BRAKE APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF

A solenoid valve state diagnostic method may include monitoring a voltage value of an induced voltage generated at both ends of a coil of a solenoid valve, determining a state of a plunger of the solenoid valve as a normal state or an abnormal state based on a comparison of the voltage value of the induced voltage and a pre-stored voltage value of a normal induced voltage and outputting information based on the determination.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0062904, filed on May 16, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a brake apparatus and a controlling method thereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

A vehicle's brake system, such as an Integrated Dynamic Brake (IDB) system, can control the vehicle's braking through a flow control method using a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve is a structure that combines a coil and a valve portion. The coil is directly connected to an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and the coil's magnetic flux induces firing of the core and plunger in the valve portion installed inside the coil, controlling the on and/or off of the valve.

On the other hand, the braking performance of the brake system is very sensitive to the operation of the valve portion in the solenoid valve, making the diagnosis of failures in the valve portion of the solenoid valve very important.

However, it is difficult to receive feedback on the diagnosis of the valve portion's status because it is electrically insulated from the electronic control device (also called a control circuit) in the solenoid valve of the brake system.

In reality, the conventional approach to diagnosing the status of the solenoid valve has been limited to the coil, which is the portion of the solenoid valve.

For example, in the prior art, fault diagnosis of the solenoid valve was carried out by identifying the openness and short-circuit of the coil in the solenoid valve through voltage identification of the control circuit or by identifying the current tracking according to the provision of the control signal corresponding to the target current in the control circuit.

However, when problems such as foreign matter influx into the plunger included in the valve portion of the solenoid valve or performance degradation of the plunger occur, issues may arise in the operation of the valve portion in the solenoid valve. However, because a normal level of current flows in the coil, the electronic control device directly connected to the coil cannot detect this problem.

As a result, for the enhancement of the safety of the brake system, there is a demand for the development of a technology that can diagnose the state of the valve portion, particularly the plunger, in the solenoid valve.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a method and device for diagnosing a state of a plunger in a solenoid valve, to enhance the safety of the brake system.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of controlling a brake apparatus may include monitoring a voltage value of an induced voltage generated at both ends of a coil of a solenoid valve, determining a state of a plunger of the solenoid valve as a normal state or an abnormal state based on a comparison of the voltage value of the induced voltage and a pre-stored voltage value of a normal induced voltage and outputting information based on the determination.

The monitoring of the voltage value of the induced voltage generated at both ends of the coil of the solenoid valve, may include determining a difference value between the voltage between the drain and source of the field effect transistor connected to the first end of the coil for driving the solenoid valve, and the voltage applied to the second end of the coil as the voltage value of the induced voltage.

The induced voltage may be generated immediately after turning on or off the solenoid valve.

The voltage value of the pre-stored normal induced voltage may include a voltage value of a normal induced voltage that changes over time during a period of time.

The determining of the state of the plunger of the solenoid valve as the normal state or the abnormal state, may include determining the normal state of the plunger when a difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is within a predetermined reference error range.

The determining of the state of the plunger of the solenoid valve as the normal state or the abnormal state, may include determining the abnormal state of the plunger when the difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is not within the predetermined reference error range.

The abnormal state of the plunger may include at least one of a state of foreign matter influx into the plunger or a state of restricted movement of the plunger.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of determining a state of a solenoid valve of a brake apparatus may include monitoring a voltage between a drain and a source of a field effect transistor for driving a solenoid valve, determining, based on the voltage between the drain and source of the field effect transistor, a state of a plunger of the solenoid valve as a normal state or an abnormal state and outputting information based on the determination.

The determining of the state of the plunger of the solenoid valve as the normal state or the abnormal state, may include monitoring, based on the voltage between the drain and source of the field effect transistor, a voltage value of an induced voltage generated at both ends of a coil of the solenoid valve; and determining the state of the plunger of the solenoid valve as the normal state or the abnormal state based on a comparison of the voltage value of the induced voltage and a pre-stored voltage value of a normal induced voltage.

