Abstract:
A method for forming a solar energy collection device includes receiving a first photovoltaic string comprising a first plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a first plurality of conductors, wherein the first photovoltaic string is tested to have a first dark-field current/voltage characteristic, receiving a second photovoltaic string comprising a second plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a second plurality of conductors, wherein the second photovoltaic string is tested to have a second dark-field current/voltage characteristic, electrically coupling the first photovoltaic string and the second photovoltaic string, and wherein the first dark-field current/voltage characteristic is substantially similar to the second dark-field current/voltage characteristic.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to application, Attorney Docket No.: 906R0-015300US, titled System and Method for Placement of Photovoltaic Strips, which is incorporated by reference for all purposes. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to photovoltaic energy sources. More particularly, the present invention relates to using photovoltaic (PV) modules to convert solar energy into electrical energy. 
         [0003]    The inventor of the present invention has determined that a challenge with using PV strips for capturing solar energy is how to effectively direct and concentrate incident light/radiation to PV strips within a PV module. Another challenge is how to manufacture such solar concentrators with materials that can last the expected life span of a solar panel, or the like, e.g. over 20 years. 
         [0004]    One possible solution considered by the inventor was with the use of a metal concentrator in front of PV strips within a PV module. Drawbacks to such solutions include that a metal concentrator would be bulky and would cause the thickness of the solar panel to increase greatly. Another drawback includes that exposed metal may corrode and lose reflecting capability as it ages. 
         [0005]    Another possible solution, considered by the inventor, was the use of a thin clear, polycarbonate layer on top of the PV strips. In such configurations, a number of v-shaped grooves were molded into the polycarbonate layer that acted as prisms. Incident light to the prisms would thus be directed to PV strips located within the v-shaped grooves. 
         [0006]    One possible drawback to such solutions considered by the inventor is the durability and longevity of such polycarbonate layers. More specifically, the long-term (20+ years) translucency (e.g. hazing, cracking), geometric property stability (e.g. shrink-free), or the like cannot be predicted with certainty. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, what is desired are improved concentrator apparatus and methods for tuning placement of PV strip with respect to the concentrator and for manufacturing a PV panel. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention relates to photovoltaic energy sources. More particularly, the present invention relates to using photovoltaic (PV) modules to convert solar energy into electrical energy. 
         [0009]    According to various embodiments of the present invention, incident light concentrators are manufactured from a transparent (e.g. substantially transparent) or translucent material (e.g. glass, acrylic) and are placed adjacent to PV strips of a PV module. In various embodiments, a sheet of material, e.g. glass, or other transparent material, is extruded or impressed to have a cross-section including a series semicircular shaped regions. In operation, each semicircular-shaped region acts as a solar concentrator to redirect sun light, e.g. parallel light, towards a smaller region on the surface opposite of the semicircular-shaped region. Various physical adjustments may be made on the PV strips relative to the translucent material to account for non-uniformities in the semicircular shaped regions. 
         [0010]    In various embodiments, the geometric concentration characteristics of a semicircular-shaped region is characterized based upon a parallel light source and light detector along its length. This characterization is repeated for multiple semicircular-shaped regions on the concentrator sheet. 
         [0011]    In various embodiments, the characterization data may be used as input for a PV strip placement operation with respect to the sheet of material. For example, such characterization data may be used by a user to determine where to place a PV strip relative to the sheet of material in an x and y direction, as well as a θ direction. As another example, such characterization data may be used by a machine or device that can pick PV strips and accurately position the PV strip relative to the sheet of material. In various embodiments, the placement of the PV strip relative to the sheet of material maximizes the capture of solar light by the PV strip. In other embodiments, the placement allows a wider angle of incidence of solar light striking the PV panel that is captured by the PV strips. Additionally, in various embodiments, the placement may be modified based upon physical properties such as: conductive bus bar expansion and contraction, reflow of material during a lamination step, or the like 
         [0012]    In various embodiments, PV strips are electrically coupled to form a PV assembly (e.g. 12, 14, 24 PV strips). In turn, multiple PV assemblies are electrically coupled to form a PV string (e.g. 12, 14 PV assemblies). In various embodiments, the IV characteristics of PV strings are determined via dark field testing. Based upon the determined IV characteristics, PV strings may matched prior to incorporation into a finished PV module. In particular, PV strips that have similar dark-field IV characteristics are connected to reduce electrical stress (e.g. mismatch) upon the PV strips. In some embodiments, open circuits and short circuits may be detected, and in other embodiments, internal resistances (e.g. series resistance, shunt resistance) may be detected. In various embodiments 12 to 14 PV strings may then be electrically connected with conductors/bussing. In turn, the interconnected PV strings are sandwiched within a layered PV structure including the sheet of glass (e.g. transparent material), one or more adhesive materials, and the like. The PV structure is then subject to a controlled pressure lamination process to form the completed PV panel (PV module). 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the invention, a method for forming a solar energy collection device is described. One technique includes receiving a first photovoltaic string comprising a first plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a first plurality of conductors, wherein the first photovoltaic string is tested to have a first dark-field current/voltage characteristic, and receiving a second photovoltaic string comprising a second plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a second plurality of conductors, wherein the second photovoltaic string is tested to have a second dark-field current/voltage characteristic. A method may include electrically coupling the first photovoltaic string and the second photovoltaic string. In various embodiments, the first dark-field current/voltage characteristic is substantially similar to the second dark-field current/voltage characteristic. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the invention, a method for forming a solar energy collection device is disclosed. A process may include determining the first dark-field current/voltage characteristic associated with a first photovoltaic string, wherein the first photovoltaic string comprise a first plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a first plurality of conductors, determining the second dark-field current/voltage characteristic associated with the second photovoltaic string, wherein the second photovoltaic string comprise a second plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a second plurality of conductors, and determining the third dark-field current/voltage characteristic associated with the third photovoltaic string, wherein the third photovoltaic string comprise a third plurality of photovoltaic strips coupled via a third plurality of conductors. Operations may include selecting the first photovoltaic string and the second photovoltaic string for coupling to a fourth plurality of conductors but not the third photovoltaic string, in response to the first dark-field current/voltage characteristic, to the second dark-field current/voltage characteristic, and to the third dark-field current/voltage characteristic, and electrically coupling the first photovoltaic string and the second photovoltaic string via a fourth plurality of conductors. 
