Indicia reading system with improved battery charging

Embodiments of an indicia reading system comprise a terminal and a cradle that communicate via wireless technology and are configured to charge a battery in the terminal using power supplied by a host device when the terminal is operated in a presentation mode.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field of the Disclosure

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to indicia reading systems, and more particularly, to indicia reading systems configured for wireless communication between the terminal and corresponding cradle, where the systems have improved battery charging performance in various operating modes.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Indicia reading terminals and scanners (collectively, “terminals”) are available in multiple varieties. These terminals are useful to read and decode the information encoded in decodable or information bearing indicia. Such decodable indicia are utilized generously, from encoding shipping and tracking information for packages, patient identification in hospitals, retail applications, and use on any number of forms and documents including, but not limited to, tax forms, order forms, transaction forms, survey forms, delivery forms, prescriptions, receipts, newspapers, product documents, reports, and the like.

In various environments, the use of decodable indicia, such as bar code symbols, has become the norm for identifying products and inventory. Typically, each item is marked with decodable indicia associated with a description of the item and other attributes (for example, price or patient identification) that are stored in a database of a host device or network system. The terminals are used to read the indicia and provide that reading as input information to host devices. In some cases, the data is provided to the host devices via base units or cradles, which communicate with the indicia reader. Examples of host devices include a hospital patient care system, a computer (fixed or portable), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable data terminal (PDT), a point of sale (POS) terminal, a transaction terminal, cash register, server, or similar device.

While stationary presentation-type scanners were the norm, advances upon fixed scanners use terminals that are hardwired to a companion device (e.g., host device). This configuration permits the user to manually move the terminal into position to scan decodable indicia on an item, rather than having to move the item into the field of view of the terminal as required with the stationary presentation-type scanner. The scanned information from decodable indicia is then transmitted to the companion device via the hardwired connection between the two components. Unfortunately, this approach does not eliminate the problems associated with scanning items that are out of reach of the wire that secures communication between the terminal and the companion device. These problems often require that item is repositioned so that the reader may scan the decodable indicia.

In order to eliminate the limitations imposed by hardwiring the terminal to the companion device, another proposed approach is to deploy wireless technology into the terminal. This technology permits the terminal to communicate wirelessly with its companion device. In one example of this approach, the terminal is held in a cradle until needed to read decodable indicia that are normally out of the view of the stationary presentation-type and/or hardwired terminals. The user may manually move the terminal into position to scan the decodable indicia as long as the reader is within a distance where it may communicate wirelessly with its cradle. The scanned information is then transmitted to the cradle over the wireless connection.

Further improvements in wireless terminals are needed such as, for example, there is a need for a wireless terminal with improved battery charging performance and, in particular, improved charging during various operating modes including presentation modes.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of an indicia reading system comprise a terminal and a cradle that communicate via wireless technology and are configured to charge a battery in the terminal using power supplied by a host device when the terminal is operated in a presentation mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an indicia reading system100which includes a terminal102and a base or cradle104. The terminal102may be any device capable of reading decodable indicia which bear information and data encoded therein. The cradle104may be a docking cradle capable of interacting with the terminal102when the terminal102is positioned in the cradle104as illustrated inFIG. 1. The cradle104is often connectable to a host device (not shown). Exemplary host devices include, but are not limited to, a computer, register, point-of-sale (POS) terminal, a transaction terminal, cash register, or similar device.

The terminal102, the cradle104, and the host device communicate amongst and between one another. For example, the terminal102and the cradle104may communicate via wireless technology, e.g., wireless Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11b, or other standardized proprietary and recognized RF devices. These wireless features permit data such as captured image data of remote decodable indicia to be transmitted from the terminal102to the cradle104. Communication of data between the cradle104and the host device (and/or the terminal102and the host device) may be by way of these wireless devices. Alternative or additional configurations may, on the other hand, utilize wired and wire-type connections such as wires that are configured on one end for a USB connection, a FireWire (IEEE 1394) connection, a RS-232 connection, and the like