The field effect transistor is connected to the first end of the coil. Further, the voltage value of the induced voltage of the coil may include a difference value of the voltage between the drain and source and the voltage applied to the second end of the coil.

The voltage value of the pre-stored normal induced voltage may include a voltage value of a normal induced voltage that changes over time during a predetermined time interval.

The determining of the state of the plunger of the solenoid valve as the normal state or the abnormal state, may include determining the normal state of the plunger when a difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is within a predetermined reference error range.

The determining of the state of the plunger of the solenoid valve as the normal state or the abnormal state, may include determining the abnormal state of the plunger when the difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is not within the predetermined reference error range.

The abnormal state of the plunger may include at least one of a state of foreign matter influx into the plunger or a state of restricted movement of the plunger.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a brake apparatus may include a solenoid valve including a coil and a plunger installed inside the coil so as to be able to slide in and out, a drive circuit configured to drive the solenoid valve, a memory configured to store a voltage value of a normal induced voltage and a controller electrically connected to the coil of the solenoid valve. Further, the controller may monitor a voltage value of the induced voltage generated at both ends of the coil, and determine a state of the plunger as a normal state or an abnormal state based on the comparison of the voltage value of the induced voltage and the voltage value of the normal induced voltage stored in the memory, and output information based on the determination.

The drive circuit may include a field effect transistor connected to the first end of the coil. Further, the controller may determine a difference value between the voltage between the drain and source of the field effect transistor and the voltage applied to the second end of the coil as the voltage value of the induced voltage.

The controller may identify the voltage between the drain and source of the field effect transistor, when the amount of change in the voltage between the drain and source, which is generated immediately after turning on or off of the solenoid valve, is more than a predetermined threshold change.

The voltage value of the normal induced voltage may include a voltage value of a normal induced voltage that changes over time during a period of time.

The controller may determine the normal state of the plunger when a difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is within a predetermined reference error range, and determine the abnormal state of the plunger when the difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is within the predetermined reference error range.

The abnormal state of the plunger may include at least one of a state of foreign matter influx into the plunger or a state of restricted movement of the plunger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein. Accordingly, various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described herein will be suggested to those of ordinary skill in the art. The progression of processing operations described is an example; however, the sequence of and/or operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a particular order. In addition, respective descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for increased clarity and conciseness.

Additionally, exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary embodiments to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like numerals denote like elements throughout.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The expression, “at least one of a, b, and c,” should be understood as including only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, or all of a, b, and c.

FIG.1is a block diagram including some configurations of a brake system according to one embodiment.FIG.2is a view illustrating a structure of a solenoid valve according to one embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1, brake system1may include a solenoid valve10and a controller100.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, the solenoid valve10may include one or more coils11and a valve portion12installed in each of the one or more coils11.

The coils11may be electrically connected to the controller100to generate magnetic flux.

The configuration of the respective connections at one end and the other end of the coils11may be any circuit configuration of a conventional solenoid valve.

For example, one end of the coil11may be connected to a power supply (not shown), and the other end of the coil11may be connected to a drain end D of a field effect transistor (FET)111, a switching element described later.

For example, when power is applied to the coil11, a magnetic field is formed around the coil11by the current flowing in the coil11.

The valve portion12may be installed on the inner side of the coil11, and the configuration of the valve portion of a conventional solenoid valve may be applied.

The valve portion12may include a plunger13slidably retractable installed on the inner side of the coil11.

Depending on the sliding retraction motion of the plunger13, a flow passage formed in the valve portion12may be opened or closed.

For example, the plunger13may close the flow passage (not shown) formed in the valve portion12in response to a magnetic field formed around the coil11, and may allow the flow passage to open in the absence of a magnetic field formed around the coil11.

Although not shown, the valve portion12may include any configuration of a valve portion of a conventional solenoid valve.

For example, although not shown, the valve portion12may include a core (not shown) in which a flow passage (not shown) is formed, a longitudinal through-hole (not shown) formed in the center, and an orifice (not shown) provided at the top of the through-hole (not shown) for opening and closing the flow passage (not shown).

