Abstract:
In a solid-state lighting apparatus, a lamp body is provided with a solid-state light module and a detachable module space in the lamp body. A detachable module is provided exterior to the lamp body prior to insertion and which is insertable into the detachable module space and has contacts engageable with corresponding contacts in the module space. The detachable module has an internal circuit for controlling the solid-state light module.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority to U.S. Ser. No. 62/055,105, filed Sep. 25, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Four prong solid-state lighting tubes (with two prongs at each end) are known which are received in fluorescent tube fixtures and are a direct retrofit replacement for the known four prong fluorescent tubes. These known solid-state lighting retrofit tubes are supplied with AC power as is also known from a ballast transformer. It is known to convert this AC power to DC by an AC to DC power supply to create DC power for the retrofit solid-state lighting tube. Both the fluorescent and solid-state lighting tubes may be turned on or off by switching the AC power feed to or from the ballast on or off. 
         [0003]    Alternatively, some fluorescent tube fixtures feed 120-230 VAC for the fluorescent tube. In this case, the retrofit solid-state lighting tube is fed from an AC to DC power supply. 
         [0004]    It is also known to provide DC powered DC fluorescent tubes from a DC source and retrofit solid-state lighting tubes are also known as a direct replacement in a fixture supplying DC for the DC fluorescent tubes. In this case a known DC power supply is provided to create the appropriate DC power for the retrofit solid-state lighting tubes. 
         [0005]    Solid-state lighting lamps are also known which are not tube-shaped but rather have flat faces, are semi-spherical, or have other shapes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    It is an object to provide a solid-state lighting retrofit lamp body receivable in a fluorescent fixture but which is controllable by a module. 
         [0007]    In a solid-state lighting apparatus, a lamp body is provided with a solid-state light module and a detachable module space in the lamp body. A detachable module is provided exterior to the lamp body prior to insertion and which is insertable into the detachable module space and has contacts engageable with corresponding contacts in the module space. The detachable module has an internal circuit for controlling the solid-state light module. The lamp body functions with or without the detachable module. 
         [0008]    In an aspect of the present invention, a solid-state lighting apparatus, comprising a lamp body with a solid-state light module and a detachable module space in said lamp body; a detachable module exterior to said lamp body prior to insertion and insertable into said detachable module space and having contacts engageable with corresponding contacts in said module space; and said detachable module having an internal circuit for controlling said solid-state light module. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said lamp body has a power supply unit integrated therein and connectible to the detachable module in said detachable module space. 
         [0010]    In a further aspect of the present invention, an interchangeable platform is provided and comprises said power supply unit, said power supply unit having said corresponding contacts which are engageable with said contacts of said detachable module. 
         [0011]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said power supply unit has an internal circuit receiving electrical power based on an electrical supply to said lamp body and which supplies power to said light module. 
         [0012]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said lamp body with said solid-state light module is a retrofit for a fluorescent lamp body and is receivable as said retrofit in a fluorescent lamp fixture for receiving said fluorescent lamp body. 
         [0013]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said lamp body is tubular-shaped and has two prongs at one end and two prongs at an opposite end, said prongs being arranged so that said lamp body is said retrofit for said fluorescent lamp body received in said fluorescent lamp fixture. 
         [0014]    In a further aspect of the present invention, wherein said lamp body functioning with or without said detachable module. 
         [0015]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said detachable module performs at least one of the functions of wireless communication, optical communication, actuation of the light module, sensor activation of the light module, activation of the light module based on received light, control of the light module based on motion detection, control of the light module based on smoke detection, control of the light module based on temperature detection, control of the light module based on received sound, and control of the light module based on user activation. 
         [0016]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said contacts of the detachable module and the corresponding contacts at said module space comprise at least one contact for voltage and another contact for a control signal. 
         [0017]    In a further aspect of the present invention, a second contact is provided for voltage. 
         [0018]    In a further aspect of the present invention, first and second detachable module spaces are provided for receiving the detachable module or a further detachable module. 
         [0019]    In a further aspect of the present invention, a further detachable module is provided and wherein the detachable module is receivable in a first detachable module space and the second detachable module is received in a second detachable module space. 
         [0020]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said lamp body is shaped as a tube and said detachable module space is at one end of said tube. 
         [0021]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said detachable module has additional contacts, and an additional detachable module is provided having contacts engageable with said additional contacts of said detachable module. 
         [0022]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said additional detachable module comprises a sensor module having a sensor. 
         [0023]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said additional detachable module comprises an indication module. 
         [0024]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said lamp body comprises a partially spherical bulb. 
         [0025]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said lamp body comprises a body with parallel flat sides and light emitting from one of said sides. 
