Passive optical network device

A passive optical network device comprising a casing, printed circuit board, and fiber optic transceiver system is provided. The fiber optic transceiver system comprises a fiber optic components device, fiber optic transceiver, and RF connector. During operation, the fiber optic components device converts optical signals from the fiber optic transceiver to digital signals, and then transmits the converted digital signals to external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface. The fiber optic components device converts digital signals from the external electronic systems to optical signals, and then transmits the optical signals to other external electronic systems via the fiber optic transceiver. The RF connector transmits RF signals from additional external electronic systems to the external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface. The RF connector transmits digital signals from the external electronic systems to the additional external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan application no. 108210252, filed on Aug. 2, 2019, of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments relate generally to the field of communications and, more particularly, to passive optical network devices.

BACKGROUND

A PON is a point to multi-point (P2MP) passive optical network, which may be used for Internet access, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), digital TV delivery, backhaul connections for cellular basestations, Wi-Fi hotspots, and distributed antenna systems (DAS), as examples. Basically, a PON system is composed of a central optical line terminal (OLT) at a service provider's facility, distributing services to customers. Passive optical devices, such as optical splitters divide a single optical signal into multiple equal but lower-power signals to users. An optical network unit (ONU), terminates the PON at a customer's location and may communicate with or be incorporated with an optical network terminal (ONT), which connects the PON to a customer's equipment.

Gigabit-capable PON or GPON is a standard created by the International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T), designated as ITU-T G.984. GPON uses optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), having downstream and upstream data rates of 2.488 Gbits/s and 1.244 Gbits/s, respectively. Generally, a laser on a wavelength (λ) of 1490 nm transmits the downstream data and the upstream data is transmitted on a wavelength of 1310 nm. The optical splits of the single fiber may be 1:32, 1:64 or up to 1:128 subscribers with a maximum transmission range of 20 km.

GPON devices may comprise a casing and a printed circuit board assembled to the casing, having a plurality of pins, such as 1×20 pins. Printed circuit boards of other devices are installed or inserted to the GPON devices via the pins. One such device may be an optical transceiver module having a single mode Subscriber Connector/Standard Connector (SC) fiber optic pigtail, whereby one portion of the optical transceiver module is electrically coupled to the GPON device via the pins and the single mode SC fiber optic pigtail is extended to an outside of a casing of the GPON device to receive and transmit optical signals from other external devices. The optical transceiver module may further electrically couple to a radio frequency RF connector to receive and transmit RF signals from additional external devices.

As demand for video and over the top (OTT) TV services has increased, need to boost line rates to handle high-definition video data has increased. As a result, the 10 Gbits/s Ethernet PON or 10G-EPON standard has been created by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), designated as IEEE 802.3av. 10G-EPON uses optical wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), having downstream and upstream data rates of 10.3125 Gbits/s for symmetric architectures and downstream and upstream data rates of 10.3125 Gbits/s and 1.25 Gbits/s, respectively, for asymmetric architectures. Generally, a laser on a wavelength (A) of 1575 to 1580 nm transmits the downstream data and the upstream data is transmitted on a wavelength of 1260 to 1280 nm for 10G-EPON and a laser on a wavelength (A) of 1260 to 1360 nm transmits the downstream data and the upstream data is transmitted on a wavelength of 1480 to 1500 nm for 1G-EPON. The optical splits of the single fiber may be 1:16 up to 1:128 subscribers with a maximum transmission range of 20 km.

Nonetheless, GPON devices having the plurality of contacts or pins, such as 1×20 pins, are not suited to support the higher transmission rates. Additionally, maintenance or replacement of other devices installed to the GPON devices via the pins is time consuming and inconvenient due to the pin coupling method. Moreover, immediate replacement due to the pin coupling method is not possible, compounding potential problems when other device failure occurs. Also, the length of the single mode SC fiber optic pigtail of the optical transceiver module installed to the GPON devices, extending to the outside of the GPON device casing, is normally fixed. Accordingly, if a longer single mode SC fiber optic pigtail is required, the GPON device would not be compatible or an extension cable may be used, increasing signal attenuation and inconvenience.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a passive optical network device, comprising a casing, a printed circuit board, and a fiber optic transceiver system is provided. The casing has a first opening, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The printed circuit board is fixedly assembled to the casing and has a plurality of first electrical coupling pads, a second electrical coupling pad, and a hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface. The hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface is positioned for mounting from an outside of the casing via the first opening. The fiber optic transceiver system is fixedly assembled to the printed circuit board and has a fiber optic components device assembled to the printed circuit board, a fiber optic transceiver assembled to the first side wall, and an RF connector assembled to the second side wall, comprising an RF signal line electrically coupled to the second electrical coupling pad. The fiber optic components device comprises a plurality of electrical coupling lines electrically coupled to the plurality of first electrical coupling pads, respectively.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver system further comprises a fiber optic cable, electrically coupling the fiber optic transceiver to the fiber optic components device. In some embodiments, the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver connector mating interface. In some embodiments, the fiber optic components device comprises a single fiber three-wavelength triplexer. In some embodiments, the fiber optic components device comprises a single fiber two-wavelength diplexer.

