Abstract:
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and a backlight system for the LCD panel are provided. A light guide plate and an illumination source facing a side of the light guide plate are provided, wherein the illumination source comprises a set of light emitting diodes (LEDs). An LED substrate is provided on which the plurality of LEDs are mounted. A fixing plate is provided to which the LED substrate is attached. A set of clips are provided for binding the LED substrate and the fixing plate together.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present application relates to an LED substrate including a plurality of LEDs, a backlight unit including the LED substrate, and a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit that is disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is one example of display devices that are used as high-definition color monitors for computers and other information devices, and as television receivers. A liquid crystal display device fundamentally includes a display portion in which liquid crystals are sandwiched between two substrates at least one of which is made of transparent glass or the like. 
         [0003]    An LCD display typically has a backlight unit that is disposed behind the liquid crystal display panel to project light onto the display panel. A side (edge) backlight unit is a kind of backlight unit, which includes a light guide plate having a plate shape that is made from a transparent material such as an acrylate resin, and a light source that includes a cold cathode tube (fluorescent lamp) or a set of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) that are disposed along one side or more than one side of the light guide plate. The side backlight unit described here has an advantage in that a thin profile thereof can be easily achieved compared with a direct backlight unit including a light source disposed behind a liquid crystal display panel. 
         [0004]    Typically, the set of LEDs are mounted on an LED substrate and the LED substrate is attached to a fixing plate by inserting screws into the LED substrate and the fixing plate. With rapid development in the technology, the number of LEDs used on an LED substrate is increasing and as a result the spaces between LEDs have to be decreased. However, screws inserted into the LED substrate may take up some of the space on the substrate and cause a need for an LED substrate with an increased width, which is not desirable. In addition, screw attachment does not allow any sliding flexibility between the LED substrate and the fixing plate. The lack of sliding flexibility may cause the LED substrate to bend, for example, due to the heat generated from the LEDs, and the bending may cause distortion of the light emitted from the 
         [0005]    LEDs or breakage of the LED substrate. Therefore, a need exists for replacing the screw attachment with a more efficient attachment apparatus. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    To address the above problems, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an LED substrate with a reduced width such that a depth of an LCD display device equipped with the LED substrate can be reduced. 
         [0007]    Another object of the present disclosure is providing an attachment method and apparatus for attaching the LED substrate to a fixing plate of the LCD display such that the attachment provides sliding flexibility for the LED substrate and the fixing plate relative to each other to prevent light distortion from the LEDs. 
         [0008]    In accordance with some aspects of the present disclosure, a backlight system is provided, which includes a light guide plate and an illumination source facing a side of the light guide plate. The illumination source includes a set of LEDs. The backlight system also includes an LED substrate on which the set of LEDs are mounted. The backlight system further includes a fixing plate to which the LED substrate is attached. The backlight system also includes a set of clips binding the LED substrate and the fixing plate together. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing a relevant portion of the liquid crystal display device shown in  FIG. 1  after being assembled. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 3A-3B  are exemplary diagrams showing configurations of conventional LED substrates of LCD display devices attached to fixing plates using screws. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4A-4D  are exemplary diagrams showing a configuration of an LED substrate of an LCD display device, according to a first embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary diagram showing a configuration of an LED substrate of an LCD display device, according to a second embodiment. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 6A-6E  are exemplary diagrams showing a configuration of an LED substrate of an LCD display device, according to a third embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. 
         [0017]    A detailed description of an LED substrate, a backlight unit, and a liquid crystal display device of preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal display device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a relevant portion of the liquid crystal display device  100 . The liquid crystal display device  100  may include a bezel  101 , a liquid crystal display panel  103  and a backlight unit  107  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The bezel  101  may have a square frame shape with an opening so as to cover edge portions of the liquid crystal display panel  103 , and can be arranged to, together with a backlight chassis  109  to be described later, ensure strength of the entire liquid crystal display device  100 . The liquid crystal display panel  103  may include two glasses that are bonded together, and liquid crystals are filled in a space between the glasses. The liquid crystal display panel  103  is capable of displaying an image on its front surface. 