The indicia reading system100can operate in a variety of modes, including manual trigger mode and presentation mode. In manual trigger mode, an operator initiates reading and decoding of decodable indicia such as by actuating a trigger or switch on the terminal102. The terminal102is often removed from the cradle104for transport by an operator, which is useful in, e.g., retail settings, to capture and decode data from decodable indicia located on objects in locations removed from the cradle104. In presentation mode the terminal102is held stationary and decodable indicia are passed by terminal102to initiate reading and decoding thereof. The presentation mode is most often associated with the terminal102at rest and orientated or “docked” in the cradle104as depicted inFIG. 1. When the terminal102is docked with the cradle104, the operator positions decodable indicia proximate the terminal102rather than the operator moving the terminal102to the object on which decodable indicia are disposed. Unlike the manual trigger mode, however, the terminal102in presentation mode is often operated continuously such as to decode (and attempt to decode) decodable indicia seriatim.

The terminal102can be equipped with a battery (not shown) such as a lithium ion battery to provide power, e.g., during periods when the terminal102is removed from the cradle104and used in manual trigger mode. Power to operate the terminal102when docked with the cradle104can originate from the host device such as via a wired connection associated therewith. Electrical terminals and conductive contacts can be used to facilitate communication of an electrical signal between the terminal102and the cradle104. These contacts and their configuration on, e.g., the terminal102and the cradle104, are recognized among artisans with skill in the related register and indicia (e.g., bar code) reading arts, and thus details of their fabrication and integration into the devices of the indicia reading system100are not necessary.

The inventors note, however, that because power from the host device may be limited, the indicia reading system100, and the terminal102in particular, is configured to operate at an input current of about 500 mA or less at about 5 V. This is the amount of power typically available via standard USB connections. In one construction the indicia reading system100is configured to operate at an input current of only about 400 mA at about 5 V. Pertinent to the discussion that follows below, the input current available from the host device often precludes some of the features and functions of the indicia reading system100. For example, power provided only from the host device may not be sufficient to operate the cradle104, the terminal102in presentation mode, and concurrently charge (or recharge) the battery of the terminal102. In one solution, an auxiliary device such as an adapter that is connected to, e.g., an outlet, may be used to supplement (or in place of) the input current from the host device. But while the adapter may provide at least 1 A of input current, the auxiliary device is not effective because this solution requires additional hardware (e.g., the adapter).

Embodiments of the indicia reading system100are configured to charge the battery while the terminal102is operated in one or more presentation mode using only power from the host device. These configurations minimize loss of battery charge, maintaining at or near optimal level the battery charge when the terminal102and the cradle104are utilized in normal or substantially normal operation. Normal operation in, e.g., retail settings, describes use of the indicia reading system100wherein the terminal102and the cradle104are in presentation mode for a majority of operation and in manual trigger mode only to image and decode decodable indicia that are on large, bulky items or items that may be placed on the bottom of a customer's shopping cart.

To further illustrate these features reference is directed back toFIG. 1. InFIG. 1, the terminal102is depicted in a gun-style form factor106that has a handle108and trigger110disposed thereon and positioned for comfortable grip and hand held operation and activation of the various features of the terminal102. The cradle104has a housing112and can include a status indicator114such as one or more lights and a socket116that may be complimentarily shaped and configured to receive the terminal102in the cradle104. In one exemplary construction the terminal102and socket116are configured so that the lower portion of the handle108may be inserted into the socket116which may then hold and support the terminal102. Configurations of the housing112will generally dictate the position, orientation, and location of the socket116as well as the operative interface between the handle108and the socket116. For example, the socket116may be formed as the generally semi-circular arrangement of features on which rest the forward surfaces of the handle108. Alternatively, the socket116may be formed as a depression or cavity within the housing112, whereby the resulting cavity is of sufficient depth to receive the bottom portion of the handle108but maintain the terminal102in a generally upright or slightly downwardly-angled orientation.

Attached to the handle108is a head portion118with data capture hardware120which can comprise an optical reader or laser scanner. Either of these devices may facilitate data acquisition from the decodable indicia. For purposes of the present example, the data capture hardware120is configured with an optical reader in the form of an imaging module122having features and elements responsive to a trigger signal generated by operator actuation of the trigger110. These elements enable the terminal102to capture an image or frame of data respecting the decodable indicia at which the terminal102, and particularly the data capture hardware120, is directed or aimed.

