LIGHT FIELD DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD

A light field display apparatus includes a plurality of projectors to emit rays, and a screen to display the rays emitted by the plurality of projectors. Positions of the plurality of projectors may be controlled so that intervals or angles between the rays displayed on the screen are substantially the same.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more embodiments, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to embodiments set forth herein, as various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein will be understood to be included in the invention by those of ordinary skill in the art after embodiments discussed herein are understood. Accordingly, embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present invention.

The light field display apparatus and method according to example embodiments may display a multi-view image and a super multi-view image.

FIG. 1illustrates a configuration of a light field display apparatus100according to one or more example embodiments.

In particular,FIG. 1shows the configuration of the light field display apparatus100that displays a 3-dimensional (3D) image without changing an arrangement order of a plurality of projectors.

Referring toFIG. 1, the light field display apparatus100may include a plurality of projectors101and a screen102.

The plurality of projectors101may emit rays forming a multi-view image or a super multi-view image. Therefore, the screen102may display the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors101.

The plurality of projectors101may each include a spatial light modulator (SLM). The plurality of projectors101may be expressed as an optical module which is a micro display. For example, the projectors101may emit the rays through high-speed switching of the SLM. Therefore, the multi-view image or the super multi-view image generated by overlapping of the emitted rays may be displayed on the screen102.

Due to the rays emitted onto a surface of the screen102by the plurality of projectors101, a projection area103for an image may be generated on the surface of the screen102.

The projection area103may be extended wider than the screen102in lateral directions with respect to an area of the screen102according to arrangement positions of the plurality of projectors101. A projection area beyond the screen102may be gathered into the screen102by reflection mirrors (not shown). For example, the reflection mirrors (not shown) may be disposed between the screen102and the plurality of projectors101to face each other.

A keystone shape may be changed according to a difference in the arrangement positions of the plurality of projectors with respect to a height direction. For example, in a case in which N rows×M columns projectors are arranged in the light field display apparatus100, where N is 20 and M is 10, and projectors101disposed on a row 1 to a row 20 are sequentially shifted at equal intervals, the projection area103may have repetitive patterns grouped in units of twenty projectors.

In this case, a difference in intervals between the rays may be generated significantly in a lateral direction at a right side of the projection area103in the drawing, the right side may look like a vacant space104. Due to the vacant space104generated by increased intervals between the rays, non-uniformity in brightness of a light field image may become significant. To reduce or prevent the non-uniformity in brightness, positions of the plurality of projectors101may be controlled such that the intervals between the rays displayed on the screen102are substantially the same. Hereinafter, the operation of controlling the positions of the projectors101for equal intervals of the rays will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 2.

FIG. 2illustrates a configuration of a light field display apparatus200according to one or more example embodiments.

In particular, the light field display apparatus200ofFIG. 2may display a 3D image by changing arrangement orders of a plurality of projectors201.

Referring toFIG. 2, the light field display apparatus200may include a plurality of projectors201and a screen202.

The plurality of projectors201may emit rays forming a multi-view image or a super multi-view image. Therefore, the screen202may display the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors201.

The projectors201may each include a spatial light modulator (SLM). The projectors201may be implemented by an optical module which is a micro display. For example, the projectors201may emit the rays through high-speed switching of the SLM. Therefore, the multi-view image or the super multi-view image generated by overlapping of the emitted rays may be displayed on the screen202.

In addition, positions of the plurality of projectors201may be controlled such that intervals between the rays displayed on the screen202are substantially the same.

For example, when the light field display apparatus200includes N×M projectors, the arrangement orders of the plurality of projectors201may be controlled to be different between even number rows 2N and odd number rows 2N−1 on which the plurality of projectors201are arranged.

For example, presuming that N is 20 and M is 10 and that projectors201arranged on a row 1 to a row 20 are shifted at equal intervals with reference to projectors201of the row 1, the projectors201arranged on the even number rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 may be arranged in a descending order. That is, ten projectors of the row 20 may be disposed on the second row which is a highest-order even number row, ten projectors of the row 18 may be disposed on the fourth row, and ten projectors of the row 16 may be disposed on the sixth row. Thus, ten projectors of the rows 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 may be disposed on the eighth, tenth, twelfth, fourteenth sixteenth, eighteenth and twentieth rows, respectively.

