Abstract:
Embodiments of a system, topology, and architecture for providing power and transceiving data to electronic devices having an interface are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Various embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods for providing electrical power and communicating data to electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
     It may be desirable to provide power or data to one or more electronic devices having a self-contained storage. The present invention includes such a device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a simplified isometric view diagram of an electronic device (“ED”) data communication and power supply apparatus (DCPSA) according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1B  is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA combined external power coupling (“PC”) and ED data and power interface (“DPI”) module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1C  is a simplified bottom view diagram of an ED DCPSA combined external PC and ED DPI module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1D  is a simplified back view diagram of an ED DCPSA combined external PC and ED DPI module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1E  is a simplified view diagram of an ED DCPSA ED DPI according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1F  is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA second ED DPI module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1G  is a simplified front view diagram of an ED DCPSA second ED DPI module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1H  is a simplified isometric view diagram of another electronic device (“ED”) data communication and power supply apparatus (DCPSA) according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1I  is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA second ED DPI module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 1J  is a simplified front view diagram of an ED DCPSA second ED DPI module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSA coupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”) according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSA coupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”) according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2C  is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSA coupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”) according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2D  is a block diagram of an architecture including an ED DCPSA coupled to a first ED, a second ED, and an external power source (“PS”) according to various embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1A  is a simplified isometric view diagram of an electronic device (“ED”) ( 130 A,  130 B,  FIGS. 2A ,  2 C and  130 C,  FIGS. 2B ,  2 D) data communication and power supply apparatus (DCPSA)  10 A according to various embodiments. The DCPSA  10 A may include a combined external power coupling (“PC”) and ED data and power interface (“DPI”) module  20 , a substantially flat cable module  40 , and a second ED DPI module  50 . The substantially flat cable module  40  may physically and electrically couple the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  and the second ED DPI module  50 . The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  may enable the DCPSA  10 A to couple to an external power source ( 120  in  FIGS. 2A to 2D ) and to a first ED ( 130 A in  FIGS. 2A to 2D ) via a coupling cable  82 . The second ED DPI module  50  may enable the DCPSA  10 A to simultaneously or separately couple to a second ED  130 B ( FIG. 2A ,  2 C). 
     The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  may provide power (via the external power coupling) and communicate data via internal memory (“IMM”)  68  ( FIG. 2A ) or memory storage interface module (“MSIM”)  26 D to an ED  130 A via the ED DPI ( 26 A,  FIG. 1D ). The ED DPI of the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  may include a female electrical interface  26 A where an electrical cable  82  having a mating male connector and ED connector may electrically couple the DCPSA  10 A to a first ED  130 A. The second ED DPI module  50  may provide power (via the cable module  40  and module  20 ) and communicate data via the cable module  40  and module  20  IMM  68  or MSIM  26 D to another ED  130 B. The second ED DPI  50  may include a male electrical interface  52 A where an ED  130 B may have mating female connector to enable the DCPSA  10 A to electrically couple to a second ED  130 B via the second ED DPI module  50 . 
     The substantially flat cable module  40  may include an extended middle section  42 C, first end  42 A, and second end  42 B. The cable module  40  first end  42 A may be physically and electrically coupled to the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 . The cable module  40  second end  42 B may be physically and electrically coupled to the second ED DPI module  20 . The cable module  40  may have a length of about 4 inches to 36 inches and be substantially flat. The cable module  40  may have width of about 10 mm to 25 mm and about 17 mm in an embodiment. The cable module  40  may have a height of about 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm and about 2.5 mm in an embodiment. The cable module  40  may include a plurality of wires coupling the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  to the second ED DPI module  50 . 
     The cable module  40  plurality of wires may include one power supply wire pair ( 44 A) ( FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 2C ) and two data communication wire pairs  44 B,  44 C ( FIG. 2A ) in an embodiment. In another embodiment the cable module  40  may include a single power supply wire pair ( 44 A) ( FIG. 2C ), a single power supply wire pair  44 A and a single data communication wire pair  44 B,  44 C, or one or more power supply wire pairs  44 A and one or more data communication wire pairs  44 B,  44 C. The cable module  40  may be physically covered by a flexible material including a polymer, plastic, silicon, rubber, or other flexible, substantially non-conductive material. The same material may cover a portion of the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  and second ED PDI module  50  ( 60   FIG. 1H ). 
