Abstract:
An apparatus that transfers an optical element includes: a driving unit that generates a driving force in response to an external signal, a rotating plate that rotates due to the driving unit, a first deceleration unit that is rotatably in frictional contact with the rotating plate, a rotating shaft that has an outer screw surface and that rotates by being mated to the first deceleration unit, an intermediate plate that is rotatably in frictional contact with the first deceleration unit, a second deceleration unit that is rotatably in frictional contact with the intermediate plate, a transmission unit that transmits an external rotational force to the second deceleration unit, and a moving unit that supports the optical element and that is engaged with the outer screw surface of the rotating shaft and moves with the rotating shaft as the rotating shaft rotates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0120613, filed on Nov. 30, 2010, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Embodiments relate to an apparatus for transferring an optical element, and more particularly, to an apparatus for transferring an optical element such as a lens that may perform both an automatic adjustment function of automatically moving the optical element and a manual adjustment function based on a user&#39;s manipulation. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Digital photographing apparatuses, such as cameras or camcorders, perform a focusing or zooming function by moving an optical element such as a lens. In general, examples of a focusing function include an auto-focusing (AF) function and a manual focusing function (MF). The AF function adjusts a focus by automatically moving a lens without a user&#39;s manipulation, and the MF function adjusts a focus by manually moving a lens while a user sees an image with his/her eyes. 
     While the AF function allows easy photographing, it is difficult to finely adjust a position of a lens by using the AF function, unlike the MF function. 
     As digital photographing apparatuses are widely used, users want to freely adjust a position of a lens at any time even while an AF mode or the AF function is being implemented. To this end, in the related art, a technology in which a user may select the AF function or the MF function by using an additional switch has been used. However, it is cumbersome to switch between functions. 
     In order to perform an MF function while an AF function is being performed, mechanical elements having large volumes and complex structures and designed to transmit or cut off a driving force of a driving unit for performing the AF function should be employed. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments provide an apparatus for transferring an optical element such as a lens that may not only automatically adjust a position of the optical element but also may allow a user to manually finely adjust the position of the optical element according to his/her need. That is, embodiments provide the apparatus for transferring the optical element that may perform both an automatic adjustment function of automatically moving the optical element and a manual adjustment function based on the user&#39;s manipulation, without using an additional switch. 
     Embodiments also provide an apparatus for transferring an optical element that may perform both an automatic adjustment function and a manual adjustment function to adjust a position of the optical element and may be designed to have a simple and compact structure. 
     According to an embodiment, there is provided an apparatus that transfers an optical element. The apparatus includes: a driving unit that generates a driving force in response to an external signal, a rotating plate that rotates due to the driving unit, a first deceleration unit that is rotatably in frictional contact with the rotating plate, a rotating shaft that has an outer screw surface and that rotates by being mated to the first deceleration unit, an intermediate plate that is rotatably in frictional contact with the first deceleration unit, a second deceleration unit that is rotatably in frictional contact with the intermediate plate, a transmission unit that transmits an external rotational force to the second deceleration unit, and a moving unit that supports the optical element and that is engaged with the outer screw surface of the rotating shaft and moves with the rotating shaft as the rotating shaft rotates. 
     The first deceleration unit may include first deceleration balls that contact the rotating plate and a first deceleration plate that rotatably supports the first deceleration balls and is rotatable with respect to the rotating plate. 
     The rotating plate may include a rotation central shaft that protrudes toward the first deceleration plate, and the first deceleration plate may be rotatably mated to the rotation central shaft. The first deceleration balls may be mated to the first deceleration plate to be spaced apart from one another around the rotation central shaft. 
     The apparatus may include support balls that are at positions inward of the first deceleration balls between the first deceleration plate and the rotating plate and that rotatably support the first deceleration plate with respect to the rotating plate. 
     The intermediate plate may frictionally contact the first deceleration balls and may be rotatable with respect to the first deceleration plate. 
