Abstract:
Methods and system for facilitating multi-dimensional personal heating and cooling. User information is used as a mean to configure the temperature in a surrounding environment, thereby facilitating comfort for a user and, in the case wherein multiple users are accessing an area, classifying the area into a number of regions and maintaining each region at a different temperature and guiding the users to desired regions.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Maintaining a comfortable temperature in an indoor environment, which is generally heated or cooled in order to ensure the comfort of inhabitants or users of that environment, can be a challenging task. There is typically no link between the setting of a thermostat or sensor and a comfort level required by an individual. In many cases, rooms or a given area can be heated and/or cooled even though no one is physically present in the space. The result is wasted heating and/or cooling resources. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0002]    In summary, the disclosure provides a method, system and computer program product for controlling the temperature of an environment, typically a user environment. The first embodiment includes controlling the temperature of the user environment by first determining the temperature required by a user, wherein the user&#39;s clothing includes at least one sensor that can read the surrounding temperature and communicate with a master control to heat or cool the surrounding region of the user, thereby making the user&#39;s surrounding environment comfortable for the user. In one embodiment, the sensor can be configured to receive an input from a user and communicate with a master control to set the temperature in the user&#39;s surrounding environment to the comfort level of the user. In a further embodiment, the sensor can also include a thermostat, a thermocouple, a semiconducting material and/or any other device that can measure temperature. In a further embodiment, the sensor may determine the surrounding temperature of the user&#39;s environment and, depending on the input received about the surrounding environment, the user is further allowed to change the temperature to a desired level. 
         [0003]    In a further embodiment, an area is subdivided into several regions and the area has a master control which monitors the temperature of the various regions. The master control is configured to control the temperature of each region in the area at different levels such that multiple users can configure the temperature of a region or be guided to a region wherein the temperature of the regions matches the temperature desired by the user. One or more sensors can monitor each region and communicate with the master control, thereby keeping the temperature in given/desired regions at the desired level. 
         [0004]    In yet a further embodiment, the user can input a desired temperature to the sensor, and the sensor communicates with the master control to locate a region with the desired temperature and facilitate a match between the user and the region with the desired temperature. 
         [0005]    In yet a further embodiment, where there is a plurality of users in a given region, the sensors from the plurality of users communicate with the master control a desired temperature of each user and the master control computes an optimal average temperature for the region and sets the temperature to the determined average temperature. 
         [0006]    In yet a further embodiment, the master control reads a user&#39;s desired temperature and assists the user to move to a region wherein the desired temperature of the user and the temperature of the region match. 
         [0007]    For a better understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention, together with other and further features and advantages thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and the scope of the claimed embodiments of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a personal heating and cooling system with personal components thereof, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2 . illustrates a room divided into a number of regions, wherein the master control of the room maintains different temperature levels in different regions, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a network energy resource manager, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow diagram for controlling the temperature in a surrounding environment of a user, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a computer system, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    It should be readily understood that the components of the embodiments of the invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations in addition to the described exemplary embodiments. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the invention, as claimed, but is merely representative of exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0014]    Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” (or the like) means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” or the like in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
         [0015]    Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in at least one embodiment. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to give a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art may well recognize, however, that the various embodiments of the invention can be practiced without at least one of the specific details thereof, or can be practiced with other methods, components, materials, et cetera. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. 
         [0016]    The description makes reference to the figures. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the figures. The following description is intended only by way of example and simply illustrates certain selected example embodiments of the invention as claimed herein. 
