Abstract:
Wireless communications devices ( 102, 104, 106 ) that communicate via an adaptive bandwidth communications protocol ( 300 ). Wireless devices ( 102, 104, 106 ) utilize a multiple carrier time division/frequency division multiplexing format where time slots ( 330, 332 ) are adaptively assigned across multiple RF carriers. Preferred embodiments assign time coincident time slots ( 330, 340, 350, 360 ) on multiple RF carriers so as to allow shorter transmission and reception times and therefore shorter transmitter and receiver activation times in order to conserve power in portable devices ( 104, 106 ). Time slots are adaptively assigned and deallocated in response to events that alter communications bandwidth requirements.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention generally relates to the field of wireless data communication systems and more particularly to transmission and reception of modulated data carriers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Wireless communications systems are evolving to transmit data to and among multiple wireless devices within higher average data bandwidths of transmission to each wireless device. Greater average transmission bandwidths are desired in order to support a larger number of users for received data. A number of wireless devices are able to be in simultaneous communications with a single base station and each wireless device is able to have different average data rate needs. Some device might require a high average bandwidth data link while others are able to operate effectively with lower average data rates. A single wireless device is also able to have variable average data rate needs, such as a wireless device that initially receives voice data and then changes to receiving video data. Wireless communications networks can vary the average data rate used to communicate with a particular wireless device.  
         [0003]     Introducing higher average data bandwidth transmission protocols often require an increase in processing power at the receiver and thereby increases the power consumption of the receiver and/or transmitter. This is in conflict with a general desire to minimize wireless receiver and transmitter power consumption, particularly with portable wireless devices that operate with battery power.  
         [0004]     Therefore a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for receiving digital data includes receiving a plurality of RF carriers where at least two carriers of the plurality of carriers are divided into a periodic series of timeslots for each carrier. Each timeslot in the periodic series of timeslots is able to carry independent data content and the at least two carriers are each modulated with different portions of a single data stream during at least one timeslot of each carrier within the periodic series of timeslots. The method further includes demodulating the at least two carriers to detect the different portions of the single data stream and assembling the different portions of the single data stream to reconstruct the single data stream.  
         [0006]     In a further aspect of the present invention, a wireless device has a receiver that receives a plurality of RF carriers. The at least two carriers of the plurality of carriers are divided into a periodic series of timeslots for each carrier. Each timeslot in the periodic series of timeslots is able to carry independent data content and the at least two carriers are each modulated with different portions of a single data stream during at least one timeslot of each carrier within the periodic series of timeslots. The wireless device further has a demodulator that demodulates the at least two carriers to detect the different portions of the single data stream and a demultiplexer that assembles the different portions of the single data stream to reconstruct the single data stream. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary communications network that incorporates embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a time/frequency relationship for four RF channels as are used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a time to time/frequency division multiplexing diagram as is performed by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram for a wireless device for a wireless device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  illustrates a processing block diagram for DSP module.  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates a slot assignment processing flow diagram as is performed by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0014]     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary communications network  100  that incorporates embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary communications network  100  incorporates wireless devices, such as wireless handset A  104  and wireless handset B  106 . The exemplary communications network  100  also includes a base station  102  that is in simultaneous, bidirectional wireless communications with remote wireless devices, such as wireless handset A  104  and wireless handset B  106 . The operation of the wireless network in the exemplary embodiment is controlled by a controller  108 . The exemplary communications network  100  supports communications between or among wireless handsets and between one or more wireless handsets and landline connected destinations. Examples of landline connected destinations include Plain Old Telephone System (POTS)  110  and data sources connected through the Internet  112 .  
         [0016]     The base station  102  and the wireless devices are able to establish wireless communications at variable average data rates. Base station  102  of this exemplary embodiment transmits a number of RF carriers that are each time divided into a number of timeslots. Each RF carrier transmitted by base station  102  in this exemplary embodiment is a time division multiplexed (TDM) carrier. Wireless devices receiving transmissions from the base station  102  process control information transmitted in service timeslots as well as user data contained in timeslots assigned to that wireless device, as is described below.  