Thus, when the arrangement order of the projectors201of the even number rows is controlled to be the descending order, positions of projectors204disposed on the odd number rows may be maintained without change. Accordingly, the all projectors may be controlled to be arranged in order of rows 1, 20, 3, 18, 5, 16, 7, 14, 9, 12, 11, 10, 13, 8, 15, 6, 17, 4, 19, and 2.

Therefore, on a projection area209of an image formed at a surface of the screen202, rays208emitted from projectors205corresponding to a column 1 of the odd number rows and rays206emitted from projectors207corresponding to a column 1 of the even number rows may be added, thereby possibly being displayed as repetitive patterns grouped in units of twenty projectors.

Next, rays emitted from projectors corresponding to a column 2 of the odd number rows, a column 2 of the even number rows, column 3 of the odd number rows, a column 3 of the even number rows, and so on through a column 10 of the odd number rows, and a column 10 of the even number rows may be repeatedly displayed from a left to a right of the projection area209of the image formed on the surface of the screen202.

In the same manner, the arrangement order of the projectors disposed on the odd number rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 may be controlled to be a descending order. That is, ten projectors of the row 19 may be disposed on the first row, which is a highest-order odd number row, ten projectors of the row 17 may be disposed on the third row, and ten projectors of the row 15 may be disposed on the fifth row. Thus, ten projectors of the rows 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3, and 1 may be disposed on the seventh, ninth, eleventh, thirteenth, fifteenth, seventeenth and nineteenth rows, respectively.

When the projectors disposed on the odd number rows are controlled to be arranged in the descending order, positions of projectors disposed on the even number rows may be maintained without change. Accordingly, the all projectors included in the light field display apparatus200may be controlled to be arranged in order of rows 19, 2, 17, 4, 15, 6, 13, 8, 11, 10, 9, 12, 7, 14, 5, 16, 3, 18, 1, and 20.

As another example, the rows on which the plurality of projectors201are arranged may be repeatedly changed according to a predetermined row interval. In this case, the positions of the plurality of projectors201may be controlled such that the intervals between the rays displayed on the screen202are substantially the same within a tolerance range. Here, the rows changed according to the predetermined row interval will be described with reference toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3illustrates operation of controlling positions of projectors according to a row interval by a light field display apparatus according to one or more example embodiments.

Referring toFIG. 3, rows on which a plurality of projectors301are arranged may be repeatedly changed according to a predetermined row interval.

For example, when N is 16, M is 4, and the row interval is predetermined to 7, projectors disposed on the row 8 (302) corresponding to a 7-row interval with reference to the row 1 may be changed to be disposed on the row 2 (303). Next, projectors disposed on a row 15 (304) corresponding to a 7-row interval with reference to the row 8 (302) before the position change to the row 2 (303) may be changed to be disposed on the row 3 (305).

From the row 16, positions of the projectors may be changed by a 7-row interval again from the positions of the row 1. That is, projectors disposed on the row 6 (306) corresponding to a 7-row interval with reference to the row 15 (304) before the position change to the row 3 (305) may be changed to be disposed on the row 4 (307).

Next, projectors disposed on the row 13 (308) corresponding to a 7-row interval with reference to the row 6 (306) may be changed to be disposed on the row 5 (309). In the same manner, the position change according to the predetermined row interval may be repeated until projectors disposed on initial positions of the row 6 to the row 16 are disposed on rows corresponding to a 7-row interval, respectively.

When the position change is performed according to the 7-row interval, the plurality of projectors may be arranged in order of rows 1, 8, 15, 6, 13, 4, 11, 2, 9, 16, 7, 14, 5, 12, 3, and 10.

As illustrated with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3, 1) when the arrangement orders of the projectors are controlled to be different between the even number rows and the odd number row, or 2) when the arrangement order of the rows on which the plurality of projectors are arranged is changed according to the row interval, the intervals of the rays displayed on the screen may be substantially the same within the tolerance range. Accordingly, the rays may be displayed without generating a vacant space on the screen. Also, non-uniformity in brightness may be reduced.

FIG. 4illustrates a configuration of a light field display apparatus400according to one or more example embodiments.

In particular,FIG. 4shows a plurality of projectors401seen from above, which may be arranged in N rows×M columns toward a screen402.

Referring toFIG. 4, the light field display apparatus400may include the plurality of projectors401, a screen402, a first reflection mirror403, and a second reflection mirror404.

The plurality of projectors401may emit rays forming a multi-view image or a super multi-view image. Therefore, the screen402may display the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors401.

Positions of the plurality of projectors401may be controlled such that angles between the rays emitted toward the screen402by the plurality of projectors401are substantially the same. Here, the angles between the rays may be controlled to be substantially the same within a tolerance range.

For example, the angles between the rays may be controlled to be substantially the same based on a center angle406of an imaginary focus405at which an imaginary extension line of the first reflection mirror403and an imaginary extension line of the second reflection mirror404meet. Here, the first reflection mirror403may be disposed at one side of the screen402and tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the screen402, thereby possibly reflecting the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors401to the screen402.

The second reflection mirror404may be disposed at an opposite side of the screen402and tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the screen402, thereby possibly reflecting the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors401to the screen402. Thus, the center angle406of the imaginary focus405may be calculated since the first reflection mirror403and the second reflection mirror404are tilted by the predetermined angles with respect to the screen402.

For example, when the center angle A (406) is 22, N is 11, and M is 4, the angles407between the rays may be controlled to a value obtained by dividing the angle A=22 by the number of the projectors minus 1, (N×M)−1=43, that is, A/{(N×M)−1}=0.51.

As illustrated inFIG. 4, the positions of the plurality of projectors401may be controlled so that the angles407between the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors401are substantially the same. However, according to one or more embodiments, the positions of the plurality of projectors may also be controlled so that the intervals between the plurality of projectors are substantially the same.

For example, irrespective of the row arrangement of the projectors, a first interval412between a projector disposed at a leftmost position and a projector disposed at a next position, that is, a second position, with respect to an imaginary focus O405, a second interval413between a projector disposed at the second position and a projector disposed at a third position with respect to the imaginary focus O405, . . . , and a tenth interval414between a projector disposed at a tenth position and a projector disposed at a eleventh position with respect to the imaginary focus O405may be all substantially the same.

The first reflection mirror403and the second reflection mirror404may be tilted by the predetermined angle with respect to a center of the screen402. Therefore, one end surface408of the first reflection mirror403may form a first angle with respect to the projectors whereas an opposite end surface409of the first reflection mirror403may form a second angle with respect to the screen402. In the same manner, one end surface410of the second reflection mirror404may form a third angle with respect to the projectors whereas an opposite end surface411may form a fourth angle with respect to the screen402. Here, the first angle and the third angle may be equal or different. Also, the second angle and the fourth angle may be equal or different.

The first angle to the fourth angle may be determined using the imaginary focus O405. The imaginary focus O405may be an intersection point between a first imaginary extension line connecting the leftmost projector with a left side of the screen402and a second imaginary extension line connecting a rightmost projector with a right side of the screen402.

The first reflection mirror403may maintain an angle corresponding to a half of the first interval412between the leftmost projector and the next projector. In the same manner, the second reflection mirror404may maintain an angle corresponding to a half of the tenth interval414between the rightmost projector and a previous projector.

FIG. 5illustrates a light field display apparatus500in which projection distances are controlled using an arc of a circle, according to one or more example embodiments.

InFIG. 5, the projection distances may be controlled in a state in which a plurality of projectors are arranged in a vertical direction with respect to a screen.

Referring toFIG. 5, the light field display apparatus500may include a plurality of projectors501and a screen502.

The projection distances of the plurality of projectors501may be controlled according to a size of the screen502. The projection distances may include distances from the screen502to the respective projectors501.

For example, the light field display apparatus500may determine a vertical length of the screen502, an example of the size of the screen502, to be an arc of a circle. An imaginary circle503may be generated using the arc. Next, the plurality of projectors501may be arranged on the imaginary circle503. Therefore, the projection distances of the plurality of projectors501may be controlled to be a distance from the plurality of projectors501arranged on the imaginary circle503to the screen502.

Together with a reference projector504arranged parallel toward the screen502among the plurality of projectors501, the plurality of projectors501may be arranged on the imaginary circle503.