         [0017]    It should be noted that the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, apparatuses, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises at least one executable instruction for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, 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 combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
         [0018]    Specific reference will now be made herebelow to  FIG. 1-3 . It should be appreciated that the processes, arrangements and products broadly illustrated therein can be carried out on, or in accordance with, essentially any suitable computer system or set of computer systems, which may, by way of an illustrative and non-restrictive example, include a system or server such as that indicated at  12 ′ in  FIG. 5 . In accordance with an example embodiment, most if not all of the process steps, components and outputs discussed with respect to  FIGS. 1-3  can be performed or utilized by way of a processing unit or units and system memory such as those indicated, respectively, at  16 ′ and  28 ′ in  FIG. 5 , in conjunction with a master control  15 ′ whether on a server computer, a client computer, a node computer in a distributed network, or any combination thereof. 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic of a personal heating and cooling system including personal components thereof, as broadly contemplated herein, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. As such, a personal heating and cooling component that is associated with a user&#39;s clothing can be referred to as a “personal temperature regulator” (hereinafter also referred to as PTR), which can include a sensor or a semiconducting material, a thermocouple, or the like. The PTR can be placed at various points in or on the user&#39;s clothing or person, so that the heat (or cold) is distributed evenly in the surrounding environment. For example, if the user desires the temperature to be 21° centigrade, and the user is located in an office where the temperature above the desk may be 21° C., but below the desk can be lower or greater than 21° C., thereby causing some amount of discomfort, the sensors will detect such non-uniformity and communicate with a master control such that the temperature around the user and the surrounding environment is evenly distributed. The PTR system can also wirelessly communicate with a room&#39;s thermostat (herein after also broadly referred to as a master control), in order to facilitate heating and cooling resources not being squandered. 
         [0020]    Thus, in accordance with at least one - embodiment of the invention, components of a PTR can include a dress or clothing thermometer (sensor)  100 , which can be configured to also measure other parameters such as humidity, and personal cooling/heating elements  101 , 112  and  113  for providing spot cooling or heating to a user. As such, a communication module  111  receives temperature feedback, as well as feedback for one or more other parameters such as humidity, from personal thermometer  100  and can communicate wirelessly with a network energy resource manager  120  that accepts such feedback. Resource manager  120 , in turn, can regulate the personal elements  101 ,  112  and  113  advantageously without any human intervention. 
         [0021]    Additionally, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a room or apartment  103  heating/cooling element, that is, an element that provides heat or cooling to a room, apartment, or a portion of a room or apartment, can also be controlled by resource manager  120 . Additional input for the resource manager  120 , in controlling personal elements  101 ,  112  and  113  and/or room/apartment heating/cooling element  103 , can be provided via a thermostat  104  and thermometer  105 . In other words, a user can set the thermostat  104  for a room, apartment or portion of a room or apartment, with thermometer  105  providing feedback by way of helping control heating/cooling element  103 . However, such control can also extend to personal elements  101 ,  112  and  113  in accordance with any of a variety of parameters and considerations as broadly contemplated herein. 
         [0022]    In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, if the PTR indicates that a person&#39;s temperature is at desired target levels, the external thermostat  104  can respond accordingly. For example, the air conditioning can be shut down if the person is sufficiently cool as indicated by the PTR. Thus, as shown here by way of an illustrative and non-restrictive example, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, the thermostat  104  is set at 21 degrees Centigrade, while the thermometer  105  reads 27 degrees Centigrade. This can reflect a typical thermostat setting in response to a high ambient room temperature. However, the thermostat  104  and cooling system can be shut down if, indeed, individual elements  101 ,  112  and  113  are already sufficient to keep a person cool, or within a desired or predetermined measured temperature range as measured, for example, via personal thermometer  100 . 
         [0023]    In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a case can be considered in which a camera or monitoring device is located proximate to the user sends information about a user&#39;s clothing to an apartment, room or building cooling/heating system that estimates user comfort conditions, and regulates a heating/conditioning system accordingly. For example, if the system finds that a user is wearing a warm jacket, the system can reduce heat to save energy. Such an example is indicated in  FIG. 1 , where a camera is able to record if there is any headgear at the area indicated by  107  or other clothing at the general area indicated by  108 . Thus, the heating/cooling system of a room, apartment, or room/apartment portion can adjust the heating/cooling delivered by an element  106 , while a thermostat/thermometer combination  109  and  110  can essentially be modified or overridden by receipt and processing of the aforementioned visual data. Again, for example, if a user is wearing a jacket, then the jacket would make the user feel uncomfortable if the temperature of the room was too high. The monitoring device proximate to the user can send information about the user&#39;s clothing and behavior, i.e., the user is wearing the jacket due to illness, and the temperature in the surrounding environment of the user can be controlled to make the user feel comfortable without removing the jacket or warm clothing. In another embodiment, as soon as the user removes the warm clothing, the monitoring device can transmit information to control the temperature in the user&#39;s surrounding environment accordingly to make the user comfortable. 
