Metal middle frame, millimeter-wave antenna structure, and mobile terminal

A frame body of the metal middle frame includes a first side and a second side, which are jointed at a side edge of the first side and second side; an L-shaped slit is arranged on the frame body, and includes a first slit edge and a second slit edge which are jointed at an end point of the first slit edge and the second slit edge, the first slit edge is arranged on the first side, and the second slit edge is arranged on the second side; and a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit, and the millimeter-wave antenna is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge and the second slit edge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201911043880.X filed on Oct. 30, 2019, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

With the rapid development of the communications industry, wireless communications have been adopting new spectrum resources for application. Millimeter waves refer to electromagnetic waves having wavelengths from 10 millimeters to 1 millimeter, and frequencies from 10 gigahertz (GHz) to 300 GHz. Communications with the millimeter waves are referred to as millimeter-wave communications.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a metal middle frame is provided, and a frame body of the metal middle frame includes: a first side and a second side which are joined at a side edge of the first side and second side;

an L-shaped slit is arranged on in the frame body, and the L-shaped slit includes a first slit edge and a second slit edge which are jointed at an end point of the first slit edge and the second slit edge, the first slit edge is arranged on the first side, and the second slit edge is arranged on the second side; and

a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit, and the millimeter-wave antenna is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge and the second slit edge of the L-shaped slit.

In an optional embodiment, n L-shaped slits are arranged on the frame body, the n L-shaped slits are arranged in an array, and n is a positive integer.

In an optional embodiment, the n L-shaped slits comprise n first slit edges and n second slit edges which are jointed at end points of the first slit edges and the second slit edges; and

the n first slit edges are arranged in parallel on the first side, and the n second slit edges are arranged in parallel on the second side.

In an optional embodiment, the metal middle frame further includes: a third side jointed with the first side and second side, wherein

n L-shaped slits are arranged on the frame body, n being a positive integer; and

p L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the first side and the second side, q L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the second side and the third side, and k L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the first side and the third side, wherein p, q and k are all positive integers, and the sum of p, q and k is n.

In an optional embodiment, the metal middle frame further includes a fourth side which is jointed with the second side but not jointed with the first side, wherein

n L-shaped slits are arranged on the frame body, n being a positive integer; and

f L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the first side and the second side, and g L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the second side and the fourth side, wherein f and g are both positive integers, and the sum off and g is n.

In an optional embodiment, a metal strip is arranged in the metal middle frame at a preset distance from the L-shaped slit, and the metal strip is perpendicular to the first slit edge and the second slit edge of the L-shaped slit;

the millimeter-wave antenna is fed with power by being coupled with the metal strip.

In an optional embodiment, a feeding point is welded on the L-shaped slit and is configured to feed power to the millimeter-wave antenna.

In an optional embodiment, an electrical connection metal sheet is connected to the L-shaped slit, and the millimeter-wave antenna is fed with power by being in hard contact with the electrical connection metal sheet.

In an optional embodiment, the L-shaped slit is a slot filled with an insulating material;

the L-shaped slit is a hollow slot;

the L-shaped slit is a slot covered with a net structure.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a millimeter-wave antenna structure is provided which includes the metal middle frame provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure and a millimeter-wave antenna.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile terminal is provided which includes the metal middle frame provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure and a millimeter-wave antenna.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Descriptions will now be made in detail with respect to exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description refers to the accompanying drawings in which the same numbers in different drawings represent the same or similar elements unless otherwise represented. The implementations set forth in the following description of exemplary embodiment do not represent all implementations consistent with the present disclosure. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with aspects related to the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

In a typical mobile terminal, in the case that a middle frame of the terminal is a metal middle frame, the metal middle frame shields the millimeter wave radiation. Thus, a millimeter-wave module is arranged on the metal middle frame to perform the radiation of the millimeter-wave.

However, as the millimeter-wave module can only cover one direction, and thus cannot achieve multi-directional coverage. As a result, the millimeter-wave radiation cannot meet requirements for communications.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of a metal middle frame100provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure. The metal middle frame100is configured to arrange a millimeter-wave antenna. As shown inFIG. 1, a frame body of the metal middle frame100includes: a first side120and a second side130which are joined at a side edge110thereof.

An L-shaped slit140is arranged in the metal middle frame100, and includes a first slit edge141and a second slit edge142which are joined at an end point thereof. The first slit edge141is arranged on the first side120, and the second slit edge142is arranged on the second side130. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge141and the second slit edge142of the L-shaped slit140.

In some embodiments, inFIG. 1, an example in which the first side120and the second side130are joined at a longitudinal side edge110thereof is taken as an example for description. The first side120and the second side130may also be jointed at a transverse side edge thereof, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure. According to the structure of a terminal, it can be known that the middle frame of the terminal generally includes eight side edges. Thus, the first side120and the second side130may be two sides jointed at any one of the eight side edges thereof.

In some embodiments, when the first side120and the second side130are jointed at the longitudinal side edge thereof, the first slit edge141and the second slit edge142of the L-shaped slit140are perpendicular to the longitudinal side edge; and the first slit edge141is parallel to the transverse side edge of the terminal on the first side120, and the second slit edge142is parallel to the transverse side edge of the terminal on the second side130. When the first side120and the second side130are jointed at the transverse side edge thereof, the first slit edge141and the second slit edge142of the L-shaped slit140are perpendicular to the transverse side edge; and the first slit edge141is parallel to the longitudinal side edge of the terminal on the first side120, and the second slit edge142is parallel to the longitudinal side edge of the terminal on the second side130.

In some embodiments, the first slit edge141of the L-shaped slit140may be set at any angle on the first side120; and the second slit edge142may be set at any angle on the second side130, which are not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the L-shaped slit140is a slot filled with an insulating material, such as glass or plastic. Or the L-shaped slit140is a hollow slot. Or, the L-shaped slit140is a slot covered with a net structure. For example, when the L-shaped slit140is located at a position of a microphone, an earpiece, or an amplifier, the L-shaped slit140is covered with the net structure.

In some embodiments, the millimeter-wave antenna at the L-shaped slit140needs to be fed with power, and a feeding manner of the millimeter-wave antenna includes at least one of the following manners.

First, a metal strip is arranged in the metal middle frame100at a preset distance from the L-shaped slit140, and is perpendicular to the first and second slit edges of the L-shaped slit; and the millimeter-wave antenna is fed with power by being coupled with the metal strip.

Schematically, referring toFIG. 2, the metal strip210is arranged at the preset distance from the L-shaped slit140, and is perpendicular to the L-shaped slit. The millimeter-wave antenna corresponding to the L-shaped slit140is fed with power by being coupled with the metal strip210.

Second, a feeding point is welded on the L-shaped slit, and the millimeter-wave antenna is fed with power through the feeding point.

Third, an electrical connection metal sheet is connected to the L-shaped slit, and the millimeter-wave antenna is fed with power by being in hard contact with the electrical connection metal sheet.

In some embodiments, the electrical connection metal sheet may be implemented in the form of an elastic sheet, or may be implemented in other forms, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

In some embodiments, the millimeter-wave antenna may be arranged at the L-shaped slit through laser direct structuring (LDS) technology, or through a flexible plate such as a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) film, a flexible printed circuit (FPC), or a modified PI (MPI).

As such, according to the metal middle frame provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, by arranging the L-shaped slit on the first side and the second side, and radiating a millimeter wave through the first and second slit edges of the L-shaped slit, a single millimeter-wave module can perform millimeter-wave radiation in a direction corresponding to the first side and in a direction corresponding to the second side, and thus covers the two directions simultaneously, so that a coverage range of the millimeter-wave antenna is widened and a millimeter-wave radiation property is improved.

In some embodiments, a plurality of L-shaped slits may be further arranged in the metal middle frame100. Schematically, n L-shaped slits are arranged in the metal middle frame100, wherein n is a positive integer. The n L-shaped slits may be arranged between the same two sides and are arranged in an array, or may be arranged between different sides, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Illustratively, the arrangement manner of the n L-shaped slits includes any one of the following manners.

First, the n L-shaped slits are arranged in an array on the frame body.

In some embodiments, the n L-shaped slits include n first slit edges and n second slit edges which are jointed at end points thereof; the n first slit edges are arranged in parallel on the first side; and the n second slit edges are arranged in parallel on the second side.

Schematically, referring toFIG. 3which is a schematic diagram of an array arrangement manner of L-shaped slits provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure, an example in which the frame body includes four L-shaped slits is taken as an example for description. As shown inFIG. 3, an L-shaped slit310, an L-shaped slit320, an L-shaped slit330and an L-shaped slit340are arranged in the frame body of the metal middle frame100.

The L-shaped slit310includes a first slit edge311and a second slit edge312which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge311is arranged on the first side350, and the second slit edge312is arranged on the second side360. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit310, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge311and the second slit edge312of the L-shaped slit310.

The L-shaped slit320includes a first slit edge321and a second slit edge322which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge321is arranged on the first side350, and the second slit edge322is arranged on the second side360. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit320, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge321and the second slit edge322of the L-shaped slit320.

The L-shaped slit330includes a first slit edge331and a second slit edge332which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge331is arranged on the first side350, and the second slit edge332is arranged on the second side360. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit330, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge331and the second slit edge332of the L-shaped slit330.

The L-shaped slit340includes a first slit edge341and a second slit edge342which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge341is arranged on the first side350, and the second slit edge342is arranged on the second side360. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit340, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge341and the second slit edge342of the L-shaped slit340.

In some embodiments, the first slit edges311,321,331and341are arranged in parallel on the first side350; and the second slit edges312,322,332and342are arranged in parallel on the second side360. That is, the above L-shaped slits310,320,330and340are arranged in an array on the first side350and the second side360.

In some embodiments, each of the n L-shaped slits may correspond to one radio frequency front end. Or, a plurality of L-shaped slits may correspond to one radio frequency front end which is controlled by a switch.

Second, the n L-shaped slits are distributed on the first side and the second side, on the second side and a third side, and on the first side and the third side, of the frame body, respectively.

In some embodiments, the frame body of the metal middle frame100further includes a third side jointed with the first side and the second side; p L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the first side and the second side; q L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the second side and the third side; and k L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the first side and the third side, wherein p, q and k are all positive integers, and the sum of p, q and k is n. In some embodiments, one or two of p, q and k may be endowed with a value of 0.

Schematically, referring toFIG. 4which is a schematic diagram of an arrangement manner of L-shaped slits provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure, an example in which the frame body includes four L-shaped slits is taken as an example for description. As shown inFIG. 4, an L-shaped slit410, an L-shaped slit420, an L-shaped slit430and an L-shaped slit440are provided in the frame body of the metal middle frame100.

The L-shaped slit410includes a first slit edge411and a second slit edge412which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge411is arranged on the first side450, and the second slit edge412is arranged on the second side460. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit410, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge411and the second slit edge412of the L-shaped slit410.

The L-shaped slit420includes a first slit edge421and a second slit edge422which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge421is arranged on the first side450, and the second slit edge422is arranged on the second side460. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit420, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge421and the second slit edge422of the L-shaped slit420.

The L-shaped slit430includes a first slit edge431and a second slit edge432which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge431is arranged on the second side460, and the second slit edge432is arranged on the third side470. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit430, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge431and the second slit edge432of the L-shaped slit430.

The L-shaped slit440includes a first slit edge441and a second slit edge442which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge441is arranged on the first side450, and the second slit edge442is arranged on the third side470. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit440, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge441and the second slit edge442of the L-shaped slit440.

In summary, according to the metal middle frame provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure, by arranging the L-shaped slits on the first side and the second side, on the second side and the third side, and on the first side and the third side, and by radiating a millimeter wave through the first and second slit edges of the L-shaped slits, that is, a millimeter-wave module can perform millimeter-wave radiation in directions respectively corresponding to the first, second and third sides, and thus covers the three directions simultaneously, so that a coverage range of the millimeter-wave antenna is widened and a millimeter-wave radiation property is enhanced.

Third, the n L-shaped slits are distributed on the first side and the second side, and on the second side and a fourth side, on the frame body, respectively.

In some embodiments, the frame body of the metal middle frame100further includes the fourth side which is jointed with the second side but is not jointed with the first side; f L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the first side and the second side; and g L-shaped slits are arranged at a joint of the second side and the fourth side, wherein f and g are both positive integers, and the sum of f and g is n. In some embodiments, one of f and g may be endowed with a value of 0.

Schematically, referring toFIG. 5which is a schematic diagram of an arrangement manner of L-shaped slits provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure, an example in which the frame body includes three L-shaped slits is taken as an example for description. As shown inFIG. 5, an L-shaped slit510, an L-shaped slit520, and an L-shaped slit530are arranged in the frame body of the metal middle frame100.

The L-shaped slit510includes a first slit edge511and a second slit edge512which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge511is arranged on the first side560, and the second slit edge512is arranged on the second side550. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit510, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge511and the second slit edge512of the L-shaped slit510.

The L-shaped slit520includes a first slit edge521and a second slit edge522which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge521is arranged on the first side560, and the second slit edge522is arranged on the second side550. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit520, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge521and the second slit edge522of the L-shaped slit520.

The L-shaped slit530includes a first slit edge531and a second slit edge532which are jointed at an end point thereof. The first slit edge531is arranged on the second side550, and the second slit edge532is arranged on the fourth side570. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave antenna is arranged in the L-shaped slit530, and is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation through the first slit edge531and the second slit edge532of the L-shaped slit530.

Schematically,FIG. 6shows a schematic diagram of S-11parameters provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 6, after the L-shaped slit is arranged in the above manner, when the frequency of the millimeter-wave antenna of the terminal reaches 28 GHz, the value of dB reaches −14.193, which meets the radio frequency requirements on the millimeter waves.

FIG. 7is a structural block diagram of a mobile terminal provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 7, the mobile terminal700includes a metal middle frame710and a millimeter-wave antenna720.

The mobile terminal700is a terminal capable of positioning. In some embodiments, the mobile terminal700may be any one of a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a portable notebook computer, and a vehicle-mounted navigation system.

The metal middle frame710is the metal middle frame described in any one ofFIGS. 1 to 3. The millimeter-wave antenna720is configured to perform millimeter-wave radiation, and is arranged on the metal middle frame710. In some embodiments, the terminal700further includes the following.

A memory stores at least one instruction, at least one code, a code set, or an instruction set, wherein the at least one instruction, the at least one code, the code set or the instruction set is loaded by a processor to execute all functions to be realized by the mobile terminal700.

A processor is configured to load the at least one instruction, the at least one code, the code set or the instruction set stored in the above memory to execute the all functions to be realized by the mobile terminal700. In some embodiments, the processor may be at least one of a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, and an embedded chip.

FIG. 8is a block diagram of a computer device800according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the computer device800may be a terminal described as above. For example, the computer device may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an electronic book reader, a multimedia player, a personal computer (PC), a wearable device or other electronic devices.

The mobile terminal800can have a metal back cover comprising the middle frame where the millimeter-wave antenna is arranged.

Referring toFIG. 8, the computer device800may include one or more of the following components: a processing component802, a memory804, a power component806, a multimedia component808, an audio component810, an input/output (110) interface812, a sensor component814, and a communication component816.

The processing component802typically controls overall operations of the computer device800, such as the operations associated with display, telephone calls, data communications, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component802may include one or more processors820to execute instructions to perform all or part of the steps in the above described methods. Moreover, the processing component802may include one or more modules which facilitate the interaction between the processing component802and other components. For instance, the processing component802may include a multimedia module to facilitate the interaction between the multimedia component808and the processing component802.

The power component806provides power to various components of the computer device800. The power component806may include a power management system, one or more power sources, and any other components associated with the generation, management, and distribution of power in the computer device800.

The multimedia component808includes a screen providing an output interface between the terminal device800and the user. In some embodiments, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel (TP). In some embodiments, the screen may include an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display or other types of displays.

If the screen includes the touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input signals from the user. The touch panel includes one or more touch sensors to sense touches, slips, and gestures on the touch panel. The touch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or slip action, but also sense a period of time and a pressure associated with the touch or slip action. In some embodiments, the multimedia component808includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. The front camera and the rear camera may receive an external multimedia datum while the device800is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode. Each of the front camera and the rear camera may be a fixed optical lens system or have focus and optical zoom capability.

The10interface812provides an interface between the processing component802and peripheral interface modules, such as a keyboard, a click wheel, buttons, and the like. The buttons may include, but are not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a starting button, and a locking button.

The sensor component814includes one or more sensors to provide status assessments of various aspects of the computer device800. For instance, the sensor component814may detect an open/closed status of the computer device800, relative positioning of components, e.g., the display and the keypad, of the computer device800, a change in position of the computer device800or a component of the computer device800, a presence or absence of user contact with the computer device800, an orientation or an acceleration/deceleration of the computer device800, and a change in temperature of the computer device800. The sensor component814may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. The sensor component814may also include a light sensor, such as a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the sensor component814may also include an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

The communication component816is configured to facilitate communication, wired or wirelessly, between the computer device800and other devices. The computer device800can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, 2G, or 3G, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component816receives a broadcast signal or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component816further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communications. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an infrared data association (IrDA) technology, an ultra-wideband (UWE) technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In exemplary embodiments, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as the memory804including instructions. These instructions may be loaded and executed by the processor820in the computer device800for controlling a millimeter wave antenna. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage device, or the like.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure can have one or more of the following advantages.

By arranging the L-shaped slit on the first side and the second side, and radiating a millimeter wave through the first and second slit edges of the L-shaped slit, a single millimeter-wave module can perform millimeter-wave radiation in a direction corresponding to the first side and in a direction corresponding to the second side, and thus covers the two directions simultaneously, so that a coverage range of the millimeter-wave antenna is widened and a millimeter-wave radiation property is improved.

The various device components, modules, units, blocks, or portions may have modular configurations, or are composed of discrete components, but nonetheless can be referred to as “modules” in general. In other words, the “components,” “modules,” “blocks,” “portions,” or “units” referred to herein may or may not be in modular forms.

In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the feed object of each feed port is changed through a shift function of the radio frequency switch, thereby forming different antenna arrays in different states and extending coverage of the antenna array. Compared with the technical solution that each antenna array includes fixed array elements in the related art, an arraying manner for the antenna array in the embodiment of the present disclosure is more flexible.

In some embodiments, the control and/or interface software or app can be provided in a form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon is further provided. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium can be a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, optical data storage equipment, a flash drive such as a USB drive or an SD card, and the like.

The components of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networks include a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), an inter-network (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., ad hoc peer-to-peer networks).

It should be understood that “a plurality” or “multiple” as referred to herein means two or more. “And/or,” describing the association relationship of the associated objects, indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, A and/or B may indicate that there are three cases where A exists separately, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists separately. The character “/” generally indicates that the contextual objects are in an “or” relationship.

In the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the terms “lower,” “upper,” “under” or “beneath” or “underneath,” “above,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and other orientation or positional relationships are based on example orientations illustrated in the drawings, and are merely for the convenience of the description of some embodiments, rather than indicating or implying the device or component being constructed and operated in a particular orientation. Therefore, these terms are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

In the present disclosure, a first element being “on” a second element may indicate direct contact between the first and second elements, without contact, or indirect geometrical relationship through one or more intermediate media or layers, unless otherwise explicitly stated and defined. Similarly, a first element being “under,” “underneath” or “beneath” a second element may indicate direct contact between the first and second elements, without contact, or indirect geometrical relationship through one or more intermediate media or layers, unless otherwise explicitly stated and defined.

In the description of the present disclosure, the terms “some embodiments,” “example,” or “some examples,” and the like may indicate a specific feature described in connection with the embodiment or example, a structure, a material or feature included in at least one embodiment or example. In the present disclosure, the schematic representation of the above terms is not necessarily directed to the same embodiment or example.

Moreover, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, various embodiments or examples described in the specification, as well as features of various embodiments or examples, may be combined and reorganized.