U.S. patent application number 16/632446 was filed with the patent office on 2021-05-20 for a service system of an air conditioning system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Carrier Corporation. Invention is credited to Rohan Chabukswar, Kushal Mukherjee.
Application Number | 20210148593 16/632446 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005420639 |
Filed Date | 2021-05-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210148593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mukherjee; Kushal ; et
al. |
May 20, 2021 |
A SERVICE SYSTEM OF AN AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM
Abstract
An air conditioning system includes a service system, a central
treatment unit, and a plurality of zoned segments each adapted to
condition air in respective zones. The service system includes a
controller, specification data, a results module, and an
optimization module. The specification data is stored and applied
by the controller and includes information pertaining to at least
one component of the air conditioning system for each zoned
segment. The results module is stored and executed by the
controller, and is configured to receive a sensor signal indicative
of an operating condition, which is outputted by a sensor of each
zoned segment, to determine a need for service. The optimization
module is stored and executed by the controller, and is configured
to apply the specification data, the need for service from the
results module, and allocate a discipline of a plurality of
disciplines relative to the service.
Inventors: |
Mukherjee; Kushal; (New
Delhi, IN) ; Chabukswar; Rohan; (Cork, IE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Carrier Corporation |
Palm Beach Gardens |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005420639 |
Appl. No.: |
16/632446 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
July 18, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2018/042662 |
371 Date: |
January 20, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62535544 |
Jul 21, 2017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2120/20 20180101;
F24F 11/49 20180101; F24F 11/64 20180101 |
International
Class: |
F24F 11/49 20060101
F24F011/49; F24F 11/64 20060101 F24F011/64 |
Claims
1. A service system for an air conditioning system including a
central treatment unit and a plurality of zoned segments each
adapted to condition air in respective zones, the service system
comprising: a controller including a processor and an electronic
storage medium; specification data stored in the electronic storage
medium and applied by the processor, the specification data
including information pertaining to at least one component of the
air conditioning system for each zoned segment; a results module
stored in the electronic storage medium and executed by the
processor, the result module configured to receive a sensor signal
indicative of an operating condition and outputted from a sensor of
each zoned segment, and determine a need for service; and an
optimization module stored in the electronic storage medium and
executed by the processor, the optimization module configured to
apply the specification data, the need for service from the results
module, and allocate a discipline of a plurality of disciplines
relative to the service.
2. The service system set forth in claim 1, further comprising:
discipline data stored in the electronic storage medium and applied
by the optimization module, wherein the optimization module is
configured to assign a field technician to the need for service
based on the allocated discipline.
3. The service system set forth in claim 2, further comprising: a
device module programmed into a user device, and configured to
communicate with the optimization module.
4. The service system set forth in claim 3, wherein the user device
includes a user interface configured to communicate with the field
technician.
5. The service system set forth in claim 4, wherein the user
interface is configured to output service information associated
with the need for service relative to a specific zoned segment of
the plurality of zoned segments.
6. The service system set forth in claim 5, wherein the service
information includes data corresponding to a building information
model of the specification data.
7. The service system set forth in claim 5, wherein the service
information includes data corresponding to a building topology of
the specification data.
8. The service system set forth in claim 6, wherein the service
information includes data corresponding to a building topology of
the specification data.
9. The service system set forth in claim 4, wherein the
optimization module is configured to receive a progress feedback
report from the field technician via the mobile device.
10. The service system set forth in claim 4, wherein the user
device is a mobile device.
11. The service system set forth in claim 10, wherein the user
interface includes a visual screen, and the mobile device includes
an augmented reality feature configured to superimpose a hidden
component of the at least one component upon the visual screen.
12. The service system set forth in claim 11, wherein the mobile
device includes goggles and the visual screen is integrated upon at
least one lens of the googles.
13. The service system set forth in claim 1, wherein the service
system is a commissioning service system.
14. The service system set forth in claim 11, wherein the operating
condition is part of a commissioning test.
15. The service system set forth in claim 1, wherein the results
module is configured to determine a magnitude of the need for
service.