For example, projectors disposed lower than the reference projector504when arranged vertical to the screen502may be disposed at a lower portion505of the reference projector504when arranged on the imaginary circle503. Also, projectors disposed higher than the reference projector504when arranged vertical to the screen502may be disposed at an upper portion506of the reference projector504when arranged on the imaginary circle503. When the plurality of projectors501are vertically arranged forming uniform intervals and uniform angles, the projectors501may be arranged on the imaginary circle503to form uniform intervals and uniform angles.

Thus, when the projection distances are controlled using the vertical length of the screen as the arc of the circle, a vertical length of a 3D image displayed on the screen may be corresponded to the vertical length of the screen. Accordingly, non-uniformity in brightness may be reduced. The 3D image may include a multi-view image and a super multi-view image.

AlthoughFIG. 5illustrates example embodiments in which the projection distances are controlled using the vertical length of the screen as the arc of the circle, a horizontal length or a diagonal length may also be used as the arc.

The projection distances may also be controlled using an entire surface area of the screen. Hereinafter, the operation of controlling the projection distances using the entire surface area of the screen will be described with reference toFIG. 6.

FIG. 6illustrates a light field display apparatus in which projection distances are controlled using an area of a screen601, according to one or more example embodiments.

InFIG. 6, the projection distances may be controlled in a state in which a plurality of projectors are arranged vertical to the screen601.

According toFIG. 6, the projection distances of the plurality of projectors may be controlled so that a 3D image emitted by the plurality of projectors and displayed on the screen601is larger than the screen601. That is, the projection distances may be controlled so that sizes603and604of the image 3D is larger than an entire surface area602of the screen.

Here, the projection distances may be controlled by a tilting value of each of the plurality of projectors. The tilting value may include tilt of each of the plurality of projectors with respect to a reference projector605arranged parallel toward the screen601among the plurality of projectors.

For example, with respect to projectors606having a positive tilting value, the projection distances may be controlled in a direction toward the screen in proportion to the positive tilting value. That is, the projectors606corresponding to the positive tilting value may be tilted up toward the reference projector605at a lower portion of the reference projector605. Therefore, the projection distances of the projectors tilted up may be controlled to become shorter with respect to the screen601.

With respect to projectors607having a negative tilting value, the projection distances may be controlled in a direction away from the screen601in proportion to the negative tilting value. That is, the projectors607corresponding to the negative tilting value may be tilted down toward the reference projector605at an upper portion of the reference projector605. Therefore, the projection distances of the projectors tilted down may be controlled to become longer with respect to the screen601.

As illustrated with reference toFIG. 6, the projection distances may be controlled differently according to the positive tilting value and the negative tilting value. In addition, the projection distances may have an inflection point. The projection distances of the projectors607corresponding to the negative tilting value may be controlled by a larger degree according to the negative titling value.

Thus, when the projection distances are controlled using the entire surface area of the screen, the size of the 3D image may become larger than the size of the screen. Therefore, lack of light field rays on the screen may possibly be prevented. As a result, non-uniformity in brightness may possibly be reduced.

FIG. 7illustrates brightness distribution of a 3-dimensional (3D) image provided by a light field display apparatus, according to one or more example embodiments.

According toFIG. 7, when a plurality of projectors are sequentially arranged in a vertical direction and when intervals between the plurality of projectors are substantially the same as shown by701, the brightness distribution of the 3D image displayed on the screen is shown non-uniform. That is, the brightness distribution may be shown in a curtain form in which intervals between rays forming the 3D image are too close or too far.

When the plurality of projectors are sequentially arranged in a vertical direction and when angles between the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors are substantially the same as shown by702, non-uniformity in brightness of the 3D image may be improved in comparison to701.

When the arrangement orders of the plurality of projectors are controlled to be different between the even number row and the odd number row and when the positions of the projectors are controlled such that the angles between the rays emitted by the projectors are substantially the same as shown by703, the non-uniformity in brightness of the 3D image may be improved in comparison to701and702.

Next, when rows of the plurality of projectors are repeatedly changed according to a predetermined row interval and when the positions of the plurality of projectors are controlled such that the angles between the rays emitted by the projectors are substantially the same as shown by704, the non-uniformity in brightness of the 3D image may be improved in comparison to701to703.