         [0017]     The wireless devices, such as wireless handset A  104  and wireless handset B  106 , transmit during at least one timeslot on at least one specified RF frequency that are assigned to that wireless device by the controller  108 . The wireless devices transmit in a time division, multiple access (TDMA) format on one or more frequencies, as is described below. Wireless deices are able to be assigned a variable number of timeslots on one or more RF channels on which to transmit and/or receive according to the current data communications bandwidth requirements for the wireless device. The exemplary embodiment described herein is based upon the WiDEN Wide Band iDEN radio system produced by Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a time/frequency relationship  200  for four RF channels as are used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The time frequency relationship  200  illustrates the time division of four RF channels, channel A  202 , channel B  204 , channel C  206  and channel D  208 . Each RF channel includes a service timeslot  210  in which communications service maintenance data is transmitted. The time/frequency relationship  200  illustrates a time division frame period  250 , which is a period of time over which RF channels are divided into time division channels. The time division for the RF channels repeats each time division period  250  and data transmitted in a particular timeslot in each time division frame is able to be combined to from a continuous data stream.  
         [0019]     The exemplary embodiment of the present invention uses one set of RF channels to transmit from base station  102  to wireless devices, such as wireless handset A  104 , and another set of RF channels to transmit from wireless devices to base station  102 . Both of these RF channel sets are divided into time division frames. Transmissions from the base station  102  are referred to herein as downlink signals, and transmissions from wireless devices are referred to herein as uplink signals. The uplink and downlink signals in the exemplary embodiment use the same time division frame period  250 , although that is not a requirement. The time division frame periods  250  for uplink signals are also not required to coincidently occur in time with the time division frame periods  250  for the downlink signals, although a fixed relationship is advantageous and is used by the exemplary embodiment.  
         [0020]     The exemplary time frame period  250  beings with a service timeslot  210 . Base station  102  transmits a time synchronization transmission, channel/timeslot assignments for remote wireless devices and other maintenance data during the service timeslot  210 . Remote wireless devices in some embodiments transmit uplink transmission bandwidth requests or other requests during the service timeslot  210 . The base station  102  in the exemplary embodiment transmits a specially formatted data transmission that is readily identified by receiving wireless devices. All remote wireless communications devices in the exemplary embodiment receive and process the data transmitted in the service timeslot  210  in order to maintain timeslot synchronization with the time division frame period  250  and receive channel assignment and other maintenance data.  
         [0021]     The time division frame period  250  has four user timeslots following the service timeslot  210 . User timeslots are used to communicate user data, such as voice conversations and video information, and have a duration of fifteen (15) milliseconds in the exemplary embodiment. A first user timeslot  212 , a second user timeslot  214 , a third user timeslot  216  and a fourth user timeslot  218  are defined within this plurality of user timeslots. Each RF channel is conceptually divided according to these user timeslots and the time division frame period  250 . As is illustrated, RF channel A  202  is divided into timeslots I through IV, RF channel B  204  is divided into timeslots V through VIII, RF channel C  206  is divided into user timeslots IX through XII, and RF channel D  208  is divided into user timeslots XIII through XVI. Controller  108  is able to assign one or more user timeslots, which are able to be on either one or multiple RF channels, for use by a particular remote wireless device. As an example, user timeslots I is typically assigned to a particular wireless device for communications and data to or from that device in transmitted in each slot I of each frame while that slot is assigned to that wireless device.  
         [0022]     A single data stream, such as a voice conversation or video stream, is able to be transmitted by dividing it across multiple timeslots that are either on the same RF channel or distributed across multiple RF channels. Each timeslot allows a fixed number of user data bits to be transmitter during the duration of the time division frame period  250 . Controller  108  is able to vary the average data rate available to a wireless device by assigning a different number of timeslots, on one or more RF channels, within the time division frame period  250  to a particular wireless device. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention support dynamically changing the timeslot assignments to each wireless device for each time division frame period  250  since timeslots are assigned in the service timeslot  210 .  