         [0015]    According to yet another aspect of the invention, a light energy collection device is disclosed. An apparatus may include a sheet of glass, wherein the sheet of glass includes a plurality of light concentrating geometric features, wherein each of the plurality of light concentrating geometric features are uniquely associated with an exitant region, and a plurality of photovoltaic strings including a first photovoltaic string and a second photovoltaic string, are coupled to the sheet of glass, wherein each of the photovoltaic strings comprises a plurality of photovoltaic strips, wherein a position for each photovoltaic strip is configured to be aligned to at least a portion of the exitant regions associated with each of the plurality of light concentrating geometric features. In various embodiments, the plurality of photovoltaic strings are electrically coupled via a plurality of conductors to form a photovoltaic module, and a dark-field current/voltage characteristic of the first photovoltaic string are substantially similar to a dark-field current/voltage characteristic of the second photovoltaic string. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    In order to more fully understand the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings are not to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, the presently described embodiments and the presently understood best mode of the invention are described with additional detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0017]      FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate various aspects according to embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 2A-C  illustrate block diagrams of processes according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 3A-E  illustrate examples according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a computer system according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates various embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates an apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]      FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate various aspects according to embodiments of the present invention. More specifically,  FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate apparatus for determining concentration characteristics of a sheet of material  100 . 
         [0025]    In  FIG. 1A , an embodiment of a sheet of transparent (substantially transparent) material  100  is shown. In some embodiments, the sheet may be translucent. As can be seen, sheet  100  may include a number of concentrating elements  110  in a first direction  120 . In one example, there are approximately 175 concentrating elements across sheet  100 , although in other examples, the number of concentrating elements may vary. In various examples, the nominal pitch of concentrating elements  110  ranges from approximately 5.5 mm to 6 mm. 
         [0026]    In various embodiments, sheet  100  may be manufactured as a sheet of extruded material, accordingly, the concentrating elements may extend in a second direction  130 , as shown. In other embodiments, the concentrating elements may vary in second direction  130 . In other embodiments, sheet  100  need not be extruded, but may be impressed with a pattern while in a molten or liquid state, or the like. 
         [0027]    In various embodiments of the present invention, a light source  140  and a light detector  150  may also be provided. In various embodiments, light source  140  may provide collimated light to the surface  160  of material  100  having concentrating elements  110 . In various embodiments, light source  140  may include LED lights, stroboscopic lights, laser, or the like. In other embodiments, the Sun may be used as light source  140 . In some embodiments of the present invention, light source  140  may provide specific ranges of wavelengths of light, e.g. infrared, ultraviolet, reddish, greenish, or the like, depending upon the wavelength sensitivity of PV strip. In general source  140  may provide any type of electromagnetic radiation output, and detector  150  may sense such electromagnetic radiation. 
         [0028]    In various embodiments, light detector  150  comprises a photo detector, such as a CCD, a CMOS sensor, or the like. In operation, light detector  150  may be a two-dimensional sensor and may provide an output proportional to the intensity of light incident upon each light sensor of light detector  150 . In other embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , multiple photo detectors and multiple light sources may be used in parallel. For example, in some embodiments, from 11 to 13 light sources and light sensors are configured in a single row. 
         [0029]      FIG. 1B  illustrates another view of an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, sheet  100  is show from the top or bottom. As shown, sheet  100  is mounted upon a frame assembly  170 . In some embodiments, sheet  100  may be supported merely by a frame portion of frame assembly  170 , whereas in other embodiments, frame assembly  170  may include a piece of transparent material, e.g. glass to support sheet  100 . 
         [0030]    In  FIG. 1B , a first movement arm  180  and a second movement arm  190  are shown. In various embodiments, first movement arm  180  may be constrained to move in a first direction  200 , and second movement arm  190  may be constrained to move in a second direction  210 . It is contemplated that first movement arm  180  and second movement arm  190  may be precisely be positioned within first direction  200  and second direction  210 , respectively. 
         [0031]    In various embodiments of the present invention, light source  140  is positioned at the intersection of first movement arm  180  and second movement arm  190 . In operation, the location of light source  140  on top of sheet  100  is precisely controlled by the positioning of first movement arm  180  and second movement arm  190 . In various embodiments, the accuracy of positioning of light source  140  is +−10 microns, although they may vary in other embodiments. 
         [0032]    A similar set of movement arms are typically provided on the opposite side of sheet  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1A . In various embodiments, light detector  150  is also positioned at the intersection of these movement arms. In operation, light source  140  and light detector  150  are typically precisely positioned on opposite sides of sheet  100 , as will be described below. 
         [0033]    In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of positioning mechanisms may be used. For example, a single arm robotic arm may be used to precisely position light source  140  and a single robotic arm may be used to precisely position light detector  150 . 
         [0034]      FIGS. 2A-C  illustrate a block diagram of a process according to various embodiments of the present invention. For sake of convenience, reference may be made to elements illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-B . 
         [0035]    Initially, sheet  100  is provided, step  300 . In various embodiments, sheet  100  may be made of various grades and qualities of glass, plastic, polycarbonate, translucent material, or the like. In various embodiments, sheet  100  includes any number or type of concentrators  110 , that may be integrally formed within sheet  100 . In some case, sheet  100  may be formed from an extrusion process, a molding process, a grinding/polishing process, or a combination thereof. 
         [0036]    Next, sheet  100  is mounted upon supporting frame assembly  170 , step  310 . It is contemplated that sheet  100  is secured to frame assembly  170  so that the measurements performed may be accurate. In various embodiments, concentrators  110  may be faced downwards or faced upwards while mounted upon supporting frame assembly  170 . As discussed above, frame assembly  170  may include a clear piece of glass, plastic, or the like to support the weight of sheet  100 . 
