Abstract:
An automatic coin machine having a redundant coin processing system with at least two coin processing mechanisms. The first or the active coin processing mechanism is initially set up to receive coins from a coin diverter which is in communication with a coin collection device. While the active coin processing mechanism is processing the coins received from the coin diverter, the inactive or the second coin processing mechanism can be serviced without affecting operation of the active coin processing mechanism. When the first coin processing mechanism becomes disabled, in need of service, or is otherwise idle, the coin diverter is switched from the first coin processing mechanism to the second coin processing mechanism, thus making the first coin processing mechanism inactive, and at the same time, making the second processing mechanism active. Similarly, the coin diverter can be switched back over to the first coin processing mechanism when the second coin processing mechanism becomes disabled, in need of service, or is otherwise idle.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/294,218, filed May 31, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to an automatic coin machine (ACM). More particularly, the present invention can be adapted to be used as an ACM having a coin diverter and two or more coin processing mechanisms for toll road applications. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     The construction, maintenance, and operation of transportation infrastructures such as roads, tunnels, bridges, and the like can be every expensive. As a result, many infrastructures have toll collection systems that receive fares or tolls from users of the infrastructures. The toll revenue serves to defray the cost incurred in constructing the infrastructures. The toll revenue can also be used to maintain the infrastructures. In addition, the toll revenue can provide income to governmental or commercial entities that operate the infrastructures. 
     In early toll collection systems, attendants were employed to manually collect tolls from operators of vehicles and to regulate the tolls. Utilizing attendants to collect fares involves numerous problems, including the elements of human error, inefficiencies, and traffic delays. Among other things, manual collection of tolls can be inefficient (time consumed when attendant manually collects fares from drivers) and expensive (costs incurred in hiring the attendants to operate the systems at all hours of the day and night). Furthermore, toll operators may incur further losses through embezzlement of cash by toll booth attendants. 
     To overcome the disadvantages associated with manual toll collection, devices have been developed to automatically operate toll collection systems without the need for toll attendants. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,215 issued to Stovall on Jul. 21, 1953, discloses an “Automatic Toll Collector Device”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,769,165 issued to Bower on Oct. 30, 1956, discloses an “Automatic Toll Collection System”; U.S. Pat. No. 2,908,895 issued to Cooper on Oct. 13, 1959, discloses an “Automatic Toll Collection System”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,090,941, issued to Breese on May 21, 1963, discloses a “Toll Collecting Device.” 
     A typical automatic toll collection system involves the use of a toll station or toll booth positioned at each lane of traffic so that vehicles driving on the highway must pass through the toll lane next to the toll booth. The passage of vehicles through each toll lane can be monitored with loop detectors, treadles, radar, light curtains or other devices capable of detecting passing vehicles. An ACM is installed at the toll booth of each toll lane and connected electronically to a toll gate and/or a traffic signal system. Operators of the vehicles are required to place the required fare into the collection basket of the ACM when passing by the toll station. The ACM registers the fare and operates the toll gate and/or the traffic signal system associated with the toll lane. 
     An ACM that is used in such a toll collection system is typically equipped with a coin receiving means and a coin processing mechanism. The coin receiving means is used to accept coins from vehicle operators. The coin receiving means is typically an open, funnel-shaped basket or coin hopper into which coins are tossed by motorists. The coin receiving means channels the collected coins into an inlet opening of the coin processing mechanism, which is typically placed below the coin receiving means. The coin processing mechanism (also known as a metering device or a meter box) is connected to a circuit for operating the toll gate and/or the traffic signal system. The term “coin” signifies the method of payment regardless of denomination or origin. Coins types include local currency, foreign currency, and tokens. 
     The process involved in the ACM is quite simple. When coins are collected by the coin receiving means, they are funneled into the coin processing mechanism, which then registers the fare and activates the toll gate and/or the traffic signal system. For example, ACMs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,215 (Automatic Toll Collector Device) issued to Stovall on Jul. 21, 1953; U.S. Pat. No. 3,018,469 (Fare Collection and Signal System for Toll Roads) issued to Grant on Jan. 23, 1962; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,293 (Toll Collection Boxes) issued to Rosapepe on Dec. 25, 1962. 