         [0023]     After a particular instance of time division frame period  250 , the time division of the RF channels repeats. The time division frame repeats periodically with a period equal to the time duration of the timeslot frame period  250 . Operation of embodiments of the present invention is facilitate if the time duration of the time division frame remains constant, but some embodiments operate with timeslot frame periods  250  that are able to have durations that change from frame to frame. The time/frequency relationship  200  shows that the fourth user timeslot  218  is followed by a second service timeslot  220 , which is another iteration of the service timeslot  210 . The second service timeslot is followed by a second first user timeslot  222 , which is another iteration of the first user timeslot  212  and contains data following that in the first user timeslot  212 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  illustrates a time to time/frequency division multiplexing diagram  300  as is performed by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The time to time/frequency division multiplexing diagram  300  illustrates the reallocation of data from a single TDM RF channel  302  to multiple TDM RF channels  388 . A single RF channel  302  is shown to include a service timeslot  210  followed by user timeslot I  314 , user timeslot II  316  and user timeslot N  318 . That time division frame is then repeated with a second service timeslot  320  and a second timeslot I  322 . The single RF channel  302  is shown to have a bandwidth of BW 1   384 .  
         [0025]     The multiple TDM RF channels  388  of this exemplary embodiment include four (4) RF channels that extend over an RF bandwidth BW 2   386 . RF bandwidth BW 2   386  in this example is equal to four times the bandwidth of BW 1   304 . This is because four RF channels with the same channel symbol rate as the single TDM RF channel  302  are carried in this bandwidth.  
         [0026]     Each of the four RF channels in the plurality of RF channels  388 , i.e., RF channel A  304 , RF channel B  306 , RF channel C  308 , and RF channel D  310 , is similar to the single TDM RF channel  302 , and in fact each of these plurality of RF channels have a format similar to and is able to be configured a another single TDM RF channel  302 . The exemplary embodiment of the present invention configures these four RF channels so as to subdivide and distribute data that is contained within one user timeslot of the single TDM RF channel  302  across the four RF channels of the plurality of RF channels  388 . For example, data contained within user timeslot I  314  of the single TDM RF channel  302  is shown as subdivided into four subparts: subpart a, subpart b, subpart c, and subpart d. The data contained in user slot  11   316  of the single TDM RF channel  302  is similarly subdivided into four subparts: subpart e, subpart f, subpart g, and subpart h. The user timeslot N  318  is also subdivided into four subparts: subpart w, subpart x, subpart y and subpart z. These subparts are then distributed across the four RF channels of the plurality of RF channels  388 .  
         [0027]     Each of the subdivided portions of each of the user timeslots of the single TDM RF channel  302  is divided across the four RF channels of the plurality of RF Channels  388 . For example, subpart a is placed into the first user timeslot of RF channel A  330 , subpart b is placed into the first user timeslot of RF channel B  340 , subpart c is placed into the first user timeslot of RF channel C  340 , and subpart d is placed into the first user timeslot of RF channel D  340 . This results in using only our fourth of the time to transmit the data that would be transmitted in the first user timeslot  314  of the single TDM RF channel  302 . This advantageously allows the receiver or transmitter of this data to operate for only this shorter time period.  
         [0028]     It is to be further noted that the data in the second user timeslot  316  of the single TDM RF channel  302  is similarly subdivided and distributed across the four RF channels of the plurality of RF channels  388 . In particular, subpart e is placed into the second user timeslot of RF channel A  332 , subpart e is placed into the second user timeslot of RF channel B  342 , subpart f is placed into the second user timeslot of RF channel C  352 , and subpart g is placed into the second user timeslot of RF channel D  362 . Further, the data allocated to user timeslot N  318  of the single TDM RF channel  302  is also subdivided and distributed to the four RF channels of the plurality of RF channels  388 . In particular, subpart w is placed into the Nth user timeslot of RF channel A  334 , subpart x is placed into the Nth user timeslot of RF channel B  342 , subpart y is placed into the Nth user timeslot of RF channel C  352 , and subpart z is placed into the Nth user timeslot of RF channel D  362 . A second service timeslot  326  follows the Nth slot of each RF channel within the plurality of RF channels  388 . The time division frame for the plurality of RF Channels  388  then repeats, as is indicated by the second first timeslot of RF channel A  338 .  