     The flexible cable module  40  may further include a cable storage linking element  43 A. The linking element  43 A may be include material that securely and releasably mates with another linking element  43 B (such as show in bottom  54 E of second ED DPI module  50  and  60  of  FIG. 1G  and  FIG. 1J ). The linking element  43 A may be a magnetic strip, Velcro® material, or other securably, releasably matable material where the linking element  43 B may be a complementary material including a complementary magnetic strip (opposite polarity) or Velcro® material in an embodiment to enable wrapping of cable module  40  about the combined external PC and ED DPU module  20  where the second ED DPI module  50 ,  60  releasably locks to the cable module  40 . 
       FIG. 1B  is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA  10 A combined external PC and first ED DPI  20  module according to various embodiments.  FIG. 1C  is a simplified bottom view diagram of an ED DCPSA  10 A combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  1 C the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  may have a top section  24 A, side sections  24 B,  24 G, front section  24 C, rear section  24 E, and back flat section  24 D adjacent the cable module  40  first end  42 A. In an embodiment the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  may be configured to couple to a female external direct current (“DC”) power source. Further the female external DC power source may be a DC accessory or “cigarette lighter” DC power source. The module  20  may have a width of about 15 to 20 mm or about 17 mm in an embodiment and a height of about 5 to 13 mm or about 11 mm in an embodiment at the tip  24 C and about 8 to 17 mm or about 15 mm at the rear section  24 E. The module  20  may have a rectangular shape to enable a user securely hold and deploy the module  20  in an external DC power source  120 . 
     The module  20  may include two side restorably deformable  22 B,  22 C electrical contacts configured to couple with a first polarity of a DC signal (from the DC power source  120 ) and a restorably deformable tip  22 A configured to couple with a second polarity of a DC signal. In an embodiment the first polarity may be a negative polarity (for the electrical contacts  22 B,  22 C) and the second polarity may be a positive polarity (for the electrical contact  22 A). The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  may also include a power and data status indicator  28 A. 
     The power and data status indicator  28 A may include a user detectable generation device such a light generation device or module ( 78 A,  FIG. 2A to 2D ). In an embodiment the light generation device or module  28 A may generate a first color or intensity to indicate the presence of power on the electrical contacts  22 B,  22 C and opposite polarity contact  22 A. In an embodiment the light generation device or module  28 A may generate a different, second color or intensity to indicate data communicated between a first ED  130 A coupled to the module  20  via a cable  82  and the ED DPI  26 A. 
       FIG. 1D  is a simplified back  24 E view diagram of an ED DCPSA  10 A combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  according to various embodiments.  FIG. 1E  is a simplified diagram of an ED DCPSA  10 A first ED DPI  26 A according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 1D and 1E  the first ED DPI  26 A includes a plurality of electrical contacts B, a combination registration and memory slot tab  26 D, and releasably deformable physical deformable contacts  26 C. As shown in  FIGS. 1D and 1E  the DPI  26 A may be a female type electrical connector. In an embodiment the first ED DPI  26 A may a female type universal serial bus connector including a USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, mini A/B, or micro A/B. The DPI  26 A may include from 4 to 8 connectors where a pair may be a power pair and 2 to 6 connectors may be data wires. 
     The PC electrical connectors  22 A and  22 B/C may be configured to receive a power signal having a voltage level from 3 to 24 volts and about 12 volts nominally. The DPI  26 A power connectors (number 1 and 4 for a USB 1.0, 2.0 interface and 1 and 5 for a mini or micro USB interface) may provide a power signal having a voltage level from 3 to 6 volts and about 4.75 to 5.25 volts nominally. The power signal may a current level from about 100 mA to 1.5 A. The first ED DPI  26 A may have an opening of about 11.5 mm (width) by 4.5 mm (height) for a standard USB female connector, about 7 mm (width) by 3 mm (height) for a mini A/B USB female connector, and about 7 mm (width) by 1.5 mm (height) for a micro A/B USB female connector. 
