Patent Publication Number: US-2021178159-A1

Title: Electrical current stimulator apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/855,282, filed Dec. 27, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/587,638, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,861,818, filed Dec. 31, 2014, the entire contents of which each is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This application relates to topical treatments, and more particularly to an electrical current stimulator apparatus for providing topical treatment. 
     Background 
     Sending weak electrical currents (typically less than one microampere) into the body has recently become more popular as a new method of rejuvenating the skin and muscles as well as a new technique for physical therapy. The weak electrical currents are commonly used to treat pain, accelerate recovery, and improve cosmetic appearances. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of present technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments of the present technology, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all examples nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present technology. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more examples in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     In accordance with one or more aspects of the examples described herein, systems and methods are provided for providing electrical current treatment. In an implementation, a method is provided for providing electrical current treatment. The method includes delivering an electric current through an object in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode on an apparatus. The method further includes vibrating the apparatus with an electric motor. The method further includes controlling by a processor the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, where the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. 
     In a related aspect, the method further includes controlling a light emitter to emit light when both the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with the object. In another related aspect, the method further includes powering off the apparatus automatically by the processor when the programmable instructions complete execution. 
     In another implementation, an apparatus is provided for providing electrical current treatment. The apparatus includes an enclosure body with an upper surface and a lower surface located opposite to the upper surface. The apparatus further includes a first electrode and a second electrode on the lower surface for delivering an electric current through an object in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. The apparatus further includes an electric motor for vibrating the apparatus and a light emitter. The apparatus further includes a processor for controlling the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, wherein the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. The apparatus further includes a power button for powering on or off the apparatus and a battery configured to supply power to the first electrode, the second electrode, the processor, and the light emitter. 
     In yet another implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided for providing electrical current treatment. The non-transitory computer-readable medium stores executable instructions which cause a data processing device to deliver an electric current through an object in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode on an apparatus. The data processing device is further caused to vibrate the apparatus with an electric motor. The data processing device is further caused to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example methodology for providing electrical current treatment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an example apparatus providing electrical current treatment in accordance with the methodology of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example configuration of components of an electrical stimulator apparatus, according to certain aspects of the subject technology; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example exterior of an electrical stimulator apparatus, according to certain aspects of the subject technology; and 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example flowchart of a method for using an electrical stimulator apparatus, according to certain aspects of the subject technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electrotherapy involves the use of electrical stimulator devices to provide various benefits to the human body. For example, a microcurrent electrical neuromuscular stimulator (MENS) is a device that passes low amperage (typically under one microampere) electrical current through the body. MENS devices typically use current amperage that is very close to the current that human bodies produce. Low currents such as microamperes are below the human body&#39;s sensation threshold. MENS devices are commonly used for chronic and acute pains, swelling, injuries, Arthritis, and cosmetic purposes. 
     Another example of an electrical stimulator device is a Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device that sends miliampere (one thousand times microampere) electrical currents through the body. TENS devices are commonly used for managing chronic pain. TENS devices utilize biphasic electrical current delivered through electrodes placed on the surface of the skin to stimulate the sensory nerves to block pain signals. 
     In accordance with certain aspects of the subject technology, an electrical current stimulator apparatus can include an enclosure body with an upper surface and a lower surface located opposite to the upper surface. A user of the apparatus can hold the enclosure body in one of the user&#39;s hands. 
     The apparatus can include a first electrode and a second electrode on the lower surface for delivering an electric current through an object (e.g., the user&#39;s body or face) in contact with the first electrode and the second electrode. 
     The apparatus can include an electric motor for vibrating the apparatus and a light emitter. The vibration can be used to signal to the user to move the apparatus to a different area of the skin. 
     The apparatus can include a processor for controlling the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, wherein the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. The specific waveform can include at least one of a square, sine, triangle, positive/negative ramp, positive/negative unipolar pulse, positive/negative bipolar pulse, trapezoidal alternating current (AC), or other such wave. In a related aspect, the specified waveform can include a direct current (DC) offset. The programmable instructions can be received from a software application for a mobile device, a personal computer, or a tablet device. 
     In a related aspect, the processor can control a light emitter to emit light when both the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with the object. The emitted light can signal to the user that the apparatus is correctly placed against the object. 