         [0019]    The backlight unit  107  defines a so-called side (edge) illuminating device. The backlight unit  107  may include a frame  105 , optical sheets  111 , a light guide plate  113 , a reflection sheet  115 , the backlight chassis  109 , a fixing plate  117  (similar to fixing plates  405 ,  425 ,  435 ,  505 ,  605 , and  625  of  FIGS. 4A to 6E ), and at least one LED substrate  119  (similar to LED substrates  401 ,  421 ,  431 ,  501 ,  601 , and  621  of  FIGS. 4A to 6E ) as shown in  FIG. 1 . The LED substrate  119  is attached to the fixing plate  117  by binding members such as clips  121 . 
         [0020]    The frame  105  may have a square frame shape with an opening, and can be arranged to accommodate the optical sheets  111 , the light guide plate  113  and the reflection sheet  115 , which are stacked in this order from the top, to the backlight chassis  109 . The optical sheets  111 , the light guide plate  113  and the reflection sheet  115  define optical members arranged to adjust the optical properties (e.g., refraction, diffraction, reflection) of light that enters the liquid crystal display panel  103  from LEDs  123  included on the LED substrate  119 . 
         [0021]    The backlight chassis  109  can be made of a metal plate such as aluminum that possesses electrical conductivity. The backlight chassis  109  may have the shape of a box of low height that is formed through bending processing of the metal plate. The backlight chassis  109  houses the optical sheets  111 , the light guide plate  113 , the reflection sheet  115 , the fixing plate  117 , and the LED substrate  119 . 
         [0022]    The light guide plate  113  may have a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view, and can be made of a transparent plate having a thickness of about 3 to 4 mm. The light guide plate  113  includes a light incidence surface  113   a  arranged to receive light from the LEDs  123 , and a light emitting surface  113   b  arrange to emit the light upward (in a direction to project the light) from the light incidence surface  113   a.  The light incidence surface  113   a  can be defined by a given side surface of the light guide plate  113 , and the light emitting surface  113   b  can be defined by a front surface of the light guide plate  113 . 
         [0023]    The light guide plate  113  repeatedly and internally reflects the light, which enters from the light incidence surface  113   a,  between the light emitting face (front face)  113   b  and a back surface  113   c,  which is the opposite surface to the light emitting surface  113   b,  to planarly (e.g., in a two dimensional plane) diffuse the light inside the light guide plate  113 . The light guide plate  113  includes a set of scattering members (not shown) on the back surface  113   c,  which are arranged to scatter the light, which enters from the light incidence surface (side surface)  113   a,  and emit the light from the light emitting surface (front surface)  113   b.  The scattering members are preferably provided thereon by dotting paint containing a white pigment in a printing method on the back surface  113   c  of the light guide plate  113 , or are preferably provided thereon by forming a set of concave portions on the back surface  113   c  of the light guide plate  113 . 
         [0024]    In addition, the LEDs  123  provided to the LED substrate  119  can be disposed close to the light incidence surface  113   a  of the light guide plate  113 . Further, light emitting surfaces of the LEDs  123  are disposed along the light incidence surface  113   a  of the light guide plate  113 , having a given space therebetween so as to be opposed to the light incidence surface  113   a.  The LED substrate  119  can be fixed so as to be disposed laterally while standing (erecting) on the fixing plate  117  having the shape of the letter “L” that can be provided so as to stand on a bottom plate  125  in the vicinity of a side wall  127  of the backlight chassis  109 . 
         [0025]    The reflection sheet  115  can be disposed so as to cover the back surface  113   c,  which is the opposite surface to the light emitting surface  113   b.  The reflection sheet  115  may be disposed on the bottom plate  125  of the backlight chassis  109 . The reflection sheet  115  can be arranged to reflect the light, which is emitted from the back surface  113   c  of the light guide plate  113 , toward the light guide plate  113 . The reflection sheet  115  may define a resin sheet having a thickness of about0.1 to 2 mm. The reflection sheet  115  may be painted white to increase the use efficiency of the light and to enhance brightness of the light on the light emitting surface  113   b  of the light guide plate  113  by efficiently reflecting the light, which is emitted from the back surface  113   c  of the light guide plate  113 , toward the light guide plate  113 . 
         [0026]    The optical sheets  111  include resin sheets, which have a thin rectangular shape when seen in a plan view. The optical sheets  111  are defined by a stack of the polarization selective reflection sheet, the lens sheet, and the diffusion sheet, which may have a thickness of about 0.1 to 0.5 mm, and are stacked in this order from the top and disposed on the light guide plate  113 . 
