Patent Publication Number: US-2018046840-A1

Title: A non-contact capture device

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a non-contact capture device for capturing biometric data, such as fingerprints and palm prints. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Readers or capture devices are used to capture an image and specifically are used to capture biometric information, such as fingerprints. Commonly, a biometric capture device includes a surface that a user will place his or her hand on, and then the biometric capture device captures the image of the hand. The surface allows for precise spacing of the hand relative to the components that capture the image so that clear and accurate images are obtained. However, for biometric capture devices, requiring a user to make contact with a surface can introduce oils onto the surface that must be removed before subsequent images are captured. Further, when a user makes contact with the surface, viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens from that user can be transferred to the surface. Again, the surface then will require cleaning to prevent the spread of those viruses, bacteria, or pathogens to other users. 
     SUMMARY 
     A non-contact capture device is able to capture images without the object that is being imaged making contact with a surface during the image capture. In particular, a non-contact biometric capture device for capturing images allows a user to position his or her body, such as a foot or hand, away from any surface for an image to be captured. However, precise placement of the hand relative to the image capture device is needed. 
     The non-contact capture device allows for an image of an object to be captured when the object is not making contact with any portion of the non-contact capture device. 
     In one embodiment, the non-contact capture device comprises an electronic compartment comprising a camera and a light source, wherein the camera and light source are directed to an image capture region, a housing guide comprising a leg extending away from the electronic compartment to support a collar, and an image capture region spaced away from the electronic compartment and the housing guide. The collar extends laterally around only a portion of the image capture region forming an entry gap into the image capture region. In one embodiment, the housing guide comprises a first leg and a second leg, each on opposing portions of the electronic compartment. In one embodiment, the housing guide further comprises a rear shield, extending from the electronic compartment to the collar and between the first leg and the second leg. In one embodiment, the collar extends beyond the first leg and the second leg. In one embodiment, the collar extends at least 90 degrees and less than 360 degrees circumferentially around the image capture region. In one embodiment, the collar extends at least 180 degrees and less than 300 degrees circumferentially around the image capture region. In one embodiment, the collar includes a guide surface that extends in a plane that is co-planar with the image capture region. In one embodiment, the guide surface includes a color that is different than a color of the remaining portion of the collar. In one embodiment, the collar comprises a sloping surface that slopes down towards the image capture region. In one embodiment, the guide surface includes a color that is different than a color of the sloping surface of the collar. 
     In one embodiment, the device comprises a placement indicator comprising a sensor for detecting placement of an object to be imaged within the image capture region and an output for signaling correct placement of the object to be imaged within the image capture region. In one embodiment, the output is a flashing colored light. In one embodiment, the output is an audio signal. In one embodiment, the output is an image icon. 
     In one embodiment, the device further comprises an object to be imaged for placement into the image capture region. In one embodiment, the object is one friction ridge surface of a user. In one embodiment, the friction ridge is one of a finger pad, thumb, palm, or foot. 
     In one embodiment, the device further comprises an infrared sensor, wherein when the infrared sensor detects the presence of an object in the image capture region, the infrared sensor triggers the light source and the camera. In one embodiment, when the light source is triggered, the infrared sensor is deactivated. In one embodiment, when the camera is triggered, the camera captures more than one image of an object in the image capture region. 
     In one embodiment, the device further comprises a transparent surface disposed between the electronics compartment and the image capture region. 
     In one embodiment, the device further comprises a second camera, wherein the first camera is positioned to capture an image of a first potion of an object to be imaged, and wherein the second camera is positioned to capture a second portion of the object to be imaged. 
     In one embodiment, the device further comprises a communications module, wherein the communications module communicates with an exterior processor. In one embodiment, the exterior processor triggers the light source and the camera. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a non-contact capture device; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a perspective of the non-contact capture device of  FIG. 1  with a user&#39;s hand in the image capture region; 
         FIG. 2  is the electronic compartment of one embodiment of a non-contact capture device; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of one embodiment of a non-contact capture device; 
         FIG. 4  is a flow chart for triggering the camera and light source of one embodiment of a non-contact capture device; 
         FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    show captured images of before and after processing, respectively. 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified drawings and figures set forth embodiments of the invention, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the invention by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of this invention. The figures may not be drawn to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1 a    is a perspective view of one embodiment of a non-contact capture device  100  and  FIG. 1 b    is a perspective of the non-contact capture device  100  of  FIG. 1  with a user&#39;s hand  110  in the image capture region  160 . 