         [0029]     The exemplary embodiment uses a multiple channel time division frame period that is shorter than those used for the single TDM RF channel  302 . Alternative embodiments use time division frames that are as long as those used for the single TDM RF channel  302 .  
         [0030]     Wireless devices, particularly portable wireless devices, minimize energy consumption by power and operating portions of their circuitry only when needed. An example of this type of power conservation is operating transmit and receive circuits only when they are required. The time to time/frequency division multiplexing diagram  300  illustrates the receiver operating time for the example of signal reception by a wireless device communicating through user timeslots assigned in both the single TDM RF channel  302  as well as to user timeslots in the plurality of RF channels  388 . An example is shown where a first receiver R 1 , such as wireless handset A  104 , is assigned to receive in the first user timeslot  314  of the single TDM RF channel  302 . The transmit processing for this device in this scenario is similar. It is understood in this example that receiver R 1  is assigned to also receive data on the first user timeslot of subsequent time division frames of the single TDM RF channel  302 , as discussed above with reference to  FIG. 2 . Receiver R 1  is also shown in this example to receive for time period R 1   340 . Time period R 1   340  includes the multiple channel service timeslot  312  and the first user timeslot  314 . This allows the wireless device to receive service timeslot transmissions as well as user data destined for that wireless device.  
         [0031]     A second wireless device R 2  is shown in this example as being assigned to receive data on the second user timeslot  316  of the single TDM RF channel  302 . Second receiver R 2  is shown to receive data for period R 2   342 , which includes the multiple channel service timeslot  312 , the first user timeslot  314  and the second user timeslot  316 . Although the second receiver R 2  does not process the data received in the first user timeslot  314 , the processing of this receiver is simplified by only discontinuing operation of the receive circuits during one period per time division frame, i.e., during user timeslots following the second user timeslot  316 . Further embodiments do ids able receiver processing during the first user timeslot  314 .  
         [0032]     This example further shows an Nth receiver to be assigned to the Nth user timeslot  318  of the single TDM RF channel  302 . The Nth user timeslot in this example is the last user timeslot defined for the time division frame of the single TDM RF channel  302 . The Nth receiver is shown to be operated during time period RN  344 , which includes the Nth user timeslot  318  and the second service timeslot  320 , which is the service timeslot for the time division frame that is after the time division frame that contains the Nth user timeslot  318 . Configuring receiver RN to receive the service timeslot in the next time division frame advantageously allows the receiver circuits of receiver RN to be energized and operated for a shorter period of time.  
         [0033]     An example of an alternative operating scheme is also shown in the time to time frequency division multiplexing diagram  300  where the wireless devices are, instead, assigned user timeslots within each of the plurality of RF channels  388 . Receiver R 1  in this alternative operating scheme is shown as operating its receiver circuits during period R 1 ′  370  in order to receive the multiple channel service timeslot  312  and the first user slot for each of the four RF channels within the plurality of RF channels  388 . In this case, receiver R 1  receives the first user slot of RF channel A  330 , the user slot of RF channel B  340 , the first user slot of RF channel C  350 , and the first user slot of RF channel D  360 . Wireless devices used in the exemplary embodiment are able to simultaneously transmit and process these four RF channels. These wireless devices are also able to simultaneously generate and transmit four $ channels as an uplink signal.  
         [0034]     As discussed above, the user timeslots for the plurality of RF channels  388  are essentially one fourth the period of the user timeslots of the single TDM RF channel  302 . Wireless device R 1  is therefore able to energize and operate its receiver circuits only during period R 1 ′  370 , which is somewhat shorter than time period R 1   340 . Time period R 1   340  includes multiple service timeslot  312  and the first user timeslot  314 . First user timeslot  314  is approximately four times longer than, for example, the first user timeslot of RF channels A  330 . This shortens the receiver operation time by approximately three fourths of the user timeslot period for the single TDM RF channel  302 . In operation, however, circuit turn-on and stabilization time, as well as time synchronization uncertainties, cause the receiver circuits operation period to be greater than just the time period of the assigned timeslots being received.  