An example of the imaging module122is depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3. In one construction of the terminals of the present disclosure, the imaging module122can comprise a focus element124and an image sensor integrated circuit126that is disposed on a printed circuit board128together with a first light source130and a second light source132. Here, each of the first light source130and the second light source132is provided as a single light source. The imaging module122can also include an optical plate134that has optics for shaping light from the first light source130and the second light source132into predetermined patterns.

As discussed above, the indicia reading system100can operate in a variety of modes. In one example, manual trigger mode is a mode wherein scanning and/or decoding stops or is interrupted and initiated with an actuation event such as operator actuation of the trigger110. When initiated by depressing the trigger110, the imaging module122may expose (or capture) images continuously and decode (or read) images continuously. Capture and decode may stop once the trigger110is released. In presentation mode the terminal102is held stationary and decodable indicia are passed by the imaging module116.

Variations in the presentation mode can also be implemented for use with the indicia reading system100. Such variations may incorporate changes to the operation of the imaging module122such as by selectively changing operation of the first light source130and/or the second light source132. The light sources can be turned on and/or off, dimmed, or otherwise have reduced lighting abilities based on the desired operation. The changes in operation can occur by way of, for example, if no decodable indicia have been sensed for a period of time. Still other variations in the presentation mode may, on the other hand, continuously energize one or more of the first light source130and second light source132. In one example, the indicia reading system100operates in a first presentation mode in which one of the first light source130and the second light source132is continuously energized and the imaging module122continuously searches for decodable indicia.

To accommodate for first presentation mode, the terminal102can be configured to change one or more pre-defined operating characteristics of the first light source130and the second light source132. In one embodiment, the predefined operating characteristic is selected so that one of the first light source130or the second light source132is disabled and/or is operated in diminished or reduced operating state. In one example, if the first light source130is activated, then the second light source132is deactivated. Alternatively, the terminal102is configured to permit the operator to select, modify, or change the pre-defined operating characteristic to change the operating state of the non-activated light source. For example, if the first light source130is activated, than the operator may select various configurations for the operating state of the second light source132such as deactivated, intermittent activation based on, e.g., a pre-determined period of time, and/or reduced brightness based on, e.g., a pre-determined operating current to the second light source132. The operator may adjust the configuration to change the charging characteristics, wherein certain configurations may be better suited to charge the battery in one or more of the modes.

The cradle104can also be configured to operate the status indicator114to reduce power consumption. This configuration can accommodate the selection of various low-power or reduced-power indicator lights and/or circuitry that supplies a reduced amount of power to the status indicator114in the first presentation mode. In one example, operation of the status indicator114is modified so the status indicator114is activated in a pre-determined pattern or frequencies that utilize less power. These patterns may be arranged to energize the status indicator114at a frequency less than about 0.5 Hz and a duty cycle less than about 15%.

In yet another embodiment of the indicia reading system100, the cradle104is configured to operate under conditions indicative of an auxiliary device, but without the auxiliary device connected to the cradle. This bypass configuration, implemented in one example via circuitry internal to the cradle104, is useful to raise or overcome certain design limitations such as the 400 mA power limitation discussed above. In one example, the cradle104comprises a bypass circuit or similar configuration of components and elements.

It is further noted that while discussed as discrete solutions, each of the configurations of the terminal102and the cradle104can be combined to improve and/or optimize the operation of the indicia reading system100. For example, in the first presentation mode, the second light source132can be deactivated and the status indicator114operated in specific patterns to increase available power that can be directed to the battery. Additional details of these and other configurations are discussed below in connection withFIG. 4.

FIG. 4depicts another exemplary embodiment of an indicia reading system200in schematic form. Like numerals are used to identify like components as betweenFIGS. 1-4, but the numerals are increased by 100. For example, the indicia reading system200comprises a terminal202and a cradle204. The cradle204comprises a status indicator214and a socket216. The terminal202comprises data capture hardware220including an imaging module222with a first light source230and a second light source232.