     The non-contact capture device  100  comprises an electronic compartment  120 , a housing guide  130 , and an image capture region  160 . The electronic compartment  120  will be described in more detail below and references  FIG. 2 . The user&#39;s hand  110  (or other appendage, such as a finger, palm, foot, or other object) should not make contact with the collar  131 , legs  132 ,  133 , or the electronic compartment  120 . In one embodiment, the user&#39;s hand  110  should not make contact with any portion of the non-contact capture device  100 . The user&#39;s hand  110  may be positioned in a variety of way with respect to non-contact capture device  100 . For instance, the user&#39;s hand may be both flat and level with the capture. In other examples, the user&#39;s hand may be positioned in a way that is other than flat and level. In some examples, the user&#39;s hand may not contact with entry guard  137 . 
     The housing guide  130  comprising at least one leg, and in the embodiment shown in FIGS. la and lb the housing guide  130  comprises a first leg  132  and a second leg  133 . The legs  132 ,  133  are outside of the image capture region  160  and extending away from the electronic compartment  120  to support a collar  131 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , the first leg  132  and a second leg  133  are each on opposing portions of the electronic compartment  120 . 
     The image capture region  160  is spaced away from the electronic compartment  120  and the housing guide  130 . The image capture region  160  is the position where the camera within the electronic compartment  120  captures images. Ideal placement of the image capture region  160  relative to the camera&#39;s capabilities will result in the highest quality images captured. 
     The collar  131  extends laterally around only a portion of the image capture region  160  forming an entry gap  135  into the image capture region  160 . The collar  131  provides a visual indicator for estimating placement of the object (i.e., user&#39;s hand)  110  into the image capture region  160 , while preventing the object from extending too far away from the image capture region  160 . The entry gap  135  allows a user to easily place an object into the image capture region  160 . The collar  131  is supported by the leg, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. la and lb, by both legs  132 ,  133 . Therefore, the collar  131  is spaced longitudinally away from the electronic compartment  120 . In one embodiment, the collar  160  extends at least 90 degrees and less than 360 degrees circumferentially around the image capture region  160  creating the entry gap  135 . In one embodiment, the collar  131  extends at least 180 degrees and less than 300 degrees circumferentially around the image capture region  160  creating the entry gap  135 . The length of the legs  132 ,  133 , and therefore, placement of the collar  131  is designed such that the collar is adjacent to the image capture region  160 . The circumferential placement of the collar  131  provides a barrier for a user to place the object too far away from the image capture region  160 . 
     In one embodiment, like as shown in FIG. la and lb the collar  131  extends beyond the first leg  132  and the second leg  133 . This design allows a user to place an object  110 , like a hand into the image capture region  160 , while other portions of the object  110  extend outside of the image capture region  160  without unduly interfering with the legs  132 ,  133 . For example, a user could place their thumb into the image capture region  160  on, while their fingers extend outside of the image capture region  160 . 
     In one embodiment, the collar  131  includes a guide surface  134  that provides a visual indicator for estimating placement of the object  110  into the image capture region  160 . In one embodiment, the guide surface  134  forms a plane. The plane of the guide surface  134  may be above, below, or coplanar with image capture region  160 . In one embodiment, the object  110  is placed adjacent to the plane formed by the guide surface  134 . In one embodiment, the object  110  is placed centric, just above or just below the plane formed by the guide surface  134 . In one embodiment, the guide surface  134  includes a color that is different than a color of the remaining portion of the collar. 
     In some examples, guide surface  134  is positioned within an area bordered by the collar. In some examples, guide surface  134  is co-planar with the capture area and nearer to the capture area than the collar. In some examples, the collar and the guide may be attached closely to each other (e.g., within a defined distance), or there may be a gap of a defined distance between them with support structures connecting them. Example defined distances may be within the range of 1-15 cm. 
     In one embodiment, like shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , the collar  131  comprises a sloping surface than slopes down towards the image capture region  160 . The sloping surface of the collar  131  provides a visual indicator for estimating placement of the object  110  into the image capture region  160 . 
     To provider further enclosure and protection of the electronic compartment  120 , the housing guide  130  of the device further comprises a rear shield  136 , extending from the electronic compartment  120  to the collar  131  and between the first leg  132  and the second leg  133 . In one embodiment, the rear shield  136  is transparent. In one embodiment, the read shield  136  is opposite to the entry gap  135 . 
     To provide further protection of the electronic compartment  120 , the device  100  further comprises an entry guard  137  extending up from the electronic compartment  120 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b   , the entry guard  137  extends partially up from the electronic compartment and sufficiently below the gap  135  and the image capture region  160  to still allow easy placement of the object  110  in the image capture region  160 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. la and lb, the entry guard  137  extends from the first leg  132  to the second leg  133 . 