     The second deceleration unit may include second deceleration balls that contact the intermediate plate, and a second deceleration plate that rotatably supports the second deceleration balls and that is rotatable with respect to the rotating plate. 
     The apparatus may further include: a pressure plate that frictionally contacts the second deceleration balls, an elastic pressure portion that has a first end applying pressure on the pressure plate, and a cover that supports a second end of the elastic pressure portion. 
     The apparatus may further include a rotatable ring that is rotatable relative to the transmission unit and has a driving gear, wherein a driven gear is on an outer surface of the second deceleration plate, and wherein the transmission unit has a first transmission gear engaged with the driving gear and a second transmission gear engaged with the driven gear and rotatably placed outside the second deceleration plate. 
     In order for the intermediate plate to be maintained in a stopped state while the rotating plate rotates due to the driving unit, a driving force of the driving unit transmitted through the first deceleration unit to the intermediate plate may be set to be smaller than a force necessary for rotating the transmission unit. 
     When the driving unit does not generate the driving force, the rotating shaft may be in a state where the rotating shaft is rotatable due to an external force, and when the external rotational force is transmitted through the transmission unit to the second deceleration unit, the intermediate plate, the first deceleration unit, and the rotating plate may rotate together due to the second deceleration unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for transferring an optical element, according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line IX-IX of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for transferring an optical element  3  according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the apparatus can include a driving unit  10  that can generate a driving force, a rotating plate  20  that can be rotated by the driving unit  10 , a first deceleration unit  30  that can rotate in frictional contact with the rotating plate  20 , a rotating shaft  40  that can rotate by being connected to the first deceleration unit  30 , an intermediate plate  50  that can rotate in frictional contact with the first deceleration unit  30 , a second deceleration unit  60  that can rotate in frictional contact with the intermediate plate  50 , a transmission unit  80  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) that can transmit an external rotational force to the second deceleration unit  60 , and a moving unit  2  that can support the optical element  3  and that can move along the rotating shaft  40 . 
     The moving unit  2  can be connected to a frame  3   a  that can support the optical element  3 . The moving unit  2  can be slidably disposed on a guide  4  that can extend in a direction substantially parallel to an optical axis direction. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the moving unit  2  can include a screw portion  2   a  that can correspond to a screw surface  41  of the rotating shaft  40 . Since the moving unit  2  can be screw-coupled to the rotating shaft  40 , as the rotating shaft  40  rotates, the moving unit  2  can move with the rotating shaft  40 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     The driving unit  10 , which can generate a driving force for moving the optical element  3 , may be a step motor or any of other various units that can generate a rotational force. The driving unit  10  can be installed behind a case  5 . An input cable  11  that can transmit an external control signal can be connected to the driving unit  10 . The driving unit  10  may be controlled by a control unit (not shown) that can automatically adjust a focus by adjusting a position of the optical element  3 . 
     The driving unit  10  can include an output shaft  12  that can be rotatable. The rotating plate  20  can be coupled by a shaft connection unit  13  to the output shaft  12 . The rotating plate  20  can include a shaft coupling portion  24  (see  FIG. 6 ) into which the shaft connection unit  13  can be inserted. As the driving unit  10  operates and the output shaft  12  rotates, the rotating plate  20  can rotate at the same speed as the output shaft  12 . 
     When the rotating plate  20  rotates due to the driving unit  10 , the rotating plate  20  can transmit a driving force that can be generated by the driving unit  10  to another element. The rotating plate  20  can include a rotation central shaft  21  and a friction plate  22 . The rotation central shaft  21  can protrude away from the driving unit  10 , that is, toward the first deceleration unit  30 . The friction plate  22  can extend outwardly from the rotation central shaft  21 . The rotating plate  20  can be disposed inside the case  5  to be connected to the driving unit  10 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line V-V of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI of  FIG. 3 . 