The status indicator214comprises a first indicator236and a second indicator238. Each of the terminal202and the socket216has a contact interface240through which data and information is exchanged and current is communicated between the terminal202and the cradle204. The contact interface240comprises a data interface242and a charge interface244that is used to direct current from the cradle204to the terminal202to charge a battery246arranged therein. The indicia reading system200is connectable with a host device248such as via an input port250on the cradle204. The host device248generates an input current252such as the 500 mA input current discussed above. In the present example, the cradle204includes a host connection254, which is connectable to the host device248and receives the input current252, and an auxiliary connection256that can receive, e.g., an adaptor258that is connectable to an external power supply260.

The terminal202is configured to read and decode decodable indicia262disposed on an object or target264. In one embodiment, the first light source230is configured to generate a first light beam266, which projects in an illumination pattern268(also “first pattern268”) towards the target264to provide proper illumination for images to be captured by the imaging module222. The second light source232is configured to generate a second light beam270that creates an aiming pattern272(also “second pattern272”) for assisting an operator to align target264with the field of view of the imaging module222. A number of representative patterns are possible and not limited to any particular pattern or type of pattern for the aiming pattern272such as any combination of rectilinear, linear, circular, elliptical, and the like.

Each of the terminal202and the cradle204comprises a memory274and a processor276, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or microcontroller that may perform a number of functions. The processor276can execute one or more machine readable instructions, e.g., software and/or firmware. Such instructions are provided for operation of the terminal202, the cradle204, as well as the combination and interaction thereof. These instructions may be stored in memory274which may be any type of memory such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, and the like. One of these functions of the processor276may be to decode the relevant symbology of decodable indicia262. Decoding is a term used to describe, in one example, the interpretation of the symbology contained in the image captured by the imaging module222. Information respecting the various reference decode algorithms is available from various published standards, such as the International Standards Organization (ISO). Examples may comprise one dimensional (or linear) symbologies, stacked symbologies, matrix symbologies, Composite symbologies, or other machine readable indicia. One dimensional (or linear) symbologies which may include very large to ultra-small, Code 128, Interleaved 2 of 5, Codabar, Code 93, Code 11, Code 39, UPC, EAN, MSI, or other linear symbologies. Stacked symbologies may include PDF, Code 16K, Code 49 or other stacked symbologies. Matrix symbologies may include Aztec, Datamatrix, Maxicode, QR Code or other 2D symbologies. Composite symbologies may include linear symbologies combined with stacked symbologies. Other symbology examples may comprise OCR-A, OCR-B, MICR types of symbologies. UPC/EAN symbology or barcodes are standardly used to mark retail products throughout North America, Europe and several other countries throughout the world.

Referring back toFIG. 4, the indicia reading system200is part of a system2000having in addition to the host device248at least one server such as a local server2250, a remote server2500, and a network2750through which the local server2250and the remote server2500can communicate. The configuration of the system2000is utilized for processing data such as captured data acquired with, e.g., the data capture hardware220. For example, one or more of the local server2250and the remote server2500is utilized to entirely process the captured image data and operate the terminal202in a manner consistent with the present disclosure. In one embodiment, one or more of the processor276and the memory274, or complementary ones thereof, are located outside of the terminal202such as at the remote server2500. Captured data is transferred between the terminal202to, e.g., the corresponding remote server2500for immediate and/or further processing of the captured data. In another embodiment, processing steps disclosed, described, and contemplated herein can be distributed as between the terminal202, the cradle204, the host device248, the local server2250, and the remote server2500, with still other embodiments being configured for the image processing steps to be executed entirely by the terminal202and/or the cradle204.

As discussed above, embodiments of the indicia reading system200are configured to charge the battery246concurrently while the illumination pattern268is maintained at a level that permits capture of images for decoding of decodable indicia262during one or more of the presentation modes. In one embodiment, the terminal202is configured to reduce the amount of operating current impressed on the second light source232in the first presentation mode. This configuration may modify the operation of the second light source232to change various aspects of the aiming pattern272. In one example, the second light source232is disabled during the first presentation mode. Disabling eliminates the aiming pattern272from view. Re-activation of the second light source232may require additional interaction with the indicia reading system200such as by removing the terminal202from the cradle204and/or operation of the trigger (e.g., the trigger110(FIG. 1)). In another example, the operator selects from among various settings for the second light source232. Each setting may modify certain behaviors of the second light source232to reduce the amount of current required to generate the aiming pattern272. One setting may disable the second light source232for a specific and/or pre-determined time period. Other settings may vary the operation of the second light source232such as the intensity, duration, patterning (e.g., the aiming pattern272), and other aspects of operation contemplated herein.