     In one embodiment, the non-contact capture device  100  further comprises a placement indicator  140  for guiding placement of an object  110  into the image capture region. In one embodiment, the placement indicator  140  comprises a sensor  228  (described below) for detecting placement of the object  110  to be imaged within the image capture region  160  and an output  144  for signaling correct placement of the object  110  to be imaged within the image capture region  160 . For example, the output  144  maybe a flashing colored light and when the object  110  is present in the image capture region  160  the flashing colored light changes either the rate of flashing or the color, or both. The guide surface  134  may also be configured to provide output as described. For example, the output  144  maybe be an audio signal change. For example, the output maybe an image icon. An appropriate image icon may provide the visual instruction to the user for each step of the image collection process. For example, the image icon may first show a right hand, then a left hand, then the user&#39;s thumbs to be captured in the image capture region. In some examples, placement indicator  140  may be a display device such as a graphical display device that presents images and/or moving images, such as video. Images and/or moving images may include text, symbols, or any other graphical elements. 
       FIG. 2  shows the electronic compartment  220  of a non-contact capture device. Electronic compartment  220  as shown in  FIG. 2  is an exemplary arrangement of various electronic components that may be included in a non-contact capture device. Other components may be used in various combinations, as will be apparent upon reading the present disclosure. Electronic compartment  220  includes camera  222 . Camera  222  may include a lens and an image or optical sensor. In the illustrated embodiment, camera  222  may be a high-resolution camera for a desired field of view. Other factors for selecting camera  222  may include the particular lens and imaging sensor included in camera  222 , the sensitivity of the camera to particular wavelengths of light, and the size and cost of the camera. 
     Electronic compartment  220  further includes light sources  226 . In the illustrated embodiment, light sources are light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) that emit light peaking in the blue wavelength. For example, the peak wavelength of emitted light may be in the range of 440 to 570 nanometers (nm). More specifically, the peak wavelength of emitted light may be in the range of 460 to 480 nm. Human skin has been found to have higher reflectivity in the green and blue portions of the visible light spectrum, thus emitting light with wavelengths peaking in the blue and green portions of the visible light spectrum can help to more clearly illuminate details on a friction ridge surface of a user&#39;s hand. Light sources  226  may be paired with passive or active heatsinks to dissipate heat generated by light sources  226 . In this instances, light sources are illuminated for a relatively short period of time, for example, ten (10) milliseconds or less, and as such, a passive heatsink is adequate for thermal dissipation. In other instances, where light sources  226  that generate more heat are used, or where light sources  226  are illuminated for a longer periods of time, one of skill in the art may choose a different type of heatsink, such as an active heatsink. 
     Camera  222  may be chosen in part based on its response to light in a chosen wavelength. For example, in one instance, the device described herein uses a five megapixel (5 MP) camera because of its optimal response in the blue wavelength. In other configurations, other wavelengths of light may be emitted by light sources  226 , and other types of cameras  222  may be used. 
     Light emitted by light sources  226  may be of varying power levels. Light sources  226  may be, in some instances, paired with light guides  224  to direct the output of light sources  226  to direct the emitted light toward the image capture region  160 . In one instances, light guides are made of a polycarbonate tube lined with enhanced specular reflector (ESR) film and a turning film. In some instances, light guides  224  may collimate the emitted light. The collimation of light aligns the rays so that each is parallel, reducing light scattering and undesired reflections. In other instances, light guides  224  may direct the output of light sources  226  toward the image capture region such that the rays of light are generally parallel. A light guide  224  may be any applicable configuration, and will be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure. Further, electronics compartment  222  may include a single light guide  224 , multiple light guides  224  or no light guides at all. 
     A sensor  228  includes an emitter and a sensor that detects reflection from the emission to determine if an object is in the image capture region. In one embodiment the sensor  228  is an infrared (IR) sensor  228 , which includes both an infrared emitter that emits infrared light into image capture region  160  and a sensor component that detects reflections of the emitted infrared light. IR sensor  228  can be used to determine whether an object of interest, such as a hand, has entered the field of view of the camera  222 , and therefore the image capture region  160 . The device described herein may include a single or multiple IR sensors  228 . This IR sensor  228  may function with the placement indicator  140 . 
     Controller  229  may be a microcontroller or other processor used to control various elements of electronics within electronic compartment  220 , such as IR sensor  228 , light sources  226 , and camera  222 . Controller  229  may also control other components not pictured in  FIG. 2 , including other microcontrollers. Other purposes of controller  229  will be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a non-contact capture device  300 , it is understood that device  300  may include housing guide  130 , such as described above. Device  300  includes power source  310 . Power source  310  may be an external power source, such as a connection to a building outlet, or may be an internal stored power source  310 , such as a battery. In one instance, power source  310  is a 12V, 5A power supply. Power source  310  may be chosen to be a limited power source to limit the exposure or voltage or current to a user in the case of electrical fault. Power source  310  provides power, through voltage regulators, to light source  330 , camera  320 , IR sensor  340 , controller  350  and communications module  360 . 