     In a related aspect, the apparatus can include a sound output unit for outputting at least one audio clip. The processor can control the sound output unit to output an audio clip from the at least one audio clip, in response to completion of the programmable instructions. 
     The apparatus can include a power button for powering on or off the apparatus and a battery configured to supply power to the first electrode, the second electrode, the processor, the light emitter, and the sound output unit. The user can press the power button to turn on or off the apparatus to start or stop electrical current stimulation to the user&#39;s body or face. 
     In a related aspect, the processor can automatically execute the programmable instructions when the apparatus is powered on by the power button. In a related aspect, the processor can automatically power off the apparatus when the programmable instructions complete execution. 
     Various aspects of the present technology are described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It can be evident, however, that the present technology can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing these aspects. The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. 
     In accordance with one or more aspects of the implementations described herein, with reference to  FIG. 1 , a methodology  100  is shown for providing electrical current treatment. The method  100  can involve, at step  110 , delivering an electric current through an object in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode on an apparatus. In a related aspect, the first and second electrodes can be located on a surface of the apparatus for delivering an electric current through an object (e.g., the user&#39;s body or face) in contact with the first and second electrodes  310 . The first electrode and the second electrode can be any electrical conductor configured to make contact with the object. In an example implementation, the first electrode and the second electrode can be substantially identical convex curved surfaces, ideal for smooth movement across the user&#39;s body or face. 
     A processor can control the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, where the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. The specific waveform can include at least one of a square, sine, triangle, positive/negative ramp, positive/negative unipolar pulse, positive/negative bipolar pulse, trapezoidal alternating current (AC), or other such wave. In a related aspect, the specific waveform can include a direct current (DC) offset. 
     The method  100  can involve, at step  120 , vibrating the apparatus with an electric motor. In a related aspect, the electric motor can be coupled to the apparatus for vibrating the apparatus. For example, a rotor of the electric motor can be attached to a weight, which causes the electric motor and the apparatus to vibrate when the electric motor spins the rotor. The vibration can be used to signal to the user to move the apparatus to a different area of the object. 
     The method  100  can involve, at step  130 , controlling by a processor the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, wherein the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. 
     The method  100  can optionally involve, at step  140 , controlling a light emitter to emit light when both the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with the object. In a related aspect, the light emitter can include a light emitting diode (LED) or other such low power lighting device. A processor can control the light emitter to emit light when both the first and second electrodes are in contact with the object. The emitted light can signal to a user that the electrical stimulator apparatus is correctly placed against the object. 
     The method  100  can optionally involve, at step  150 , powering off the apparatus automatically by the processor when the programmable instructions complete execution. 
     In accordance with one or more aspects of the implementations described herein,  FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary apparatus for providing electrical current treatment in accordance with the methodology of  FIG. 1 . The exemplary apparatus  200  can be configured as a computing device or as a processor or similar device/component for use within. In one example, the apparatus  200  can include functional blocks that can represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware). In another example, the apparatus  200  can be a system on a chip (SoC) or similar integrated circuit (IC). 
     In one implementation, the apparatus  200  can include an electrical component or module  210  for delivering an electric current through an object in contact with a first electrode and a second electrode on an apparatus. 
     The apparatus  200  can include an electrical component  220  for vibrating the apparatus with an electric motor. 
     The apparatus  200  can include an electrical component  230  for controlling by a processor the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, wherein the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. 
     The apparatus  200  can optionally include an electrical component  240  for controlling a light emitter to emit light when both the first electrode and the second electrode are in contact with the object. 
     The apparatus  200  can optionally include an electrical component  250  for powering off the apparatus automatically by the processor when the programmable instructions complete execution. 
     In further related aspects, the apparatus  200  can optionally include a processor component  202 . The processor  202  can be in operative communication with the components  210 - 240  via a bus  201  or similar communication coupling. The processor  202  can effect initiation and scheduling of the processes or functions performed by electrical components  210 - 240 . 