Also, although not shown, the valve portion12may include an armature (not shown) that is slidably retractable installed on one side of the core (not shown) to open and close the orifice (not shown).

Additionally, although not shown, the valve portion12may include a spring (not shown) disposed at one end of the plunger13to retract the plunger13and the armature (not shown) to open the opening of the core (not shown) when power is not applied to the coil11.

For example, when power is applied to the coil11, a magnetic field may be formed around the coil11by the current flowing in the coil11. This magnetic field may cause the armature (not shown) to advance towards the core (not shown), and the advancement of the armature (not shown) may cause the plunger13to advance and close the flow passage (not shown).

On the other hand, when power is not applied to the coil11, no magnetic field is generated, and accordingly, the elasticity of the spring (not shown) may cause the plunger13and the armature (not shown) to retract, opening the flow passage (not shown).

The controller100(also referred to as an electronic control unit (ECU)) may be electrically connected to the coil11of the solenoid valve10.

The controller100may include a solenoid valve drive circuit110and/or a processor120.

The solenoid valve drive circuit110may be electrically connected with the coil11of the solenoid valve10to drive the solenoid valve10.

The solenoid valve drive circuit110may include a switching element111, such as a FET111. Hereinafter, the switching element111may be referred to as the FET111.

The processor120may include a memory130that stores or remembers programs and data for implementing operations to control the configurations included in the brake system1.

The memory130may provide stored programs and data to the processor120and may remember temporary data that is generated during operation of the processor120. For example, the memory130may include volatile memory, such as static random access memory (S-RAM), dynamic random access memory (D-RAM), and non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory.

The memory130may store voltage value (also referred to as voltage level) of a normal induced voltage.

The voltage value of the normal induced voltage can include voltage value of the normal induced voltage that changes over time during a period of time.

For example, the voltage value of the normal induced voltage stored in the memory130may be a voltage value of the normal induced voltage obtained through a previous test.

Further, the voltage value of the normal induced voltage stored in the memory130may be a voltage value of the induced voltage determined by the controller100when the state of the plunger is determined by the controller100to be in a normal state, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The controller100may control the supply or cut-off of power from the power supply device (not shown) to the coil11of the solenoid valve10.

The controller100may control the solenoid valve drive circuit110to control the driving of the solenoid valve10.

The controller100may monitor (also referred to as identify) the voltage at both ends of the coil11.

For example, the controller100may monitor (or identify) a voltage applied to one end of the coil11, and may monitor (or identify) a voltage between the drain end D and the source end D of the FET111connected to the other end of the coil11.

The controller100may determine a voltage value of the induced voltage generated at both ends of the coil11of the solenoid valve10.

Based on the comparison of the voltage value of the induced voltage and the pre-stored voltage value of a normal induced voltage, the controller100may determine the state of the plunger13of the solenoid valve10as a normal state or an abnormal state.

The controller100may provide information based on the determination of the state of the plunger13to an external output device2via CAN communication or the like. For example, the controller100may include a communication circuit (not shown) for CAN communication.

For example, the output device2may include a display device and/or a speaker or the like of a vehicle in which the brake system1is installed, and the output device2may output the information provided so that it can be viewed by a user of the vehicle.

FIG.3is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of a brake system1(and/or a controller100) according to one embodiment.

Referring toFIG.3, the brake system1may determine a voltage value of the induced voltage generated at both ends of the coil11of the solenoid valve10(301).

The brake system1may determine the voltage value of the induced voltage as a difference value between the voltage between the drain and source of the FET111electrically connected to the first end of the coil11and the voltage applied to the second end of the coil11.

The induced voltage may be generated immediately after the solenoid valve10is turned on or off.

Accordingly, the brake system1may determine a difference value between the voltage between the drain and source of the FET111and the voltage applied to the coil11during a predetermined time interval immediately after the on or off of the solenoid valve10as the voltage value of the induced voltage.

The brake system1may compare the voltage value of the induced voltage to a pre-stored voltage value of a normal induced voltage (303).

The pre-stored voltage value of the normal induced voltage may include a voltage value of the normal induced voltage that changes over time during a predetermined time interval (also referred to as a period of time).

The brake system1may determine a state of the plunger13of the solenoid valve10as a normal state or an abnormal state based on the result of the comparison of operation303(305).

The brake system1may determine the state of the plunger13as the normal state when a difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is within a predetermined reference error range.

The brake system1may determine the state of the plunger13as the abnormal state when the difference between the induced voltage and the pre-stored normal induced voltage is not within the predetermined reference error range.

For example, the abnormal state of the plunger13may include a state of foreign matter influx into the plunger13and/or a state of restricted movement of the plunger13.

The brake system1may output information based on the determination at operation305(307).

For example, the brake system1may provide information based on the determination, such as information that the plunger13is in the normal state or the abnormal state, to an external output device2connected to the brake system1.

FIG.4is a flow diagram illustrating an operation of the brake system1(and/or controller100) according to one embodiment.

Referring toFIG.4, the brake system1may monitor a voltage between a drain and a source of the FET111for driving the solenoid valve10(401).

Based on the voltage between the drain and source of the FET111, the brake system1may determine a state of the plunger13of the solenoid valve10as a normal or an abnormal state (403).

Based on the voltage between the drain and source of the FET111, the brake system1may determine a voltage value of the induced voltage generated at both ends of the coil11of the solenoid valve10.

For example, the determination of the voltage value of the induced voltage may be performed in the same manner as the voltage value determination method of the induced voltage of the embodiment ofFIG.3described above.

The brake system1may determine a state of the plunger13as the normal state or the abnormal state based on a comparison of the determined voltage value of the induced voltage and a pre-stored voltage value of the normal induced voltage.

For example, determination the state of the plunger13as the normal state or the abnormal state may be performed in the same manner as determination the state of the plunger13as the normal state or the abnormal state in the embodiment ofFIG.3.

The brake system1may output information based on the determination of the operation403(405).

For example, outputting information according to the determination of the operation403may be performed in the same manner as the information output method of the embodiment ofFIG.3.

In addition to the above-described embodiment, the brake system1may further perform a conventional state diagnosis method for a coil of a solenoid valve. Accordingly, a more reliable solenoid valve state diagnosis method can be provided compared to the conventional solenoid valve state diagnosis method.

The above-described embodiments can be said to be derived from the following tests.

FIG.5is a view illustrating a test board including a solenoid valve fabricated to derive the present disclosure, and a circuit configuration connected to each coil of the solenoid valve.

Referring toFIG.5, the test board consists of a total of five channels (CH1, CH2, CH3, CH4, CH5) to improve data reliability, with a constant voltage (VDD) applied to one side of the coil51of each solenoid valve50, and an FET511connected to the other side of the coil51enabling on and/or off control of the FET511.

During the test, a voltage of 10V was applied to the gate of the FET511to operate the FET511in the saturation region, and a power supply with low linearity was applied to increase the sharpness of the electromotive force (EMF) of the FET511when the FET511is turned on and/or off, thereby speeding up the time evolution of the induced voltage generation.

In addition, the coil51with the characteristics shown in the following Table1was applied.

An obstacle acting as a damper was installed in the direction of the movement of the plunger, as shown inFIG.6, to generate a difference in voltage output according to the normal and abnormal state of the plunger of the solenoid valve50on the test board,

FIG.6is a view illustrating some configurations of a test board including a solenoid valve fabricated to derive the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.6, depending on the installation position of the obstacle6acting as a damper, the movable stroke of the plunger53is limited, causing a change in the air gap between the plunger53and the housing of the solenoid valve50, causing a change in the reluctance as well.

Therefore, the stroke was constrained under different conditions to obtain data.

First, to check the EMF level, the voltage at both ends of the coil51(VDD) and the voltage between the drain and source of the FET511(VDS) were measured. Also, the voltage between the gate and source of the FET511(VGS) was measured to determine the amount of unit time change in the EMF. In addition, the current flowing in coil51was monitored for reluctance estimation and mathematical expression verification.

Validation was performed to verify the test board and its normal output of voltage and current.

In the normal state where the stroke is not limited, the solenoid valve50was turned on and/or off to measure the induced voltage generated at both ends of the coil51, and the measured value was compared with the value calculated by the formula to verify the agreement between the measured value and the value calculated by the formula.

The actual measured values at the normal state are shown in Table 2 below.

As a result of substituting Inductance in Table 1 and dt and di in Table 2 into Mathematical Expression 1, the calculated theoretical value is approximately 32 [V], which is similar to the actual measured value (33V) within the error range (5%).

e=L⁢didt[Mathematical⁢Expression⁢1](e: Induced voltage at both ends of coil51, L: Inductance of coil51, dt: Off time of FET50, di: Current flowing in coil51)

This confirms that there is no problem with the configuration of this test.

To compare the normal and abnormal states of the plunger53, the distance between the obstacle6acting as a damper and the plunger53was adjusted to 50% of the normal distance and 99% of the normal distance (corresponding to full restraint).

In other words, actual data were obtained for each of the three cases, the first case in which the distance between the obstacle6and the plunger53was a predetermined normal distance, the second case in which the distance between the obstacle6and the plunger53was adjusted to 50% of the normal distance, and the third case in which the distance between the obstacle6and the plunger53was adjusted to 99% of the normal distance.

The equation for the relationship between the reluctance and the induced voltage in the present disclosure can be expressed as the following Mathematical Expression 2.

ℛ=mmfd⁢ϕ=Ndiϕ=N2·diedt❘N,di=constant[Mathematical⁢Expression⁢2](R: Reluctance, mmf: Magneto-motive force, N: Number of turns of the coil, i: Current flowing in the coil, Ø: Magnetic flux, e: Induced voltage of the coil, d: amount of change)

The air gap and the induced voltage are inversely proportional to each other, and the level of the induced voltage should be the highest in the first case.

FIGS.7A and7Bare a graph illustrating the voltage measured on one side and the other side of a coil for each condition of air gap on the test board.

Referring toFIG.7A, the voltage measurement at one end of the VDD corresponding to the first side of the coil where VDD is supplied confirms that the induced voltage level71is large in the order of decreasing air gap, i.e., the third case (99%), the second case (55%), and the first case (Normal).

However, since the one end of the VDD is connected in series to the power supply, and the DC voltage is robust, it can be seen that the difference between the induced voltage levels71of each case is very small, and it is not possible to distinguish between each case.

On the other hand, referring toFIG.7B, it can be seen that when the voltage of the other end of the VDS corresponding to the other side of the coil connected to the FET511is measured, the voltage value (or voltage level) of the induced voltage in each case is clearly distinguished compared to the measurement result of the VDD stage inFIG.7A.

Referring toFIG.7B, it can be seen that there is an interval in the delay time of the induced voltage in each case. Since Faraday's law dictates that induced voltage is generated at both ends of the coil51only while the plunger53is in linear motion inside the coil51, it is possible to verify characteristics according to the air gap.

Referring toFIG.7B, it can be seen that the area of the induced voltage over time is different in each case, which is due to the difference in reluctance, according to the following Mathematica Expression 3.

e·dt=(Vds-Vdd)·dt∝1d⁢ℛ[Mathematical⁢Expression⁢3](e: induced voltage, dt: amount of time change, Vds: voltage between drain and source of FET511, Vdd: voltage supplied to coil51)

Furthermore, by referring to the following Mathematical Expression 4, which is derived from Mathematical Expression 3, it is possible to define the correlation of the induced voltage with the current and reluctance.

dWe=e·i·dt=id⁢λ[Mathematical⁢Expression⁢4]∴(Vds-Vdd)·dt=d⁢λ(dWe: electrical energy change, e: induced voltage, i: current flowing in coil51, dt: amount of time change, Vds: voltage between drain and source ends of FET511, Vdd: voltage supplied to coil51)

According to Mathematical Expression 4, the amount of change in current is the same for all cases, and Vdd is also the same for all cases.

Accordingly, the following Mathematical Expression 5 can be derived from Mathematical Expression 4, and from Mathematical Expression 5, it can be seen that it is possible to estimate the change in reluctance from the normal state (e.g., the first case) to the abnormal state (e.g., the second case or the third case), so that it is possible to determine whether the valve is normal or not.

e·dt=(Vdd1-Vdd2)·dt=di⁡(d⁢ℛ2-d⁢ℛ1)d⁢ℛ1⁢d⁢ℛ2[Mathematical⁢Expression⁢5](e: induced voltage, Vdd1: Vdd of the first case, Vdd2: Vdd of the second case (or third case), i: current flowing in the coil, R2: reluctance of the second case (or third case), R1: reluctance of the first case, t: time, d: amount of change)

By applying the actual measured data to Mathematical Expression 4 and comparing the first and second cases, the graph shown inFIG.8can be obtained.

FIG.8is a graph showing the difference in induced voltage due to the change in reluctance between the first case and the second case.

Referring toFIG.8, the amount of change in reluctance can be determined by the area between the voltage between the drain and source ends of the FET511measured in the first case (VDS81) and the voltage between the drain and source ends of the FET511measured in the second case (VDS83).

Substituting the measured normal state reluctance change by VDD voltage into Mathematical Expression 5, the reluctance of the second case can be estimated.

However, since changes in the permeability or inductance of the plunger53may be caused by the external environment, it is necessary to expand the criteria for the normal range to account for the error of these variables.

According to these tests, it has been concluded that, as in the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, monitoring of the voltage between the drain and source of the FET111controlling the solenoid valve10can identify an abnormality of the plunger13relative to its normal state.

Furthermore, as in the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure, it has been concluded that it is possible to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality of each solenoid valve by monitoring the real-time voltage at both ends of each solenoid valve and comparing it with the normal voltage condition after storing the previously measured back data of the normal state in the memory130.

More specifically, based on the tests described above, the brake system1of an embodiment of the present disclosure may store in the memory130a voltage value of a normal induced voltage that changes over time during a predetermined time interval. Furthermore, the brake system1can determine the voltage value of the induced voltage of each solenoid valve10by monitoring the voltage of each solenoid valve10in real time, and then determine whether the state of each solenoid valve10, that is, the plunger13of each solenoid valve10, is a normal state or an abnormal state by comparing the voltage value of the normal induced voltage stored in the memory130with the voltage value of the induced voltage of each solenoid valve10.

Furthermore, when the above-described embodiment of the present disclosure is merged with a conventional state diagnosis technique for the coil of a solenoid valve, reliability can be further improved compared to the conventional state diagnosis technique for the solenoid valve.

The solenoid valve state diagnostic method and apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure can improve the safety of the brake system by diagnosing the state of the plunger in the solenoid valve.

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above. In the exemplary embodiments described above, some components may be implemented as a “module”. Here, the term ‘module’ means, but is not limited to, a software and/or hardware component, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), which performs certain tasks. A module may advantageously be configured to reside on the addressable storage medium and configured to execute on one or more processors.

Thus, a module may include, by way of example, components, such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The operations provided for in the components and modules may be combined into fewer components and modules or further separated into additional components and modules. In addition, the components and modules may be implemented such that they execute one or more CPUs in a device.

With that being said, and in addition to the above described exemplary embodiments, embodiments can thus be implemented through computer readable code/instructions in/on a medium, e.g., a computer readable medium, to control at least one processing element to implement any above described exemplary embodiment. The medium can correspond to any medium/media permitting the storing and/or transmission of the computer readable code.

The computer-readable code can be recorded on a medium or transmitted through the Internet. The medium may include Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), Compact Disk-Read Only Memories (CD-ROMs), magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical recording medium. Also, the medium may be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The media may also be a distributed network, so that the computer readable code is stored or transferred and executed in a distributed fashion. Still further, as only an example, the processing element could include at least one processor or at least one computer processor, and processing elements may be distributed and/or included in a single device.