         [0035]     Receiver R 2  is shown to similarly operate for time period R 2 ′  372  when assigned user timeslots that are distributed across the plurality of RF channels  388 . Time period R 2 ′  372  is shorter than time period R 2   342  for reasons that are similar to those discussed with respect to time period R 1 ′  370 . Receiver RN similarly operates for the shorter time period RN′  374 .  
         [0036]     The exemplary embodiment uses four RF channels. Further embodiments use fewer or more RF channels that are contained within a plurality of RF channels  388 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 4  illustrates a block diagram for a wireless device  400  for a wireless device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This exemplary wireless device is a cellular telephone that communicates by transmitting and receiving digitally modulated time division and time/frequency division RF signals. Wireless device  400  includes an antenna  402  that is connected to a receiver  404  and transmitter  406 . Receiver  404  is an RF to baseband receiver as are known to ordinary practitioners in the relevant arts. The baseband analog output  405  of receiver  404 , which contains a filtered and conditioned signal for a received RF band that is downcoverted to a lower frequency, is provided as an input to a Digital Signal Processing (DSP) module  408 . Details of the DSP module  408  are discussed below. Transmitter  406  accepts a baseband input  407  that is generated by the DSP module  408 , upconverts this baseband signal to the RF frequency required for transmission and sends the RF signal to antenna  402  for transmission. DSP module  408  accepts audio data  409  to and from audio processing circuits  410 . Audio processing circuits  410  provide output audio signal to a speaker  416  and accept voice signals from microphone  414 . DSP module  408  also communicates to and from the data processor/controller  412  data  411  that either was received or is to be transmitted. DSP module  408  provides demodulated data including both user data and service data. Service data in the exemplary embodiment includes RF channel and user timeslot assignments, incoming call notifications, and other housekeeping messages used by the wireless network. The data processor/controller  412  produces data to be transmitted from the wireless device, including service messages such as outgoing call requests, status messages, and other housekeeping messages. The data processor/controller  412  is further able to provide user data that is to be transmitted by the wireless device. The data processor/controller  412  accepts user controls from keypad  418 , which is mounted on the enclosure of the wireless device and allows a user to enter commands and control the operation of the wireless device.  
         [0038]     The receiver  404  and transmitter  406  of this exemplary embodiment are configured to simultaneously receive and transmit all of the RF channels within the plurality of RF channels used by this wireless device. In the example of the time to time/frequency division multiplexing diagram  300 , receiver  404  and transmitter  406  have a receive and transmit bandwidth, respectively, of BW 2   386 . This results in the four RF channels of that example being simultaneously received and delivered to DSP module  408 , and in DSP module  408  simultaneously generating the four RF channels for transmission. The programming of DSP module  408  is configured to process these four signals. The DSP module  408  of the exemplary embodiment is further able to be configured to receive a single TDM RF channel  302 . Further, DSP module  408  is able to simultaneously receive and process a subset of RF channels within the plurality of RF channels  388 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates a processing block diagram for DSP module  408 . DSP module  408  is a multiple component module that in various embodiments of the present invention is able to include programmable processors, dedicated logic hardware, digitizers, and other circuits used to realized the processing described herein and as required by the operation of the wireless device. Received baseband signal  405  is provided to Analog to Digital (A/D) converter  502 . The digital output of A/D converter  502  is provided to a multiple-channel demodulator/demultiplexer  504 . The multiple channel demodulator/demultiplexer  504  applies digital signal processing to simultaneously demodulate the multiple carriers contained in the received plurality of RF channels. Such digital signal processing is familiar to ordinary practitioners in the relevant arts. The multiple channel demodulator/demultiplexer  504  provides demodulated data to a data conditioning processor  506 , which processes the received data as required for use by other circuits. The data conditioning circuits  506  provides received data to a voice data interface  409  and a data interface  411 , described below. The data conditioning circuits  506  further accept voice and data inputs from the voice data interface  409  and the data interface  411 , conditions that data and provides that data to the multiple channel signal generator  508 . The multi-channel signal generator  508  generates the multiple RF channels of the plurality of RF signals for transmission by the wireless device. A digitally encoded base band representation of these four carrier sis provided to a digital to analog (D/A) converter  510  for base band output to the transmitter  406 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  illustrates