         [0027]    The diffusion sheet may be used to diffuse the light emitted from the light guide plate  113 , allowing uniform brightness distribution of the light. The lens sheet can be used to gather the light emitted from the diffusion sheet, allowing enhancement of front brightness of the light. The polarization selective reflection sheet can be used to selectively reflect the light emitted from the lens sheet so that the light is not absorbed by a polarizing plate (not shown) that can be attached on the underside of the liquid crystal display panel  103 . 
         [0028]    The backlight unit  107  may be capable of converting the light from the LEDs  123  into flattened light with the use of the optical sheets  111 , the light guide plate  113  and the reflection sheet  115 , and projecting the light onto a back surface of the liquid crystal display panel  103 . 
         [0029]      FIGS. 3A-3B  are diagrams showing configurations of conventional LED substrates of LCD display devices attached to a fixing plate using screw.  FIG. 3A  is a diagram of an LED substrate  301  with LEDs  303   a,    303   b,  to  303   n  ( 303   a - 303   n ). The LED substrate  301  is attached to a fixing plate  305  of heat sink  307  with a set of screws such as  309   a  and  309   b.  As the number of LEDs  303   a - 303   n  on the LED substrate  301  increases, the available space between the LEDs  303   a - 303   n  for fitting the screws to attach the LED substrate  301  to the fixing plate  305  decreases. This problem may be solved by providing the screws below or above the LED line on the LED substrate  301 . For example, in  FIG. 3A  the screws  309   a  and  309   b  are provided below the LED line  303   a - 303   n.  This solution, however, may cause the width  311  of the LED substrate to increase, which is not desirable because it leads to a thicker LCD display device. The thickness of the LCD device depends on the thickness  313  of the fixing plate  305 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 3B  is diagram of another conventional LED substrate  321  with LEDs  323   a - 323   n.  The LED substrate  321  is attached to a fixing plate  325  of heat sink  329  with a set of screws  327   a,    327   b  and  327   c.  As seen in  FIG. 3B , the screws  327   a,    327   b,  and  327   c  may cause the width  333  of the LED substrate  321  to increase to provide enough space for screws  327   a - 327   c  on the substrate  321 . However, an increase of width  333  may cause the width of the fixing plate  325  to also increase and as a result a total depth of the heat sink  329 . Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 3B , the substrate  321  may deform or expand, for example, due to the heat generated from the LEDs  323   a - 323   n.  Upon expansion of the LED substrate  321  and because the screws  327   a - 327   c  do not allow the substrate  321  to slide relative to the fixing plate  325 , the lack of sliding flexibility may cause the substrate  321  to bend relative to the fixing plate  325  and cause creation of gaps such as  331   a  and  331   b  between the LED substrate  321  and the fixing plate  325 . The bending of the LED substrate  321  may cause distortion of the lights generated from the LEDs  323   a - 323   n.  In addition, the bending may cause breakage of the LED substrate  321 , as for example seen in line  335 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 4A-4D  are exemplary diagrams showing a configuration of an LED substrate of an LCD display device, according to a first embodiment.  FIG. 4A  is an exemplary diagram of an LED substrate  401  with LEDs  403   a - 403   n.  The LED substrate  401  is attached to a fixing plate  405  with a set of clip shaped fixing members  407   a,    407   b , . . . , and  407   m  ( 407   a - 407   m ). The fixing members (e.g., clips)  407   a - 407   m  can attach the LED substrate  401  to the fixing plate  405  such that a clip is located within a gap  409  between two adjacent LEDs, for example between  403   a  and  403   b  of the LEDs  403   a - 403   n  on the LED substrate  401 . The width of a clip  407   a - 407   m  is narrower than the gap  409  between the two adjacent LEDs from the LEDs  403   a - 403   n  on the LED substrate  401 .  FIG. 4B  shows a side view of the structure of  FIG. 4A . 