     In yet further related aspects, the apparatus  200  can include a radio transceiver component  203 . A standalone receiver and/or standalone transmitter can be used in lieu of or in conjunction with the transceiver  203 . The apparatus  200  can also include a network interface  205  for connecting to one or more other communication devices or the like. The apparatus  200  can optionally include a component for storing information, such as, for example, a memory device/component  204 . The computer readable medium or the memory component  204  can be operatively coupled to the other components of the apparatus  200  via the bus  201  or the like. The memory component  204  can be adopted to store computer readable instructions and data for affecting the processes and behavior of the components  210 - 240 , and subcomponents thereof, or the processor  202 , or the methods disclosed herein. The memory component  204  can retain instructions for executing functions associated with the components  210 - 240 . While shown as being external to the memory  204 , it is to be understood that the components  210 - 240  can exist within the memory  204 . It is further noted that the components in  FIG. 2  can include processors, electronic devices, hardware devices, electronic subcomponents, logical circuits, memories, software codes, firmware codes, etc., or any combination thereof. 
     Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the functionalities of each component of the apparatus  200  can be implemented in any suitable component of the system or combined in any suitable manner. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example configuration of components of an electrical stimulator apparatus  300 , according to certain aspects of the subject technology. The electrical stimulator apparatus  300  can include first and second electrodes  310 , a memory  320 , a processor  340 , a power button  350 , a network interface  360 , a battery  370 , an electric motor  380 , and a bus  390 . In a related aspect, the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  can further include at least one of a light emitter  330  or a sound output unit (not shown). 
     The electrical stimulator apparatus  300  can be a handheld device containing a number of different components. The processor (e.g., central processing unit)  340  can retrieve and execute programming instructions stored in the memory  320  (e.g., random-access memory, flash memory, or other storage media). The programing instructions can cause the data processing device  300  to execute the methodology  100  for providing electrical current treatment, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The processor  340  can be a single CPU with a single processing core, a single CPU with multiple processing cores, or multiple CPUs. The processor  340  and the memory  320  can be integrated into a single unit (e.g., a microcontroller). The bus  390  can transmit instructions and application data between device components such as the first and second electrodes  310 , the memory  320 , the light emitter  330 , the processor  340 , the power button  350 , the network interface  360 , the battery  370 , and the electric motor  380 . 
     The first and second electrodes  310  can be located on a surface of the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  for delivering an electric current through an object (e.g., the user&#39;s body or face) in contact with the first and second electrodes  310 . The first electrode and the second electrode can be any electrical conductor configured to make contact with the object. In an example implementation, the first electrode and the second electrode can be substantially identical convex curved surfaces, ideal for smooth movement across the user&#39;s body or face. 
     The processor  340  can control the electric current delivered by the first electrode and the second electrode to have a specific waveform, where the processor is configured to receive programmable instructions to control the electric current and the electric motor. The specific waveform can include at least one of a square, sine, triangle, positive/negative ramp, positive/negative unipolar pulse, positive/negative bipolar pulse, trapezoidal alternating current (AC), or other such wave. In a related aspect, the specific waveform can include a direct current (DC) offset. The programmable instructions can be received from a software application for a mobile device, a personal computer, or a tablet device. In an example implementation, a particular set of programmable instructions can specify a specific waveform of one microampere that begins with one minute of a square wave, followed by two minutes of a sine wave, followed by five minutes of a triangle wave. It is understood that the specific waveform can include any combination of various waves applied in various time intervals. 
     The electric motor  380  can be coupled to the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  for vibrating the electrical stimulator apparatus  300 . For example, a rotor of the electric motor  380  can be attached to a weight, which causes the electric motor  380  and the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  to vibrate when the electric motor  380  spins the rotor. The vibration can be used to signal to the user to move the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  to a different area of the object. 
     In a related aspect, the light emitter  330  can include a light emitting diode (LED) or other such low power lighting device. The processor  340  can control the light emitter  330  to emit light when both the first and second electrodes  310  are in contact with the object. The emitted light can signal to the user that the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  is correctly placed against the object. 
     In a related aspect, the sound output unit can be configured to output at least one audio clip. The at least one audio clip can be stored on the memory  320 . In a related aspect, the processor  340  can control the sound output unit to output an audio clip from the at least one audio clip, in response to completion of the programmable instructions. For example, the audio clip can be at least one of a tone, buzz, beep, ring, musical piece, or song. In a related aspect, the processor  340  can control the sound output unit to output another audio clip from the at least one audio clip to signal or instruct the user to move the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  to a different area of the object or that the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  is not correctly placed against the object. 
     The battery  370  can be configured to supply power to various components of the electrical stimulator apparatus  300 , such as the first and second electrodes  310 , the processor  340 , and the light emitter  330 . For example, the battery  370  can include an alkaline battery, a dry cell battery, a lithium battery, a lithium-ion battery, or any other type of disposable or rechargeable battery. 
     The network interface  350  can include a Universal Serial Bus (USB), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, radio frequency, near-field communication (NFC), or any other wired and/or wireless communication interface. Through the network interface  350 , the data processing device  300  in certain aspects can communicate with a network, such as the Internet, or with other such devices, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. 
     In a related aspect, the network interface  350  can include an input socket (not shown) for receiving an electrical connector. The input socket can be configured to receive the programmable instructions through the electrical connector. In a related aspect, the input socket can be configured to receive external power to charge the battery  370 . For example, the input socket can be a USB type socket for receiving a USB connector leading to a wall outlet, power supply, laptop, or desktop computer. In another related aspect, the network interface  350  can include a wireless network interface (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, radio frequency, NFC, etc.) for wirelessly receiving the programmable instructions. 
     The power button  350  can be any type of tactile input component that allows a user to turn on or off the electrical stimulator apparatus  300 . For example, the power button  350  can include a physical switch or a capacitive sensor for receiving input from the user. The user can press the power button  350  to turn on or off the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  to start or stop electrical current stimulation. In a related aspect, the processor  340  can automatically execute the programmable instructions when the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  is powered on by the power button  350 . In a related aspect, the processor  340  can automatically power off the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  when the programmable instructions complete execution. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example exterior of an electrical stimulator apparatus  400 , according to certain aspects of the subject technology. The electrical stimulator apparatus  400  can include an enclosure body  410  with an upper surface  420  and a lower surface  430  located opposite to the upper surface  420 . The enclosure body  410  can be formed from any construction material, such as plastic, metal, wood, fiberglass, rubber, glass, stone, etc. The enclosure body  410  can be rigid or flexible. The enclosure body  410  can be of any shape and size that can be held by one or two human sized hands. 
     The electrical stimulator apparatus  300  can include a first electrode  450  and a second electrode  452  for delivering an electric current through an object (e.g., the user&#39;s body or face, not shown) in contact with the first electrode  450  and the second electrode  452 . In an example implementation, the first electrode  450  and the second electrode  452  can be located on the lower surface  430  of the enclosure body  410 . The first electrode  450  and the second electrode  452  can be any electrical conductor configured to make contact with the object. In an example implementation, the first electrode  450  and the second electrode  452  can be substantially identical convex curved surfaces, ideal for smooth movement across the user&#39;s body or face. 
     In a related aspect, an electrically conductive gel can be applied on to a surface of the first and second electrodes  450 ,  452  or on the object to form a conductive layer between the first and second electrodes  450 ,  452  and the object. The electrically conductive gel can be helpful in facilitating current between the first and second electrodes  450 ,  452  through the object. In a related aspect, the electrically conductive gel can also have lubricating properties to help facilitate moving the electrical stimulator apparatus  400  over a surface of the object. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example flowchart of a method  500  for using an electrical stimulator apparatus, according to certain aspects of the subject technology. The method  500  can involve, at block  510 , a user starting treatment by powering on the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  of  FIG. 3 . The method  500  can involve, at block  520 , placing the first and second electrodes  310  electrical stimulator apparatus  300  against the user&#39;s face. The method  500  can involve, at block  530 , observing whether the light emitter  330  of the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  is emitting light. If the user does not observe light from the light emitter  330 , then the first and second electrodes  310  are not both in contact with the user&#39;s face, and the method repeats block  520 . If the user does observe light from the light emitter  330 , then the first and second electrodes  310  are both in contact with the user&#39;s face, and the method continues to block  540 . 
     The method  500  can involve, at block  540 , the user receiving electrical current from the first and second electrodes  310  of the electrical stimulator apparatus  300 . The method  500  can involve, at block  550 , the user observing whether the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  is vibrating. If the user observes the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  vibrating, then the method continues to block  560 . The method can involve, at block  560 , the user moving the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  to a different location on the user&#39;s face. If the user does not observe the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  vibrating, then the electrical stimulator apparatus  300  does not need to be moved yet, and the method continues to block  570 . 
     The method  500  can involve, at block  570 , the user observing whether electrical stimulator apparatus  300  is outputting an audio clip from the sound output unit. If the user does not observe the audio clip, then the treatment is not yet finished, and the method repeats block  530 . If the user does observe the audio clip, then the treatment is finished, and the method continues to block  580  for termination. 
