Patent Publication Number: US-11044552-B2

Title: Acoustic radiation control method and system

Description:
FIELD 
     One or more embodiments herein generally relates to acoustic radiation control method and system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Nowadays, sound bar systems are widely used to present listening surround experience. Some sound bar designs adopt Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) algorithm based on psychoacoustic theory, to generate virtual surround sound effect. Some sound bar designs adopt Delay and Sum methods to enhance listening surround experience. These methods take no account of directivity of speakers, and are hard to restrain a sidelobe level. Besides, some existing sound bar systems require a great number of speakers, and have a relatively narrow sweet spot. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, an acoustic radiation control method is provided, including: configuring a speaker array; obtaining transfer functions of speakers in the speaker array based on configuration of the speaker array and directivity of the speakers; obtaining, based on the transfer functions of the speakers, source strength of the speakers which enables acoustic radiation of the speaker array in a first zone greater than acoustic radiation of the speaker array in a second zone; and applying the source strength of the speakers to the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the configuration of the speaker array may include a number of the speakers in the speaker array, a facing direction of the speakers in the speaker array and spacing between adjacent speakers in the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, obtaining transfer functions of speakers in the speaker array based on configuration of the speaker array and directivity of the speakers may include: calculating an original transfer function of each speaker in the speaker array; measuring directivity of each speaker in the speaker array, wherein the directivity of the speaker represents acoustic radiation of the speaker at different optimized positions; and obtaining a product of the original transfer function and the directivity of each speaker as the transfer functions of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers may be determined based on the configuration of the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers may be determined further based on frequency of an input audio source provided to the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the transfer function of each speaker in the speaker array may be calculated based on Equation (1), 
                         H   D     ⁡     (     r   n     )       =         e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r          ⁢     D   ⁡     (     θ   ,   k     )           ,           Equation   ⁢           ⁢     (   1   )                 
where
 
               e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r              
is an original transfer function of the n th  speaker in the speaker array, D (θ, k) is the directivity of the n th  speaker at wave number k, k=2πf/c, f is frequency of an input audio source, c is speed of sound, r is a vector representing a position relation between an optimized position and a center of the n th  speaker, and θ is an angle between a direction from a center of the n th  speaker to the optimized position and a facing direction of the n th  speaker.
 
     In some embodiments, transfer functions of speakers in the speaker array may be obtained by an anechoic chamber test. 
     In some embodiments, the source strength of the speakers obtained based on the transfer functions of the speakers may maximize a ratio of acoustic radiation of the speaker array in the first zone to acoustic radiation of the speaker array in the second zone. 
     In some embodiments, the source strength of the speakers may be obtained using an acoustic contrast control method based on the transfer functions of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, applying the source strength of the speakers to the speaker array may include: performing the inverse Fourier transform to the source strength of the speakers to obtain coefficients of a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter, wherein the FIR filter is applied to an input audio source provided to the speaker array. 
     In an embodiment, an acoustic radiation control system is provided, including: a speaker array; and a processing device configured to: obtain transfer functions of speakers in the speaker array based on configuration of the speaker array and directivity of the speakers; obtain, based on the transfer functions of the speakers, source strength of the speakers which enables acoustic radiation of the speaker array in a first zone greater than acoustic radiation of the speaker array in a second zone; and apply the source strength of the speakers to the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the configuration of the speaker array may include a number of the speakers in the speaker array, a facing direction of the speakers in the speaker array and spacing between adjacent speakers in the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device may be configured to: calculate an original transfer function of each speaker in the speaker array; measure directivity of each speaker in the speaker array, wherein the directivity of the speaker represents acoustic radiation of the speaker at different optimized positions; and obtain a product of the original transfer function and the directivity of each speaker as the transfer functions of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device may be configured to determine the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers based on the configuration of the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device may be configured to determine the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers further based on frequency of an input audio source provided to the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device may be configured to calculate the transfer function of each speaker in the speaker array based on Equation (1), 
                         H   D     ⁡     (     r   n     )       =         e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r          ⁢     D   ⁡     (     θ   ,   k     )           ,           Equation   ⁢           ⁢     (   1   )                 
where
 
               e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r              
is an original transfer function of the n th  speaker in the speaker array, D (θ, k) is the directivity of the n th  speaker at wave number k, k=2πf/c, f is frequency of an input audio source, c is speed of sound, r is a vector representing a position relation between an optimized position and a center of the n th  speaker, and θ is an angle between a direction from a center of the n th  speaker to the optimized position and a facing direction of the n th  speaker.
 