In some embodiments, the passive optical network device further comprises a fiber optic connector housing having an external port and an internal port and the casing further comprises a second opening through the first side wall thereof. The fiber optic connector housing is assembled to the second opening. The internal port is positioned facing an inside of the casing and the external port is positioned facing an outside of the casing. The fiber optic transceiver is mounted to the internal port and the external port is configured to attachably receive external fiber optic connectors.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver comprises a single mode subscriber connector (SC) fiber optic pigtail. In some embodiments, the casing further comprises a plurality of third openings on the second side wall thereof, respectively, and the RF connector further comprises a plurality of protrusions. The shape of the plurality of protrusions corresponds to the shape of the plurality of third openings, and the plurality of protrusions is fixedly received in the plurality of third openings when the RF connector is assembled to the second side wall. In some embodiments, the shape of at least one of the plurality of third openings and plurality of protrusions is arc-shaped.

In some embodiments, the first side wall is the same side wall as the second side wall, whereby the RF connector is assembled next to the fiber optic transceiver.

In an alternative embodiment, a passive optical network device, comprising a casing, a printed circuit board, a fiber optic connector housing, and a fiber optic transceiver system is provided. The casing has a first opening, a first side wall, a second opening through the first side wall, and a second side wall. The printed circuit board is fixedly assembled to the casing and has a plurality of first electrical coupling pads, a second electrical coupling pad, and a hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface. The hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface is positioned for mounting from an outside of the casing via the first opening. The fiber optic connector housing has an external port and an internal port, wherein the fiber optic connector housing is assembled to the second opening. The internal port is positioned facing an inside of the casing and the external port is positioned facing an outside of the casing. The fiber optic transceiver system is fixedly assembled to the printed circuit board and has a fiber optic components device assembled to the printed circuit board, a fiber optic transceiver mounted to the internal port and an RF connector assembled to the second side wall, comprising an RF signal line electrically coupled to the second electrical coupling pad. The external port is configured to attachably receive external fiber optic connectors. The fiber optic components device comprises a plurality of electrical coupling lines electrically coupled to the plurality of first electrical coupling pads, respectively.

In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver system further comprises a fiber optic cable, electrically coupling the fiber optic transceiver to the fiber optic components device. In some alternative embodiments, the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver connector mating interface. In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic components device comprises a single fiber three-wavelength triplexer. In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic components device comprises a single fiber two-wavelength diplexer. In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver comprises a single mode subscriber connector (SC) fiber optic pigtail.

In some alternative embodiments, the casing further comprises a plurality of third openings on the second side wall thereof, respectively, and the RF connector further comprises a plurality of protrusions. The shape of the plurality of protrusions corresponds to the shape of the plurality of third openings, and the plurality of protrusions is fixedly received in the plurality of third openings when the RF connector is assembled to the second side wall. In some alternative embodiments, the shape of at least one of the plurality of third openings and plurality of protrusions is arc-shaped.

In some alternative embodiments, the first side wall is the same side wall as the second side wall, whereby the RF connector is assembled next to the fiber optic transceiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes various principles related to communication systems by way of reference to specific examples of passive optical network devices, including arrangements and examples of hot-pluggable connector assemblies and fiber optic transceiver systems embodying innovative concepts. More particularly, but not exclusively, such innovative principles are described in relation to selected examples of hot-pluggable connector assemblies, fiber optic component devices, fiber optic transceivers, and RF connectors and well-known functions or constructions are be described in detail for purposes of succinctness and clarity. Nonetheless, one or more of the disclosed principles can be incorporated in various other embodiments of the passive optical network devices to achieve any of a variety of desired outcomes, characteristics, and/or performance criteria.

Thus, hot-pluggable connector assemblies, fiber optic component devices, fiber optic transceivers, and RF connectors having attributes that are different from those specific examples discussed herein can embody one or more of the innovative principles, and can be used in applications not described herein in detail. Accordingly, embodiments of hot-pluggable connector assemblies, fiber optic component devices, fiber optic transceivers, and RF connectors not described herein in detail also fall within the scope of this disclosure, as will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the relevant art following a review of this disclosure.