     Typically, the ACM is securely located within the toll booth near the ground surface. The toll booth is often designed so that a portion of the toll booth wall extends outwardly toward the toll lane. This extension of the toll booth wall is referred to as a blister, and the ACM is often placed within this blister. The receiving means (typically a coin basket or a coin hopper) of the ACM is also attached to the outside of the toll booth, such that it is easily accessible to passing motorists. An opening in the blister allows the receiving means to be connected to the inlet of the coin processing means, which is located within the toll booth. 
     Unfortunately, typical automated toll collection systems are not completely reliable to provide uninterrupted collection of fares from motorists. The unreliability is particularly obvious in toll lanes that are not equipped with an alternative method of toll collection. The flow of traffic through an ACM-equipped toll lane can be severely disrupted when the ACM fails to function. For example, the ACM may stop working when the coin vault is full. Furthermore, the ACM may become inoperative if coins are stuck within the coin processing mechanism. In addition, vandals can pass through toll lanes and throw all types of foreign materials into the coin receiving means in attempts to damage or jam the coin processing mechanism. Thus, many things can happen to cause the ACM to be taken out of service. 
     Whenever the ACM is removed from service for any reason, the revenue collection capability in that toll lane is stopped or limited to another method of coin collection. If the affected toll lane is equipped with the ACM as the sole method of collecting revenues, no toll can be collected from motorists, resulting in a significant loss of revenue. If a manual collection system is used while the ACM is being repaired, the traffic flow can be significantly affected causing great inconvenience to the motoring public. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a system that can continuously collect tolls from motorists without the above-described unreliability of existing toll collection systems. There is a need for an improved ACM that can provide increased operational availability given the increase in use and abuse by the motoring public. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an ACM with a redundant coin processing system having two or more coin processing mechanisms. An embodiment of the invention includes a coin collection device, two coin processing mechanisms, and a coin diverter that channels coins received from the coin collection device to one of the two coin processing mechanisms. Preferably, the coin diverter is an electronic coin diverter. Preferably, the coin diverter can be electronically switched from one coin processing mechanism to another coin processing mechanism based on predefined circumstances or service conditions associated with the coin processing mechanisms. The coin diverter can also be manually switched from a first coin processing mechanism to a second coin processing mechanism, and vice versa. It is noted that the present invention can be adapted to process not only coins, but also tokens or other suitable forms of payments. 
     The first coin processing mechanism is initially set up to receive coins from the coin collection device through the coin diverter. While the first coin processing mechanism is active, i.e., processing coins received from the coin diverter, the second coin processing mechanism (the inactive coin processing mechanism) can be serviced. When the first coin processing mechanism becomes disabled, in need of service, or is otherwise idle, the coin diverter is switched away from the first coin processing mechanism over to the second coin processing mechanism, thus making the first coin processing mechanism inactive, and at the same time, making the second processing mechanism active. Similarly, the coin diverter can be switched over back to the first coin processing mechanism when the second coin processing mechanism needs to be serviced. 
     One specific embodiment of the present invention is a toll lane ACM having a coin collection basket, two coin processing mechanisms, and an electronic coin diverter that is controlled by an automatic coin mechanism system unit. The ACM system unit has a microprocessor that can execute instruction sets associated with the present invention. As coins are received via the coin collection basket, the electronic coin diverter directs or channels the coins toward a first coin processing mechanism to be deposited in a vault associated with the first coin processing mechanism. The second coin processing mechanism and its associated coin vault remain available for switchover. 
     The switchover from the first coin processing mechanism to the second coin processing mechanism can occur under one of several circumstances or service conditions. For example, the service conditions can include one or more of equipment failure, preventative maintenance, vault change, and other planned workload distribution. 
     The electronic coin diverter is preferably installed below the coin collection basket. The discharge position of the coin diverter (which determines which coin processing mechanism is to receive the coins), the activation status of the coin processing mechanism, and the selection of a coin vault can be automatically controlled by the lane controller computer and lane application software, or can be manually overridden by the either remote or local switch commands by authorized operations or maintenance personnel. 