     The first deceleration unit  30  can be disposed in front of the rotating plate  20  to rotate in frictional contact with the rotating plate  20 . The first deceleration unit  30  can lower a rotational force transmitted by the rotating plate  20  and can transmit the lowered rotational force. The first deceleration unit  30  can include first deceleration balls  31  and a first deceleration plate  32 . The first deceleration balls  31  can contact the friction plate  22  of the rotating plate  20 . The first deceleration plate  32  can rotatably support the first deceleration balls  31 . The first deceleration plate  32  can also be rotatably disposed on the rotating plate  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first deceleration plate  32  can include a cylindrical portion  33 , a ball support portion  35 , and a support shaft  34 . The cylindrical portion  33  can be rotatably coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the rotation central shaft  21  of the rotating plate  20 . The ball support portion  35  can protrude outwardly from the cylindrical portion  32 . The support shaft  34  can protrude forwardly from the cylindrical portion  33 . 
     Since the support shaft  34  can be coupled to the rotating shaft  40 , once the first deceleration unit  30  rotates, the rotating shaft  40  may rotate at the same speed as the first deceleration unit  30 . An outer circumferential surface of the support shaft  34  can be rotatably supported by a pressure plate  71 . 
     Since the plurality of first deceleration balls  31  can be coupled to the ball support portion  35  of the first deceleration plate  32 , the first deceleration balls  31  can be coupled to the first deceleration plate  32  to be spaced apart from one another around the rotation central shaft  21 . Support balls  39  can be disposed between the first deceleration plate  32  and the rotating plate  20 . The support balls  39  can be disposed at positions inward of the first deceleration balls  31  and can rotatably support the first deceleration plate  32  with respect to the rotating plate  20 . 
     The intermediate plate  50  can be rotatably disposed in frictional contact with the first deceleration unit  30 . The intermediate plate  50  can transmit a rotational force transmitted by the first deceleration unit  30  to the second deceleration unit  60 . The intermediate plate  50  can be rotatably coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion  33  of the first deceleration plate  32  so as to be in frictional contact with the first deceleration balls  31 . 
     The second deceleration unit  60 , which can be rotatable in frictional contact with the intermediate plate  50 , can be disposed in front of the intermediate plate  50 . The second deceleration unit  60  can include second deceleration balls  61  and a second deceleration plate  62 . The second deceleration balls  61  can contact the intermediate plate  50 . The second deceleration plate  62  can rotatably support the second deceleration balls  61  and can be rotatable with respect to rotating plate  20 . 
     The pressure plate  71  can be disposed to be in frictional contact with the second deceleration balls  61 , an elastic pressure portion  72 , and a cover  6 . The elastic pressure portion  72  can have a first end pushing the pressure plate  71  toward the second deceleration unit  60 . The cover  6  can support a second end of the elastic pressure portion  72 . The pressure plate  71 , the elastic pressure portion  72 , and the cover  6  can be disposed in front of the second deceleration unit  60 . 
     Although the elastic pressure portion  72  is a compression coil spring in  FIG. 4 , embodiments are not limited thereto, and the elastic pressure portion  72  may be any type of elastic member such as a leaf spring or an elastic rubber plate. 
     After the rotating plate  20 , the first deceleration unit  30 , the intermediate plate  50 , the second deceleration unit  60 , the pressure plate  71 , and the elastic pressure portion  72  are received in the case  5 , the cover  6  can cover the case  5 . Also, the cover  6  can apply pressure on the elastic pressure portion  72  so that a pressure is applied between elements between the pressure plate  71  to the rotating plate  20 . 
     Due to the cover  6 , the elastic pressure portion  72 , and the pressure plate  71 , a predetermined force may be maintained on a first contact surface between the intermediate plate  50  and the pressure plate  71  that can contact the second deceleration balls  61 , and a second contact surface between the rotating plate  20  and the intermediate plate  50  that can contact the first deceleration balls  31 . Accordingly, once the rotating plate  20  rotates, a frictional force can be applied between the rotating plate  20  and the first deceleration balls  31 , and thus a rotational force may be transmitted to the intermediate plate  50 . Also, if an external force is applied to rotate the second deceleration unit  60 , a frictional force can be applied between the second deceleration balls  61  and the intermediate plate  50 , and thus a rotational force may be transmitted to the first deceleration unit  30  and the rotating plate  20 . 
     A shaft support portion  9  extending in a direction in which the rotating shaft  40  extends and for supporting an end portion of the rotating shaft  40  can be formed on the cover  6 . A support head  49  for contacting the end portion of the rotating shaft  40  and a spring  48  for elastically pushing against the support head  49  can be disposed on an end portion of the shaft support portion  9 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating some elements of the apparatus of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line VIII-VIII of  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along a line IX-IX of  FIG. 7 . 
     The transmission unit  80  can be rotatably disposed outside the second deceleration plate  62  and can transmit an external rotational force input by a user&#39;s manipulation to the second deceleration unit  60 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , the transmission unit  80  can be rotatably installed on an outer container  7  of the case  5  by a central shaft  85 . Once the transmission unit  80  and the central shaft  85  are inserted into the outer container  7  of the case  5 , a rear cover  86  can be coupled to the case  5  to fix the transmission unit  80  and the central shaft  85 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a rotatable ring  91  that is rotatable relative to the transmission unit  80  can be disposed outside the transmission unit  80 . A driving gear  91   a  can be disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the rotatable ring  91 . A first transmission gear  81  that can engage with the driving gear  91   a  can be disposed on a side of the transmission unit  80 . 
     A driven gear  63  can be disposed on an outer surface of the second deceleration plate  62 . A second transmission gear  82  engaged with the driven gear  63  can be disposed on another side of the transmission unit  80 . 
     If the user rotates the rotatable ring  91  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a rotational force can be transmitted to the first transmission gear  81  of the transmission unit  80  to rotate the transmission unit  80  because the first transmission gear  81  is engaged with the driving gear  91   a  of the rotatable ring  91 . As the transmission unit  80  rotates, the second transmission gear  82  can be rotated, which can rotate the second deceleration plate  62  because the second transmission gear  82  is engaged with the driven gear  63  of the second deceleration plate  62 . Thus, an external rotational force can be transmitted through the first transmission gear  81  and the second transmission gear  82  to the second deceleration plate  62  of the second deceleration unit  60 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , grooves  62   a  into which the second deceleration balls  61  can be rotatably inserted can be formed in the second deceleration plate  62 . Hence, when the second deceleration plate  62  rotates, a rotational force of the second deceleration plate  62  may be transmitted through the second deceleration balls  61  to the intermediate plate  50 . 
     Once the driving unit  10  operates, the rotating plate  20  can rotate, and a rotational force of the rotating plate  20  can be transmitted to the first deceleration unit  30 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , since the first deceleration balls  31  can be rotatably inserted into the ball support portion  35  of the first deceleration plate  32 , the first deceleration plate  32  may be rotated due to a rotational force of the driving unit  10  transmitted through the rotating plate  20  to the first deceleration balls  31 . 
     The user of the apparatus constructed as described above may finely or continuously adjust the position of the optical element  3  by rotating the rotatable ring  91  to rotate the rotating shaft  40  clockwise or counterclockwise without manipulating a specific switch. A mode in which the user adjusts the position of the optical element  3  by rotating the rotatable ring  91  can be referred to as a manual adjustment mode. 
     Also, in a state where the user does not rotate the rotatable ring  91 , the position of the optical element  3  may be adjusted by applying a control signal to the driving unit  10 . A mode in which the position of the optical element  3  is adjusted by using the driving unit  10  can be referred to as an automatic adjustment mode. 