     Infrared sensor  340  is powered by power source  310  and controlled by controller  350 . In some instances, IR sensor  340  may be activated by controller  350 . When IR sensor  340  is first activated by controller  350 , it is calibrated, as discussed in further detail herein. After calibration, when an object enters the field of view of the IR sensor  340 , it generates an increased signal from the sensor, and if the increased signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, controller  350  triggers light source  330  and camera  320 . An example of an object entering the field of view of IR sensor is a finger, thumb or hand of a user. 
     Controller  350  is used for a variety of purposes, including acquiring and processing data from IR sensors  340 , synchronizing light source  330  flashes and camera  320  exposure timings, and toggling IR sensors  340  during different stages of image acquisition. Controller  350  can interface with communications module  360  which is used to communicate with external devices, such as an external personal computer (PC), a network, the Cloud, or other electronic device. Communications module may communicate with external devices in a variety of ways, including using WiFi, Bluetooth, radio frequency communication or any other communication protocol as will be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure. 
     Upon power up of the non-contact capture device  300 , controller  350  runs a calibration routine on the IR sensors  340  to account for changes in the IR system output and ambient IR. After calibration, the microcontroller enters the default triggering mode, which uses the IR sensors. In the default triggering mode, the camera  320  and light source  330  are triggered in response to IR sensor  340  detecting an object in its field of vision. When using IR sensor triggering, the microcontroller acquires data from the sensors, filters the data, and if a threshold is reached, acquires an image of an object, such as a friction ridge surface in the image capture region  160 . 
     In a second triggering mode, the camera  320  and light source  330  may be triggered based on commands sent from an internal device, such as a PC or other electronic device, and received by the communication module  360 , and sent to controller  350 . In the second triggering mode, the device then acquires an image, and the image may be processed and displayed on a user interface in the PC or other external device. 
     During the process of image capture, when light source  330  is emitting light and/or when camera  320  is capturing an image, the microcontroller disables the IR sensors  340 . The IR sensors  340  are disabled to prevent extraneous IR light from hitting the camera  320 . The IR sensors are disabled for the duration of the image acquisition process. After the IR sensors are disabled, the light source  330  is activated and the camera  320  is triggered. In some instances, the light source  330  is activated for the duration of image acquisition. After camera exposure completes, the IR sensors  340  are activated and the light source  330  is deactivated. 
     The output of the non-contact capture device may vary, depending on the lighting and camera choices. In one instance, the output of the friction ridge capture device may be a grayscale image of the friction ridge surface. In some instances, when the camera captures the image of at least one friction ridge surface on a user&#39;s hand, the image is a picture of the user&#39;s fingers, or a finger photo. The image may then be processed by controller  350  or by an external processor to create a processed fingerprint image where the background behind the hand or fingers is removed and the friction ridges or minutiae are emphasized. 
     In some instances, the camera  320  may be configured to optimally photograph or capture an image of a user&#39;s hand. For example, in some cases the camera may use an electronic rolling shutter (ERS) or a global reset release shutter (GRRS). GRRS and ERS differ in terms of when the pixels become active for image capture. GRRS starts exposure for all rows of pixels at the same time, however, each row&#39;s total exposure time is longer than the exposure time of the previous row. ERS exposes each row of pixels for the same duration, but each row begins that row&#39;s exposure after the previous row has started. In some instances, the present disclosure may use GRRS instead of ERS, in order to eliminate the effects of image shearing. Image shearing is an image distortion caused by non-simultaneous exposure of adjacent rows (e.g. causing a vertical line to appear slanted). Hand tremors produce motion that can lead to image shearing. Therefore, GRRS can be used to compensate for hand tremors and other movement artifacts. To counteract the blurring may occur with GRRS, the illumination shield reduces the effects of ambient light. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow chart  400  for triggering the camera and light source of a non-contact capture device. In step  410 , the device hardware is powered. The device may be powered by a user flipping a switch or otherwise interacting with a user interface or input option with the device. The device may alternately or also be powered through a command from an external device, such as a PC, in communication with the device. 
     After the device is powered, in step  420 , the IR sensors take an initial IR reading. 
     In step  430 , the IR sensors are calibrated by measuring the unobstructed view from the sensors and creating an averaged baseline. If calibration is not completed, or is “false”, the device returns to step  420 . To prevent the baseline from losing accuracy, the baseline is updated at a regular interval to compensate for thermal drift and changing ambient conditions. 