16. The service system set forth in claim 1, wherein each one of
the plurality of zoned segments include a Variable Air Volume (VAV)
assembly, and the central treatment unit is an Air Handling Unit
(AHU).
17. The service system set forth in claim 16, wherein the sensor
includes an air flow sensor of the VAV assembly.
18. A method of commissioning an air conditioning system
comprising: preprogramming specification data into a controller of
the air conditioning system; receiving at least one sensory signal
associated with a commissioning test by a results module stored and
configured to be executed by the controller; receiving at least a
portion of the specification data by the results module; and
applying the sensory signal and the specification data by the
results module to generate a topology that includes a need for
service, a magnitude of the need for service, and a location of the
need for service.
19. The method set forth in claim 18, further comprising:
preprogramming discipline data into the controller; and receiving
the discipline data and the topology by an optimization module
stored and configured to be executed by the controller to optimize
a routing of individual field technicians to respective zoned
segments of the air conditioning system requiring a need for
service.
20. The method set forth in claim 10, wherein the routing is based
at least in-part on allocations of discipline, and the optimization
module is configured to communication with a mobile device
including an augmented reality feature carried by the field
technicians.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning
system, and more particularly, to service system of the air
conditioning system and method of operation.
[0002] Known air conditioning systems, such as a Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system, may include at
least one an air handling unit (AHU) each associated with a
plurality of zoned segments (e.g., Variable Air Volume (VAV)
assemblies) distributed throughout various regions of a building.
When commissioning the air conditioning system, each zoned segment
must be at least evaluated, adjusted, and balanced to achieve an
efficient working system. Establishing an efficient operating air
conditioning system and monitoring of continued proper system
operation may be time consuming and cumbersome to achieve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0003] A service system for an air conditioning system including a
central treatment unit and a plurality of zoned segments each
adapted to condition air in respective zones according to one,
non-limiting, embodiment of the present disclosure includes a
controller including a processor and an electronic storage medium;
specification data stored in the electronic storage medium and
applied by the processor, the specification data including
information pertaining to at least one component of the air
conditioning system for each zoned segment; a results module stored
in the electronic storage medium and executed by the processor, the
result module configured to receive a sensor signal indicative of
an operating condition and outputted from a sensor of each zoned
segment, and determine a need for service; and an optimization
module stored in the electronic storage medium and executed by the
processor, the optimization module configured to apply the
specification data, the need for service from the results module,
and allocate a discipline of a plurality of disciplines relative to
the service.
[0004] Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the service system
includes discipline data stored in the electronic storage medium
and applied by the optimization module, wherein the optimization
module is configured to assign a field technician to the need for
service based on the allocated discipline.
[0005] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the service system includes a device module programmed
into a user device, and configured to communicate with the
optimization module.
[0006] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the user device includes a user interface configured to
communicate with the field technician.
[0007] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the user interface is configured to output service
information associated with the need for service relative to a
specific zoned segment of the plurality of zoned segments.
[0008] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the service information includes data corresponding to
a building information model of the specification data.
[0009] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the service information includes data corresponding to
a building topology of the specification data.
[0010] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the service information includes data corresponding to
a building topology of the specification data.
[0011] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the optimization module is configured to receive a
progress feedback report from the field technician via the mobile
device.
[0012] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the user device is a mobile device.
[0013] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the user interface includes a visual screen, and the
mobile device includes an augmented reality feature configured to
superimpose a hidden component of the at least one component upon
the visual screen.
[0014] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the mobile device includes goggles and the visual
screen is integrated upon at least one lens of the googles.
[0015] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the service system is a commissioning service
system.
[0016] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the operating condition is part of a commissioning
test.
[0017] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the results module is configured to determine a
magnitude of the need for service.
[0018] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, each one of the plurality of zoned segments include a
Variable Air Volume (VAV) assembly, and the central treatment unit
is an Air Handling Unit (AHU).
[0019] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the sensor includes an air flow sensor of the VAV
assembly.
[0020] A method of commissioning an air conditioning system
according to another, non-limiting, embodiment includes
preprogramming specification data into a controller of the air
conditioning system; receiving at least one sensory signal
associated with a commissioning test by a results module stored and
configured to be executed by the controller; receiving at least a
portion of the specification data by the results module; and
applying the sensory signal and the specification data by the
results module to generate a topology that includes a need for
service, a magnitude of the need for service, and a location of the
need for service.
[0021] Additionally to the foregoing embodiment, the method
includes preprogramming discipline data into the controller; and
receiving the discipline data and the topology by an optimization
module stored and configured to be executed by the controller to
optimize a routing of individual field technicians to respective
zoned segments of the air conditioning system requiring a need for
service.
[0022] In the alternative or additionally thereto, in the foregoing
embodiment, the routing is based at least in-part on allocations of
discipline, and the optimization module is configured to
communication with a mobile device including an augmented reality
feature carried by the field technicians.
[0023] The foregoing features and elements may be combined in
various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly
indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the
operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the
following description and the accompanying drawings. However, it
should be understood that the following description and drawings
are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] Various features will become apparent to those skilled in
the art from the following detailed description of the disclosed
non-limiting embodiments. The drawings that accompany the detailed
description can be briefly described as follows:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an air conditioning system as one
exemplary embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a zoned segment of the air
conditioning system;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a service system of the air
conditioning system; and
[0028] FIG. 4 is a depiction of a report generated by a report
module of the service system; and
[0029] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of operating the service
system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, an air conditioning system 20 may be
used in a building having a multitude of areas requiring at least
one of various air treatments such as increasing air temperature,
decreasing air temperature, controlling humidity levels, and
others. The air condition system 20 may include a central treatment
unit 22, a plurality of zoned segments 24, a controller 26, and at
least one conduit 28. In one embodiment, the air conditioning
system 20 may be a forced air handling system, the central
treatment unit 22 may be an Air Handling Unit (AHU), the plurality
of zoned segments 24 may be, or may include, a plurality of
Variable Air Volume (VAV) assemblies, and the conduit 28 may be at
least one duct for the flow distribution of air. The AHU 22 may be
adapted to condition the air (i.e., heat, cool, humidity, etc.) and
deliver a volume of air into the duct 28. In one embodiment, the
AHU 22 may include a variable speed blower (not shown) configured
to generally maintain a predetermined air pressure within the duct
28. One example of a forced air handling system 20 may be a
Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system.
[0031] In another embodiment the air conditioning system 20 may be
a hydronic system adapted to controllably heat air in each one of
the multitude of areas or zones. In this embodiment, the central
treatment unit 22 may be a boiler adapted to heat water, the
conduit 28 may be pipe(s) adapted to flow the water, the zoned
segment 24 may be, or may include, include a register, a flow
and/or pressure control valve, a water pump, a blower to flow air
across the register, and other components.
[0032] For simplicity of explanation, the forced air handling
system 20 is generally illustrated and described. However, it is
understood that any air conditioning system 20 may apply to the
present disclosure. Although only two VAV assemblies 24 are
illustrated in FIG. 1, in the application of a forced air handling
system 20 applied to a building, the forced air handling system 20
may include over one-thousand VAV assemblies 24. Each VAV assembly
24 may be adapted to control a pre-specified volume of air received
from the duct 28 and flowing (see arrows 30) into respective areas
of the building.
[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each VAV assembly 24 may include
a damper 32, a position sensor 34, an upstream pressure sensor 36,
a downstream pressure sensor 38, and a flow sensor 40. The damper
32 may generally be in-line with an outlet of the duct 28 as is
generally known by one skilled in the art. The position sensor 34
is adapted to measure the position of the damper 32 (i.e., zero to
one-hundred percent open), and output a position signal (see arrow
42) over a pathway 44 to the controller 26.
[0034] The upstream pressure sensor 36 may be configured to measure
the pressure of air immediately upstream of the damper 32 and send
an upstream pressure signal (see arrow 46) to the controller 26
over pathway 44. The downstream pressure sensor 38 may be
configured to measure the pressure of air immediately downstream of
the damper 32 and send a downstream pressure signal (see arrow 48)
to the controller 26 over pathway 44. The flow sensor 40 may be
generally located downstream of the damper 32, and is configured to
measure airflow exiting the damper and sending an airflow signal
(see arrow 50) to the controller 26 via the pathway 44. The pathway
44 may be hard wired or wireless.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the controller 26 may generally
be dedicated toward the forced air handling system 20, or may be
part of other systems such as a building management system. The
controller 26 may include at least one processor 52 (e.g.,
microprocessor) and at least one electronic storage medium 54 that
may be computer writeable and readable. In one embodiment, the
controller 26 is configured to control and/or monitor the AHU 22
and the plurality of VAV assemblies 24.