     In one embodiment, the coin diverter can also be manually switched by a toll booth attendant whenever the toll booth attendant wants to activate or deactivate a particular coin processing mechanism. 
     In another embodiment in which the capacity of a coin vault or vaults associated with the ACM is electronically monitored, the coin diverter can be automatically switched to a different coin processing mechanism whose vault or vaults are empty or have excess capacity to receive more coins. 
     In still another embodiment, the coin diverter can be electronically switched from diverting coins to a jammed coin processing mechanism to diverting coins to a standby coin processing mechanism upon detection of the jammed condition. 
     In still another embodiment, the ACM of the present invention can be adapted to notify a maintenance department or a service entity associated with the toll lane that service is required on a coin processing mechanism. 
     Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention provides for uninterrupted processing of transactions during periods when one of the coin processing mechanisms is being serviced. Thus, the redundant coin mechanisms allows for a higher percentage of toll lane uptime. Another aspect of the present invention provides means for distributed processing of transactions when both coin mechanisms are available. The invention therefore extends the operational life of an ACM by distributing coin processing tasks among multiple coin processing mechanisms. 
     In summary, the redundant coin processing system of the invention ensures that the toll lane has a longer, if not continuous, uptime. In addition, the redundant coin processing system helps extend the useful life the ACM. Although the preferred use of the invention is for toll collection applications, it must be noted that the present invention can be adapted for other applications in which coin processing is involved. For example, the present invention can be adapted for vending machines, parking meters, and so on. Furthermore, it is noted that the present invention can have more than two coin processing mechanisms. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a plan view of one embodiment of the ACM of the present invention that is equipped with two coin processing mechanisms. 
     FIG. 2 is schematic diagram illustrating a front view of the ACM shown in FIG. 1, depicting a coin diverter located above a left coin processing mechanism that is active, and a front vault below each of the coin processing mechanisms. 
     FIG. 3 is schematic diagram illustrating a cut-away, plan view of the ACM shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is schematic diagram illustrating a cut-away, front view of the ACM shown in FIG. 1, depicting a coin diverter above a left coin processing mechanism that is active, and a front vault below each of the coin processing mechanisms. 
     FIG. 5 is schematic diagram illustrating a cut-away, left-side view of the ACM shown in FIG. 1, depicting two left vaults (front and rear) located within a lower compartment. 
     FIG. 6 is schematic diagram illustrating a cut-away, right-side view of the ACM shown in FIG. 1, depicting two right vaults (front and rear) located within the lower compartment. 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing general steps involved in an operation of an embodiment of the ACM of the present invention in a toll collection application. 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing general steps involved in an operation of another embodiment of the ACM of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1-6 are schematic diagrams illustrating various views of ACM  100 , which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1 represents the plan view of ACM  100  with two coin processing mechanisms  140  and  150 . In this embodiment, ACM  100  has a generally block shape. As shown, ACM  100  includes coin collection device  110  and its associated opening  112 , left coin processing mechanism  140  and its associated left front vault  142 , left rear vault  144 , left secondary coin vault diverter  106 , and right coin processing mechanism  150  and its associated right front vault  152 , right rear vault  154 , and right secondary coin vault diverter  108 . Primary coin diverter  120 , left coin processing mechanism  140 , left front vault  142 , left rear vault  144 , right coin processing mechanism  150 , right front vault  152 , right rear vault  154 , left secondary coin vault diverter  106 , and right secondary coin vault diverter  108 , which are represented in dotted lines are located within housing  102 . These internal components of ACM  100  are also shown in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of ACM  100 , depicting primary coin diverter  120  above left coin processing mechanism  140  that is active. As shown, coin collection device  110  is located above primary coin diverter  120  and coin processing mechanisms  140  and  150 . Coin collection device  110  is preferably a coin collection basket or a coin hopper. Coin collection device  110  receives coins from motorists. The coins are then channeled via primary coin diverter  120  to an active coin processing mechanism. Right coin processing mechanism  150 , which is inactive as shown in FIG. 2, can