     The various implementations can be implemented in a wide variety of operating environments, which in some cases can include one or more user computers, data processing devices, or processing devices which can be used to operate any of a number of applications. User or client devices can include any of a number of general purpose personal computers, such as desktop or laptop computers running a standard operating system, as well as cellular, wireless, and handheld devices running mobile software and capable of supporting a number of networking and messaging protocols. Such a system also can include a number of workstations running any of a variety of commercially-available operating systems and other known applications for purposes such as development and database management. These devices also can include other electronic devices, such as dummy terminals, thin-clients, gaming systems, and other devices capable of communicating via a network. 
     Various aspects also can be implemented as part of at least one service or Web service, such as can be part of a service-oriented architecture. Services such as Web services can communicate using any appropriate type of messaging, such as by using messages in extensible markup language (XML) format and exchanged using an appropriate protocol such as SOAP (derived from the “Simple Object Access Protocol”). Processes provided or executed by such services can be written in any appropriate language, such as the Web Services Description Language (WSDL). Using a language such as WSDL allows for functionality such as the automated generation of client-side code in various SOAP frameworks. 
     Most implementations utilize at least one network that would be familiar to those skilled in the art for supporting communications using any of a variety of commercially-available protocols, such as TCP/IP, OSI, FTP, UPnP, NFS, and CIFS. The network can be, for example, a local area network, a wide-area network, a virtual private network, the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, a public switched telephone network, an infrared network, a wireless network, and any combination thereof 
     In implementations utilizing a Web server, the Web server can run any of a variety of server or mid-tier applications, including HTTP servers, FTP servers, CGI servers, data servers, Java servers, and business map servers. The server(s) also can be capable of executing programs or scripts in response requests from user devices, such as by executing one or more Web applications that can be implemented as one or more scripts or programs written in any programming language, such as Java®, C, C# or C++, or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python, or TCL, as well as combinations thereof The server(s) can also include database servers, including without limitation those commercially available from Oracle®, Microsoft®, Sybase®, and IBM®. 
     The environment can include a variety of data stores and other memory and storage media as discussed above. These can reside in a variety of locations, such as on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) one or more of the computers or remote from any or all of the computers across the network. In a particular set of implementations, the information can reside in a storage-area network (“SAN”) familiar to those skilled in the art. Similarly, any necessary files for performing the functions attributed to the computers, servers, or other network devices can be stored locally and/or remotely, as appropriate. Where a system includes computerized devices, each such device can include hardware elements that can be electrically coupled via a bus, the elements including, for example, at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one input device (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, controller, touch screen, or keypad), and at least one output device (e.g., a display device, printer, or speaker). Such a system can also include one or more storage devices, such as disk drives, optical storage devices, and solid-state storage devices such as random access memory (“RAM”) or read-only memory (“ROM”), as well as removable media devices, memory cards, flash cards, etc. 
     Such devices also can include a computer-readable storage media reader, a communications device (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, etc.), and working memory as described above. The computer-readable storage media reader can be connected with, or configured to receive, a computer-readable storage medium, representing remote, local, fixed, and/or removable storage devices as well as storage media for temporarily and/or more permanently containing, storing, transmitting, and retrieving computer-readable information. The system and various devices also typically will include a number of software applications, modules, services, or other elements located within at least one working memory device, including an operating system and application programs, such as a client application or Web browser. It should be appreciated that alternate implementations can have numerous variations from that described above. For example, customized hardware might also be used and/or particular elements might be implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, such as applets), or both. Further, connection to other data processing devices such as network input/output devices can be employed. 
     Storage media and computer readable media for containing code, or portions of code, can include any appropriate media known or used in the art, including storage media and communication media, such as but not limited to volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage and/or transmission of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data, including RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by the a system device. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the various implementations. 
     The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes can be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims. 
     The description of the subject technology is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various implementations described herein. While the subject technology has been particularly described with reference to the various figures and implementations, it should be understood that these are for illustration purposes only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the subject technology. 
     There can be many other ways to implement the subject technology. Various functions and elements described herein can be partitioned differently from those shown without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Various modifications to these implementations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and generic principles defined herein can be applied to other implementations. Thus, many changes and modifications can be made to the subject technology, by one having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the subject technology. 
     A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” The term “some” refers to one or more. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various implementations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.