     Once calibration in step  430  is completed, the device takes further IR readings at regular intervals to detect deviation from the calibrated baseline in step  440 . If the IR readings indicate an increased IR reading for a period of time over 10 milliseconds, the camera and light source are triggered. If the increased IR reading lasts for less than 10 milliseconds, the device returns to step  420 . 
     In step  450 , the camera and light source are triggered to capture an image of the user&#39;s hand. After the image is captured, the device returns to step  420 . 
     Flow chart  400  shows an exemplary method for triggering the camera and light source using IR sensors. Other methods for triggering the camera and light source will be apparent to one of skill in the art upon reading the present disclosure, for example, manually triggering the camera and light source, or using other sensors, such as a motion sensor or ultrasonic sensor to trigger the camera and light source. 
       FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    show captured images of a friction ridge surface before and after processing, respectively.  FIG. 5 a    is a finger photo  510 . It is an unprocessed image of at least one friction ridge surface on a user&#39;s hand as captured by camera of the non-contact friction ridge surface capture device.  FIG. 5 a    includes friction ridge surfaces, in this instance, fingers  512 . 
     In some instances, the non-contact capture device may also process the image, such as the one shown in  FIG. 5 a   , to generate output shown in  FIG. 5 b   .  FIG. 5 b    shows a processed fingerprint image  520 . In processed fingerprint image  520 , the background has been removed from friction ridge surfaces. The friction ridge surfaces  525  have undergone image processing to highlight friction ridges and minutiae. In some instances, this processing may be completed locally by a controller in the non-contact capture device. In some other instances, this additional processing may be completed by a device or processor external to the non-contact capture device. Both types of images as shown in  FIGS. 5 a  and 5 b    may be stored as part of a record in a database, and both may be used for purposes of identification or authentication. 
     Although the methods and systems of the present disclosure have been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The illustrated embodiments are not intended to be exhaustive of all embodiments according to the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. 
     Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing feature sizes, amounts, and physical properties used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the foregoing specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by those skilled in the art utilizing the teachings disclosed herein. 
     As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” encompass embodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Spatially related terms, including but not limited to, “proximate,” “distal,” “lower,” “upper,” “beneath,” “below,” “above,” and “on top,” if used herein, are utilized for ease of description to describe spatial relationships of an element(s) to another. Such spatially related terms encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the particular orientations depicted in the figures and described herein. For example, if an object depicted in the figures is turned over or flipped over, portions previously described as below or beneath other elements would then be above or on top of those other elements. 
     As used herein, when an element, component, or layer for example is described as forming a “coincident interface” with, or being “on,” “connected to,” “coupled with,” “stacked on” or “in contact with” another element, component, or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, directly coupled with, directly stacked on, in direct contact with, or intervening elements, components or layers may be on, connected, coupled or in contact with the particular element, component, or layer, for example. When an element, component, or layer for example is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled with,” or “directly in contact with” another element, there are no intervening elements, components or layers for example. The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of computer devices, such as servers, laptop computers, desktop computers, notebook computers, tablet computers, hand-held computers, smart phones, and the like. Any components, modules or units have been described to emphasize functional aspects and do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. The techniques described herein may also be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. Any features described as modules, units or components may be implemented together in an integrated logic device or separately as discrete but interoperable logic devices. In some cases, various features may be implemented as an integrated circuit device, such as an integrated circuit chip or chipset. Additionally, although a number of distinct modules have been described throughout this description, many of which perform unique functions, all the functions of all of the modules may be combined into a single module, or even split into further additional modules. The modules described herein are only exemplary and have been described as such for better ease of understanding. 
     If implemented in software, the techniques may be realized at least in part by a computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed in a processor, performs one or more of the methods described above. The computer-readable medium may comprise a tangible computer-readable storage medium and may form part of a computer program product, which may include packaging materials. The computer-readable storage medium may comprise random access memory (RAM) such as synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), FLASH memory, magnetic or optical data storage media, and the like. The computer-readable storage medium may also comprise a non-volatile storage device, such as a hard-disk, magnetic tape, a compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disk, holographic data storage media, or other non-volatile storage device. The term “processor,” or “controller” as used herein may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. In addition, in some aspects, the functionality described herein may be provided within dedicated software modules or hardware modules configured for performing the techniques of this disclosure. Even if implemented in software, the techniques may use hardware such as a processor to execute the software, and a memory to store the software. In any such cases, the computers described herein may define a specific machine that is capable of executing the specific functions described herein. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements, which could also be considered a processor.