     An operation of the apparatus constructed as described above is explained below with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     In the automatic adjustment mode, a control signal can be applied to the driving unit  10 , the output shaft  12  can then rotate due to the driving unit  10 , and the rotating plate  20  coupled to the output shaft  12  can also rotate. A rotational force of the rotating plate  20  can be transmitted to the first deceleration balls  31  in frictional contact with the rotating plate  20 . 
     A rotational force can also be transmitted through the first deceleration balls  31  to the intermediate plate  50  in frictional contact with the first deceleration balls  31  at a side facing away from the rotating plate  20 . However, the intermediate plate  50  can contact the second deceleration balls  61 , and the intermediate plate  50  can be maintained in a stopped state due to a frictional force between the intermediate plate  50  and the second deceleration balls  61 , when the second deceleration balls  61  are being maintained in a stopped state. 
     The driven gear  63  formed on the outer surface of the second deceleration plate  62  can be engaged with the second transmission gear  82  of the transmission unit  80 , and the first transmission gear  81  of the transmission unit  80  can be engaged with the driving gear  91   a  of the rotatable ring  91 . A driving force generated by the driving unit  10  can be transmitted through the rotating plate  20 , the first deceleration unit  30 , and the intermediate plate  50  to the transmission unit  80 ; however, if the driving force transmitted from the driving unit  10  is set to be less than a force necessary for rotating the transmission unit  80 , the transmission unit  80  may not rotate. 
     In order to rotate the transmission unit  80 , a force large enough for the first transmission gear  81  of the transmission unit  80  to rotate the driving gear  91   a  of the rotatable ring  91  should be transmitted to the transmission unit  80 . Since the transmission unit  80  increases a rotational force of the rotatable ring  91  and transmits the increased rotational force, the first transmission gear  81  can be larger than the second transmission gear  82 . Since a magnitude of a driving force generated by the driving unit  10  and transmitted through the rotating plate  20 , the first deceleration unit  30 , and the intermediate plate  50  to the second deceleration unit  60  can be smaller than a force necessary for the transmission unit  80  to rotate the rotatable ring  91 , the transmission unit  80 , the second deceleration unit  60 , and the intermediate plate  50  may be maintained in a stopped state without rotating. 
     When the intermediate plate  50  is being maintained in a stopped state and a driving force of the driving unit  10  is being transmitted to the rotating plate  20  and the first deceleration unit  30 , the first deceleration balls  31  can roll along the intermediate plate  50 . If a rotational speed of the rotating plate  20  is V, the first deceleration plate  32  can rotate at a speed of V/2, that is, ½ of the rotational speed of the rotating plate  20 , and the rotating shaft  40  can also rotate at a speed of V/2. 
     Since the rotating shaft  40  rotates when the driving unit  10  operates as described above, the position of the optical element  3  may be automatically adjusted. Even though supply of a control signal applied to the driving unit  10  is stopped after the position of the optical element  3  is adjusted, the driving unit  10  may rotate due to an external force. 
     When a control signal is not supplied to the driving unit  10 , a manual adjustment mode in which the user manually finely adjusts the position of the optical element  3  by rotating the rotatable ring  91  may be implemented. Once the rotatable ring  91  rotates due to the user&#39;s manipulation, a rotational force of the rotatable ring  91  can be transmitted through the driving gear  9   a  to the first transmission gear  81  of the transmission unit  80  to rotate the second transmission gear  82  of the transmission unit  80 . Accordingly, the second transmission gear  82  of the transmission unit  80  can rotate, and a rotational force can be transmitted to the driven gear  63  engaged with the second transmission gear  82 . 
     The second deceleration plate  62  can rotate due to a rotational force transmitted through the driven gear  63 . The pressure plate  71  applying pressure on the second deceleration balls  61  toward the intermediate plate  50  can be coupled to the cover  6  and can be maintained in a stopped state. Accordingly, since the second deceleration balls  61  roll along a surface of the pressure plate  71  when the second deceleration plate  62  rotates, the intermediate plate  50  frictionally contacting the second deceleration balls  61  may rotate at twice a rotational speed of the second deceleration plate  62 . That is, if a rotational speed of the second deceleration plate  62  is R, the intermediate plate  50  may rotate at a speed of 2R. 
     Since a control signal is not inputted to the driving unit  10 , the rotating plate  20  connected to the driving unit  10  and the first deceleration unit  30  in frictional contact with the rotating plate  20  may freely rotate. Hence, once the intermediate plate  50  rotates, a rotational force can be sequentially transmitted to the first deceleration unit  30  frictionally contacting the intermediate plate  50  and the rotating plate  20  contacting the first deceleration unit  30 . Accordingly, the rotating shaft  40  connected to the rotating plate  20  can rotate, and thus the position of the optical element  3  may be adjusted. 
     If the user continuously rotates the rotatable ring  91  while the manual adjustment mode is being implemented, the moving unit  2  can reach one of the end portions of the rotating shaft  40 , and thus the rotating shaft  40  may no longer rotate. Installation of additional power interrupt equipment, such as a clutch, may be considered in order to not transmit a rotational force that may be transmitted when the user rotates the rotatable ring  91  in this state to the driving unit  10  or the like. However, such additional power interrupt equipment does not need to be installed in the afore-described embodiment. 
     If the user continuously rotates the rotatable ring  91  when the moving unit  2  reaches one of the end portions of the rotating shaft  40  and thus the rotating shaft  40  can no longer rotate, a rotational force can be transmitted through the transmission unit  80  to the second deceleration unit  60  and the intermediate plate  50 . However, the first deceleration plate  32  of the first deceleration unit  30  can be maintained in a stopped state, and thus the first deceleration balls  31  can rotate on respective axes thereof. Thus, the rotational force transmitted by the user continuously rotating the rotatable ring  91  may not be transmitted to the rotating plate  20 . 
     As described above, according to an apparatus for transferring an optical element according to embodiments, a driving force of a driving unit can be lowered and transmitted to a rotating shaft with a first deceleration unit, and an external rotational force can be transmitted to the rotating shaft with a second deceleration unit. Accordingly, a position of the optical element may be automatically adjusted by using the driving unit. Also, the position of the optical element may be manually finely adjusted according to a user&#39;s need without manipulating an additional switch. 
     Also, since mechanical elements, such as the first deceleration unit and the second deceleration unit, can be used without using additional mechanical elements, such as cam cylinders having cam guide grooves in order to rotate the rotating shaft by using a rotational force according to the user&#39;s manual manipulation or by using power of the driving unit, the apparatus may be designed to have a simple and compact structure. 
     The apparatus described herein may comprise a processor, a memory for storing program data to be executed by the processor, a permanent storage such as a disk drive, a communications port for handling communications with external devices, and user interface devices, including a display, keys, etc. When software modules are involved, these software modules may be stored as program instructions or computer readable code executable by the processor on a non-transitory computer-readable media such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. The computer readable recording media may also be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. This media can be read by the computer, stored in the memory, and executed by the processor. 
     The invention may be described in terms of functional block components and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform the specified functions. For example, the invention may employ various integrated circuit components, e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, where the elements of the invention are implemented using software programming or software elements, the invention may be implemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, assembler, or the like, with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Functional aspects may be implemented in algorithms that execute on one or more processors. Furthermore, the invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for electronics configuration, signal processing and/or control, data processing and the like. The words “mechanism” and “element” are used broadly and are not limited to mechanical or physical embodiments, but may include software routines in conjunction with processors, etc. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, no limitation of the scope of the invention is intended by this specific language, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional electronics, control systems, software development and other functional aspects of the systems (and components of the individual operating components of the systems) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. It will be recognized that the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” as used herein, are specifically intended to be read as open-ended terms of art. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural. Furthermore, recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Finally, the steps of all methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.