         [0024]    In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, a system can use biometrics or any other type of monitoring device to determine a user&#39;s approximate age and other physical variables. For example, a baby may require a higher ambient temperature than an adult. The system can also determine the comfort level of a user. For instance, the system can use sensors to ascertain a user&#39;s degree of comfort, e.g., via a video camera and associated analysis of user emotions, and/or via sensors that are placed on a user&#39;s body. There can be user history data and user feedback availed that permits a prediction of a user&#39;s expected comfort in given conditions. 
         [0025]    It can also be recognized, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, that there may be a problem in having one person override a heating/cooling setting in a way to make others uncomfortable. As such, a heating/cooling management system can take into account the comfort of all users, and thereupon determine an optimized scheme, for example, an average temperature that strikes a balance between the degrees of comfort of different users. The system may also permit temperature regulation in or within any room locally, and this may help address different user requirements or individual degrees of comfort. 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in another embodiment, the room  210  (also referred to as a given area) can be divided into a number of regions, wherein the master control  209  of the room is allowed to maintain different temperature levels in different regions. In at least one embodiment of the invention, towards the end of each region, there would be a gradient. If a user entering a room desires a particular temperature, the user may input the temperature to master control  209  and/or input can be fed by means of a sensor on the user&#39;s clothing. The master control  209  will direct the user to the appropriate region where the user desired temperature is maintained. This, for example, is advantageous in larger halls/room having multiple users with varying needs. 
         [0027]    As illustrated, the given area or room  210  is in communication with a master control  209 . The room  210  is divided into various regions. For example, in this depiction, six regions having different temperatures maintained for each of the regions are illustrated. Region- 1   212  is maintained at temperature of 15 degrees by the master control  209 . Region- 2   214  is maintained at a temperature of 18 degrees. Region- 3   216  is maintained at a temperature of 20 degrees. Region- 4   218  is maintained at a temperature of 23 degrees. Region- 5   220  is maintained at a temperature of 25 degrees, and assuming the room temperature is 30 degrees, Region- 6   222  is maintained at room temperature of the outside natural temperature of 30 degrees. 
         [0028]    Assume, for example, that a first user desires a temperature of 20 degrees. The user input is read by the master control  209  and the user is guided to region- 3  automatically, which is maintained at 20 degrees. A second user desires a temperature of 23 degrees, and the master control  209  guides the user to region- 4 , where the temperature is maintained at 23 degrees. This way, all users entering the given area  210  can be guided to a comfort zone of their temperature preference, or approximate thereto. If the user desires a temperature that is not provided in the regions, the user is guided to a region that closely matches the desired temperature of the user. If there are no users in a particular temperature zone/region, the master control can reset the temperature of that region to a temperature that is desired by most occupants of the room. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates a network energy resource manager  199 , in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention. Indicated at  205  is a communication module that receives, for example, from sensors in a room or apartment and from a user&#39;s clothing, information about temperatures in one or more locations and overall conditions of a user such as type of clothing and/or user biometrics that can be used to identify user characteristics such as age, etc. The data can be sent via wireless transmitters located in a user personal cooling/heating system and from transmitters connected to thermometers in a room. 
         [0030]    In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, components  203  and  204  depict sensor data retrieved from a user&#39;s clothing/dress and from room/apartment sensors, respectively. The data  203  and  204  are sent, respectively, to estimators which estimate dress/clothing and heating/cooling conditions of a user  201  and local heating/cooling effects in a room/apartment  202 . Such data permit a user to estimate if he/she is comfortable with his/her personal temperature. The estimation data are sent to a regulation module  200 , where regulation of a room/apartment heating/cooling system is undertaken. For example, if it is determined that a user desires more heating, the room/apartment heating system is activated to provide more heat at or near the user&#39;s location. 