FIG. 8illustrates a flowchart of a light field display method in which positions of a plurality of projectors are controlled so that intervals between rays are substantially the same, according to one or more example embodiments.

The light field display method ofFIG. 8may be performed by a light field display apparatus, such as the light field display apparatus ofFIG. 1or the light field display apparatus ofFIG. 2.

In operation801, the plurality of projectors may emit rays, respectively. Positions of the plurality of projectors may be controlled such that the intervals between the rays are substantially the same.

For example, the arrangement orders of the plurality of projectors may be controlled to be different.

For example, when N rows×M columns projectors are arranged in which N is 20 and M is 10, projectors disposed on even number rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 may be controlled to be arranged in a descending order. That is, ten projectors of the row 20 may be disposed on the second row which is a highest-order even number row, ten projectors of a row 18 may be disposed on the fourth row, and ten projectors of the row 16 may be disposed on the sixth row. Thus, ten projectors of the rows 14, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 may be disposed on the eighth, tenth, twelfth, fourteenth, sixteenth, eighteenth and twentieth rows, respectively.

Thus, when the arrangement order of the projectors of the even number rows is controlled to be the descending order, positions of projectors disposed on the odd number rows may be maintained without change. Accordingly, the all projectors may be controlled to be arranged in order of rows 1, 20, 3, 18, 5, 16, 7, 14, 9, 12, 11, 10, 13, 8, 15, 6, 17, 4, 19, and 2.

In the same manner, the arrangement order of the projectors disposed on the odd number rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, and 19 may be controlled to be a descending order.

As another example, the rows on which the plurality of projectors are arranged may be repeatedly changed according to a predetermined row interval.

For example, when N is 16, M is 4, and the row interval is predetermined to 7, projectors disposed on the row 8 corresponding to a 7-row interval with reference to the row 1 may be changed to be disposed on the row 2. Next, projectors disposed on the row 15 corresponding to a 7-row interval with reference to the row 8 before the position change to the row 2 may be changed to be disposed on the row 3. From the row 16, positions of the projectors may be changed by a 7-row interval again from the positions of the row 1. Accordingly, the projectors from the row 1 to the row 16 may be changed to be arranged in order of rows 1, 8, 15, 6, 13, 4, 11, 2, 9, 16, 7, 14, 5, 12, 3, and 10.

Here, the light field display apparatus may reflect the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors, of which the arrangement order is controlled with respect to the even number row and the odd number row or according to the row interval, to the screen using a reflection mirror. Therefore, the rays emitted to the outside of the screen may be reflected to the screen. The reflection mirror may be tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to a center of the screen.

Therefore, in operation802, the screen may display a 3D image formed by the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors of which the arrangement order is controlled. Here, the 3D image may include a multi-view image and a super multi-view image.

For example, the screen may display the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors on which the arrangement order is controlled with respect to the even number row and the odd number row.

As another example, the screen may display the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors on which the arrangement order is controlled according to the predetermined row interval.

FIG. 9illustrates a flowchart of a light field display method in which positions of a plurality of projectors are controlled so that angles between rays are substantially the same, according to one or more example embodiments.

The light field display method ofFIG. 9may be performed by a light field display, such as the light field display apparatus ofFIG. 4.

In operation901, the plurality of projectors may emit rays, respectively. Here, positions of the plurality of projectors may be controlled such that angles between the rays emitted by the plurality of projectors toward the screen are substantially the same. The angles may be controlled to be substantially the same within a tolerance range.

For example, the positions of the plurality of projectors may be controlled such that the angles between the rays are substantially the same based on a center angle of an imaginary focus at which an imaginary extension line of a first reflection mirror and an imaginary extension line of a second reflection mirror meet. The center angle of the imaginary focus may be calculated since the first reflection mirror and the second reflection mirror are tilted by the predetermined angles with respect to the screen.

The first reflection mirror may be disposed at one side of the screen and tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the screen. The first reflection mirror may reflect, toward the screen, rays emitted beyond the one side of the screen among the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors of which positions are controlled.