         [0032]    In  FIG. 4B  the fixing plate  425  corresponds to the fixing plate  405 , the LED substrate  421  corresponds to the LED substrate  401  and the LED  423  corresponds to the LEDs  403   a - 403   n  of  FIG. 4A . The clip  427   a  is similar to the clips  407   a - 407   m  from  FIG. 4A . As shown in  FIG. 4B , the fixing plate  425  and the LED substrate  421  can be attached together by clip  427   a,  where the clip  427   a  can slide into place in a direction shown with arrow  429  and hold the fixing plate  425  and the LED substrate  421  together. The embodiment discussed above can reduce the width  413  of the LED substrate  401  (shown in  FIG. 4A ) by omitting the space needed for the screws shown in  FIGS. 3A-3B  and as a result provide an LCD display with a smaller depth compared to the LED substrates of  FIGS. 3A-3B . As shown in  FIG. 4B  the clip  427   a  can have a concave U-shape with a center portion C and two straight edge portions E 1  and E 2 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4C  shows a side view similar to  FIG. 4B  where the clip  437   a  is similar to clip  427   a  with a different shape such that clip  437   a  has a center portion C′, a straight edge E′ 1  and an edge E′ 2  with a convex U-shape. The convex U-shape of edge E′ 2  of clip  437   a  can increase pressure for a firm grip between the LED substrate  431  and the fixing plate  435  (similar to the LED substrate  421  and the fixing plate  425  of  FIG. 4B , respectively). Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4D , a clip  437   b,  similar to clips  427   a  or  437   a,  can have a shape with a center portion C″, and two convex U-shape edges E″ 1  and E″ 2 . 
         [0034]    In various aspects, a combination of clips  427   a,    437   a,  and  437   b  having different shapes may be used for attaching the LED substrate  401  and the fixing plate  405  of  FIG. 4A . For example, at least one clip  437   b  and at least two clips  437   a  can be used such that the at least one clip  437   b  provides firm attachment between the LED substrate  401  and the fixing plate  405  and the at least two clips  437   a  can provide a sliding attachment such that the fixing plate  405  can freely slide relative to the LED substrate  401 . The clip  437   b  can be mounted between the clips  437   a.  For example, the at least one clip  437   b  can be attached at the center of the LED substrate  401  (at location  407   i ) to firmly attach the LED substrate  401  to the fixing plate  405 . The clips  407   a  and  407   m,  for example, can be of a shape similar to clip  437   a  to allow the fixing plate  405  to slide relative to the LED substrate  401 . The remaining clips can have either the  437   a  or the  427   a  shapes. It is noted that clips  437   a  and  437   b  may allow sliding of the LED substrate with respect to the fixing plate. However, the sliding of the LED substrate  401  relative to the fixing plate  405  at location  407   i  where clip  447   b  is used is minimal while sliding at locations where the at least two clips  437   a  are used is enough to prevent deforming or bending of the LED substrate  401 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary diagram showing a configuration of an LED substrate of an LCD display device, according to a second embodiment.  FIG. 5  shows a portion of an LED substrate  501  similar to the LED substrate  401  of  FIG. 4A , with LEDs  503   a - 503   d  similar to LEDs  403   a - 403   n.  The LED substrate  501  is attached to a fixing plate  505 , similar to the fixing plate  405  of  FIG. 4A , with a set of clips  509 . The set of clips  509  can include any of the shapes  427   a,    437   a  and  437   b  as described in  FIGS. 4B-4D . The LED substrate  501  and the fixing plate  505  are attached to a back frame  507 . Only one clip  509  is shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0036]    In one aspect of the present application, the LED substrate  501  may include a set of lateral grooves, for example, groove  511  such that a clip  509  can be engaged within the groove  511 . In addition, or alternatively, the fixing plate  505  may also include a set of vertical grooves, for example, groove  515  to engage with clip  509 . In some aspects, the width  513  of a groove  511 , or the width  517  of a groove  515  can be substantially the same as or slightly larger than the width of a clip  509 , such that the clip  509  can tightly fit into the groove  515 . The width  517  of a groove  515  is considered to be substantially the same as the width a clip  509 , if, for example, the width of groove  515  is up to about 5% larger than the width of clip  509 . The 5% larger width may be applied for the clip to fit inside the groove. In other aspects, the width  513  of a groove  511  or the width  517  of a groove  515  can be greater than the width of a clip  509 , to allow flexibility. For example, the width  513  of a groove  511  or the width  517  of a groove  515  can be twice as wide as the width of clip  509  or larger to allow the fixing plate  505  to slide relative to the LED substrate  501 . 