     In some embodiments, transfer functions of speakers in the speaker array may be obtained by an anechoic chamber test. 
     In some embodiments, the source strength of the speakers obtained by the processing device based on the transfer functions of the speakers may maximize a ratio of acoustic radiation of the speaker array in the first zone to acoustic radiation of the speaker array in the second zone. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device may be configured to obtain the source strength of the speakers using an acoustic contrast control method based on the transfer functions of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device may be configured to perform the inverse Fourier transform to the source strength of the speakers to obtain coefficients of a FIR filter, wherein the FIR filter is applied to an input audio source provided to the speaker array. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a flow chart of an acoustic radiation control method according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of a speaker array according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of a speaker array according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a measurement result of average directivity of one speaker in a speaker array at a frequency range from 500 Hz to 3 kHz; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating configuration of a speaker array; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a process of generating an audio output signal from an audio source according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary directivity pattern according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary directivity pattern according to another embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a directivity pattern obtained by using a Delay and Sum method in existing techniques; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a bright zone and a dark zone according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a directivity pattern obtained by strengthening the acoustic radiation in the bright zones in  FIGS. 5 and 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating different beamformers of different channels by using the same speakers according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG. 13  is a block diagram of an acoustic radiation control system according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the Figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and make part of this disclosure. 
     To enhance listening surround experience, beamforming technology is used to control main directions of acoustic radiation. When the main directions point towards sides, a sound field is expanded. To obtain better surround experience, a mainlobe level should be maximized, and a sidelobe level should be minimized. Moreover, orientation of speakers in a speaker array affects performance of the speaker array. Therefore, in acoustic radiation control in embodiments, directivity of the speakers is taken into consideration, to provide better performance of the speaker array. 
       FIG. 1  is a flow chart of an acoustic radiation control method  100  according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in S 101 , a speaker array is configured. 
     In some embodiments, the speaker array may include at least two speakers. In some embodiments, the speakers may be arranged in line. 
     For example, referring to  FIG. 2 , the speaker array  1  includes five speakers disposed facing a listener  2 . In some embodiments, the speaker array may include other number of speakers, and the speakers may be disposed facing other directions. For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , the speaker array  3  includes four speakers disposed facing a right side. In some embodiments, speakers in the speaker array may be disposed towards different directions, for example, some facing a listener and some facing a side. 
     Configuration of the speaker array further includes a spacing between adjacent speakers in the speaker array. A sound bar with the speaker array generally has a compact structure. In some embodiments, the spacing between adjacent speakers in the speaker array may be within a range from 20 mm to 200 mm, for example, 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, 60 mm or 70 mm. 
     It should be noted that, the configuration of the speaker array is not limited to the above embodiments. 
     Based on the configuration of the speaker array, some characteristics of the speaker array may be determined. For example, a transfer function is used to describe input-output characteristic of the speaker array. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in S 103 , transfer functions of speakers in the speak array are calculated based on configuration of the speaker array and directivity of the speakers. 
     As described above, orientation of speakers in the speaker array affects performance of the speaker array. Therefore, in some embodiments, to control acoustic radiation of the speaker array more accurately, the directivity of the speakers is considered in the calculation of the transfer functions. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a measurement result of average directivity of one speaker in the speaker array at a frequency range from 500 Hz to 3 kHz, which shows acoustic radiation of the speaker in different directions relative to the speaker. 0° represents front of the speaker, 90° and 270° represent two sides of the speaker, and 180° represents back of the speaker. It can be seen from  FIG. 4  that acoustic radiation reaches maximum at 0°, and gradually decreases from two sides of 0°, and different directions correspond to different acoustic radiation. Therefore, in embodiments, the directivity of the speakers is considered in the calculation of the transfer functions of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, a product of an original transfer function of the speaker and the directivity of the speaker may serve as the transfer function of the speaker. The original transfer function means a general free-field transfer function without consideration of the directivity of the speaker. 
     In some embodiments, the transfer function of each speaker in the speaker array may be calculated based on Equation (1), 
                         H   D     ⁡     (     r   n     )       =         e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r          ⁢     D   ⁡     (     θ   ,   k     )           ,           Equation   ⁢           ⁢     (   1   )                 
where
 
               e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r              
is an original transfer function of the n th  speaker in the speaker array, D (θ, k) is the directivity of the n th  speaker at wave number k, k=2πf/c, f is frequency of an input audio source, c is speed of sound, r is a vector representing a position relation between an optimized position and a center of the n th  speaker, and θ is an angle between a direction from a center of the n th  speaker to the optimized position and a facing direction of the n th  speaker.
 
