Patent Publication Number: US-8986050-B2

Title: Connector of a universal serial bus device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This patent application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/780,596 filed Mar. 13, 2013, the contents of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure is generally related to a connector of a universal serial bus (USB) devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Non-volatile semiconductor memory devices, such as universal serial bus (USB) devices, have enabled increased portability of data and software applications. Various devices, such as computers, cameras, phones, personal digital assistants, and printers, have one or more connectors (e.g., plugs or receptacles) to receive USB devices for data storage and access. Conventionally, USB devices have complied with USB 2.0 connector designs that specific a number of contacts to transfer data and instructions between a USB device and a device (e.g., a computer). 
     As new standards are adopted, such as by The Universal Serial Bus Implementers Forum, Inc. (known as “USB-IF”), existing device designs may need to be modified to comply with the new standards. Modifying an existing device design presents problems that need to be resolved each time the existing device design is modified. For example, the existing device design may need to be modified to comply with multiple standards, such as one or more existing standards and a new standard. Further, modifying the existing design to comply with a new standard may increase a cost and a complexity of a device may increase a size of the device, and may present technological challenges not present in the existing design. 
     SUMMARY 
     A universal serial bus (USB) device may be configured to be coupled with a mating USB connector (e.g., a plug or a receptacle). The USB device may include a connectorized memory module and a conductive shroud (e.g., a metal shield). For example, the connectorized memory module may be loaded (e.g., rear loaded or front loaded) into the conductive shroud. The connectorized memory module may include a memory module (e.g., a single inline package memory (SIP)) coupled to a carrier. The connectorized memory module may be front inserted or rear inserted into the conductive shroud to form the USB device. The memory module may be configured to be compliant with a USB 2.0 standard, a USB 3.0 standard, or both standards. For example, the memory module may have a first set of contact pads based on the USB 2.0 standard, a second set of contact pads based on the USB 3.0 standard, or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the memory module includes one or more ground pads configured to provide a ground path. 
     In a particular embodiment, the connectorized memory module includes one or more connectors coupled (e.g., soldered) to the memory module. The connectorized memory module may be formed by inserting the connector and the memory module into a first carrier (e.g., a plastic carrier). The connectorized memory module may be inserted into a conductive shroud to form a universal serial bus (USB) device, and the one or more ground contacts of the connector may provide a grounding path between the memory module and the conductive shroud. The ground contacts reduce noise to enable high speed signal transmission (e.g., for the USB 3.0 standard). 
     In another particular embodiment, the connectorized memory module includes a second carrier and the memory module. The second carrier may include a living hinge, one or more connectors (e.g., based on a USB standard), or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the second carrier also includes one or more ground contacts. The connectorized memory module may be formed by inserting the memory module into the second carrier. The one or more connectors of the second carrier are in contact with one or more pads of the memory module. In a particular embodiment, the one or more connectors of the second carrier are in contact with one or more pads of the memory module but are not soldered to the one or more pads. Solderless connections reduce costs of manufacturing and may increase reliability. The conductive shroud may operate as a clamping force to enable one or more metal connectors of the second carrier to be in contact with one or more contact pads of the memory module. The connectorized memory module may be inserted (e.g., front inserted or rear inserted) into a conductive shroud to form a universal serial bus (USB) device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  are views of an illustrative embodiment of a connector module configured to be coupled to a memory module; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a memory module; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of the connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2  coupled to the memory module of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are views of an illustrative embodiment of a first carrier configured to receive the connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2  and the memory module of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 7 and 8  are views of an illustrative embodiment of a first connectorized memory module including the connector of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the memory module of  FIG. 3 , and the first carrier of  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are views of an illustrative embodiment of a second carrier configured to receive the memory module of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are views of an illustrative embodiment of a second connectorized memory module including the second carrier of  FIGS. 9 and 10  and the memory module of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a connectorized memory module being front loaded into a conductive shroud; and 
         FIGS. 14 and 15  illustrate rear loading of a connectorized memory module into a conductive shroud. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Particular embodiments of the present disclosure are described below with reference to the drawings. In the description, common features are designated by common reference numbers throughout the drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first view  190  and a second view  192  of an embodiment of a connector  101  are shown. The connector  101  may be a modularized connector that may be coupled to a memory module to form a connectorized memory module. The connectorized memory module may be inserted into a conductive shroud (e.g., a metal shield) to form a universal serial bus (USB) device, as described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . When included in the USB device, the connector  101  may be configured to provide a grounding path between the memory module and the conductive shroud, as described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . The connector  101  includes a connector module  102 , one or more conductive connectors  112 , and one or more ground contacts  104 . 