         [0031]    Reference is now made to  FIG. 4 , which illustrates a method of controlling the temperature in a surrounding environment of a user. In Step  310 , the user requirement (or desired temperature) is received as input or can be determined from the sensors placed on the user&#39;s clothing or person. In one embodiment, the user may input the desired temperature, and the sensors on the user clothing can record these. Once the requirements or preferences of the user are determined, this information is transmitted to a master control in step  320 . The master control configures and maintains the temperature in the user&#39;s surrounding environment at a desired level requested by the user as illustrated in step  330 . 
         [0032]    In another embodiment, when there are multiple users, the requirement or preference for each user is transmitted to the master control and the master control will guide the user to a particular region in a given area as illustrated in step  340 . In a further embodiment, the sensors or external monitoring devices in and around the user may provide additional inputs to the master control such as the estimated age, emotions, etc., associated with the user and the master control can perform step  330  or step  340  depending on the circumstance. 
         [0033]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a schematic of an example cloud computing node is shown. Cloud computing node  10 ′ is only one example of a suitable cloud computing node and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein. Regardless, cloud computing node  10 ′ is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth hereinabove. In accordance with embodiments of the invention, computing node  10 ′ may not necessarily even be part of a cloud network but instead could be part of another type of distributed or other network, or could represent a stand-alone node. For the purposes of discussion and illustration, however, node  10 ′ is variously referred to herein as a “cloud computing node.” The computing node  10 ′ is in direct communication with a master control  15 ′, wherein the master control is configured to set and maintain the temperature around a user&#39;s surrounding environment to make the user comfortable. In one embodiment, the computer node  10 ′ can itself be the master control configured to receive information/data from the user and other external devices and provide the user with an ambient environment. 
         [0034]    In cloud computing node  10 ′, there is a computer system/server  12 ′, which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server  12 ′ include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network personal computers (PCs), mini-computer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
         [0035]    Computer system/server  12 ′ may be described in the general context of computer system-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server  12 ′ may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices. 
         [0036]    Computer system/server  12 ′ in cloud computing node  10 ′ is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server  12 ′ may include, but are not limited to, at least one processor or processing unit  16 ′, a system memory  28 ′, and a bus  18 ′ that couples various system components including system memory  28 ′ to processor  16 ′. 
         [0037]    Bus  18 ′ represents at least one of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example and not limitation, such architectures can include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus. 
         [0038]    Computer system/server  12 ′ typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that are accessible by computer system/server  12 ′, and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. 
         [0039]    System memory  28 ′ can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM)  30 ′ and/or cache memory  32 ′. Computer system/server  12 ′ may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system  34 ′ can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus  18 ′ by at least one data media interface. As will be further depicted and described below, memory  28 ′ may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention. 
         [0040]    Program/utility  40 ′, having a set (at least one) of program modules  42 ′, may be stored in memory  28 ′ (by way of example, and not limitation), as well as an operating system, at least one application program, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating systems, at least one application program, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules  42 ′ generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein. 
         [0041]    Computer system/server  12 ′ may also communicate with at least one external device  14 ′ such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display  24 ′, etc.; at least one device that enables a user to interact with computer system/server  12 ′; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server  12 ′ to communicate with at least one other computing device. Such communication can occur via input/output (I/O) interfaces  22 ′. Still yet, computer system/server  12 ′ can communicate with at least one network such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter  20 ′. As depicted, network adapter  20 ′ communicates with the other components of computer system/server  12 ′ via bus  18 ′. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server  12 ′. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems. 
         [0042]    It should be noted that aspects of the invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in at least one computer readable medium (for example, a tangible computer readable medium) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
         [0043]    Any combination of computer readable media may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a tangible computer readable storage medium. A tangible computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having at least one wire, 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), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store, a program for use by, or in connection with, an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0044]    A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
         [0045]    Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wire line, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. 
         [0046]    Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the invention may be written in any combination of at least one programming language, including an object oriented programming language such as Java®, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer (device), partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;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&#39;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). 
         [0047]    Aspects of the invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products. 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 program instructions. These computer 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. 
         [0048]    These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture. Such an article of manufacture can include instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0049]    The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
         [0050]    This disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain principles and practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 
         [0051]    Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.