Example embodiments as disclosed herein are directed to 10 Gbits/s passive optical network (PON) devices. In an embodiment, a passive optical network device comprising a casing, printed circuit board, and fiber optic transceiver system is provided. The fiber optic transceiver system comprises a fiber optic components device, fiber optic transceiver, and RF connector. During operation, the fiber optic components device converts optical signals from the fiber optic transceiver to digital signals, and then transmits the converted digital signals to external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface. The fiber optic components device converts digital signals from the external electronic systems to optical signals, and then transmits the optical signals to other external electronic systems via the fiber optic transceiver. The RF connector transmits RF signals from additional external electronic systems to the external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface. The RF connector transmits digital signals from the external electronic systems to the additional external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface.

FIG. 1is a schematic prospective first view of an inside of a passive optical network device, according to an example embodiment.FIG. 2is a schematic prospective exploded first view of the passive optical network device ofFIG. 1, according to an example embodiment.FIG. 3is a schematic prospective fourth view of the passive optical network device ofFIG. 1, according to an example embodiment. Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, in an embodiment, a passive optical network device100, comprising a casing2, a printed circuit board4, and a fiber optic transceiver system is provided. The casing2has a first opening22, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The printed circuit board4is fixedly assembled to the casing2and has a plurality of first electrical coupling pads46, a second electrical coupling pad, and a hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42. The hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42is positioned for mounting from an outside of the casing2via the first opening22. The fiber optic transceiver system is fixedly assembled to the printed circuit board4and has a fiber optic components device6assembled to the printed circuit board4, a fiber optic transceiver64assembled to the first side wall, and an RF connector9assembled to the second side wall, comprising an RF signal line92electrically coupled to the second electrical coupling pad and a threaded portion93positioned outside of the casing2and configured for mating with RF signal lines of additional external electronic systems. In some embodiments, the RF signal line92is electrically coupled to the second electrical coupling pad via welding. The fiber optic components device6comprises a plurality of electrical coupling lines61electrically coupled to the plurality of first electrical coupling pads46, respectively.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver system further comprises a fiber optic cable62, electrically coupling the fiber optic transceiver64to the fiber optic components device6. In some embodiments, the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver connector mating interface. In some embodiments, the fiber optic components device6comprises a single fiber three-wavelength triplexer. In some embodiments, the fiber optic components device6comprises a single fiber two-wavelength diplexer.

In some embodiments, the passive optical network device100further comprises a fiber optic connector housing8having an external port and an internal port and the casing2further comprises a second opening23through the first side wall thereof. The fiber optic connector housing8is assembled to the second opening23. In some embodiments, the fiber optic connector housing8is assembled to the second opening23via screws. The internal port is positioned facing an inside of the casing2and the external port is positioned facing an outside of the casing2. The fiber optic transceiver64is mounted to the internal port and the external port is configured to attachably receive external fiber optic connectors. In some embodiments, the external fiber optic connector is a subscriber connector (SC) connector.

In some embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver64comprises a single mode SC fiber optic pigtail. In some embodiments, the casing2further comprises a plurality of third openings25on the second side wall thereof, respectively, and the RF connector9further comprises a plurality of protrusions94. The shape of the plurality of protrusions94corresponds to the shape of the plurality of third openings25, and the plurality of protrusions94is fixedly received in the plurality of third openings25when the RF connector9is assembled to the second side wall. In some embodiments, the shape of at least one of the plurality of third openings25and plurality of protrusions94is arc-shaped.

In some embodiments, the first side wall is the same side wall as the second side wall, whereby the RF connector9is assembled next to the fiber optic transceiver64.

In an alternative embodiment, a passive optical network device100, comprising a casing2, a printed circuit board4, a fiber optic connector housing8, and a fiber optic transceiver system is provided. The casing2has a first opening22, a first side wall, a second opening23through the first side wall, and a second side wall. In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic connector housing8is assembled to the second opening23via screws. The printed circuit board4is fixedly assembled to the casing2and has a plurality of first electrical coupling pads46, a second electrical coupling pad, and a hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42. The hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42is positioned for mounting from an outside of the casing2via the first opening22. The fiber optic connector housing8has an external port and an internal port, wherein the fiber optic connector housing8is assembled to the second opening23. The internal port is positioned facing an inside of the casing2and the external port is positioned facing an outside of the casing2. The fiber optic transceiver system is fixedly assembled to the printed circuit board4and has a fiber optic components device6assembled to the printed circuit board4, a fiber optic transceiver64mounted to the internal port and an RF connector9assembled to the second side wall, comprising an RF signal line92electrically coupled to the second electrical coupling pad and a threaded portion93positioned outside of the casing2and configured for mating with RF signal lines of additional external electronic systems. In some embodiments, the RF signal line92is electrically coupled to the second electrical coupling pad via welding.