         [0037]    In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more calibration steps may then be performed to correlate locations on sheet  100  with the locations of light source  140  and light detector  160 , step  320 . For example, the corners of sheet  100  may be located in two-dimensions with respect to supporting frame assembly  170 . In other embodiments, other types of calibration may be performed such as directly exposing light source  140  to light detector  150  so as to normalize the amount of light detected in the subsequent steps. 
         [0038]    In normal operation, light source  140  and light detector  150  are positioned at a determined position, step  330 . For example, if sheet  100  can be divided up into an array of locations, light source  140  and light detector  150  may be positioned at a desired location e.g. (0,0), (14,19), (32,32), or the like. In various embodiments, fiducial marks may be printed or marked upon sheet  100  to help determine positions of sheet  100  relative to light source  140  and light detector  150 . Next, as light source  140  illuminates the side of sheet  100  including concentrating structures  110 , step  340 . In various embodiments, light source  140  provides a substantially calumniated beam of light using lasers, LEDs, or the like. Next, light detector  150  records the intensity of light exiting the other side of sheet  100 , step  350 . In various embodiments, photo diodes, or the like may be used for light detector  150 . 
         [0039]    In various embodiments of the present invention, light detector  150  records the exitant light from portions of one or more concentrators  110 . For example, the field of view of light detector  150  may record the concentration of one concentrator  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1B , or more concentrators  110 . In various embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A-B , exitant light beams  550  and  560 , and concentrated light regions  590  may vary along in width between adjacent lenses and along the extrusion axis  570 . In various embodiments, a center line of exitant beams  550  and  560  and concentrated light regions  590  are subsequently determined, using various operations, or the like, and the center line locations are recorded. The inventor has experimented with other methods for placing PV strips relative to concentrators  110 , for example, based upon troughs, however these techniques did not account for the geometric variations of the concentrator itself across sheet  100 . 
         [0040]    In various embodiments, operations for determining center line locations are contemplated. Some embodiments include determining a peak light intensity for the exitant light across sheet  100  to be used as a center-line location. Other embodiments includes mathematically recording the exitant light intensity versus movement dimension, the result which often appears similar to a bell-shaped curved. Based upon the two-dimensional bell-shaped curve, a center of gravity is determined which is then used as the center-line location. In other embodiments, a thresholding level may be used upon the exitant light intensity data to determine two locations for a light peak where the intensity (e.g. voltage) equals the threshold level (e.g. one volt). The mathematical average of these two locations can thus be used as the center-line location. In other embodiments of the present invention, many other ways for determining a center-line location are also contemplated. As mentioned above, determination of the center-line helps to maximize the power production of the PV strip, and/or also helps maximize the range of angles of incidence (AOI) for the incident illumination (e.g. sun light). 
         [0041]    In various embodiments of the present invention, a thin sheet of translucent/opaque material, e.g. EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material, or the like, may be disposed upon sheet  100  on the side facing light detector  150 . In such embodiments, the thin sheet of material facilitates optical detection of the exitant illumination. More specifically, the locations/contours and intensity of the exitant illumination become more apparent to light detector  150  because of the diffusing properties of the material as provided by the manufacturer. In later lamination steps (heat, pressure, time) that will be described below, the diffusing properties of the thin material are greatly reduced and the thin material becomes more transparent. In other embodiments the thin sheet of material may be parchment material, or the like. 
         [0042]    In various embodiments, the detected illumination data are correlated to the array location of sheet  100  and then stored in a computer memory, step  360 . In some embodiments, light detector  150  may capture and provide one or more frames of illumination data. In such embodiments, an average of the multiple frames of illumination may be used to reduce effects of spurious vibration of supporting frame assembly, transient vibrations due to movement of light source  140  and light detector  150 , or the like. 
         [0043]    In various embodiments, if the illumination data has not been captured for all array locations, step  370 , the process above may be repeated for additional array locations. 
         [0044]    Next, in various embodiments of the present invention, the stored illumination data and the array location data are used to determine an exitant light profile for sheet  100 , step  380 . More specifically, the light profile may include an intensity of light and an x, y coordinate for sheet  100 . 
         [0045]    In various embodiments of the present invention, based upon the exitant light profile, image processing functions may be performed to determine positioning data for placement of PV strips, step  390 . For example, center of gravity or morphological thinning operations may be performed to determine one or more center-lines for placement of the PV strips, edge contouring operations may be performed to provide an outline for placement of the PV strips, or the like. This positioning data may also be stored in computer memory. In various embodiments, after determining the one or more center-lines for placement of the PV strips, sheet  100  may also be optically marked with fiducials indicating the center-lines. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that the width of concentrated light by concentrators  110  is smaller than the narrow width of PV strips. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the concentrated light should be centered within the PV strips. It is contemplated that this would increase, e.g. maximize the collection of light of a given PV strip relative to the exitant light, and/or increase the angle of incidence (AOI). 
         [0047]    Next, if not already placed upon sheet  100 , a thin sheet of translucent/opaque backing material, e.g. EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material, or the like, may be placed upon sheet  100 . The positioning data determined above (e.g. center-lines) may then be used by a user, or the like, to place PV strips on a backing material, step  400 . In some embodiments, the positioning data, e.g. the center-lines, may be printed upon backing material, or the like, along with corner registrations. Based upon such positioning data, a user may manually place the PV strips or PV cell (groups of PV strips e.g. PV assembly, PV string, PV module) approximately along the center-lines, or the like. In other embodiments, the positioning data may be input into a robotic-type pick and place machine that picks up one or more PV strips or PV cells and places them down on a backing material, a vacuum chuck, or the like at the appropriate locations. In various examples, placement accuracy may be +/−10 to 15 microns, although these may vary in other embodiments. In various embodiments, an adhesive material, e.g. EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like, may be disposed between the PV strips and the backing material. 
         [0048]    In other embodiments of the present invention, the PV strips may be placed upon the thin layer of diffusing material described above, e.g. EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like, that is placed upon the back side of sheet  100 , e.g. opposite of concentrators  110 . 