     In an embodiment the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20  may include a DC converter module  46 A ( FIGS. 2A to 2D ). The DC converter module  46 A may be electrically coupled to the PC contacts  22 A and  22 B/C and the electrical contact power pair  26 C of the ED DPI  26 A. In an embodiment the DC converter module  46 A may be any device or combination of devices that may convert an input power signal to an output signal having a power level at or about the level required for the first ED DPI  26 A and the second ED DPI  52 A. 
     In an embodiment the DC converter module  46 A may include a transformer, step-down converter, or DC to DC converter including a buck converter. In an embodiment the DC converter may include a TI® chip LNM2825. The module  20  may also include an internal memory module  68  and a memory storage interface module  26 D (as part of the USB registration tab in an embodiment). The USB interface  26 A may be electrically coupled to the IMM  68  and MSIM  26 D data connectors  26 B. 
       FIG. 1F  is a simplified isometric view diagram of an ED DCPSA  10 A second ED DPI module  50  according to various embodiments.  FIG. 1G  is a simplified front view diagram of an ED DCPSA  10 A second ED DPI module  50  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 1F and 1G , the second ED DPI module  50  may include a top section  54 C, a first and second side  54 B,  54 F, a bottom section  54 E, and a rear section  54 A coupled to the cable module  40  second end  42 B. The second ED DPI module  50  may also a user detectable signal generation module  56 A and DPI  52 A. 
     In an embodiment the DPI  52 A may include one or more restorably deflectable tabs  52 B and a plurality of electrical connectors  52 C. In an embodiment the ED DPI module  50  may be an ED specific interface including a 30-pin Apple® connector or portable digital media interface (PDMI). For an Apple® 30-pin connector power may be communicated on pins  23  (+) and  16  (gnd) and data on pins  25  (data +) and  23  (data −). In an embodiment the ED DPI module  50  may be a male electrical connector that may be directly coupled to a reciprocal electrical connector (female Apple® or PDMI connector in an embodiment). 
     The power and data status indicator  56 A may include a user detectable generation device such a light generation device or module ( 78 B,  FIG. 2A to 2D ). In an embodiment the light generation device or module  56 A may generate a first color or intensity to indicate the presence of power on the electrical contacts  22 B,  22 C and opposite polarity contact  22 A. In an embodiment the light generation device or module  56 A may generate a different, second color or intensity to indicate data communicated between a second ED  130 B coupled directly to the ED DPI module  50 . In an embodiment the ED DPI  52 A may be retractable within the module  50  front wall  54 D to protect the ED DPI  52 A when not in use. 
     In an embodiment the user detectable element or generation module  28 A,  56 A,  66 A ( FIG. 1I ) may emit light, sound, vibration, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the modules  78 A,  78 B ( FIGS. 2A to 2D ) may include at least one light emitting diode (LED). In an embodiment the MSIM  26 D may receive and communicate with one or more memory storage elements including a compact flash card, secure digital (SD), miniSD, microSD, SD high capacity (SDHC), miniSDHC, microSDHC, SD extended capacity, and memory stick. The MSIM  26 D may also conform to the SD input-output (SDIO) standard to enable memory card and other devices to communicate with and through ED DCPSA  10 A,  10 B and an ED  130 A,  130 B,  130 C. The other devices may include a Bluetooth interface and broadband data interface. 
       FIG. 1H  is a simplified isometric view diagram of another electronic device (“ED”) data communication and power supply apparatus (“DCPSA”)  10 B according to various embodiments.  FIG. 1I  is a simplified isometric view diagram of another ED DCPSA second ED DPI module  60  according to various embodiments.  FIG. 1J  is a simplified front view diagram of another ED DCPSA second ED DPI module  60  according to various embodiments. As shown in  FIGS. 1H-1J  the other, second ED DPI module  60  may include a top section  64 C, a first and second side  64 B,  64 F, a bottom section  64 E, and a rear section  64 A coupled to the cable module  40  second end  42 B. The other second ED DPI module  60  may also a user detectable signal generation module  66 A and DPI  62 A. 