In another embodiment, the cradle204is configured to reduce the amount of current required to operate the status indicator214during the first presentation mode. This configuration may modify the operation and construction of the first indicator236and the second indicator238(collectively, “the indicators”). In one example, the indicators are activated in accordance with pre-defined or pre-arranged patterns. Each of these patterns determines the time for which the indicator is illuminated, and more particularly the amount is selected so as to reduce the consumption of current by the indicators. One pattern may change the state of one or both of the indicators between an ON or first state and an OFF or second state, illuminating (in the ON state) for about 300 milli-seconds and darkening (in the OFF state) for about 2 seconds. In another example, the intensity of one or more of the indicators may be reduced by way of regulating the amount of current supplied to the selected indicator.

Devices for use as the indicators include light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and related semi-conductor-based devices that emit light and may in some examples operate and/or facilitate high-efficiency operation at reduced current levels. These devices can have varying operating characteristics such as color, which include green, red, blue, and combinations there of. In one example, the device that is selected has color characteristics that are most visible to the human eye, and in one preferred construction the device has both optimum color characteristics as well as dissipates and/or requires the least amount of power for operation.

FIG. 5depicts yet another exemplary embodiment of an indicia reading system300. Like numerals are also used to identify like components as betweenFIGS. 1-5. InFIG. 5, the indicia reading system300comprises a terminal302, a cradle304, a battery346, a host device354, and an adapter358. The cradle304comprises a circuitry378that has a bypass circuit380with a bypass device382and a power path management device384such as an integrated circuit chip (e.g., an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC)) with a number of pins386. In the present example, the pins386include a host pin388and an auxiliary pin390connectable with, respectively, the host device354and the adapter358. The pins386also include a terminal pins392and cradle pins394, through which current is provided for operating the terminal302and charging the battery346(e.g., the terminal pins392) and for operating the cradle304(e.g., the terminal pins394). Other pins not shown in the present diagram are often appropriately used to implement one or more of the examples and embodiments disclosed herein. However, artisans skilled in the relevant electrical arts will understand the operation of ASIC and related integrated circuitry that instantiate the power path management device384, therefore details not provided herein.

In one embodiment, the power path management device384is configured to automatically select the input power source from among the host device354(e.g., at host pin388) and the adapter358(e.g., at auxiliary pin390). The input power is routed to the terminal302and, more particularly, at least a portion of the input power is routed to the battery346via the battery pins392. In one example, the bypass device382is operative to route input power from the host device354to the auxiliary pin390, thereby effectively masking the presence (or, more appropriately the lack thereof) of the adapter358. The bypass device382can comprise a discrete element (e.g., a resistor) or, in one example, a relay and/or switch (e.g., a field effect transistor (FET)) which is connectable to the power path management device384to allow for automated selection based on the configuration of the power path management device384and/or related circuitry.

Illustrated inFIG. 6is another example of a terminal400for use in the indicia reading systems of the present disclosure. More particularly an exemplary platform for use as the data capture hardware (e.g., the data capture hardware120) is depicted. The terminal400can include an image sensor402comprising a multiple pixel image sensor array404(“the image sensor array”) having a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns of pixels, including column circuitry406and row circuitry408. Associated with the image sensor402can be amplifier circuitry410, and an analog to digital converter412which converts image information in the form of analog signals read out of image sensor array404into image information in the form of digital signals. Image sensor402can also have an associated timing and control circuit414for use in controlling, e.g., the exposure period of image sensor402, and/or gain applied to the amplifier410.

The noted circuit components402,410,412, and414can be packaged into an image sensor integrated circuit416. In one example, image sensor integrated circuit416can be provided by an MT9V022 image sensor integrated circuit available from Micron Technology, Inc. In another example, image sensor integrated circuit416can incorporate a Bayer pattern filter. In such an embodiment, CPU418prior to subjecting a frame to further processing can interpolate pixel values intermediate of green pixel values for development of a monochrome frame of image data. In other embodiments, red, and/or blue pixel values can be utilized for the monochrome image data.