         [0049]    The process may then repeat for placement of the next PV strip or PV cell, step  410 , until all the desired PV strips or PV cells have been placed. 
         [0050]    Subsequently, a soldering step may be performed to electrically couple and physically restrain one or more PV strips relative to other PV strips or one or more PV cells relative to other PV cells, step  420 . 
         [0051]    In various embodiments, a layer of adhesive material is disposed upon the soldered PV strips or PV cells, step  430 . In some embodiments, the layer of adhesive material such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), Polyvinyl butyral (PVB), Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like, may be used. Subsequently, sheet  100  is disposed upon the layer of adhesive material, step  440 . In various embodiments, any number of registration marks, or the like may be used so that sheet  100  is precisely disposed above the PV strips or PV cells. More specifically, sheet  100  should be aligned such that the PV strips are positioned at the proper positions or locations under the respective concentrators  110 . 
         [0052]    In other embodiments, sheet  100  is provided, and the layer of adhesive material is placed on top of sheet  100 . In this configuration, the light profiles described in steps  300 - 380  may be performed. Next, PV strip placement and electrical bussing of steps  390 - 420  may be performed at a separate location from the adhesive/sheet  100  structure, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , below. Subsequently, the electrically connected PV strips are disposed upon the adhesive/sheet  100  structure, and another layer of adhesive layer is disposed upon the electrically coupled PV strips to form a composite structure In step  450 , the composite structure is processed through a lamination process, to form the PV panel or PV module in step  460 . 
         [0053]    In other embodiments where the PV strips are placed upon the thin diffusing layer described above, upon sheet  100 , in these steps, an additional layer of material (e.g. EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like may be placed upon the PV strips, and then a backing material may be placed upon the additional adhesive layer. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the composite PV structure is formed by building on top of sheet  100 , and in other embodiments, the composite PV is formed by building on top of the backing material. 
         [0054]    In various embodiments, the resulting sandwich of materials is bonded/laminated in an oven set to a temperature above approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit, step  450 . More specifically, the temperature is typically sufficient for the adhesive layer (e.g. EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like) to melt (e.g. approximately 150 degrees C.) and to bond: the PV strips or PV cells, the backing, and sheet  100  together. In some embodiments, in addition to bonding the materials together, as the adhesive (e.g. EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like) melts, it occupies regions that were formerly gap regions between adjacent PV strips or PV cells. This melted adhesive helps prevent PV strips from moving laterally with respect to each other, and helps maintain alignment of PV strips relative to sheet  100 . Additionally, the adhesive material occupies regions that were formerly gap regions between bus bars between the PV cells. As will be discussed below, the time, temperature and pressure parameters for the lamination step may be advantageously controlled. 
         [0055]    In various embodiments, one or more wires may be stung before and/or after the bonding step to provide electrical connection between the PV strips or PV cells. These wires thus provide the electrical energy output from the completed PV panel (PV module), step  460 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 3A-E  illustrate examples according to various embodiments of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 3A  illustrates a cross section  500  of a portion of a transparent sheet  510 . As can be seen, a number of concentrators, e.g.  520  and  525  are illustrated. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 3A , a number of parallel light rays  530  from a source of illumination are shown striking the air/material (e.g. glass) interface, and being directed towards regions  550  and  560  (regions having concentrated light). As discussed above, a sensor captures locations of concentrated light at regions  550  and  560  on transparent sheet  510 . As shown in this example, a layer of diffusing material  540  may be placed adjacent to sheet  510  to help the sensor capture the locations of regions  550  and  560 . As will be discussed below, in various embodiments, the layer of diffusing material  540  may also serve as an adhesive layer. More specifically, before a lamination process (e.g.  FIG. 3C ), the adhesive layer tends to diffuse incident light, and after the lamination process (e.g.  FIGS. 3D  and E), the adhesive layer tends to secure PV strips relative to the transparent material (e.g. glass) sheet, and tends to become relatively transparent. 
         [0058]    As can be seen in this embodiment, concentrators are not typically the same size, shape, or pitch. In practice, it has been determined that the pitch of concentrators may vary across a sheet from 40 microns up to 500 microns. Further, the concentrators need not be symmetric. Accordingly, the regions where the light is concentrated may widely vary for different and even adjacent concentrators. As can be seen in this example, region  560  is off-center, and region  560  is wider than region  550 . In other embodiments, many other differences may become apparent in practice. 
         [0059]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the width, positioning, etc. of regions of concentrated light are not necessarily or typically uniform along the extrusion axis  570  of glass (e.g. transparent material) sheet  510 . In this example, it can be seen that the width of the concentrators  580  may vary along extrusion axis  570 , the width of the concentrated light regions  590  may vary along extrusion axis  570 , the concentrated light region may be off-center, and the like. Accordingly, in various embodiments of the present invention, PV strips are displaced to the right or left relative to other PV strips, and are not at necessarily placed at a fixed pitch relative to other PV strips. Additionally, in various embodiments, the PV strips are not necessarily parallel to the edge of sheet  510 , but may be placed at an angle similar to the angle of the exitant light beam, as shown by  560  in  FIG. 3B . 
         [0060]    In light of the above, it can be seen that because of the wide variability of concentrator geometry of transparent material sheet  500 , proper placement of PV strips relative to the concentrated light regions is desirable. 
         [0061]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 3C , PV strips  600  and  610  are illustrated disposed under regions  550  and  560  of  FIG. 3B . In various embodiments, the width (e.g. 2.15 mm) of PV strips may be from approximately 25% to 50% wider than the width (e.g. 1.2 mm) of the concentrated light regions. In various embodiments, it is believed that if light that enters the concentrators at angles other than normal to sheet  510  (e.g. 3 to 5 degrees from normal, or greater), the light may still be incident upon the PV strips. In current examples, the width of the concentrated light regions ranges from approximately 1.8 mm to 2.2 mm, although other width region ranges are also contemplated. For example, as the quality control of sheet  510  including geometric uniformity and geometric preciseness of concentrators, clarity of the transparent material (e.g. glass), or the like increase, the width of the concentrated light regions should decrease, e.g. with a lower width of approximately 0.25 mm, 0.5 mm, 1 mm, or the like. 