     It can be seen that, both the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers are determined based on the configuration of the speaker array (including the number of speakers in the speaker array, the facing directions of the speakers, the spacing between adjacent speakers and so on) and the optimized positions. Besides, the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers are determined further based on frequency of the input audio source. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , five speakers in the speaker array are disposed forward with a spacing of 70 mm between adjacent speakers. The optimized positions are located at a circle with a radius of 1 m with respect to the center of the speaker array. r n  in  FIG. 5  represents a position relation between an optimized position and a center of the second speaker. 
     Optionally, in some embodiments, the transfer functions of speakers in the speaker array may be directly obtained by an anechoic chamber test. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , in S 105 , source strength of the speakers in the speaker array, which enables acoustic radiation of the speaker array in a first zone greater than acoustic radiation of the speaker array in a second zone, is obtained based on the transfer functions of the speakers in the speaker array. 
     In some embodiments, the source strength of the speakers obtained based on the transfer functions of the speakers may maximize a ratio of acoustic radiation of the speaker array in the first zone to acoustic radiation of the speaker array in the second zone. 
     As described above, to obtain better listening surround experience, acoustic radiation towards undesired directions (for example, a direction facing a listener) expects to be weakened, and acoustic radiation towards desired directions (for example, directions towards sides of the listener) expects to be strengthened. That is, a mainlobe level should be maximized, and a sidelobe level should be minimized. In some embodiments, an Acoustic Contrast Control (ACC) method is used to make acoustic radiation of the speaker array towards desired directions relatively great and acoustic radiation of the speaker array towards undesired directions relatively small under the configuration in S 101 . The ACC method can form a largest acoustic contrast between a bright zone and a dark zone, i.e., enabling a maximum ratio of a mainlobe level to a sidelobe level. Acoustic radiation of the speakers can be represented by source strength of the speakers and the transfer functions of the speakers. Therefore, after the speaker array is configured and the transfer functions of the speakers in the speaker array are determined, the source strength of the speakers can determine the acoustic radiation of the speaker array towards different directions. 
     In some embodiments, the acoustic radiation of the speakers may be represented by sound pressure of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, the sound pressure of the speaker array at an optimized position r is represented by Equation (2),
 
 p ( r )=Σ n=1   N   H   D ( r   n ) q   n   (2),
 
where H D  (r n ) is the transfer function of the n th  speaker in the speaker array, q n  is the speaker strength of the n th  speaker, and N is the number of the speakers in the speaker array.
 
     To maximize the mainlobe level and minimize the sidelobe level, a ratio of the sound pressure in the desired directions to the sound pressure in the undesired direction may be maximized. Still referring to  FIG. 5 , in the embodiment, a bright zone (i.e., the first zone in S 105 ) represented by ‘O’ includes the desired directions, and a dark zone (i.e., the second zone in S 105 ) represented by ‘X’ includes the undesired directions. 
     The sound pressure in the bright zone is represented by p(r b ), the sound pressure in the dark zone is represented by p(r d ), the transfer function of the n th  speaker in the bright zone is represented by H b  (r bn ), and the transfer function of the n th  speaker in the dark zone is represented by H d  (r dn ). Accordingly, the sound pressure in the bright zone and the dark zone can be rewritten in matrix form as Equation (3),
 
 p   b   =H   bD   q, p   d   =H   dD   q   (3),
 
where H bD , H dD  and q are matrix forms of the transfer functions of the speakers in the bright zone, the transfer functions of the speakers in the dark zone, and the source strength of the speakers, respectively.
 
     Based on the ACC method, to maximize the ratio of sound pressure in the bright zone to sound pressure in the dark zone, an optimization goal is expressed as Equation (4), 
                         max   q     ⁢     {         P   b   H     ⁢     p   b           P   d   H     ⁢     p   d         }       =       max   q     ⁢     {         qH   b   H     ⁢     H   b     ⁢   q         qH   d   H     ⁢     H   d     ⁢   q       }         ,           (   4   )               
where P b   H  is a conjugate matrix of p b , P d   H  is a conjugate matrix of p d , H b   H  is a conjugate matrix of H b , and H d   H  is a conjugate matrix of H d .
 