The fiber optic components device6comprises a plurality of electrical coupling lines61electrically coupled to the plurality of first electrical coupling pads46, respectively. The external port is configured to attachably receive external fiber optic connectors. In some embodiments, the external fiber optic connector is a subscriber connector (SC) connector.

In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver system further comprises a fiber optic cable62, electrically coupling the fiber optic transceiver64to the fiber optic components device6. In some alternative embodiments, the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver connector mating interface. In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic components device6comprises a single fiber three-wavelength triplexer. In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic components device6comprises a single fiber two-wavelength diplexer. In some alternative embodiments, the fiber optic transceiver64comprises a single mode SC fiber optic pigtail.

In some alternative embodiments, the casing2further comprises a plurality of third openings25on the second side wall thereof, respectively, and the RF connector9further comprises a plurality of protrusions94. The shape of the plurality of protrusions94corresponds to the shape of the plurality of third openings25, and the plurality of protrusions94is fixedly received in the plurality of third openings25when the RF connector9is assembled to the second side wall. In some alternative embodiments, the shape of at least one of the plurality of third openings25and plurality of protrusions94is arc-shaped.

In some alternative embodiments, the first side wall is the same side wall as the second side wall, whereby the RF connector9is assembled next to the fiber optic transceiver64.

In the embodiments, during operation, the fiber optic components device6converts optical signals from the fiber optic transceiver64to digital signals, which is then transmitted through metal circuitry of the printed circuit board4to the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface42, and then to external electronic systems. Additionally, the fiber optic components device6converts digital signals from the external electronic systems, transmitted to the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface42, and then to the fiber optic components device6via the metal circuitry of the printed circuit board4, to optical signals, which is then transmitted to the fiber optic transceiver64, and then to other external electronic systems.

In the embodiments, during operation, the RF connector9transmits RF signals from the additional external electronic systems to the external electronic systems via the RF signal line92, metal circuitry of the printed circuit board4, and the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface42, respectively. Additionally, the RF connector9transmits digital signals from the external electronic systems to the additional external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface42, metal circuitry of the printed circuit board4, and RF signal line92, respectively.

In some embodiments, the plurality of protrusions94is fixedly received in the plurality of third openings25when the RF connector9is assembled to the second side wall via a riveting process. Pressure is applied to force the plurality of protrusions94into the plurality of third openings25, wherein at least one of the plurality of protrusions94is fixed in a corresponding one of the plurality of third openings25, whereby the at least one of the plurality of protrusions94is deformed, such that an edge size thereof is larger than the size of the corresponding one of the plurality of third openings25.

In some embodiments, the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42may be an SFF-8083 specification compliant mating interface for a 0.8 mm card edge connector configured for use in multi-gigabit applications using the upper row of contacts. As an example, and not to be limited, the SFF-8083 specification compliant mating interface may be a receptacle connector for an SFF-8432 Improved Pluggable Formfactor when used with SFF-8431 Enhanced 8.5 and 10 Gbit/s SFP+ modules.

In some embodiments, the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42is a small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver connector mating interface; however, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Paddle card connector mating interfaces or USB or HDMI connector mating interfaces may be also be implemented, whereby the contacts may be 20 or 30 contacts.

In the embodiments, the size and positioning of the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface42via the first opening22of the casing2is in compliance with SFP specification requirements; however, the embodiments are not limited thereto. Those having of ordinary skill in the relevant art may readily appreciate that the size and positioning of the hot-pluggabe transceiver connector mating interface42is dependent upon the suitable compliant mating interface implemented.

In some embodiments, the plurality of electrical coupling lines61of the fiber optic components device6is electrically coupled to the plurality of first electrical coupling pads46via soldering and the plurality of electrical coupling lines61comprises multiple sets of electrical coupling lines.

In the embodiments, the material of the casing2is any conductive or magnetic electromagnetic shielding material known to those having ordinary skill in the relevant art, whereby the printed circuit board4, fiber optic components device6, fiber optic transceiver64, and RF connector9may be isolated from surroundings of the casing2. As an example, and not to be limiting, the material may be stainless steel, copper, zinc, or nickel or alloys comprised therefrom.

In the embodiments, the size of the casing2may be 2″ inches long, 2″ inches wide, and 0.7″ inches high; however, the embodiments are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the length, width, and height of the casing2may be between 1.4″ inches to 5″ inches, respectively.