         [0062]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3C , PV strips  600  and  610  are adjacent to transparent material sheet  500  and a backing layer  630  via adhesive layers  620  and  625 . As can be seen, in various embodiments, first adhesive layer  620  may be disposed between PV strips ( 600  and  610 ) and backing layer  630 , and a second adhesive layer  625  may be disposed between PV strips ( 600  and  610 ) and transparent material sheet  500 . Further, gap regions, e.g. region  640 , exist between adjacent bus bars  605  and  615  and between adjacent PV strips ( 600  and  610 ). In some current embodiments, the height between adjacent bus bars is typically smaller than 200 microns. 
         [0063]    In  FIG. 3D , the structure illustrated in  FIG. 3C  is subject to a precisely controlled lamination process. In the case of the adhesive layers being formed from layers of EVA, PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like material, the first adhesive layer  620  and second adhesive layer  625  melt and reflow. As can be seen in  FIG. 3D , first adhesive layer  620  and second adhesive layer  625  may mix together to form a single layer, as illustrated by adhesive layer  650 . In such embodiments, voids between PV strips and bus bars, e.g. gap region  640  before lamination process, are then filled (region  660 ) by the adhesive material, e.g. EVA, after the lamination process. In various embodiments, the adhesive material adheres to the PV strips and/or bus bars. As a result, PV strips  600  and  610  are not only secured relative to transparent material sheet  500  and backing layer  630 , but are also laterally secured with respect to each other by the reflowed EVA material. Additionally, the preexisting separation between bus bars  605  and  615  are maintained. In various embodiments, the adhesive material acts as a barrier to reduce solder shorts between neighboring PV strips and/or neighboring bus bars, for example, as a result of a user pushing down upon bus bars connecting PV strips. Further, the adhesive material acts as a barrier to moisture, corrosion, contaminants, and the like. In other embodiments of the present invention, a single adhesive layer may be used, as illustrated in  FIG. 3E . 
         [0064]    In various embodiments of the present invention, the lamination process includes precisely controlled time, temperature and. or physical compression variable profiles. In one example, the compression pressure pressing down upon the stack of materials ranges from approximately 0.2 to 0.6 atmospheres. In various embodiments, the lamination pressure profile includes subjecting the structure illustrated in  FIG. 3C  to a compression pressure of approximately 25 kPA (e.g. ¼ atmosphere) for about 25 seconds followed by a pressure of approximately 50 kPA (e.g. ½ A atmosphere) for about 50 seconds. During this time period, the EVA material, or the like is heated to the melting point, e.g. approximately greater than 150 degrees C., or greater, depending upon the melting point of the specific type of adhesive material. 
         [0065]    Experimentally, the inventors have determined that if the lamination process is performed under a compression pressure of approximately 1 atm, as the adhesive material, e.g. EVA, melts and reflows, gap regions remain between adjacent PV strips and remain between bus bars between adjacent PV strips, as described above. In other embodiments of the present invention, other combinations of time, temperature and compression pressure may be determined that provide the benefits described above, without undue experimentation by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0066]    In other embodiments of the present invention, when other adhesive materials such as PVB, Surlyn, thermosets material, thermoplastic material or the like are used, the time, temperature, pressure, and the like properties may be similarly monitored by the user such that the other adhesive materials perform a similar function as the EVA material, described above. More specifically, it is desired that the adhesive material fill the air-gap regions between the PV strips, and provide the protective and preventative features described above. 
         [0067]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram of a computer system according to various embodiments of the present invention. More specifically, a computer system  600  is illustrated that may be adapted to control a light source, a light detector, and/or a PV placement device, process data, control a lamination device, and the like, as described above. 
         [0068]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of typical computer system  700  according to various embodiment of the present invention. In various embodiments, computer system  700  typically includes a monitor  710 , computer  720 , a keyboard  730 , a user input device  740 , a network interface  750 , and the like. 
         [0069]    In the present embodiment, user input device  740  is typically embodied as a computer mouse, a trackball, a track pad, wireless remote, and the like. User input device  740  typically allows a user to select objects, icons, text, control points and the like that appear on the monitor  710 . In some embodiments, monitor  710  and user input device  740  may be integrated, such as with an interactive touch screen display or pen based display such as a Cintiq marketed by Wacom, or the like. 
         [0070]    Embodiments of network interface  750  typically include an Ethernet card, a modem (telephone, satellite, cable, ISDN), (asynchronous) digital subscriber line (DSL) unit, and the like. Network interface  750  is typically coupled to a computer network as shown. In other embodiments, network interface  750  may be physically integrated on the motherboard of computer  720 , may be a software program, such as soft DSL, or the like. 
         [0071]    Computer  720  typically includes familiar computer components such as a processor  760 , and memory storage devices, such as a random access memory (RAM)  770 , disk drives  780 , and system bus  790  interconnecting the above components. 
         [0072]    In one embodiment, computer  720  may include one or more PC compatible computers having multiple microprocessors such as Xeon™ microprocessor from Intel Corporation. Further, in the present embodiment, computer  720  may include a UNIX-based operating system. RAM  770  and disk drive  780  are examples of tangible media for storage of non-transient: images, operating systems, configuration files, embodiments of the present invention, including computer-readable executable computer code that programs computer  720  to perform the above described functions and processes, and the like. For example, the computer-executable code may include code that directs the computer system to perform various capturing, processing, PV placement steps, or the like, illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-C ; code that directs the computer system to perform controlled lamination process, or the like, illustrated in  FIGS. 3C-D ; any of the processing steps described herein; or the like. 
         [0073]    Other types of tangible media include floppy disks, removable hard disks, optical storage media such as CD-ROMS, DVDs, Blu-Ray disks, semiconductor memories such as flash memories, read-only memories (ROMS), battery-backed volatile memories, networked storage devices, and the like. 