be serviced while left coin processing mechanism  140 , the active one, is processing coins received from motorists via coin collection device  110  and primary coin diverter  120 . Under left coin processing mechanism  140  are left secondary coin vault diverter  106  and two vaults. Left front vault  142  is visible in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 . Left rear vault  144  is visible in FIGS. 1,  3  and  5 . Left secondary coin vault diverter  106  channels coins from left coin processing mechanism  140  to one of left front vault  142  and left rear vault  144 . Similarly, under right coin processing mechanism  150  are right secondary coin vault diverter  108  and two vaults. Right front vault  152  is visible in FIGS. 1,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  6 . Right rear vault  154  is visible in FIGS. 1,  3  and  6 . Right secondary coin vault diverter  108  channels coins from right coin processing mechanism  150  to one of right front vault  152  and right rear vault  154 . It is noted that an ACM in accordance with the present invention can have more than two coin processing mechanisms, and each coin processing mechanism of the present invention can have one or more vaults having capacity for storing coins. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, among other components, ACM  100  includes display  190 , receipt printer  160 , receipt printer button  162 , receipt delivery chute  164 , coin rejection chute  202 , and coin return tray  204 . Display  190  can be used to inform a motorist the amount of fare that is due. Display  190  can also be used to display the greetings or the status of the system. The motorist can press receipt printer button  162  to obtain a receipt. Receipt printer  160  can produce a receipt for the motorist indicating the fare paid and other information related to the transaction, including the date and time on which the receipt is printed. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a cut-away, plan view of ACM  100 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a cut-away, front view of ACM  100 . 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a cut-away, left-side view of ACM  100 , depicting left coin processing mechanism  140 , left secondary coin vault diverter  106 , left front vault  142  and left rear vault  144  to be located within left compartment  502  of ACM  100 . As shown in this embodiment, left secondary coin vault diverter  106  is positioned so that left rear vault  144  is selected to store the coins received via coin collection device  110  and left coin processing mechanism  140 . When left rear vault  144  loses its capacity to store coins, the position of left secondary coin vault diverter  106  can be changed so that left front vault  142  can be used to store the coins. The position of left secondary coin vault diverter  106  can be changed manually or electronically. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a cut-away, right side view of ACM  100 , depicting right processing mechanism  150 , right secondary coin vault diverter  108 , right front vault  152 , and right rear vault  154  to be located within lower right compartment  504 . 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of an embodiment of the present invention. ACM  700  in this embodiment has coin collection device  710 , primary coin diverter  720 , microprocessor  730 , active coin processing mechanism  740 , inactive coin processing mechanism  750 , and peripheral  760 . In addition, coin processing mechanism  740  is associated with secondary coin vault diverter  706  and at least one vault  742 . Similarly, coin processing mechanism  750  is associated with secondary coin vault diverter  708  and at least one vault  752 . It is noted that the activation status of coin processing mechanisms  740  and  750  depends on which one of them is the target of primary coin diverter  720 . As shown in FIG. 7, coin processing  740  is active because primary coin diverter  720  is positioned or configured to channel or direct coins received by coin collection device  710  to it. In a situation in which primary coin diverter  720  aims at coin processing mechanism  750 , coin processing mechanism  750  would be active and coin processing mechanism  740  would be inactive. 
     Coin collection device  710  is preferably a coin collection basket or a coin hopper. Coin collection device  710  preferably has a large receiving mouth into which coins can be deposited. Preferably, coin collection device  710  is funneled shaped. Coin collection device  710  can be made of various types of materials, including plastics and metals. 
     Preferably, primary coin diverter  720  is a generally L-shape coin diverter that has a receiving inlet and an exit point. The receiving inlet is located directly below coin collection device  710  to receive coins from coin collection device  710 . The exit point of primary coin diverter  720  directs or channels the coins to an inlet opening of active coin processing mechanism  740 . Primary coin diverter  720  can be manually switched from one coin processing mechanism to another coin processing mechanism. Preferably, primary coin diverter  720  can be electronically operated to switch from one coin processing mechanism to another coin processing mechanism. 
     Primary coin diverter  720  can be directed to switch the delivery of coins between or among the coin processing mechanisms by microprocessor  730 , which is in communication with primary coin diverter  720  as well as coin processing mechanism  740  and  750 . Preferably, microprocessor  730  is an integrated component of ACM  700 . Alternatively, microprocessor  730  can be part of a computer that is physically separated from ACM  700 . In that case, primary coin diverter  720  can be remotely manipulated by accessing ACM  700  controls via a computer network, e.g., a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), and the like. The position of primary coin diverter  720  can also be controlled by ACM software, which monitors the availability of coin processing mechanisms  740  and  750  and the availability of unused storage capacity of coin vaults  742  and  752 . 
     As stated above, one of coin processing mechanisms  740  and  750  is active while the remaining mechanism is inactive. Active coin processing mechanism  740  is the mechanism at which primary coin diverter  720  is aimed. Active coin processing mechanism  740 &#39;s inlet opening receives coins from primary coin diverter  720 . The remaining inactive coin processing mechanism  750  can be serviced without affecting operation of active coin processing mechanism  740 . Preferably, each of the coin processing mechanisms  740  and  750  is equipped with coin-sensing circuitry, slug rejection, and coin escrow. These and additional components of ACM  700  are not described herein because the use and operation of the components are well known in the art. 
     Vaults  742  and  752  are used to safeguard coins processed by coin processing mechanisms  740  and  750 , respectively. Preferably, each of coin processing mechanisms  740  and  550  has more than one vault. Preferably, each of coin processing mechanisms  740  and  750  is equipped to deposit coins in a standby vault that has capacity to receive more coins when a first vault is full or loses its capacity to store the coins by changing a position of secondary coin vault diverters  706  and  708 , respectively. 
     Preferably, each of secondary coin vault diverters  706  and  708  is generally L-shape coin diverter that has a receiving inlet and an exit point. The receiving inlet of secondary coin vault diverter  706  is located below active coin processing mechanism  740  to receive coins from active coin processing mechanism  740 . The exit point of secondary coin vault diverter  706  directs or channels the coins to one of vaults  742 . Similarly, the receiving inlet of secondary coin vault diverter  708  is located below inactive coin processing mechanism  750  to receive coins from coin processing mechanism  750  when it becomes active. The exit point of secondary coin vault diverter  708  directs or channels the coins to one of vaults  752 . Secondary coin vault diverters  706  and  708  can be manually switched from one vault to another vault. Preferably, secondary coin vault diverters  706  and  708  can be electronically operated to switch from one vault to another vault. Preferably, secondary coin vault diverters  706  and  708  can be directed to switch the delivery of coins between or among the vaults by microprocessor  730 . 
     Peripheral  760  is in communication with microprocessor  730 . Peripheral  760  can be, for example, a printer. The printer can generate receipts based on the amount of coin processed by active coin processing mechanism  740 . Preferably, the printer is adapted to include the date and time of the transaction on each receipt that it prints. 
     Preferably, microprocessor  730  is adapted to communicate with service entity  770 . Service entity  770  can be, for example, the maintenance department of a toll road authority that operates ACM  700 . Microprocessor  730  is preferably adapted to notify service entity  770  when, for example, one of the coin processing mechanisms requires service. 
     Preferably, microprocessor  730  is adapted to communicate with external system  780 . External system  780  can be, for example, a toll gate and/or a traffic signal system. Microprocessor  730  is preferably adapted to cause the toll gate to go up or to indicate a green light on external system  780  when an adequate number of coins have been received and processed by ACM  700 . 
     FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing exemplary steps involved in an operation of an embodiment of an ACM system of the present invention. 
     In step  802 , the system runs a self test when it is powered up. The self test includes checking essential software and hardware components of the system. 
     In step  804 , the system activates a first coin processing mechanism. Preferably, the first coin processing mechanism has one or more vaults having capacity for storing coins. Activation of the first coin processing mechanism includes switching a coin diverter to the inlet opening of the first coin processing mechanism. 