In the embodiments, the material of the casing2may be any conductive or magnetic electromagnetic shielding material known to those having ordinary skill in the relevant art, whereby the printed circuit board4, fiber optic components device6, fiber optic transceiver64, and RF connector9may be isolated from the surroundings of the casing2. As an example, and not to be limiting, the material may be stainless steel, copper, zinc, or nickel or alloys comprised therefrom.

In some embodiments, the passive optical network device100further comprises a plurality of latch mechanism (not shown) and a plurality of fourth openings24. The printed circuit board4is fixedly assembled to the casing2via the plurality of latch mechanism, whereby the plurality of latch mechanisms is accessible from the outside of the casing2via the plurality of fourth openings24.

The IEEE 802.3av standard or 10G-EPON standard provides 10 Gbits/s downstream and upstream transmission rates for symmetric architectures or 10 Gbits/s downstream and 1 Gbits/s upstream transmission rates for asymmetric architectures. The wavelength (λ) of 1575 to 1580 nm transmits the downstream data and the wavelength of 1260 to 1280 nm transmits the upstream data for 10G-EPON and the wavelength (λ) of 1260 to 1360 nm transmits the downstream data and the wavelength of 1480 to 1500 nm transmits the upstream data for 1G-EPON. The 10-Gbit/s service may coexist on the same fiber with the standard GPON, and maximum transmission range is 20 km.

In the embodiments, a passive optical network device comprising a casing, printed circuit board, and fiber optic transceiver system is provided. The fiber optic transceiver system comprises a fiber optic components device, fiber optic transceiver, and RF connector. During operation, the fiber optic components device converts optical signals from the fiber optic transceiver to digital signals, and then transmits the converted digital signals to external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface. The fiber optic components device converts digital signals from the external electronic systems to optical signals, and then transmits the optical signals to other external electronic systems via the fiber optic transceiver. The RF connector transmits RF signals from additional external electronic systems to the external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface. The RF connector transmits digital signals from the external electronic systems to the additional external electronic systems via the hot-pluggable transceiver connection interface.

The embodiments of the passive optical network devices provide a hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface, positioned for mounting from an outside of the casing via a first opening, supporting 10-Gbit/s services. In an embodiment, the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface is a receptacle connector for an SFF-8432 Improved Pluggable Formfactor when used with SFF-8431 Enhanced 8.5 and 10 Gbit/s SFP+ modules. The modules mounted to the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface may be easily maintained, replaced, or upgraded. The embodiments of the passive optical network devices are suited to support the 10 Gbit/s standard higher transmission rates. Additionally, time consuming and inconvenient maintenance or replacement of other devices installed to the passive optical network devices via the pins is mitigated due to the hot-pluggable transceiver connector mating interface. Moreover, immediate replacement is now available, eliminating potential problems when other device failure occurs. Also, passive optical network device compatibility or increasing signal attenuation and inconvenience issues due to a fixed length of the single mode SC fiber optic pigtail of the optical transceiver module extending to the outside of the GPON device casing is eliminated.

The presently disclosed inventive concepts are not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but are to be accorded their full scope consistent with the principles underlying the disclosed concepts herein. Directions and references to an element, such as “up,” “down,”, “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” and the like, do not imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. Terms of an element, such as “first” and “second” are not literal, but, distinguishing terms. As used herein, terms “comprises” or “comprising” encompass the notions of “including” and “having” and specify the presence of elements, operations, and/or groups or combinations thereof and do not imply preclusion of the presence or addition of one or more other elements, operations and/or groups or combinations thereof. Sequence of operations do not imply absoluteness unless specifically so stated. Reference to an element in the singular, such as by use of the article “a” or “an”, is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically so stated, but rather “one or more”. As used herein, “and/or” means “and” or “or”, as well as “and” and “or.” As used herein, ranges and subranges mean all ranges including whole and/or fractional values therein and language which defines or modifies ranges and subranges, such as “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” “no more than,” and the like, mean subranges and/or an upper or lower limit. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various embodiments described throughout the disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art are intended to be encompassed by the features described and claimed herein. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure may ultimately explicitly be recited in the claims. No element or concept disclosed herein or hereafter presented shall be construed under the provisions of 35 USC 112(f) unless the element or concept is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for”.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the disclosed principles can be applied, we reserve the right to claim any and all combinations of features and acts described herein, including the right to claim all that comes within the scope and spirit of the foregoing description, as well as the combinations recited, literally and equivalently, in the following claims and any claims presented anytime throughout prosecution of this application or any application claiming benefit of or priority from this application.