a slot assignment processing flow diagram  600  as is performed by an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The slot assignment processing in the exemplary embodiment is performed by controller  108  when establishing, maintaining and ending communications sessions either between wireless devices or between a wireless device and a landline connection, such as to the POTS  110  or Internet  112 . The slot assignment processing begins by assigning, at step  602 , an initial set of transmission and reception slots for the communications session. These slots are assigned in data transmissions by the base station  102  during service timeslots  210  or multiple channel service timeslots  312 . A wireless device in the exemplary embodiment is able to be assigned a different number of uplink and downlink transmission slots according to the current data rate requirements for each transmission direction. The exemplary embodiment further attempts to assign multiple transmission user timeslots for an uplink or downlink that occur simultaneously in each of the plurality of RF channels so as to allow minimal RF signal reception processing.  
         [0041]     After the initial set of timeslots is assigned to the wireless device, the communications session continues, at step  604 . During the communications session, a status change is able to occur. Status changes include events that cause a change in either or both of the current transmit bandwidth or the current receive bandwidth. Such events can be caused by one end of the communications session desiring to transmit a block of data or to change a mode such as to start broadcasting video. The processing determines, at step  606 , if such an event has occurred. If no event has occurred, the communications session continues, at step  604 . If such an event has occurred, the processing continues by determining, at step  608 , if an increase in bandwidth is required. If it is determined that an increase in bandwidth is required, the processing adjusts the number of time slots assigned to the wireless device and assigns, at step  610 , addition timeslots for the affected link or links, i.e., either the uplink, downlink, or both. This increase in slot assignments is made by slot assignment transmissions in the multiple channel service timeslot  312  that specify an added number of time slots.  
         [0042]     If it was determined that the event did not indicate that more bandwidth was required, the processing continues by determining, at step  612 , if less bandwidth is required. If less bandwidth is required, the processing deallocates at least one timeslot for this wireless device and reduces, at step  614 , the number of slots assigned to the affected link for that wireless device. The new slot assignments are assigned in the multiple channel service timeslot  312  specify this new, reduced number.  
         [0043]     If the processing determines that less bandwidth was not required, the processing then determines, at step  616 , if the communications session is complete, as would be indicated, for example, by the users of the wireless device. If the communications session is not complete, the processing returns to continuing the communication session, at step  604 . If the communications session is complete, the processing ends, at step  618 , the communications session by de-assigning all slots for that wireless device used by that communications session.  
         [0044]     The present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. A system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system—or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein—is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.  
         [0045]     The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which—when loaded in a computer system—is able to carry out these methods. Computer program means or computer program in the present context mean any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following a) conversion to another language, code or, notation; and b) reproduction in a different material form.  
         [0046]     Each computer system may include, inter alia, one or more computers and at least a computer readable medium allowing a computer to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include non-volatile memory, such as ROM, Flash memory, Disk drive memory, CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. Additionally, a computer medium may include, for example, volatile storage such as RAM, buffers, cache memory, and network circuits. Furthermore, the computer readable medium may comprise computer readable information in a transitory state medium such as a network link and/or a network interface, including a wired network or a wireless network, that allow a computer to read such computer readable information.  
         [0047]     The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The terms “between” and “among” are not to be interpreted as limiting, the use of “between” alone is not to be interpreted as a term of limitation that restricts an action to only two objects, and the use of “among” alone is not to be interpreted as a term of limitation that excludes an action from operating upon only two objects.  
         [0048]     Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes can be made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to be restricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intended that the appended claims cover any and all such applications, modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the present invention.