[0036] The air conditioning system 20 may further include a service
system 56 that may be a commissioning service system. The service
system 56 may be configured to determine a need for service of a
particular zoned segment, or assembly, 24, the location of the
assembly 24 in need of service, the discipline needed to provide
the service, the appropriate field technician to perform the
service, and providing data, or information, to the field
technician to assist in performing the service. The service system
56 may include the controller 26, an application 58, and a user
device module, or application, 60. The application 58 and the
module 60 may be software-based. The application 58 may be stored
in the electronic storage medium 54 and generally executed by the
processor 52 of the controller 26. The device module 60 may be
programmed into a user device 62 adapted to communicate with the
controller 26 over a pathway (see arrow 64 in FIG. 3) that may be
hard wired or wireless. The user device 62 may include a user
interface 66, a processor 68 (e.g., microprocessor) configured to
execute the device module 60, and an electronic storage medium 70
configured to store the device module 60. In one embodiment, the
user device 62 may be a mobile device carried by, for example, a
field technician assigned to perform field commissioning and/or
maintenance upon the air condition system 20. Examples of the
mobile device 62 may include a smartphone, goggles, and others.
[0037] For at least the example of the user device being googles
62, the user interface 66 may be a visual screen generally
superimposed upon the goggle lenses. The goggles 62 may include an
augmented reality feature, wherein a computer-generated image is
superimposed on the real world view of the user. In this way, the
goggles provide a composite view. As an example, the real world
view may be a wall within an office of a building. The superimposed
reality view, may be the computer-generated outline of an assembly
24 located (i.e., visually hidden) behind the wall. The goggles 62
may include, or may be further supported by, circuitry 71 (see FIG.
3) that is capable of determining the physical orientation of the
goggles 62 in the real world in order to correctly superimpose the
virtual image upon the real world image. The circuitry 71 may
generally be any technique known in the art of augmented reality.
One example of such circuitry 71 may be a Global Positioning System
(GPS). It is further contemplated and understood that the augmented
reality technology may be applied to other examples of the user
device 62 including a mobile tablet and a smartphone.
[0038] The application 58 of the service system 56 may include
specification data 72, a results module 74, an optimization module
76, discipline data 78, and a report module 80. The specification
data 72 and the discipline data 78 may be preprogrammed into the
electronic storage medium 54 for reference by the processor 52 of
the controller 26. The modules 74, 76, 78 may, at least in-part, be
stored in the electronic storage medium 54, and executed by the
processor 52 of the controller 26.
[0039] The specification data 68 may generally include an
information model and topology information. The information model
may be relative to a structure that may be a building that the air
conditioning system 20 supports. The topology information may be
building topology information, and may generally pertain to
information related to association and interconnections of various
components of the air conditioning system 20 and supporting
equipment. The building information model may generally pertain to
a map of the building and the positioning of various components
(e.g., zone segments 24) of the air conditioning system 20 relative
to the building map.
[0040] The discipline data 78 may generally include a listing of,
for example, field technicians, the expertise or discipline of each
technician, contact information, the current location of each
technician, and other related information that may be used to
improve, or optimize, the efficiency of the service system 56.
[0041] The results module 74 of the application 58 is configured to
receive any one or more of the sensor signals 42, 46, 48, 50, or
other sensory signals indicative of at least one operating
condition, from each one of the zoned segments 24. From the sensory
signal(s), the results module 74 is configured to determine a need
for service of the corresponding zoned segment 24 and/or a
particular component of the zoned segment. The results module 74
may be further configured to categorize, or assign a magnitude of
importance, for a particular need for service based on, for
example, preprogrammed data that reflects system ramifications if a
need for service is not addressed. As best illustrated in FIG. 4
that illustrates one example of a report 82 generated by the report
module 80, magnitudes may include "major," "minor," and "healthy"
(i.e., no need for service). In one embodiment, the need for
service may be relative to commissioning activity of the system 20,
and the operating condition is part of a system commissioning
test.
[0042] The optimization module 76 of the application 58 may be
configured to apply the need for service determined by the results
module 74, apply the specification data 72, and apply the
discipline data to allocate a discipline to the need for service,
and assign the associated service activity to an appropriate field
technician possessing the discipline expertise. The optimization
module 76 may further allocate service priorities based on the
magnitudes established by the results module 74, thus notifying the
field technician(s) accordingly. Examples of various disciplines
may include electrical, tin smith, mechanical, plumbing, and
others.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the report module 80 of the
application 58 may be configured to tabulate and/or formulate
various reports for delivery to, for example, a building manager
via the controller 26, and/or a field technician via the user
interface 66 of the user device 62 and over pathway 64. As best
shown in FIG. 4, a first report 82 may be, or may include, a system
20 overview. The report 82 may generally depict the percent of
"major" needs for service, the percent of "minor" needs for
service, and the percent of "healthy" VAV assemblies 24. The same
report 82 may also depict the types of services needed. For
example, the report 82 may depict: six VAV assemblies 24, out of
fifty-two assemblies, that have obstructed dampers 32; three VAV
assemblies 24 that have a flow sensor 40 with a calibration, or
offset, issue; one VAV assembly 14 that has a stuck damper 32, and
other depictions.
[0044] More refined reports, not shown, may include information
relative to a specific VAV assembly 14 requiring service and the
location of the assembly (i.e., utilizing the building information
model of the specification data 72. To further assist the field
technician, the refined report may include building topology data
to assist a field technician with concerns relative to, for
example, equipment interactions and/or connections.
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, a method of operating the service
system 56 is illustrated. At block 100, the controller 26 may be
preprogrammed with a building information model of the
specification data 72. At block 102, the controller 26 may be
preprogrammed with a building topology of the specification data
72. At block 104, at least one sensory signal associated with, for
example, a commissioning test may be sent to the results module 74
of the application 58. At block 106, the results module 74 may also
receive the specification data 72, and may then incorporate
location and magnitude of a need for service into a topology. At
block 108, discipline data 78 that is preprogrammed into the
controller 26, may be sent to the optimization module 76. At block
110, the optimization module 76 may utilize the established
topology from the results module 74 and the discipline data 78 to
optimize a routing of individual installers (i.e., field
technicians), thereby matching skills to a particular zoned segment
24 needing a service to minimize total time to achieve an
efficiently operating system 20.
[0046] At blocks 112, 114, 116, the optimization module 76 may
respectively communicate with the appropriate user devices 62 of
the respective field technicians based on, at least, discipline
allocations. Referring to arrow 118, each field technician may
provide service progress feedback to the optimization module 76 for
re-planning.
[0047] Advantages and benefits of the present disclosure include an
improved diagnostics and control algorithm performance, a reduction
in system commissioning time by about fifty percent (50%), greater
customer satisfaction via reduced installer expenses and fewer
callbacks, and a savings of energy and improved comfort.
[0048] The present disclosure may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product. The computer program product may include
a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer
readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to
carry out aspects of the present invention.
[0049] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0050] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0051] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present disclosure may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object
code written in any combination of one or more programming
languages, including an object oriented programming language such
as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural
programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or
similar programming languages. The computer readable program
instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on
the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on
the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on
the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote
computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type
of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area
network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external
computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet
Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry
including, for example, programmable logic circuitry,
field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays
(PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by
utilizing state information of the computer readable program
instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to
perform aspects of the present invention.
[0052] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0053] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0054] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
an application, module, segment, or portion of instructions, which
comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the
specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations,
the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted
in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0055] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For
example, "about" can include a range of .+-.8% or 5%, or 2% of a
given value.
[0056] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when
used in this specification, 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, element components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0057] While the present disclosure has been described with
reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof
without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure
without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present
disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the claims.
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