In the course of operation of terminal400image signals can be read out of image sensor402, converted and stored into a system memory such as RAM420. A memory422of terminal400can include RAM420, a nonvolatile memory such as EPROM424, and a storage memory device426such as may be provided by a flash memory or a hard drive memory. In one embodiment, terminal400can include CPU418which can be adapted to read out image data stored in memory422and subject such image data to various image processing algorithms. Terminal400can include a direct memory access unit (DMA)428for routing image information read out from image sensor402that has been subject to conversion to RAM420. In another embodiment, terminal400can employ a system bus providing for bus arbitration mechanism (e.g., a PCI bus) thus eliminating the need for a central DMA controller. A skilled artisan would appreciate that other embodiments of the system bus architecture and/or direct memory access components providing for efficient data transfer between the image sensor402and RAM420are within the scope and the spirit of the invention.

Referring to further aspects of terminal400, terminal400can include an imaging lens assembly430for focusing an image of a form barcode432located within a field of view434on a substrate436onto image sensor array404. Imaging light rays can be transmitted about an optical axis440. The imaging lens assembly430can be adapted to be capable of multiple focal lengths and/or multiple best focus distances.

Terminal400can also include an illumination pattern light source bank442for generating an illumination pattern444substantially corresponding to the field of view434of terminal400, and an aiming pattern light source bank446for generating an aiming pattern448on substrate436. In use, terminal400can be oriented by an operator with respect to a substrate436bearing the form barcode432in such manner that aiming pattern448is projected on the form barcode432. In the example ofFIG. 6, the form barcode432is provided by a 1D bar code symbol. Form barcode could also be provided by 2D bar code symbols, stacked linears, or optical character recognition (OCR) characters, etc.

Each of illumination pattern light source bank442and aiming pattern light source bank446can include one or more light sources. The imaging lens assembly430can be controlled with use of lens assembly control circuit450and the illumination assembly comprising illumination pattern light source bank442and aiming pattern light source bank446can be controlled with use of illumination assembly control circuit452. Lens assembly control circuit450can send signals to the imaging lens assembly430, e.g., for changing a focal length and/or a best focus distance of imaging lens assembly430. This can include for example providing a signal to the piezoelectric actuator to change the position of the variable position element of the focus element discussed above. Illumination assembly control circuit452can send signals to illumination pattern light source bank442, e.g., for changing a level of illumination output by illumination pattern light source bank442.

Terminal400can also include a number of peripheral devices such as display454for displaying such information as image frames captured with use of terminal400, keyboard456, pointing device458, and trigger460which may be used to make active signals for activating frame readout and/or certain decoding processes. Terminal400can be adapted so that activation of trigger460activates one such signal and initiates a decode attempt of the form barcode432.

Terminal400can include various interface circuits for coupling several of the peripheral devices to system address/data bus (system bus)462, for communication with CPU418also coupled to system bus462. Terminal400can include interface circuit464for coupling image sensor timing and control circuit414to system bus462, interface circuit468for coupling the lens assembly control circuit450to system bus462, interface circuit470for coupling the illumination assembly control circuit452to system bus462, interface circuit472for coupling the display454to system bus462, and interface circuit476for coupling the keyboard456, pointing device458, and trigger460to system bus462.

In a further aspect, terminal400can include one or more I/O interfaces473,480for providing communication with external devices (e.g., a cash register server, a store server, an inventory facility server, a peer terminal, a local area network base station, a cellular base station, etc.). I/O interfaces473,480can be interfaces of any combination of known computer interfaces, e.g., Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), USB, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, CDMA, GSM, IEEE 1394, RS232 or any other computer interface.

Where applicable it is contemplated that numerical values, as well as other values that are recited herein are modified by the term “about”, whether expressly stated or inherently derived by the discussion of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term “about” defines the numerical boundaries of the modified values so as to include, but not be limited to, tolerances and values up to, and including the numerical value so modified. That is, numerical values can include the actual value that is expressly stated, as well as other values that are, or can be, the decimal, fractional, or other multiple of the actual value indicated, and/or described in the disclosure.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by claims that can be supported by the written description and drawings. Further, where exemplary embodiments are described with reference to a certain number of elements it will be understood that the exemplary embodiments can be practiced utilizing either less than or more than the certain number of elements.