         [0026]    In a further aspect of the present invention, said lamp body is tubular and has a curved optical portion and a curved opaque portion opposite the optical portion and wherein an LED printed circuit board assembly is provided with LEDs on one surface positioned to radiate light through said optical portion. 
         [0027]    In another aspect of the present invention, a solid-state lighting apparatus, comprising a lamp body with a solid-state light module and a detachable module space in said lamp body; a detachable module exterior to said lamp body prior to insertion and insertable into said detachable module space and having contacts engageable with corresponding contacts in said module space; said detachable module having an internal circuit for controlling said solid-state light module; and an additional detachable module connectible to said detachable module. 
         [0028]    In a further aspect of the present invention, wherein said lamp body functioning with or without said detachable module. 
         [0029]    In another aspect of the present invention, a solid-state lighting apparatus, comprising a lamp body with a solid-state light module and a detachable module space in said lamp body; a detachable module exterior to said lamp body prior to insertion and insertable into said detachable module space and having contacts engageable with corresponding contacts in said module space; said detachable module having an internal circuit for controlling said solid-state light module;and said lamp body being a retrofit for a fluorescent light module and receivable as said retrofit into a fixture for receiving said fluorescent light module. 
         [0030]    In a further aspect of the present invention, wherein said lamp body functioning with or without said detachable module. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The figures are for illustration purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, may best be understood by reference to the detailed description which follows when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a retrofit solid-state lighting tube having a detachable module separated from one end of the tube and another detachable module inserted at an opposite end of the tube; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the tube of  FIG. 1  but with the detachable module at the left one end inserted into the tube; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along section line numeral III-III in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of an interchangeable platform with a power supply unit adjacent a detachable module space in the lighting tube; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a printed circuit board assembly with LEDs thereon which is adjacent the interchangeable platform; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the detachable module shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an additional detachable module which may be connected to the detachable module; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view with the additional detachable module of  FIG. 7  connected to the detachable module; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the additional detachable module designed as a sensor module; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is diagram illustrating various configurations of the attachable module and the additional detachable module designed as a sensor module; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a schematic diagram showing the power supply unit and connections thereto for accommodating one detachable module; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram showing the power supply unit and connections thereto for accommodating two detachable modules; 
           [0044]      FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram showing connection contacts for the detachable module received in the detachable module space of  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 14  is a schematic diagram showing connection contacts for the additional detachable module designed as a sensor module and connectible to the detachable module; 
           [0046]      FIG. 15  is a schematic diagram of the additional detachable module designed as an indication module and connectible to the detachable module; 
           [0047]      FIG. 16  is a diagram illustrating an alternate embodiment for the detachable module and the additional detachable module designed as a sensor module in various configurations; 
           [0048]      FIG. 17A  illustrates use of the solid-state lighting apparatus with a detachable module and also with an additional detachable sensor module of the second embodiment type shown in  FIG. 16  with no person in a room,  FIG. 17B  illustrates the room occupied by a person at a left side of the room, and  FIG. 17C  illustrates the room occupied by a person at the right side of the room; 
           [0049]      FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C are alternate embodiments of the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module using a semi-spherical solid-state lighting bulb: and 
           [0050]      FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C are alternate embodiments of the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module as a solid-state lighting lamp body for radiating downlight. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0051]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to preferred exemplary embodiments/best mode illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, and such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are included herein. 
         [0052]    In the perspective illustration of  FIG. 1  the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module is generally illustrated at  9  and comprises a solid-state lighting lamp body  10  and a detachable module  11  shown separated from one end of the lamp body  10  and, if desired, another detachable module  11 A inserted into an opposite end of the lamp body  10 . 
         [0053]    The lamp body  10  comprises an interchangeable platform  12  to receive the detachable module  11 . With the detachable modules  11  and  11 A removed the lamp body  10  will function as a normal solid-state lighting apparatus. The detachable module  11  (or  11 A if the detachable module is provided) provides additional functions including for example wireless or optical communication, control, sensor, light, actuation, etc . . . to the lamp body  10 . The user can choose a suitable detachable module  11  and plug it into the lamp body  10 . 
         [0054]    The tube  10  is a solid-state lighting (“SSL” hereafter) tube which is a retrofit to replace a known fluorescent tube received in the known fluorescent tube fixture. The detachable module  11  plugs into the lamp body  10  and provides add-on functions to the retrofit SSL tube  10 . The detachable module  11  is interchangeable with different sizes and functions which include but is not limited to communication (RF wireless, light wireless, send and receive signals), control (control another device via a wireless signal), detection (light, motion, smoke, temperature, and vibration), signal/alarm/media (sound, light, and vibration), light (indicator, spot light) and/or actuation (cooling fan, safety lock, etc.). 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  shows the detachable module  11  in its inserted condition within the lamp body  10 . End cap  18 A is provided at one end of the lamp body  10  and end cap  18 B is provided on an end of the detachable module  11 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 3  shows a cross-section taken along line III-III in  FIG. 2  of the lamp body  10  with the detachable module  11  inserted therein. 