     In step  806 , the system collects tolls. Collection of tolls in this step includes a number of substeps, including, for example, receiving coins from motorists through a coin collection basket; channeling the coins from the coin collection basket to a coin diverter; directing the coins by the coin diverter to the first coin processing mechanism; processing the coins by the first coin processing mechanism; and depositing the coins in a vault associated with the first coin processing mechanism. 
     In step  808 , the system monitors whether a predefined service condition associated with the first coin processing system occurs. The predefined service condition can occur, for example, when the vault associated with the first coin processing mechanism is full, when the inlet opening of the first coin processing mechanism becomes jammed, or the first coin processing mechanism otherwise fails to process coins. As long as none of the predefined service conditions is detected, the process repeats step  806 . Otherwise, the process goes to step  810 . 
     In step  810 , the system notifies an entity that a service condition has been detected. The notification can include a message that informs the entity of the service condition. The message may be, in one situation, a statement that indicates a vault or all vaults associated with the first coin processing mechanism is full. The message may also be, in a different situation, an explanation that the first coin processing mechanism is in need of service, or other appropriate explanations. The entity can be a maintenance department, a business office, or a specific vendor contracted to service the coin processing mechanism. Notification can be made by switching on a specific light, sounding a tone, sending an e-mail, or by other appropriate means. 
     In step  812 , the system activates a second coin processing mechanism. The activation includes switching the coin diverter away from the first coin processing mechanism to the second coin processing mechanism. 
     It is noted that the process involved in steps  808  and  810  does not necessarily involve malfunctioning of the first coin processing mechanism. For example, the first coin processing mechanism can be taken out of service when it had continuously operated for a predetermined amount of time. In that case, a visit to the ACM is not required, and notification in step  810  can involve a simple message that a switch or activation status of the coin processing mechanisms has taken place based on a predefined schedule. For example, the message can be a statement indicating that the second coin processing mechanism is now the active coin processing mechanism instead of the first coin processing mechanism. 
     In step  814 , the system continues to collect coins using the second coin processing mechanism. Step  814  is similar to step  806  described above. 
     In step  816 , the system monitors whether the second coin processing system is functioning properly or whether a predefined service condition occurs. If so, the process repeats step  814 . Otherwise, the process goes to step  818 . Step  816  is similar to step  808  described above. 
     In step  818 , the system notifies the entity the same way it did in step  810 , only this time the messages would be about the conditions of the second coin processing mechanism. 
     Steps  804  through  818  can be repeated many times. If there are only two coin processing mechanisms, the first coin processing mechanism would be reactivated in step  804  when the second coin processing mechanism is taken out of service. 
     FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing general steps involved in an operation of another embodiment of the ACM of the present invention. 
     In step  902 , coins are collected by a coin collection device of the ACM. 
     In step  904 , the coins collected in step  902  are diverted by a coin diverter to a first coin processing mechanism. The first coin processing mechanism at this instance is considered the active coin processing mechanism because it receives coins through the coin diverter. 
     In step  906 , the first coin processing mechanism or the active coin processing mechanism processes the coins. 
     In step  908 , the performance of the active coin processing mechanism is monitored. 
     In step  910 , if a service condition is detected, the process goes to step  912 . Otherwise, the process repeats steps  904  through  910 . 
     In step  912 , the coin diverter is operated to divert coins to a second coin processing mechanism. This step deactivates the first coin processing mechanism to make the second coin processing mechanism the active coin processing mechanism. 
     In step  914 , coins received by the ACM from this point forward are processed by the second coin processing mechanism. 
     The service condition in step  908  can occur in one of several ways. For example, the condition can occur when the vault associated with the first coin processing mechanism is full or loses its capacity to store coins. Another condition can happen when the inlet opening of the first coin processing mechanism becomes non-functional, e.g., jammed. Still another condition can take place when the first coin processing mechanism otherwise fails to process coins. 
     The foregoing disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many variations and modifications of the embodiments described herein will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art given the above disclosure. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents. 
     Further, in describing representative embodiments of the present invention, the specification may have presented the method and/or process of the present invention as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.