     In an embodiment the DPI  62 A may include an outer casing  62 B and a plurality of electrical connectors  62 C. In an embodiment the ED DPI module  60  may be a generic interface usable by multiple ED  130 C. In an embodiment the ED DPI module  60  may be a USB interface including a standard USB, mini A/B, or micro A/B. The ED DPI module  60  may be a male electrical connector that may be directly coupled to a reciprocal electrical connector (female USB connector in an embodiment). 
       FIG. 2A  is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture  100 A including an external DC power source  120 , an ED DCPSA  10 A, a chargeable or powerable ED  130 A, and a second ED  130 B according to various embodiments. The ED DCPSA  10 A may be coupled to the external DC power source  120 . A first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 A via an electrical cable  82 . A second DC powered ED may be directly coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 A. The ED DCPSA  10 A may include a combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 A, a cable module  40 A, and a second ED DPI module  50 A. The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 A may be coupled to the second ED DPI module  50 A via the cable module  40 A. The first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 A USB module  26 A via an electrical cable  82 . The electrical cable  82  may include a USB connector on a first end to electrically and physically couple to the USB interface  26 A. The electrical cable  82  may include a second connector on a second end to electrically and physically couple to the DC powered ED interface  132 A. The DC powered ED interface  132 A may be device specific or a USB interface in an embodiment. 
     The second DC powered ED  130 B may be directly coupled to the second ED DPI module  50 A interface  52 A. The DC powered ED  130 B interface  132 B may have a complementary electrical and physical configuration to the electrical and physical configuration of the interface  52 A. In an embodiment, the ED DPI module  50 A interface  52 A may include a male electrical connector and the DC powered ED  130 B interface  132 B may include a female electrical connector. In an embodiment the interfaces  52 A,  132 B may be reciprocal device specific interfaces such as an Apple® or other 30 pin interface ( 52 A,  FIG. 1F ). In a further embodiment the interfaces ( 62 A  FIG. 1I ), ( 132 C,  FIGS. 2B ,  2 D) may be reciprocal USB interfaces. 
     The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 A may include power coupling elements  22 , a DC converter module  46 A, an internal memory module (IMM)  68 , a memory storage interface module (MSIM)  26 D, an USB interface  26 A, and a LED module  78 A. The power coupling elements  22  may couple the DC powered source  120  to the DC converter module  46 A. The power coupling elements  22  may include two or more electrical contacts  22 A and  22 B,  22 C. The DC converter module  46 A may receive the DC power signal from the power coupling elements  22  and convert the DC power signal to a power signal having a voltage and amperage level required for the first DC powered ED  130 A or second DC powered ED  130 B. The DC converter module  46 A may include a transformer or DC to DC converter. The DC converter module  46 A may be coupled to the USB interface  26 A and the signal generation module  78 A to provide power to the USB interface  26 A and a first DC powered ED  130 A via the electrical cable  82 . 
     The second ED DPI  50 A may include an interface  52 A and a signal generation module  78 B. In an embodiment the signal generation  78 B may include a one or more LED drivers  78 B. The cable module  40 A may include wire pairs  44 A,  44 B,  44 C. Wire pair  44 A may couple power generated by the DC converter module  46 A to the interface  52 A and signal generation module  78 B. The wire pair  44 B may couple the IMM  68  to the interface  52 A. The wire pair  44 C may couple the MSIM  26 D to the interface  52 A. The interface  52 A receive the power signal and data signals and provide the power signal and communicate the data signals via the interface  52 A to the second DC powered ED  130 B. 
     In an embodiment, the DC powerable ED  130 A,  130 B may include a rechargeable electrical storage element  37 A,  37 B and memory  39 A,  39 B. The ED DCPSA  10 A may provide electrical energy to one or more devices  130 A,  130 B via the USB interface  26 A or interface  52 A that is sufficient to a) power the ED  130 A,  130 B, b) charge an electrical storage element  37 A,  37 B of the ED  130 A,  130 B, and c) simultaneously power an ED  130 A,  130 B and charge an electrical storage element  37 A,  37 B,  37 C ( FIG. 2B ,  2 D) of the ED  130 A,  130 B, and  130 C. The electrical storage element  37 A,  37 B may be a re-chargeable battery (including chemical and non-chemical such as NiCad, lithium-ion), capacitor, or other device capable of temporarily storing electrical energy. The ED DCPSA  10 A may auto-detect the energy or power requirements of an ED  130 A,  130 B coupled to the USB interface  26 A or interface  52 A. 
     Data communicated between an ED  130 A,  130 B and ED DCPSA  10 A may be stored in one or more IMM ( 68 ) or another device coupled to a MSIM  26 D. As noted the MSIM  26 D may enable communication with various memory storage elements and other devices that communicate with one or more known communication protocols including SDIO. In an embodiment, an ED  130 A,  130 B may store data in an internal data storage element or memory storage interface  39 A,  39 B. An ED DCPSA  10 A,  10 B ( FIG. 2B ) may passively or automatically backup all data, specific data, changed data, or specific changed data of an ED  130 A,  130 B,  130 C to one or both of the IMM  68  and the MSIM  26 D. 
     A user may be able to configure a ED DCPSA  10 A,  10 B ( FIG. 2B ) via a USB interface  26 A, interface  52 A,  62 A ( FIG. 2B ) to passively backup data located on an ED  130 A,  130 B,  130 C. The ED DCPSA  10 A,  10 B may detect the data or changes to the data and backup all data or changes of data as a function of the elected backup configuration. A user may select different backup modes including full (all data) and incremental backup (only data that has changed since the last backup). A user may also select the type of data to be copied (backed up)—such as selecting one or more of personal contacts, music, video, pictures, word documents, spreadsheets, or other specific data types. A user may also be able to configure an ED DCPSA  10 A,  10 B to restore backed up to a specific ED  130 A,  130 B,  130 C. 
       FIG. 2B  is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture  100 B including an external DC power source  120 , an ED DCPSA  10 B, a chargeable or powerable ED  130 A, and a second ED  130 C according to various embodiments. The ED DCPSA  10 B may be coupled to the external DC power source  120 . A first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 A via an electrical cable  82 . A second DC powered ED  130 C may be directly coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 A via a USB interface. The ED DCPSA  10 B may include a combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 B, a cable module  40 B, and a second ED DPI module  50 B. The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 B may be coupled to the second ED DPI module  50 B via the cable module  40 B. The first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 B USB module  26 A via an electrical cable  82 . 
     The second DC powered ED  130 C may be directly coupled to the second ED DPI module  60 A interface  62 A. The DC powered ED  130 C interface  132 C may have a complementary electrical and physical configuration to the electrical and physical configuration of the interface  62 A. In an embodiment, the ED DPI module  60 A interface  62 A may include a male electrical connector and the DC powered ED  130 C interface  132 C may include a female electrical connector. In an embodiment the interfaces  62 A  FIG. 1I ,  132 C,  FIGS. 2B ,  2 D may be reciprocal USB interfaces. 
       FIG. 2C  is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture  100 C including an external DC power source  120 , an ED DCPSA  10 C, a chargeable or powerable ED  130 A, and a second ED  130 B according to various embodiments. The ED DCPSA  10 C may be coupled to the external DC power source  120 . A first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 C via an electrical cable  82 . A second DC powered ED  130 B may be directly coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 C via a device specific interface. The ED DCPSA  10 C may include a combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 C, a cable module  40 C, and a second ED DPI module  50 C. The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 C may be coupled to the second ED DPI module  50 B via the cable module  40 C. The first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 C USB module  26 A via an electrical cable  82 . 