     The one or more conductive connectors  112  (e.g., metal contacts) may each include a first portion configured to be coupled to a mating connector (e.g., a USB plug or a USB receptacle) and a second portion configured to be coupled (e.g., electrically coupled) to a contact (e.g., a pad contact) of a memory module. For example, the first portion of the conductive connector  112  may function as an interface contact  123 , and the second portion of the conductive connector  112  may function as a pad connector  124 . The one or more conductive connectors  112  may be spaced apart a distance defined by a standard, such as the USB 3.0 standard. 
     The one or more ground contacts  104  (e.g., metal contacts) may each include a first portion configured to be coupled with a shell (e.g., a conductive shroud) and a second portion configured to be coupled to a ground (e.g., a ground pad) of a memory module. For example, the first portion of the ground contact  104  may function as a shell ground contact  106  that is configured to contact a shell of a USB device, and the second portion of the ground contact  104  may function as a pad ground contact  108 , respectively. The one or more ground contacts  104  may be configured to provide a ground path, such as an electrostatic discharge (ESD) path, between the memory module and the conductive shroud. 
     The connector module  102  may include one or more recesses  120  and a channel  122 . For example, as shown in the second view  192 , a first end of the connector module  102  may include the recess  120 . Additionally, a second end of the connector module opposite the first end may include another recess. The one or more recesses  120  may be configured to couple with one or more locking tabs of a conductive shroud and secure the connector module  102  with respect to the conductive shroud, as described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . 
     A channel  122  may extend an entire length of the connector module  102 , such as from the first end of the connector module  102  to the second end of the connector module  102 . Alternatively, the channel  122  may extend a portion of the entire length. The channel  122  (e.g., a trough) may be configured to be coupled with (e.g., slide into) a lip of a carrier, as described with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
     The connector module  102  may be formed (e.g., molded) of plastic. The connector module  102  may be molded around the one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof. For example, the one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof, may be included in a strip. The connector module  102  may be molded around the strip. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof, may be press fit into the molded connector module  102 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a view  193  of an illustrative embodiment of a memory module  130  is shown. In a particular embodiment, the memory module may include a single inline package (SIP) memory. The memory module  130  may be configured to be compliant with a USB 2.0 standard, a USB 3.0 standard, or a combination thereof. 
     The memory module  130  may include one or more contacts, such as first pad contacts  132 , second pad contacts  133 , one or more ground pads  134  (e.g., a ground), or a combination thereof. For example, the first pad contacts  132  may be compliant with the USB 2.0 standard, and the second pad contacts  133  may be compliant with the USB 3.0 standard. In a particular embodiment, the first pad contacts  132  include four contact pads. In another particular embodiment, the second pad contacts  133  include five contact pads. The one or more ground pads  134  may be positioned on a same surface of the memory module  130  as the first pad contacts  132 , the second pad contacts  133 , or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, at least one ground pad of the one or more ground pads  134  may be positioned on a different surface than a surface of the memory module  130  that supports the first pad contacts  132 , the second pad contacts  133 , or a combination thereof. The one or more ground pads  134  may be coupled to a conductive shroud directly or via a connector, such as the ground contact  104  of  FIG. 1  or a metal conductor (e.g., a wire). 
     The memory module  130  may include a controller coupled to a memory array. For example, the controller may be programmed to receive USB protocol instructions and data from a USB interface of a device (e.g., an external host device). The memory array may include one or more types of storage media such as a flash memory, a one-time programmable memory, other memory, or any combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the memory module  130  includes a non-volatile memory, such as a flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR, Multi-Level Cell (MLC), Divided bit-line NOR (DINOR), AND, high capacitive coupling ratio (HiCR), asymmetrical contactless transistor (ACT), or other flash memories), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically-erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a one-time programmable memory (OTP), or any other type of memory. The memory array may be coupled to one or more of the first pad contacts  132 , the second pad contacts  133 , the one or more ground pads  134 , or a combination thereof. The controller  1718  may include a hardware processor that executes instructions stored at an internal memory, such as a read-only memory to enable receipt and acknowledgment of USB instructions and data. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a view  194  of an illustrative embodiment of the connector  101  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  coupled to the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3 . The connector  101  may be coupled to the memory module  130  via one or more solder connections. One or more pad connectors  124  of the conductive connectors  112  may be soldered or otherwise fixed to one or more of the second pad contacts  133 . Additionally or alternatively, the one or more pad ground contacts  108  or the one or more ground contacts  104  may be soldered or otherwise fixed to the one or more ground pads  134 . As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the connector module  102  includes one ground contact  104 , however, the connector module  102  may include one or more additional ground contacts. 
     The memory module  130  may be configured to be coupled to a USB 3.0 compliant connector (not shown), such as a USB 3.0 Standard-A receptacle via the conductive connectors  112  (e.g., the interface contacts  123 ). Alternatively or in addition, the memory module  130  may be configured to be coupled to a USB 2.0 compliant connector (not shown) such as a USB 2.0 Standard-A receptacle via the first pad contacts  132 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , a first view  290  and a second view  292  of an embodiment of a carrier  202  are shown. The carrier  202  may include a lip  206 , a recess  204 , and one or more protrusions  208  (e.g., tabs). The carrier  202  may have one or more rounded edges  216 ,  318  (e.g., one or more recesses) to enable a memory module (e.g., having edges that are substantially ninety degrees), such as the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3 , to fit in the carrier  202 . 
     The lip  206  may be configured to engage a connector, such as the connector  101  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . For example, the lip  206  may engage the channel  122  of the connector  101 , as described with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 . In a particular embodiment, the lip  206  engages the channel  122  of the connector  101  while the connector  101  is coupled to a memory module, such as the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The recess  204  and the one or more protrusions  208  may be configured to couple to a locking tab and one or more recesses of a conductive shroud to secure the carrier  202  with respect to the conductive shroud, as described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a first view  294  and a second view  296  of an embodiment of a connectorized memory module  706  are shown. The connectorized memory module  706  may include the connector  101  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3 , and the carrier  202  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     The connector  101  may be coupled to the carrier  202  by sliding or otherwise inserting the channel  122  of the connector module  102  into contact with the lip  206  of the carrier  202 . The connector  101  and the memory module  130  may be inserted as a single unit into the carrier  202 , such as the connector  101  coupled to the memory module  130 , as shown and described with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in the first view  294  and the second view  296 , when the connector  101  and the memory module  130  are inserted into the carrier  202 , the one or more shell ground contacts  106  may provide a ground path (e.g., a discharge path) between the ground pad  134  of the memory unit and a conductive shroud (not shown). For example, the carrier  202  including the connector  101  and the memory module  130  may be inserted into a conductive shroud (e.g., a shell), as described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . Additionally, the conductive connectors  112  (e.g., the interface contacts  123  of  FIG. 1 ) and the first pad contacts  132  may be configured to be coupled to a mating connector (not shown), such as a USB 2.0 compliant receptacle or a USB 3.0 compliant receptacle. In a particular embodiment, the conductive connectors  112  are compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and the first pad contacts  132  are compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and the USB 2.0 standard. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a first view  990  and a second view  992  of embodiments of a carrier  302  are shown. The carrier  302  may include one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , one or more recesses  320 , one or more protrusions  322 , and a hinge  304  (e.g., a living hinge). The carrier  302  may be configured to receive a memory module, such as the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3 , as described with respect to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The carrier  302  may have one or more rounded edges/recesses  316 ,  318  to enable the memory module (e.g., having edges that are substantially ninety degrees) to fit in the carrier  302 . 
     The one or more recesses  320  and the one or more protrusions  322  may be configured to couple with a locking tab and one or more recesses of a conductive shroud to secure the carrier  302  with respect to (e.g., within) the conductive shroud, as described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . In a particular embodiment, the one or more recesses  320  may operate in a manner similar to the recess  120  of  FIG. 1 , the recess  204  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the recess  320  includes a metal contact that is coupled to the one or more ground contacts  108  or includes an opening to the one or more ground contacts  104 . The one or more protrusions  322  may operate in a manner similar the protrusions  208  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     The carrier  302  may be formed (e.g., molded) of plastic. The carrier  302  may be molded around the one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof. For example, the one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof, may be included in a strip. The carrier  302  may be molded around the strip. Alternatively or in addition, the one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof, may be press fit into the molded carrier  302 . Although the carrier  302  is depicted as being formed of a single piece of molded plastic, the carrier  302  may include one or more molded pieces of plastic that are configured to be coupled together. The one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof, may be configured to provide a solderless connection to one or more contacts of a memory module, such as the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3 , as described with reference to  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , a particular embodiment of the carrier  302  is shown in which the carrier  302  does not include one or more ground contacts  104 . 
     The carrier  302  may include one or more hinges, such as the hinge  304 . The hinge  304  may include a portion of the carrier  302  that includes a thickness that is thinner than a thickness of a material(s) coupled to the hinge  304 . The hinge  304  may enable a first portion  310  of the carrier  302  to hinge (e.g., bend) relative to a second portion  320  of the hinge  302 . Alternatively or in addition, the hinge  304  may be positioned at a location to enable a third portion  340  of the carrier  302  to hinge relative to the second portion  320 . In a normal operating state, an angle (θ) between the first portion  310  and the second portion  320  is approximately ninety degrees. The first portion  310  may be hinged away (e.g., in a direction indicated by an arrow  312 ) from the second portion  320  such that the angle (θ) between the first portion  310  and the second portion  320  is greater than ninety degrees. When the angle is greater than ninety degrees, a memory module, such as the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3 , may be slid or otherwise inserted into the carrier  302 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a first view  994  and a second view  996  of an example of a connectorized memory module  1106  are shown. The connectorized memory module  1106  may include the memory module  130  of  FIG. 3  and the carrier  302  of  FIGS. 9 and 10 . 
     The memory module  130  may be coupled to the carrier  302  by sliding or otherwise inserting the memory module  130  into the carrier  302 . When the memory module  130  is inserted into the carrier  302 , the one or more conductive connectors  112 , the one or more ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof, may be in contact with one or more pads of the memory module  130 , such as the first pad contacts  132 , the second pad contacts  133 , or the one or more ground pads  134 . 
     As shown in the first view  994  and the second view  996 , when the memory module  130  is inserted into the carrier  302 , the one or more shell ground contacts  106  may provide a ground path (e.g., a discharge path) between the ground pad  134  of the memory module  130  and a conductive shroud (not shown). For example, the connectorized memory module  1106  may be inserted into a conductive shroud (e.g., a shell), as described with reference to  FIGS. 13-15 . When the connectorized memory module  1106  is inserted into the conductive shroud, the conductive shroud may provide a clamping force to enable one or more of the conductive connectors  112 , one or more of the ground contacts  104 , or a combination thereof, to maintain an electrical connection (e.g., a low resistance electrical connection) with one or more pads of the memory module  130 , such as the first pad contacts  132 , the second pad contacts  133 , or the one or more ground pads  134 . The connectorized memory module  1106  may be referred to as a solderless connectorized memory module because one or more electrical connections between the conductive contacts  112  of the carrier  302  and the memory module  130  exist without the use of solder. 
     Additionally, the conductive connectors  112  (e.g., the interface contacts  123  of  FIG. 1 ) and the first pad contacts  132  may be configured to be coupled to a USB compliant connector (not shown), such as a USB 2.0 Standard-A receptacle or a USB 3.0 Standard-A receptacle. In a particular embodiment, the conductive connectors  112  are compliant with the USB 3.0 standard and the first pad contacts  132  are compliant with the USB 2.0 standard and the USB. 3.0 standard. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates front insertion  412  of a connectorized memory module  402  into a conductive shroud  406 , as shown and generally designated  400 . The connectorized memory module  402  may include the connectorized memory module  706  of  FIGS. 7 and 8  or the connectorized memory module  1106  of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     The conductive shroud  406  may include a metal, a metal alloy, or other conductive material, that is formable into a shroud (e.g., a shell configured to receive a connectorized memory module). In a particular embodiment, the conductive shroud is a metal shield (e.g., a metal shell). In another particular embodiment, at least a portion of the conductive shroud  406  includes a conductive material. A configuration of the conductive shroud  406  may comply with one or more universal serial bus (USB) standards, such as the USB 2.0 standard and the USB. 3.0 standard. 
     The conductive shroud  406  may include one or more locking tabs, such as the locking tabs  410 , and one or more recesses or indentations (not shown). The locking tabs  410  may be positioned and dimensioned to engage the recess(es)  120  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  or the recess(es)  320  of  FIGS. 9-12 , and the one or more recesses  420  of the conductive shroud  406  may engage one or more protrusions (not shown) of the connectorized memory module  402 , such as the protrusions  208  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  or the protrusions  322  of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , to secure the connectorized memory module  402  relative to the conductive shroud  406 . The connectorized memory module  402  engaged with the conductive shroud  406  may form a USB device, such as a USB connector (e.g., a plug) operatively coupled to a controller and flash memory to enable access to the flash memory via a USB protocol, such as via a USB mass media storage device class protocol. Access to the flash memory may include reading data from the flash memory, writing data to the flash memory, or a combination thereof. 
     The conductive shroud  406  may be coupled to a lid set  408 . The conductive shroud  406  and the lid set  408  may be coupled as a result of an injection molding process in which the lid set  408  was formed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the connectorized memory module  402  may be “front loaded” into the conductive shroud  406 . The USB device, including the connectorized memory module  402  and the conductive shroud  406 , may be compliant with one or more USB standards. For example, the USB device may be in compliance with the USB 2.0 standard, the USB 3.0 standard, or a combination thereof. Devices that operate in compliance with the USB 3.0 standard operate at higher speeds than devices compliant with the USB 2.0 standard and may be more sensitive to ground discharges, such as electrostatic discharges (ESDs). The USB connector of the USB device may be coupled to a mating USB connector (e.g., a receptacle) that is compliant with one or more USB standards. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a first view  1490  and a second view  1492  illustrate rear insertion  414  of a connectorized memory module  402  into a conductive shroud  406 . Rear insertion  414  may be used in conjunction with an overmolded process (e.g., an ovenmold plastic or silicone process) as described herein. 
     The conductive shroud  406  may include one or more recesses or indentations (not shown) and one or more locking tabs  410  including a rear locking tab  502 . In a particular embodiment, the rear locking tab  502  may be used to secure the connectorized memory module  402  within the conductive shroud  406 . For example, the connectorized memory module  402  may include a recess, such as the recess  204  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , that is configured to engage the rear locking tab  502 . 
     The locking tabs  410  and the one or more recesses of the conductive shroud  406  may be positioned and dimensioned engage one or more recesses  420  or one or more protrusions (not shown) of the connectorized memory module  402 , such as the protrusions  208  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  or the protrusions  322  of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , to secure the connectorized memory module  402  relative to the conductive shroud  406 . The connectorized memory module  402  engaged with the conductive shroud  406  may form a USB device, such as a USB connector (e.g., a plug) operatively coupled to a controller and flash memory to enable access to the flash memory via a USB protocol, such as via a USB mass media storage device class protocol. 
     As shown in the first view  1490 , the connectorized memory module  402  may be “rear loaded” into the conductive shroud  406 . As shown in the second view  1492 , the connectorized memory module  402  is secured within the conductive shroud  406 . Once the connectorized memory module  402  is inserted into the conductive shroud  406 , a rear end of the USB device is sealed for the overmolded process. The overmolded process includes molding plastic over an end of the USB device. The plastic may include one or more silicone materials that allow for a variety of soft intricate shapes and a variety of colors that may not be achieved with conventional injection molded plastics production processes. 
     The USB device formed by rear loading the connectorized memory module  402  into the conductive shroud  406  may be compliant with one or more USB standards. For example, the USB device may be in compliance with the USB 2.0 standard, the USB 3.0 standard, or a combination thereof. Devices that operate in compliance with the USB 3.0 standard may operate at higher speeds than devices compliant with the USB 2.0 stand and may be more sensitive to ground discharges, such as electrostatic discharges (ESDs). The USB device (as shown in the second view  1492 ) may be coupled to a mating USB connector, such as a USB plug or a USB receptacle, that is compliant with one or more USB standards. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure 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, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. 
     The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.