     Under Equation (4), the source strength q of the speakers is proportional to an eigenvector of the matrix (H dD   H H dD ) −1 (H bD   H H bD ) which corresponds to its greatest eigenvalue. In some embodiments, the source strength q of the speakers is equal to the eigenvector of the matrix (H dD   H H dD ) −1 (H bD   H H bD ) which corresponds to its greatest eigenvalue. 
     Based on Equations (2), (3) and (4), the source strength of the speakers in the speaker array, which maximizes the ratio of sound pressure in the bright zone (i.e., the first zone in S 105 ) to sound pressure in the dark zone (i.e., the second zone in S 105 ), is obtained. 
     In S 107 , the source strength of the speakers in the speaker array is applied to the speaker array. 
       FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating a process  600  of generating an audio output signal  612  from an audio source  602  according to an embodiment. Referring to  FIG. 6 , the audio source  602  is processed by an A/D converter  604  or a decoder to form digital signals that are capable of being processed by a digital signal processor  606 . Afterwards, the digital signals are sent to the digital signal processor (DSP)  606  to be processed. A Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filter is further applied on the DSP  606  to filter processed digital signals. Afterwards, the filtered signals are sent to a D/A converter  608  and a power amplifier  610  successively, to form output analog voltages. In this way, the audio output signal  612  is generated from the audio source  602 . 
     In some embodiments, coefficients of the FIR filter may be obtained by performing the inverse Fourier transform to the source strength of the speakers obtained in S 105 . That is to say, the source strength of the speakers obtained in S 105  is applied to the speaker array. By using the FIR filter with the coefficients corresponding to the source strength obtained in S 105 , the ratio of sound pressure in the first zone to sound pressure in the second zone may be maximized. 
       FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an exemplary directivity pattern obtained by using the above method  100 , where the speaker array includes five speakers disposed facing forward (i.e., facing a listener) with a particular spacing, and the frequency of the audio source is 2 kHz. In  FIG. 7 , 270° represents front of the speaker, 0° and 180° represent two sides of the speaker, and 90° represents back of the speaker. It can be seen from  FIG. 7  that, the acoustic radiation in the bright zone as shown in  FIG. 5  is relatively great, while acoustic radiation in the dark zone as shown in  FIG. 5  is relatively small. 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating another exemplary directivity pattern obtained by using the above method  100 , where the speaker array includes five speakers disposed facing sideward (i.e., facing one side of a listener) with the same spacing in  FIG. 7 . Similar with  FIG. 7 , in  FIG. 8 , the acoustic radiation in the bright zone as shown in  FIG. 5  is relatively great, while acoustic radiation in the dark zone as shown in  FIG. 5  is relatively small. Difference between  FIGS. 7 and 8  lies in that, a ratio of the acoustic radiation in the bright zone to the acoustic radiation in the dark zone in  FIG. 8  is greater than that in  FIG. 7 , which proves that the directivity of the speakers in the speaker array does affect the acoustic radiation of the speaker array. Therefore, in some embodiments, to obtain better listening surround effect, the speakers in the speaker array may be arranged towards a desired direction, for example, two sides of the listener. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating a directivity pattern obtained by using a Delay and Sum method in existing techniques. As shown in  FIG. 9 , although a mainlobe level (acoustic radiation within a desired range from 0° to 60° and from 300° to 0°) is relatively great, a sidelobe level (acoustic radiation within an undesired range from 60° to 300°) is also relatively great. That is, the sidelobe level is not well constrained, and thus a ratio of the mainlobe level to the sidelobe level is relatively small. As a result, listening surround effect may not be good as that obtained by the method provided in the above embodiments. 
     To reduce the number of the speakers in the speaker array, different channels of an audio source may be mixed into the same speakers by using different FIR filters. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 7 , great acoustic radiation is obtained in the bright zone (a desired range from about 0° to 60° and from about 300° to 0°). Similarly, great acoustic radiation also can be obtained in other desired ranges by using the method  100 . For example, referring to  FIG. 10 , in an embodiment, a desired range from about 120° to about 240° serves as a bright zone which is symmetric to the bright zone in  FIG. 5 . By using the method  100 , great acoustic radiation in the desired range from about 120° to about 240° can be obtained without changing the configuration of the speaker array. 
       FIG. 11  is a diagram illustrating a directivity pattern obtained by strengthening the acoustic radiation in the bright zones in  FIGS. 5 and 7  using the above method. It can be seen that, the acoustic radiation at two sides of the speaker array (i.e., two sides of the listener) is enhanced, and the acoustic radiation in other directions is constrained. 
     In this way, different beamformers of different channels share the same speakers, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Signals of a left channel are reproduced by a first beamformer that focus energy on the left while signals of a right channel are reproduced by a second beamformer that focus the energy on the right, and the two beamformers both make use of the same speaker array. In some applications where the signals of the left and right channels are little relevant, for example, in a movie, the beamformers will work distinctively and the directivity pattern as shown in  FIG. 11  may be obtained, which is similar with performance of two independent beamformers. 
     Accordingly, in an embodiment, an acoustic radiation control system is provided. Referring to  FIG. 13 , the acoustic radiation control system  200  includes: a speaker array  201 ; and a processing device  203 , configured to obtain transfer functions of speakers in the speaker array  201  based on configuration of the speaker array  201  and directivity of the speakers; obtain, based on the transfer functions of the speakers, source strength of the speakers which enables acoustic radiation of the speaker array  201  in a first zone greater than acoustic radiation of the speaker array  201  in a second zone; and apply the source strength of the speakers to the speaker array  201 . 
     In some embodiments, the configuration of the speaker array  201  may include a number of the speakers in the speaker array  201 , a facing direction of the speakers in the speaker array  201  and spacing between adjacent speakers in the speaker array  201 . 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be configured to: calculate an original transfer function of each speaker in the speaker array  201 ; measure directivity of each speaker in the speaker array  201 , wherein the directivity of the speaker represents acoustic radiation of the speaker at different optimized positions; and obtain a product of the original transfer function and the directivity of each speaker as the transfer functions of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be configured to determine the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers based on the configuration of the speaker array  201 . 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be configured to determine the original transfer functions of the speakers and the directivity of the speakers further based on frequency of an input audio source provided to the speaker array  201 . 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be configured to calculate the transfer function of each speaker in the speaker array  201  based on Equation (1), 
                         H   D     ⁡     (     r   n     )       =         e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r          ⁢     D   ⁡     (     θ   ,   k     )           ,           Equation   ⁢           ⁢     (   1   )                 
where
 