         [0057]    The lamp body described herein will function with or without the detachable module inserted. 
         [0058]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the retrofit SSL tube as the lamp body  10  has 4 prongs  8 A,  8 B,  8 C, and  8 D received in the known fluorescent tube lighting fixture when replacing a fluorescent tube. 
         [0059]    In the cross-sectional view of  FIG. 3  one may observe the interchangeable platform  12  receiving the detachable module  11  and located at a floor of a detachable module space  16 . This interchangeable platform  12  with its associated power supply  17  is integrated in the lamp body  10 . Note that the lamp body  10  as illustrated in both  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  is a bi-color tube with an optical portion  13  and an opaque portion  14 . The detachable module  11  is received in the detachable module space  16  formed between the interchangeable platform  12  and the opaque portion  14 . The opaque portion  14  has apertures  7 A and  7 B which are respective snap hook holes for engaging with a snap hook  27 A when the detachable module  11  is inserted into the lamp body  10  at either end of the lamp body. 
         [0060]    The interchangeable unit  12  comprises a power supply unit  17  ( FIG. 4 ) located on an LED PCB assembly  18  having a plurality of LEDs  19  as shown in the bottom perspective view of  FIG. 5  ( FIG. 4  being a top perspective view). A contact member unit  20  is provided on the power supply unit  17 . Prongs  8 A,  8 B are connected to wires  21 A,  21 B. An optical portion end cover  22  and respective sleeves  23 A,  23 B are also provided surrounding respective wires  21 A,  21 B. 
         [0061]    The lamp body  10  may have not only one detachable module space  16  but may have another detachable module space  16 A ( FIG. 12 ) at the opposite end of the lamp body  10 . A platform cover  15  is used to protect internal circuitry to avoid electrical shock of the user. The interchangeable platform  12  with the power supply unit  17  is placed inside the lamp body or tube  10  and the contact member unit  20  comprises three separate contact members  20 A,  20 B, and  20 C used to make connection to respective contact members  24 A,  24 B,  24 C shown in  FIG. 6  at an end of a wireless module printed circuit board assembly  25  also shown in  FIG. 6  which illustrates in perspective the detachable module  11  in an exploded view. 
         [0062]    As mentioned previously, as shown in  FIG. 5  the LED PCB assembly  18  has a plurality of LEDs  19  sending light through the optical portion  13 . The prongs  8 A and  8 B are connected to the power supply unit  17  by respective wires  21 A,  21 B covered by the platform cover  15 . These wires  21 A,  21 B connected to respective prongs  8 A and  8 B are also shown hereafter in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0063]    As shown in the exploded view of  FIG. 6 , the detachable module  11  comprises the end cap  18 A, and a detachable module cover  27  having the snap hook  27 A. An end cover  5  is retained by screws  28 A,  28 B to the end cap  18 A. The PCB assembly  25  is mounted to cover  27  by screw  29  and comprises a wireless module  30 , an antenna  31 , a contact member assembly  24  with individual contact members  24 A,  24 B, and  24 C, and a printed circuit connection board  4 . As previously mentioned, the contact members  24 A,  24 B,  24 C connect to the contact members  20 A,  20 B, and  20 C on the power supply unit  17 . 
         [0064]    A connection board  32  shown in  FIG. 6  on the PC board  25  and having contact members  32 A,  32 B,  32 C is used for connecting to an additional detachable module  33  as shown in  FIG. 7 . This additional detachable module  33  can either be a sensor module having connections shown at  33 B in  FIG. 14  or an indication module having connections shown at  33 A in  FIG. 15 . A connection board  34  is provided on one end of the additional detachable module  33  and has respective contact members  34 A,  34 B, and  34 C which mate with the respective contact members  32 A,  32 B,  32 C on the wireless module PCB assembly  25  on the connection board  32  of the detachable module  11 . 
         [0065]    As shown in  FIG. 8  the additional detachable module  33  is shown attached to the detachable module  11 . 
         [0066]    The additional detachable module  33  can be, for example, a sensor, an indicator, an actuator . . . etc. This additional detachable module  33  may acquire surrounding environment information, for example. 
         [0067]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , the additional detachable module  33  may have first and second detachable housing parts  35  and  36  attached together by screws  37 A,  37 B. 
         [0068]    Within the housing parts a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly  38  is located connecting to a downwardly facing sensor  39  if the additional detachable module  33  has the connections shown in  FIG. 14  at  33 B with the internal circuit  42  on the PCB board  38 . Alternatively as previously mentioned the additional detachable housing  33  may function as an indication module and would have the connections shown in  FIG. 15  at  33 A with an internal circuit  43  and contact members  41 A,  41 B,  41 C. 
         [0069]    As shown in  FIG. 10 , one detachable module  11  may be provided at one end only of the lamp body  10  or two may be provided at opposite ends. Also the additional module  33  as a sensor additional module may also be provided in various configurations as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , including the use of two such additional sensor modules at opposite ends of the lamp body  10 . 
         [0070]    As shown in  FIG. 11  the power supply unit  17  has an internal circuit  44  for feeding in the voltage on lines  21 A and  21 B from prongs  8 A and  8 B. This voltage may be AC or DC depending on the type of solid-state lighting retrofit lamp body employed and received in the known fluorescent fixture. The power supply circuitry on internal circuit  44  is thus adapted depending on whether AC or DC is supplied from the fluorescent fixture. The solid-state light module  45  is of known design and is powered by the internal circuit  44 . 
         [0071]    It should be further understood that although four prongs are shown as for a standard fluorescent lighting fixture, the present application applies to many other types of lamps such as electronic ballast lamps, magnetic ballast lamps, AC line voltage lamps, DC lamps, spherical-shaped bulb lamps, flat-surface radiating lamps, and many other types of lamps. These various types of lamps could have a variety of types of fixtures for receiving those lamps in a variety of types of connections to those lamps. However, it is to be understood that the power supply circuitry is to be adapted depending on whatever type of AC or DC power is fed to the various types of lamps. The power supply will output a first DC voltage V1+, V1− for the light module and a different DC voltage V2+, V2− for the detachable module as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . The design of such a power supply unit for the various types of input voltage and the two output voltages for the light module and the detachable module is well within the ability of those skilled in this art and therefore specific circuitry has not been shown for such various power supplies. 
         [0072]    It should also be understood the term “fixture” as used through out this specification is intended to cover not only 2-4 prong receptacle fluorescent light fixtures, but also a screw end base, an E26 lamp base, and many other various types of lamp connectors or terminals depending on installation preference. 
         [0073]    The power supply  17  has the output contact members  20 A,  20 B, and  20 C as shown in  FIG. 4  with  20 A being V2+ with  20 C being V2−, and with contact member  20 B for control of the voltage fed to the light module  45  via the internal circuit  44 . Preferably a different DC voltage V1+and V− is fed to the light module  45 . The voltage V1−or V2− may preferably be 0 volts. 
         [0074]    The design of the power supply has not been shown in detail since it is a conventional AC to DC power supply or DC to DC power supply. Also the control circuitry to dim or turn the light module on or off has not been shown since it is simply a variable DC voltage for dimming or a switch for turning the DC voltage to the lamp module on or off. 
         [0075]    Although the power supply has been shown internal for the lamp tube application, it could be located externally in other applications. 
         [0076]      FIG. 11  also shows the detachable module space  16  for receiving the detachable module  11  shown in  FIG. 1 . As also shown in  FIG. 11  are the prongs  8 C and  8 D on the opposite end of the lamp body, which are not connected. 
         [0077]    The light module  45  in  FIG. 11  has at least one solid-state lighting device such as for example an LED, an OLED, or other solid-state lighting device. A control signal on contact member  20 B is used to control the lamp of the light module  45  on, off, and for dimming the light intensity thereof. 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIG. 12  an additional set of contact members  49 A,  49 B,  49 C may be located in another detachable module space  16 A at an opposite end of the lamp body for receiving a further detachable module. 
         [0079]    As shown in  FIG. 13  the detachable module  11  has internal circuitry as shown at  47  with an internal circuit  48  as discussed previously in connection with  FIG. 6  connecting to the terminals  24 A,  24 B,  24 C previously shown in  FIG. 6  at one end of the wireless module printed circuit board assembly  25 . Contact members  32 A,  32 B,  32 C are also shown at the opposite end of the PCB assembly  25  as also illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0080]    The internal circuit  48  in  FIG. 13  of the detachable module  33  may provide communication, control, detection, signal, alarm, media function, indication, and actuation for the lamp of the light module  45 . The control contact member  24 B can control the lamp on, off, and for dimming light intensity. 
         [0081]    As shown in  FIG. 14  a sensor  39  may be provided in a detachable module  33 B for controlling lights in the light module  45 . 