         [0037]    For example, when the width  513  of groove  511  is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the width of clip  509 , the groove  511  prevents the LED substrate  501  from moving in the X direction relative to the fixing plate  505 , as shown in the three dimensional axis  519 . As another example, when the width  517  of groove  515  is greater than the width of clip  509 , or greater than the width  513  of groove  511 , the groove  515  allows the fixing plate  505  to move in the X direction relative to the LED substrate  501 . For example, the width  517  of groove  515  can be 30% to 50% larger than the width of groove  511  to allow the fixing plate  505  to move in X direction. 
         [0038]      FIGS. 6A-6E  are exemplary diagrams showing a configuration of an LED substrate of an LCD display device, according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. As discussed with respect to  FIGS. 4B-4D , in some aspects, a clip ( 427   a,    437   a,  or  437   b ) can have a concave U-shape with a center portion (C, C′ or C″) and two edge portions (E 1 , E′ 1  or E″ 1 ) and (E 2 , E′ 2  or E″ 2 ). Each of the edges E 1 , E′ 1  or E″ 1  and E 2 , E′ 2  or E″ 2  can have a convex U-shape. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 6A , in some aspects, at least one of the grooves  609 , similar to groove  511  of  FIG. 5 , or at least one of the grooves  611 , similar to groove  515  of  FIG. 5 , are shaped similar to the shape of a clip  427   a,    437   a  or  437   b  to engage with the clip. For example, the groove  609  can be shaped similar to clip  607  such that the convex U-shaped edge of clip  607  can be engaged with the convex U-shaped groove  609 . Similarly, groove  611  can be shaped similar to the straight edge of clip  607  to engage with the straight edge. 
         [0040]    In some cases, at least two clips shaped similar to clip  607  are used, such that the clip has a concave U-shape with a center portion and two edge portions, when one of the edge portions has a convex U-shape and other edge portion has a straight shape. In such cases, at least two grooves  609  and at least two grooves  611  corresponding to the grooves  609  are shaped according to the shape of clip  607  to engage with the at least two clips  607 . Corresponding grooves on an LED substrate  601  and a fixing plate  605  are grooves that are co-located when the LED substrate  601  and the fixing plate  605  are attached to each other. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 6B , the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625  are attached together using clip  627 . Clip  627 , similar to clip  437   b  of  FIG. 4D , has a concave U-shape with a center portion and two edge portions, where both of the edge portions have a convex U-shape. In  FIG. 6C , the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625  are attached together using clip  629 . Clip  629 , similar to clip  437   a  of  FIG. 4C , has a concave U-shape with a center portion and two edge portions, where one of the edge portions has a convex U-shape and the other edge portion has a straight shape. 
         [0042]    In the example of  FIG. 6D , at location  633   b  a clip  627  is used to attach the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625 . However, at locations  633   a  and  633   c  the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625  are attached together using clips  629 . In this example, both of the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625  have grooves shaped similar to the clips attaching them together. For example, at location  633   b  the front (LED substrate  621 ) and the back (fixing plate  625 ) have concave grooves where the convex edges of clip  627  are attached. Similarly, in locations  633   a  and  633   c  the LED substrate  621  has a concave groove while the fixing plate  625  has a straight groove to fit the edges of clip  629 . 
         [0043]    The clip  627  prevents the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625  from sliding relative to each other in a Y direction or in an X direction of the dimensional axis  631 . The clips  629  prevent the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625  from sliding relative to each other in a Y direction of the dimensional axis  631 , however, the clips  629  allow the LED substrate  621  and the fixing plate  625  to slide relative to each other in an X direction of the dimensional axis  631 . 
         [0044]    In the example of  FIG. 6E  dimensions of a clip  635  similar to clips  627  and  629  of  FIGS. 6B-6D  are shown. As shown in  FIG. 6E , the width  637  of clip  635  can be between 3 to 6 millimeters. The length  639  of clip  635  can be between 5 to 10 millimeters, and the thickness  641  of clip  635  can be between 0.5 to 1.5 millimeters. It is noted that the dimension ranges may change depending on the size of the LED substrate (shown as  609  in  FIG. 6A ), the size of the LEDs (shown as  503   a  in  FIG. 6A ), the size of the fixing plate (shown as  605  in  FIG. 6A ), or in general to the size of the liquid crystal display device  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0045]    While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings. 
         [0046]    Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. They are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. 
         [0047]    The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. 
         [0048]    Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 
         [0049]    It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0050]    The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various implementations for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed implementations require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed implementation. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.