     The second DC powered ED  130 B may be directly coupled to the second ED DPI module  50 B interface  52 A. The DC powered ED  130 B interface  132 B may have a complementary electrical and physical configuration to the electrical and physical configuration of the interface  52 A. In an embodiment the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 C includes the power coupling elements  22 , DC converter module  46 A and USB interface  26 A. The cable module  40 C may include a single power wire pair  44 A. The single power wire pair  44 A may couple the DC converter module  46 A to the interface  52 A second ED DPI  50 B. Given the cable module  40 C has a single wire pair  44 A the cable module  40 C height may be reduced. In an embodiment the data wire pair of the USB interface  26 A may be shunted to ground. In an embodiment a DC powered ED  130 A may enable fast charging when the interface  132 A detects the data wire pair is shunted to ground. 
       FIG. 2D  is a block diagram of an ED DCPSA architecture  100 D including an external DC power source  120 , an ED DCPSA  10 D, a chargeable or powerable ED  130 A, and a second DC powered ED  130 C according to various embodiments. The ED DCPSA  10 D may be coupled to the external DC power source  120 . A first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 D via an electrical cable  82 . A second DC powered ED  130 C may be directly coupled to the ED DCPSA  10 D via a USB interface  62 A. The ED DCPSA  10 D may include a combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 D, a cable module  40 D, and a second ED DPI module  60 B. The combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 D may be coupled to the second ED DPI module  60 B via the cable module  40 D. The first DC powered ED  130 A may be coupled to the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 D USB module  26 A via an electrical cable  82 . 
     The second DC powered ED  130 C may be directly coupled to the second ED DPI module  60 B interface  62 A. The DC powered ED  130 C interface  132 C may have a complementary electrical and physical configuration to the electrical and physical configuration of the interface  62 A. In an embodiment the combined external PC and ED DPI module  20 D includes the power coupling elements  22 , DC converter module  46 A and USB interface  26 A. The cable module  40 C may include a single power wire pair  44 A. The single power wire pair  44 A may couple the DC converter module  46 A to the interface  62 A second ED DPI  60 B. Given the cable module  40 C has a single wire pair  44 A the cable module  40 C height may be reduced. In an embodiment the data wire pair of the USB interface  26 A may be shunted to ground. In an embodiment a DC powered ED  130 A may enable fast charging when the interface  132 A detects the data wire pair is shunted to ground. 
     Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Any of the components previously described can be implemented in a number of ways, including embodiments in software. Thus, the power coupling elements  22 , the USB interface  26 A, the interface  52 A, and the interface  62 A may all be characterized as “modules” herein. 
     The modules may include hardware circuitry, single or multi-processor circuits, memory circuits, software program modules and objects, firmware, and combinations thereof, as desired by the architect of the architecture  10  and as appropriate for particular implementations of various embodiments. The apparatus and systems of various embodiments may be useful in applications other than a sales architecture configuration. They are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. 
     Applications that may include the novel apparatus and systems of various embodiments include electronic circuitry used in high-speed computers, communication and signal processing circuitry, modems, single or multi-processor modules, single or multiple embedded processors, data switches, and application-specific modules, including multilayer, multi-chip modules. Such apparatus and systems may further be included as sub-components within and couplable to a variety of electronic systems, such as televisions, cellular telephones, personal computers (e.g., laptop computers, desktop computers, handheld computers, tablet computers, etc.), workstations, radios, video players, audio players (e.g., mp3 players), vehicles, medical devices (e.g., heart monitor, blood pressure monitor, etc.) and others. Some embodiments may include a number of methods. 
     It may be possible to execute the activities described herein in an order other than the order described. Various activities described with respect to the methods identified herein can be executed in repetitive, serial, or parallel fashion. A software program may be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer-based system to execute functions defined in the software program. Various programming languages may be employed to create software programs designed to implement and perform the methods disclosed herein. The programs may be structured in an object-orientated format using an object-oriented language such as Java or C++. Alternatively, the programs may be structured in a procedure-orientated format using a procedural language, such as assembly or C. The software components may communicate using a number of mechanisms well known to those skilled in the art, such as application program interfaces or inter-process communication techniques, including remote procedure calls. The teachings of various embodiments are not limited to any particular programming language or environment. 
     The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments illustrated are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In the foregoing Detailed Description, various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted to require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may be found in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.