         [0082]    As shown in  FIG. 15  a sensor is not provided and the internal circuit  43  of the additional detachable module  33 A functions as an indication module. Here an indicator  89  is connected to the internal circuit  43 . The indicator may be a signaling LED, a speaker, a vibration unit, etc. Detachable module  33 A as the indication module may be wirelessly controlled by another lighting apparatus with a sensor module  33 B as shown in  FIG. 14  and accompanying detachable module  11  (with wireless communication module within). The additional detachable module  33 B is a sensor module which acquires surrounding environment information (sound, motion, smoke, vibration, light, temperature, etc.) via the previously mentioned sensor  39  shown in  FIG. 14 . The internal circuit  42  processes this information and a) control lighting module  45  (on/off, dimming, color changing, etc.), and/or b) sends the information to detachable module  11  (with wireless communication module within) which transmits the information wirelessly to the other lighting apparatus and hence controls the behavior of its lighting module and/or indication module  33 A (on/off, dimming, color changing, etc.). 
         [0083]    From the foregoing it may be appreciated that if one detachable module is provided then one additional detachable module may be connected to that respective detachable module. If another detachable module is provided then another additional detachable module may be coupled to the further detachable module. 
         [0084]      FIG. 16  shows an alternate embodiment of the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module. In this alternate embodiment a lamp body  52  which has an extended end  52 A receives a detachable module  53  and also receives at a bottom surface an additional module  54  such a sensor module. If no additional sensor module  54  is provided then a dummy cover  55  may be connected to the bottom surface of the extension  52 A.  FIG. 16  also shows other possible combinations of the lamp body with one or more detachable module  53  and one or more additional sensor modules  54 , and also illustrates the use of additional dummy covers. 
         [0085]      FIGS. 17A ,  17 B, and  17 C illustrate occupancy detection of a person  57  entering a room  56  at the left side and existing at the right side. As one may observe the left most lamp body  52  has a respective sensor  54  and the right most lamp body  52  has a respective sensor  54 , the respective sensors  54  being adjacent the respective doors  56 A and  56 B of the room  56 . Thus as shown in  FIG. 17B  of the sensor  54  on the left most lamp body  52  senses presence of the person  57  entering through the door  56 A and in  FIG. 17C  the right most lamp body  52  with its sensor  54  senses exit of the person  57  from the room through the opposite door  56 B. 
         [0086]    Another alternative embodiment of the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module is generally illustrated at  58  in  FIG. 18A . Here a semi-spherical solid-state lighting bulb  59  is provided as a lamp body and having a detachable module space  60  located centrally therein and extending vertically. The module space  60  receives the detachable module  61 . 
         [0087]    In  FIG. 18B  in another alternate embodiment the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module system  62  employs a semi-spherical solid-state lighting bulb  63  having in a base portion  63 A a detachable module space  64  for receiving a detachable module  65 . 
         [0088]    In  FIG. 18C  an alternate embodiment of the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module system is shown at  66  having a semi-spherical solid-state lighting bulb  67  having a first detachable module space  68  for receiving a first detachable module  69 . A base portion  67 A has a second detachable module space  70  for receiving a second detachable module  71 . 
         [0089]    In  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C, the detachable modules may also be coupled to an additional detachable module or modules as described in earlier drawing figures. 
         [0090]    In  FIG. 19A , another alternate embodiment is shown of a solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module generally illustrated at  71  and having a lamp body  72  attached to fixture  72 A and radiating light downwardly and a detachable module space  73  for receiving a detachable module  74  vertically oriented. 
         [0091]    In  FIG. 19B , another alternate embodiment of the solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module is shown generally at  75  and having a downwardly facing lamp body  76  in a fixture  77  and a top portion  78  with a detachable module space  79  for receiving horizontally a detachable module  80 . 
         [0092]      FIG. 19C  shows another alternate embodiment of a solid-state lighting apparatus with detachable module  81  having a downwardly facing lamp body  82  in a fixture  83  and radiating light downwardly. A top portion  84  has a first detachable module space  85  receiving a first detachable module  86  aligned horizontally and a second detachable module space  87  is provided in lamp body  82  receiving a second detachable module  88  aligned vertically. 
         [0093]    In  FIGS. 19A ,  19 B, and  19 C, the detachable module in each case may be attached to an additional detachable module as described in previous drawing figures. 
         [0094]    Although preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and described in detail in the drawings and in the preceding specification, they should be viewed as purely exemplary and not as limiting the invention. It is noted that only preferred exemplary embodiments are shown and described, and all variations and modifications that presently or in the future lie within the protective scope of the invention should be protected.