         [0074]    In the present embodiment, computer system  700  may also include software that enables communications over a network such as the HTTP, TCP/IP, RTP/RTSP protocols, and the like. In alternative embodiments of the present invention, other communications software and transfer protocols may also be used, for example IPX, UDP or the like. 
         [0075]      FIG. 4  is representative of computer systems capable of embodying the present invention. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many other hardware and software configurations are suitable for use with the present invention. For example, one or more computers may cooperate to perform the functionality described above. In another example, computers may use of other microprocessors are contemplated, such as Core™ or Itanium™ microprocessors; Opteron™ or Phenom™ microprocessors from Advanced Micro Devices, Inc; and the like. Additionally, graphics processing units (GPUs) from NVidia, ATI, or the like, may also be used to accelerate rendering. Further, other types of operating systems are contemplated, such as Windows® operating system such as Windows7®, WindowsNT®, or the like from Microsoft Corporation, Solaris from Oracle, LINUX, UNIX, MAC OS from Apple Corporation, and the like. 
         [0076]    In light of the above disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that many variations may be implemented based upon the discussed embodiments. For example, in one embodiment, a layer of photosensitive material approximately the same size as the transparent material sheet described above is disposed under the sheet of transparent material. Subsequently, the combination is exposed to sun light. Because the material is photosensitive, after a certain amount of time, regions where the light is concentrated may appear lighter or darker than other regions under the transparent material (e.g. glass) sheet. In such embodiments, the material can then be used as a visual template for placement of the PV strips or cells. More specifically, a user can simply place PV strips at regions where the light is concentrated. Once all PV strips are placed, the photosensitive material may be removed or be used as part of the above-mentioned backing. As can be seen in such embodiments, a computer, a digital image sensor, a precise x-y table, or the like are not required to practice embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0077]    In other embodiments of the present invention, a displacement sensor, e.g. a laser measurement device, a laser range finder, or the like may be used. More specifically, a laser displacement sensor may be used in conjunction with steps  300 - 380  in  FIGS. 2A-B . In such embodiments, the measured and determined light profile of step  380  is determined, as discussed above. In addition, a laser displacement sensor may be used to geometrically measure the surface of the sheet of substantially transparent material, e.g. glass. It is contemplated that a precise measured geometric surface of the transparent sheet is then determined. In some embodiments of the present invention a Keyence LK CCD laser displacement sensor, or the like can be used. 
         [0078]    In such embodiments, the measured geometric model of the transparent sheet and the determined light profile are then correlated to each other. In various embodiments, any number of conventional software algorithms can be used to create a computer model of the transparent material. This computer model that correlates as input, a description of a geometric surface and then outputs a predicted exitant light location. In various embodiments, a number of transparent sheets may be subject to steps  300 - 380  to determine a number of light profiles, and subject to laser measurement to determine a number of measured geometric surfaces. In various embodiments, the computer model may be based upon these multiple data samples. 
         [0079]    Subsequently, in various embodiments of the present invention, a new transparent sheet may be provided. This new transparent sheet would then be subject to laser measurement to determine the measured geometric surface. Next, based upon the measured geometric surface and the computer model determined above, the computer system can then predict the locations of exitant illumination from the new transparent sheet. In various embodiments, steps  390 - 460  may then be performed using the predicted exitant illumination locations. 
         [0080]    In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of measurement devices may be used besides a laser, such as a physical probe, or the like. 
         [0081]    In other embodiments of the present invention, PV strips may be placed on top of an EVA layer, or the like directly on the bottom surface of the concentrators. These materials may then be subject to heat treatment, as described above. Accordingly, in such embodiments, a rigid backing material may not be needed. In still other embodiments, a light source may be an area light source, a line light source, a point light source, or the light. Additionally, a light may be a 2-D CCD array, a line array, or the like. 
         [0082]      FIG. 5  illustrate various embodiments of the present invention. More specifically,  FIG. 5  illustrate PV strips. In  FIG. 5 , a series of PV strips  800  are illustrated positioned in a PV carrier  810 . In various embodiments, PV carrier  810  includes a number of physical guides that help position PV strips  800  at a desired spacing or pitch. In various embodiments, the nominal pitch is based upon the nominal pitch of concentrating elements  110  on sheet  100 , for example, the nominal pitch may be 5.80 mm, 6.00 mm, 5.00 mm. In other embodiments, the nominal pitch may be independent of the nominal pitch of concentrating elements  100 , and is determined by robotic PV strip pick and place elements, described further below. 
         [0083]    As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , openings  820  are provided in PV carrier  810 . In some embodiments, during the manufacturing process, one or more conductors may be laid across some or all of PV strips  800  in the direction of openings  820 , and then the PV strips  800  are bar soldered to the conductors, to form a PV assembly. In various embodiments, half the number of PV strips  800  are used for form a PV assembly, such as 12 PV strips, 14 PV strips, or the like. In other embodiments, PV strips  800  are laid out and soldered together to form a PV assembly in different stages of the manufacturing process, as will be described below. 
         [0084]    In  FIG. 5 , 24 PV strips  800  are illustrated, however in other embodiments, the number of PV strips  800  can vary, such as 12 PV strips, 14 PV strips, 28 PV strips, or the like. In various embodiments, PV strips  800  may be manually or automatically loaded into PV carrier  810 . In various embodiments, PV carrier  810  may include any number of physical guides  830  that enable PV carriers to be physically stacked. For example, 8 to 10 PV carriers may be stacked to form a single compact stack for physical transport. 
         [0085]      FIG. 6  illustrates an apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention. In various embodiments, the stack of PV carriers  900  are inputs into an apparatus  910 . As will be described below, PV strips stored within each PV carrier  900  are picked up by a pick and place robot  920  and placed in specified locations within a soldering station platform  930 . In various embodiments, placement of the PV strips are determined based upon the positioning data determined in step  390  (e.g. center-line data). More specifically, based upon the exitant light profile and image processing operations, x and y locations as well as angle θ for each PV strip is determined. In other embodiments, control of the angle θ may be performed by moving the top edge of a PV strip left or right (e.g. +/− x direction) with regards to a bottom edge of a PV strip, moving the bottom edge with respect to the top edge, or moving the top edge and the bottom edge with respect to a point of rotation, or the like. In various embodiments device  1110  may be used to determine the exitant light profile. 