The second reflection mirror may be disposed at an opposite side of the screen and tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the screen. The second reflection mirror may reflect, toward the screen, rays emitted beyond the opposite side of the screen among the rays emitted from the plurality of projectors of which positions are controlled.

For example, when the center angle A is 22, N is 11, and M is 4, the angles between the rays may be controlled to A/{(N×M)−1}=0.51 obtained by dividing the angle A=22 by the number of the projectors minus 1, (N×M)−1=43.

FIG. 10illustrates a flowchart of a light field display method in which a projection distances of a plurality of projectors are controlled, according to one or more example embodiments.

The light field display method ofFIG. 10may be performed by a light field display, such as the light field display apparatus ofFIG. 5or the light field display apparatus ofFIG. 6.

First, in operation1001, the plurality of projectors of which projection distances are controlled according to a size of a screen may emit rays.

For example, the light field display apparatus may determine an arc of a circle as any one of a vertical length or a horizontal length of the screen. In addition, the light field display apparatus may generate an imaginary circle using the determined arc. The plurality of projectors may be arranged on the imaginary circle. Therefore, the projection distances of the plurality of projectors may be controlled to a distance from the projectors arranged on the imaginary circle to the screen.

Here, the plurality of projectors may be arranged on the imaginary circle with respect to a reference projector. For example, projectors disposed lower than the reference projector when arranged vertical to the screen may be disposed at a lower portion of the reference projector when arranged on the imaginary circle. Also, projectors disposed higher than the reference projector when arranged vertical to the screen may be disposed at an upper portion of the reference projector when arranged on the imaginary circle. When the plurality of projectors are vertically arranged forming uniform intervals and uniform angles, the projectors may be arranged on the imaginary circle maintaining uniform intervals and uniform angles.

As another example, the projection distances of the plurality of projectors may be controlled so that a 3D image emitted by the plurality of projectors and displayed on the screen is larger than the screen. That is, the projection distances may be controlled so that the size of the image 3D is larger than an entire surface area of the screen.

Here, the projection distances may be controlled according to a tilting value of each of the plurality of projectors. The tilting value may include tilt of each of the plurality of projectors with respect to the reference projector.

For example, with respect to projectors having a positive tilting value, the projection distances may be controlled in a direction toward the screen in proportion to the positive tilting value. That is, the projectors corresponding to the positive tilting value may be tilted up toward the reference projector at a lower portion of the reference projector.

With respect to projectors having a negative tilting value, the projection distances may be controlled in a direction away from the screen in proportion to the negative tilting value. That is, the projectors corresponding to the negative tilting value may be tilted down toward the reference projector at an upper portion of the reference projector.

In one or more embodiments, any apparatus, system, element, or interpretable unit descriptions herein include one or more hardware devices or hardware processing elements. For example, in one or more embodiments, any described apparatus, system, element, retriever, pre or post-processing elements, tracker, detector, encoder, decoder, etc., may further include one or more memories and/or processing elements, and any hardware input/output transmission devices, or represent operating portions/aspects of one or more respective processing elements or devices. Further, the term apparatus should be considered synonymous with elements of a physical system, not limited to a single device or enclosure or all described elements embodied in single respective enclosures in all embodiments, but rather, depending on embodiment, is open to being embodied together or separately in differing enclosures and/or locations through differing hardware elements.

In addition to the above described embodiments, embodiments can also be implemented through computer readable code/instructions in/on a non-transitory medium, e.g., a computer readable medium, to control at least one processing device, such as a processor or computer, to implement any above described embodiment. The medium can correspond to any defined, measurable, and tangible structure permitting the storing and/or transmission of the computer readable code.

The media may also include, e.g., in combination with the computer readable code, data files, data structures, and the like. One or more embodiments of computer-readable media include: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. Computer readable code may include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter, for example. The media may also be any defined, measurable, and tangible distributed network, so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. Still further, as only an example, the processing element could include a processor or a computer processor, and processing elements may be distributed and/or included in a single device.

The computer-readable media may also be embodied in at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), as only examples, which execute (e.g., processes like a processor) program instructions.

While aspects of the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to differing embodiments thereof, it should be understood that these embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in the remaining embodiments. Suitable results may equally be achieved if the described techniques are performed in a different order and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined in a different manner and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents.