40 to project laser lines
and graphics onto a roadway upon which the vehicle 10 is traveling.
For example, the bank of light source projectors 40 on the front of
the tractor unit 12 can be positioned and controlled by the
controller 28 to project laser lines and graphics onto an area of
the roadway in front of the tractor unit 12. For example, one or
more of the light sources in the bank of light source projectors 40
can be rapidly positioned by the corresponding positional actuator
to rapidly trace an outline of a laser line and/or graphic on the
roadway of the vehicle. In this way, the controller 28 can control
the positional actuators 42 such that the light source projectors
40 project laser lines and graphics onto the roadway in front of
the vehicle 10. The term laser lines, as used in the context of the
laser lines projected by the light source projectors 40 onto the
roadway, refer to a clearly defined and distinct line of light
projected onto the roadway (shown, for example, as laser lines 60
and 62 in FIGS. 2 through 6 and laser lines 64 and 66 in FIG.
3).
[0022] The controller 28 can control the positional actuators 42
such that the light source projectors 40 project laser lines
indicating a turning path of the vehicle 10. For example, the
controller 28 can receive data from the steering system 20
indicating a current steering angle based on the rotational
position of the steering wheel of the vehicle 10. In addition, the
controller 28 can be preprogrammed with information about the
vehicle 10, including, for example, the dimensions of the vehicle
10, such as the dimensions of the tractor unit 12, and the location
and size of the wheels on the vehicle 10. The controller 28 can
store the information about the vehicle 10 in a non-volatile
memory. Alternatively, the vehicle information can be stored
remotely, such as in an accessible server, and retrieved by the
controller 28 via communication over a network, such as the
Internet. Based on the current steering angle received from the
steering system 20, and the preprogrammed information about the
vehicle 10, the controller 28 can determine a turning path of the
vehicle 10. Based on the determined turning path of the vehicle 10,
the controller 28 can control the positional actuators 42 for the
light source projectors 40 to project laser lines corresponding to
the determined turning path of the vehicle 10. Further, as the
driver of the vehicle adjusts the steering angle by turning the
steering wheel of the vehicle 10, the controller 28 can likewise
update the determined turning path of the vehicle 10 and control
the positional actuators 42 for the light source projectors 40 to
adjust the projected laser lines corresponding to the updated
turning path of the vehicle 10. For example, as the steering angle
increases or decreases, the controller 28 can make commensurate
adjustments to the determined turning path of the vehicle 10 and
control the positional actuators 42 for the light source projectors
to project curved laser lines that accurately correspond to the
determined turning path of the vehicle 10.
[0023] Further, the controller 28 can receive data from the image
sensor 50 and the environmental sensor 52 about the surroundings of
the vehicle 10, including, for example, other vehicles, lane lines,
guard rails, objects in the roadway, building, pedestrians, etc.,
as well as information about the location of the vehicle 10 from
the GPS 30, to evaluate the current determined turning path in
light of the surroundings of the vehicle 10. For example, the
controller 28 can determine whether the determined turning path of
the vehicle is such that the vehicle 10 will collide with another
object, such as another vehicle, a guard rail, object in the
roadway, building, pedestrian, etc., if it were to continue on its
current turning path. As described in further detail below, in such
case the controller 28 can alert the driver of the vehicle 10 by
changing a color of the laser lines 60, 62, and/or displaying a
graphical warning display or instruction on the roadway in front of
the vehicle.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, the vehicle 10 is shown making a
right-hand turn around a corner. As described above, based on the
current steering angle received from the steering system 20 and the
preprogrammed and stored information about the vehicle, the
controller 28 can determine a turning path of the vehicle 10.
Further, based on the determined turning path, the controller 28
can control the positional actuators 42 (shown in FIG. 1) for the
light source projectors 40 (shown in FIG. 1) to project laser lines
60, 62 on the roadway of the vehicle 10 corresponding to the
determined turning path of the vehicle 10. For example, as shown in
FIG. 2, two projected laser lines 60, 62 are shown, with one
projected laser line 60 corresponding to a driver-side edge or
driver-side tire of the vehicle 10 and another projected laser line
62 corresponding to a passenger-side edge or a passenger-side tire
of the vehicle 10.
[0025] As further described above, the controller 28 can receive
data from the image sensor 50 and the environmental sensor 52 about
the surroundings of the vehicle 10. In the example of FIG. 2, the
image sensor 50 and/or the environmental sensor 52 can detect a
secondary vehicle 70. For example, based on data received from the
image sensor 50 and the environmental sensor 52, the controller 28
can determine a location of the secondary vehicle 70 relative to
the vehicle 10 and relative to the current determined turning path
of the vehicle 10. Further, the controller 28 can compare the
determined location of the secondary vehicle 70 with the determined
turning path of the vehicle 10 and determine whether the secondary
vehicle 70 is currently positioned within the current determined
turning path of the vehicle 10. If, for example, the secondary
vehicle 70 is currently positioned with the current determined
turning path of the vehicle, a collision between the vehicle 10 and
the secondary vehicle 70 may occur if the vehicle 10 were to
continue on its current turning path. In such case, the controller
28 can take action to alert the driver of the vehicle 10 and/or the
driver of the secondary vehicle 70. For example, the controller 28
can change the color of one or more of the projected laser lines
60, 62. For example, the projected laser lines 60, 62 may appear
green if there are no objects located within the determined turning
path of the vehicle 10. The controller 28 can then control the
light source projectors 40 to change one or more of the laser lines
60, 62 to red when an object, such as the secondary vehicle 70, is
located within the determined turning path of the vehicle 10. For
example, in FIG. 2, the projected laser line 60 can appear in a
first color, such as red, while the projected laser line 62 can
appear in a second color, such as green. Alternatively, the
controller 28 could control the light source projectors 40 to
change both projected laser lines 60, 62 to the same color, such as
red. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 28 could control
the light source projectors 40 to flash or blink one of the
projected laser lines 60, 62 to indicate that an object, such as
the secondary vehicle 70, is located within the turning path of the
vehicle 10. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 28 can
generate an alert, such as an audible or visual alert within the
cab of the tractor unit 12.
[0026] In this way, the controller 28 can alert the driver of the
vehicle 10 and/or the driver of the secondary vehicle 70 that the
secondary vehicle 70 is located within a turning path of the
vehicle 10. For example, the driver of the vehicle 10 can view that
the projected laser line 60 is overlapping the secondary vehicle
and/or can view that the projected laser line 60 is a different
color and/or flashing or blinking. In addition, the driver of the
secondary vehicle 70 can view that a projected laser line 60 is
positioned on the hood of the secondary vehicle 70 and/or that the
projected laser line 60 is a different color and/or flashing or
blinking.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 3, the controller 28 can also
determine a turning path of the semi-trailer 14 of the vehicle 10.
For example, the controller 28 can be preprogrammed with
information about the semi-trailer 14 of the vehicle 10, including,
for example, the dimensions of the semi-trailer 14, the location
and size of the wheels on the semi-trailer 14, and the location of
the hitch connection between the semi-trailer 14 and the tractor
unit 12. The controller 28 can store the information about the
semi-trailer 14 in a non-volatile memory. Alternatively, the
vehicle information can be stored remotely, such as in an
accessible server, and retrieved by the controller 28 via
communication over a network, such as the Internet. Based on the
current steering angle received from the steering system 20, and
the preprogrammed information about the semi-trailer 14, the
controller 28 can determine a turning path of the semi-trailer 14.
Based on the determined turning path of the vehicle 10, the
controller 28 can control the positional actuators 42 for the light
source projectors 40 to project laser lines 64, 66 corresponding to
the determined turning path of the semi-trailer. Further, as the
driver of the vehicle adjusts the steering angle by turning the
steering wheel of the vehicle 10, the controller 28 can likewise
update the determined turning path of the semi-trailer 14 and
control the positional actuators 42 for the light source projectors
40 to adjust the projected laser lines 64, 66 corresponding to the
updated turning path of the semi-trailer 14. For example, as the
steering angle increases or decreases, the controller 28 can make
commensurate adjustments to the determined turning path of the
vehicle 10 and control the positional actuators 42 for the light
source projectors to project curved laser lines 64, 66 that
accurately correspond to the determined turning path of the
semi-trailer 14. In this way, as shown in FIG. 3, the controller 28
can control the positional actuators 42 for the light source
projectors 40 to project a first set of projected laser lines 60,
62 corresponding to a turning path of the tractor unit 12 and a
second set of projected laser lines 64, 66 corresponding to a
turning path of the semi-trailer 14. Alternatively, the controller
28 can control the positional actuators 42 for the light source
projectors 40 to project only the projected laser lines 64, 66
corresponding to a turning path of the semi-trailer 14.
[0028] Further, as described above, the controller 28 can control
the light source projectors 40 to change a color of the projected
laser lines 64, 66 when an object, such as the secondary vehicle
70, is located within the determined turning path of the
semi-trailer 14. Additionally or alternatively, additional light
source projectors could be used to project laser lines to the side
of the vehicle so that the projected laser lines corresponding to
the determined turning path of the semi-trailer 14 could be seen in
a rear-view or side mirror of the vehicle 10.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, in addition to, or as an
alternative to, projecting laser lines corresponding to a turning
path of the vehicle 10, the laser line and graphics projection
system can project a graphical display onto the roadway in front of
the vehicle 10 including instructions or warnings for the driver of
the vehicle 10. For example, with reference to FIG. 4, when an
object, such as the secondary vehicle 70, is located within the
turning path of the vehicle 10, the controller 28 can control the
positional actuators 42 so that the light source projectors 40
project a stop sign display 68 in the roadway in front of the
vehicle. In this way, the driver of the vehicle 10 can be alerted
to stop the vehicle 10 before colliding with the object, such as
the secondary vehicle 70, positioned within the turning path of the
vehicle 10. Similarly, with reference to FIG. 5, when an object,
such as the secondary vehicle 70, is located within the turning
path of the vehicle 10, the controller 28 can control the
positional actuators 42 so that the light source projectors 40
project a right arrow display 72 in the roadway in front of the
vehicle. In this way, the driver of the vehicle 10 can be alerted
to turn the steering wheel of the steering system 20 further to the
right in order to avoid colliding with the object, such as the
secondary vehicle 70, positioned within the turning path of the
vehicle 10. Similarly, with reference to FIG. 6, when an object,
such as the secondary vehicle 70, is located within the turning
path of the vehicle 10, the controller 28 can control the
positional actuators 42 so that the light source projectors 40
project a back arrow display 74 in the roadway in front of the
vehicle. In this way, the driver of the vehicle 10 can be alerted
to reverse the vehicle 10 in order to avoid colliding with the
object, such as the secondary vehicle 70, positioned within the
turning path of the vehicle 10.
[0030] As such, the laser line and graphics projection system can
beneficially project laser lines onto a roadway in front of a
vehicle 10 indicating the current turning path of the vehicle 10.
In addition, the laser line and graphics projection system can
beneficially project graphical displays with instructions or
warnings for a driver of a vehicle 10 onto a roadway in front of
the vehicle 10 to assist the driver of the vehicle 10 in avoiding a
collision with another object in or around the roadway.
[0031] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
[0032] The terminology used is for the purpose of describing
particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be
limiting. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" may be intended
to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the
presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of
one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and
operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily
requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or
illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of
performance. It is also to be understood that additional or
alternative steps may be employed.
[0033] When an element or layer is referred to as being "on,"
"engaged to," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element or
layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the
other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be
present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being
"directly on," "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or
"directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no
intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to
describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in
a like fashion (e.g., "between" versus "directly between,"
"adjacent" versus "directly adjacent," etc.). The term "and/or"
includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated
listed items.
[0034] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used to
describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or
sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be
only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or
section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as
"first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do
not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the
context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section
discussed below could be termed a second element, component,
region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of
the example embodiments.
[0035] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"
"beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be
used for ease of description to describe one element or feature's
relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in
the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass
different orientations of the device in use or operation in
addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example,
if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as
"below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be
oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example
term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below.
The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at
other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used
herein interpreted accordingly.
[0036] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
* * * * *