         [0086]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example according to various embodiments of the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 7  illustrates placement of PV strips  940 - 970  according to the example illustrated in  FIG. 3B . Also illustrated, for sake of convenience, are the exitant light beams  980 - 1010  illustrated in  FIG. 3B  as well as the computed center lines. In particular, for PV strip  940 , the left/right direction (e.g. x direction) offset is 0% (i.e. PV strip  940  is placed at the default pitch position), and is angled at −0.8° (e.g. bottom edge moved leftward, slightly); for PV strip  950 , an x offset is −21%, but with no angle; for PV strip  960 , an x offset is −6% and is angled −3.8° (e.g. bottom edge moved leftward); and for PV strip  970 , no x offset and no angle adjustment are required from a default position. In various embodiments, other relative or absolute x and y positions or offsets may be used, e.g. mm, inches, or the like; and other measures for the angle may be used (e.g. x and y positions of the top edge relative to the bottom edge of the PV strip); or the like. As can be seen in this example, PV strips  940 - 970  are thus positioned to capture as much light as possible of extant light beams  980 - 1010 . 
         [0087]    In various embodiments of the present invention additional adjustments may be made to the PV strips prior to the soldering steps described below. In various embodiments of the present invention, the thermal expansion and contraction characteristics of the PV strips or the conducting crossbar in operation, are also expected to impart forces outwards from approximately the middle of a PV string towards the edges of the PV panel. Accordingly, in the example of  FIG. 7 , if PV strips  940  is to be located at the left edge of a PV panel, PV strip  940  may be adjusted from having a 0% offset to a +1% offset (e.g. rightwards by 20 microns), PV strip  950  may be adjusted from having a −21% offset to a −20% offset (e.g. rightwards 20 microns), or the like. In another example, if PV strip  970  is to be located at the right edge of a PV panel, PV strip  970  may be adjusted from having a 0% offset to a −1.5% offset (e.g. leftwards by 25 microns), PV strip  960  may be adjusted from having a −6% offset to a −7% offset (e.g. leftwards by 20 microns), or the like. 
         [0088]    In various embodiments of the present invention, a PV panel is approximately rectangular in shape having dimensions of approximately 1014 mm by 1610 mm. In other embodiments, the dimensions may be approximately 1014 mm×1926 mm, or the like. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the shape and dimensions of the PV panel may be adjusted according to engineering or non-engineering requirements. In light of thermal expansion and contraction factors, the inventors of the present invention determined that PV strings should span the shorter dimension of the PV panel. More specifically, since the conducting crossbars of the PV string are longer than the length of each PV strip, the conducting crossbars are subject to greater changes in length than PV strips due to heating and cooling of the PV panel. Accordingly, in various embodiments, the PV strings (appearing similar to a picket fence) span the shorter dimension of a PV panel. In such embodiments, it is contemplated that the light concentrating elements of the substantially transparent material (e.g. glass) sheet extend in the longer dimension on the sheet of transparent material, while the PV strings extends across the shorter dimension across the sheet of transparent material. 
         [0089]    In other embodiments, other adjustments to the placement of the PV strips may be performed to account for the reflow of the thin sheet of translucent/opaque material, described above. In particular, as was illustrated in the cross section  500  in  FIG. 3C  adhesive layers  620  and  625  are heated and compressed to result in the cross section  500  in  FIG. 3D . In various embodiments, the combination of reflow and pressure are expected to impart a force outwards from approximately the middle of the PV panel towards the edges of the PV panel. Accordingly, in the example of  FIG. 7 , if PV strips  940  is to be located at the top left edge of a PV panel, PV strip  940  may be adjusted from having a left/right offset of 0% to +2% (rightwards) and an up/down offset of 0% to −1% (downwards), PV strip  950  may be adjusted from having a left/right offset of −21% to −19.5. % (rightwards) and an up/down offset of 0% to −1% (downwards), or the like. In another example, if PV strip  970  is to be located at the bottom right edge of a PV panel, PV strip  970  may be adjusted from having a left/right offset of 0% to −1.5% (leftwards), and an up/down offset of 0% to +2% (upwards), PV strip  960  may be adjusted from having a left/right offset of −6% to −7% offset (leftwards), and an up/down offset of 0% to +2% (upwards), or the like. In still another example, if PV strip  950  is to be located at approximately the upper middle of the PV panel, PV strip  940  may be adjusted from having a 0% offset to a +0.25% offset (rightwards), and may be adjusted from having a −0.8° angle to a −0.5° angle (e.g. moving the top edge to the left by 10 microns), PV strip  960  may be adjusted from having a −6% offset to a −6.25% offset (leftwards), and may be adjusted from having a −3.8° angle to having a −4.1° angle (e.g. moving the bottom edge to the left by 10 microns), PV strip  970  may be adjusted from having a 0% offset to a −0.25% offset (leftwards), and may be adjusted from having a 0° angle to having a −0.3° angle, or the like. 
         [0090]    It should be understood that the above described adjustments to the placement of the PV strips are merely given for sake of explanation of the general principle. In various embodiments, the amount of adjustments may be larger or smaller, based typically upon experimental test results, simulations, or the like. 
         [0091]    Returning to the discussion of  FIG. 8 , in various embodiments, multiple stages are illustrated for soldering station platform  930 . In various embodiments, stages  1030 ,  1040  and  1050  are used for placement of PV strips, as described above. In some examples, stages  1030 - 1050  may each place four PV strips (to form a 12 PV strip PV assembly), eight PV strips (to form a 24 PV strip PV assembly), or a different number of PV strips. In other examples, stages  103 - 1050  may each place PV strips for a PV assembly (e.g. 14 PV strips for a 14 PV strip PV assembly). 