               e       -   jk     ⁢        r                 r              
is an original transfer function of the n th  speaker in the speaker array  201 , D(θ,k) is the directivity of the n th  speaker at wave number k, k=2πf/c, f is frequency of an input audio source, c is speed of sound, r is a vector representing a position relation between an optimized position and a center of the n th  speaker, and θ is an angle between a direction from a center of the n th  speaker to the optimized position and a facing direction of the n th  speaker.
 
     Optionally, in some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be configured to obtain the transfer functions of the speakers in the speaker array  201  based on an anechoic chamber test. 
     In some embodiments, the source strength of the speakers obtained by the processing device  203  based on the transfer functions of the speakers may maximize a ratio of acoustic radiation of the speaker array  201  in the first zone to acoustic radiation of the speaker array  201  in the second zone. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be configured to obtain the source strength of the speakers using an acoustic contrast control method based on the transfer functions of the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be configured to perform the inverse Fourier transform to the source strength of the speakers to obtain coefficients of a FIR filter. 
     In some embodiments, the processing device  203  may be a CPU, a MCU, or a DSP etc., or any combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, if the input audio source is an analog signal, the acoustic radiation control system  200  may further include: an A/D converter  205  configured to convert the input audio source to digital signals; a digital signal processor  207  configured to process the digital signals output from the A/D converter  205 , wherein the FIR filter is applied on the digital signal processor  207  to filter the processed digital signals; a D/A converter  209  configured to convert the filtered signals into analog signals; and a power amplifier  211  configured to amplify the analog signals output from the D/A converter  209  to form analog voltages to be applied to the speakers. 
     In some embodiments, if the input audio source is digital signals (for example, input through fiber optic or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)), the A/D converter  205  may be replaced by a decoder. 
     Components of the acoustic radiation control system are not limited to the embodiment. 
     In some embodiments, the A/D converter  205 , the digital signal processor  207 , the D/A converter  209  and the power amplifier  211  may be included in the processing device  203 . 
     While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.