         [0092]    In various embodiments, stages  1060  and  1070  may be used for placement and soldering of a crossbar conductor. Then, in stage  1060 , one or more conductor bus bars may be positioned perpendicular to and on top of the placed PV strips. In various embodiments three conductor bars are used on one side of the PV strips, and in other embodiments, a different number of conductor bus bars are used. Further, in various embodiments, conductor bus bars may be used on both the top and/or bottom of PV strips. Subsequently, in stage  1070 , a soldering head or soldering bar heats and solders the PV strips to the conductor bus bars to form a PV assembly. 
         [0093]    In various embodiments, a pick and place robot  1080  then picks up PV assemblies and then places them onto a stage  1090 . In various embodiments, the conductor bus bars of adjacent PV assemblies that are placed on stage  1090  overlap, i.e. in an over and under configuration where the conductor bus bar tail of one PV assembly is below a conductor bus bar head or below the PV strips of the next PV assembly, and the like. Subsequently, the PV assemblies are soldered (e.g. from below the PV strips) together with a soldering head or soldering bar to form a PV string, as described herein. 
         [0094]    In various embodiments, a PV string may include any number of PV assemblies depending upon the size of the PV panel and the number of PV strips per assembly. In some examples, one PV string includes 14 PV assemblies that each include 12 PV strips; one PV string includes 7 PV assemblies that each include 24 PV strips; one PV string includes 12 PV assemblies that each include 14 PV strips, or the like, based upon a typical 5.80 mm pitch and 1014 mm width PV panel. In other embodiments, the number of PV strips that form a PV assembly may vary, such as 12, 16, 18, or the like, and the number of PV assemblies that form a PV string may also vary. 
         [0095]    In various embodiments of the present invention, after forming PV strings upon stage  1090 , the energy conversion and/or electronic characteristics of the PV string may be characterized. In some embodiments, the PV strings are placed into a dark environment, and current characteristics of each PV string are determined based upon applied voltages applied to the conducting bus bars. As merely an example, a reverse voltage (current) may be applied starting from zero volts and swept downwards across the PV strips via the conducting bus bars, and the output current (voltage) is measured. Based upon the applied voltage (or current) and measured current (or voltage), the internal resistance of the PV strip is then determined: Rshunt, Rseries. Additionally, a series of positive voltages may be applied starting at zero volts and swept upwards across the PV strips. Based upon the measured responsive current, a determination may be made as to open circuit and short circuit conditions. 
         [0096]    In various embodiments, the performance of each PV string is then tagged with the measured/determined characteristics. Subsequently, in various embodiments, PV strings having similar characteristics (e.g. internal resistance Rshunt, Rseries) can be electrically connected with conductors/bussing. In other embodiments, other types of characteristics may also be tested, such as output response to a uniform light source, response to a positive voltage and/or a positive current, and the like. As one example, a current may be applied across a PV sting (which appear as a series of diodes) and the voltage is increased up to some maximum voltage. The voltage applied that results in a current flowing, is then used to determine any open circuits or short circuits. As an example, if the PV string appear as five diodes. If the PV string does not conduct at the maximum voltage, this may indicate an open circuit condition. If the PV string conducts at approximately 2.4 volts (2.4 v=4×0.6 v), this may indicate that that two of the PV assemblies have a short circuit condition. If the PV string conducts at approximately 3 volts (3v=5×0.6v), the string may incorporated into a PV panel. In various embodiments, based upon the error condition, the PV strip may be pulled from the manufacturing line and discarded or repaired. 
         [0097]    The inventors of the present invention believe that matching current and voltage performance of PV strings (e.g. Rseries, Rshunt) (and potentially of PV assemblies within PV strings) to be used for a PV panel, reduces the stress on mismatched PV strips, mismatched PV assemblies, and/or PV strings. Accordingly, the inventors believe such matching will increase the longevity of PV panels, by reducing hot spot, e.g. PV assemblies operating as a load in reverse bias. 
         [0098]    Embodiments of the present invention are configured to have fewer PV strips be combined in into a PV assembly, and a larger number of PV assemblies combined into a PV string. This results in a lower current, higher voltage output for PV strings. In various embodiments, sets of four PV strings are wired in parallel to increase the current. This results in a high current, high voltage output for the PV module, although other arrangements are also imaginable. In various embodiments, by measuring and ensuring that the series resistances of the PV strings are relatively the same within a PV panel, this results in the production of some PV panels with uniformly lower Rseries and other PV panels with uniformly higher Rseries. Accordingly, some PV panels will have a higher power output and higher fill factors than other PV panels. 
         [0099]    In various embodiments, the soldered PV strings  1100  are placed on top of an transparent adhesive layer that is on top of the optically concentrating piece of substantially transparent material. An example of this was illustrated by transparent sheet  510 , adhesive layer  625 , and PV string (e.g.  605 ,  600 ,  610 ,  615 , etc.). In various embodiments, one or more fiducial marks on the transparent material may be referred to for proper alignment of the PV strings relative to the transparent material (e.g. glass) (based upon the optical characterization described above). In various embodiments, placement of the PV strings may be controlled in the x, y, and θ directions. In various embodiments PV strings may be produced by other PV stringing units, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in parallel, and provided for use in the same PV module  1120 . For example, in various embodiments, four PV stringing units may be used. In various embodiments, 12 to 14 PV strings may be used per PV panel. 
         [0100]    Next, one or more connecting bus bars may be used to electrically couple the PV strings together and/or to the PV panel output. Subsequently, additional adhesive layer  620  and backing layer  630  may be placed upon the interconnected PV strings to form a composite structure (e.g. PV structure) as illustrated in  FIG. 3C . Then, as described above, a controlled pressure/heating process may then be applied to the composite structure to form the PV panel, as illustrated in  FIG. 3D  or  3 E. 
         [0101]    Further embodiments can be envisioned to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the above disclosed invention can be advantageously made. The block diagrams of the architecture and flow charts are grouped for ease of understanding. However it should be understood that combinations of blocks, additions of new blocks, re-arrangement of blocks, and the like are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0102]    The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope.