Patent Publication Number: US-2015062902-A1

Title: Rotatable dual beam lighting apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to a lighting apparatus, and in particular, to a rotatable dual beam lighting apparatus. 
     Lighting apparatuses are used for illuminating both indoor and outdoor environments. Proper illumination is vital when filming movies, television shows, shooting videos, taking photographs, lighting live stage performances, and other similar activities. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     One embodiment provides a lighting apparatus comprising multiple individually rotatable lighting components, an actuator for rotating one or more of the lighting components, and a control unit for controlling the actuator and the lighting components. Each lighting component comprises one or more lighting elements. The control unit is configured to operate each lighting component independently. 
     Another embodiment provides a lighting system comprising multiple lighting apparatuses and a controller for selectively providing data control signals to at least one of the lighting apparatuses. Each lighting apparatus comprises multiple individually rotatable lighting components, an actuator for rotating one or more of the lighting components, and a control unit for controlling the actuator and the lighting components based on data control signals. Each lighting component comprises one or more lighting elements. Each control unit of each lighting apparatus is configured to operate each lighting component of the lighting apparatus independently. 
     Another embodiment provides a method comprising providing data control signals to a lighting apparatus, and controlling the lighting apparatus based on the data control signals. The lighting apparatus comprises multiple individually rotatable lighting components, an actuator for rotating one or more of the lighting components, and a control unit for controlling the actuator and the lighting components based on the data control signals. Each lighting component comprises one or more lighting elements. The control unit is configured to operate each lighting component independently. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a rotatable dual beam lighting apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of the lighting apparatus in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating components of the lighting apparatus in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating drivers of the control unit in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the control unit in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of the lighting apparatus in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating multiple lighting apparatuses arranged in a parallel lighting circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating multiple lighting apparatuses linked in a daisy-chain lighting circuit, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the lighting apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an alternate side view of the lighting apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side perspective view of the lighting apparatus, wherein one lighting component is positioned in a forward-looking position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a side perspective view of the lighting apparatus, wherein all lighting components are aligned, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of the lighting apparatus, wherein one lighting component is positioned directly opposite the other lighting component, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a rear view of the lighting apparatus in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the lighting apparatus in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a top view of the lighting apparatus, wherein the lighting components  8  are panned clockwise, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a top view of the lighting apparatus, wherein the lighting components  8  are panned counter-clockwise, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a lighting apparatus, and in particular, to a rotatable dual beam lighting apparatus. One embodiment provides a lighting apparatus comprising multiple individually rotatable lighting components, an actuator for rotating one or more of the lighting components, and a control unit for controlling the actuator and the lighting components. Each lighting component comprises one or more lighting elements. The control unit is configured to operate each lighting component independently. In one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to operate each lighting component in coordination with another lighting component. 
     The actuator is configured to pan the lighting components, and tilt one or more of the lighting components in the same direction or in different directions. In one embodiment, the actuator is configured to pan the lighting components about a substantially five hundred forty degree angle about a vertical axis. In one embodiment, the actuator is configured to tilt a lighting component about a substantially two hundred and seventy degree angle about a horizontal axis. 
     The control unit comprises a plurality of drivers. The drivers include at least one lighting driver for selectively controlling lighting effects of at least one of the lighting components, and an actuator driver for controlling movement of the actuator. 
     In one embodiment, the lighting apparatus further comprises an input/output interface board comprising a power socket for receiving power, a data input socket for receiving data control signals, and a data output socket for transmitting data control signals. The control unit controls the actuator and the lighting components based on the data control signals received. In one embodiment, the data input socket receives data control signals from a controller. In one embodiment, the controller is a Digital Multiplex (DMX) controller, and the received data control signals include DMX data instructions. 
     In one embodiment, the lighting apparatus further comprises a user interface board comprising a display screen and a plurality of manual control buttons. A user utilizes the display screen and the buttons to control the lighting effects of the lighting components and the movement of the actuator. 
     In one embodiment, the lighting apparatus further comprises a wireless module for wirelessly receiving data control signals including DMX data instructions from a wireless controller. 
     Another embodiment provides a lighting system comprising multiple lighting apparatuses and a controller for selectively providing data control signals to at least one of the lighting apparatuses. Each lighting apparatus comprises multiple individually rotatable lighting components, an actuator for rotating one or more of the lighting components, and a control unit for controlling the actuator and the lighting components based on data control signals. Each lighting component comprises one or more lighting elements. Each control unit of each lighting apparatus is configured to operate each lighting component of the lighting apparatus independently. 
     Another embodiment provides a method comprising providing data control signals to a lighting apparatus, and controlling the lighting apparatus based on the data control signals. The lighting apparatus comprises multiple individually rotatable lighting components, an actuator for rotating one or more of the lighting components, and a control unit for controlling the actuator and the lighting components based on the data control signals. Each lighting component comprises one or more lighting elements. The control unit is configured to operate each lighting component independently. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a front perspective view of a rotatable dual beam lighting apparatus  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The lighting apparatus  100  comprises a plurality of lighting components  8 , a support mechanism  6  for rotating the lighting components  8 , and a controller unit  1  for controlling the lighting components  8  and the support mechanism  6 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the lighting components  8  include a first lighting component  8 A and a second lighting component  8 B. As described in detail later herein, each lighting component  8  may operate either independently or in coordination with another lighting component  8 . 
     Each lighting component  8  comprises a lighting source  3 . A lighting source includes one or more lighting emitting elements, such as semiconductor light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic LEDs, light bulbs, lasers, or liquid crystal display (LCD) panels. 
     Each lighting component  8  is pivotally coupled to the support mechanism  6 . The support mechanism  6  is shaped to support the lighting components  8 . In one embodiment, the support mechanism  6  is U-shaped. 
     The controller unit  1  comprises an actuator  103  ( FIG. 3 ) and a control unit  104  ( FIG. 3 ). As described in detail later herein, the actuator  103  moves/rotates the support mechanism  6  and the lighting components  8 . The actuator  103  may rotate the lighting components  8  in a pan direction  172  ( FIG. 13 ) or a tilt direction  171  ( FIG. 13 ). The control unit  104  includes circuits/logic for controlling the actuator  103  and each lighting source  3  of each lighting component  8 . 
     The controller unit  1  has a plurality of side walls, such as a front side wall  7 A, a rear side wall  7 B ( FIG. 2 ), a bottom side wall  7 C ( FIG. 6 ), a right side wall  7 D, and a left side wall  7 E ( FIG. 2 ). The front side wall  7 A is substantially parallel to the rear side wall  7 B. The right side wall  7 D is substantially parallel to the left side wall  7 E. The bottom side wall  7 C extends transversely between the side walls  7 A,  7 B,  7 C and  7 D. A side wall may include a carrying handle  4 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a first carrying handle  4  is disposed on the right side wall  7 D, and a second carrying handle  14  is disposed on the left side wall  7 E. 
     The controller unit further comprises a user interface board  14 . The user interface board  14  may be disposed on any side wall of the controller unit  1 , such as the front side wall  7 A as shown in  FIG. 1 . The user interface board  14  includes a display screen  11  (e.g., an LCD display screen) and multiple manual control buttons  15 . A user may utilize the control buttons  15  to display and control different operating functions of the lighting apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a rear perspective view of the lighting apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The controller unit further comprises an input/output (I/O) interface board  17 . The I/O interface board  17  may be disposed on any side wall of the controller unit  1 , such as the rear side wall  7 B as shown in  FIG. 2 . The I/O interface board  17  includes multiple electrical connectors/sockets to interface with data and power inputs/outputs. 
     In one embodiment, the I/O interface board  17  includes a power socket  12  for receiving power from a power supply, a data input socket  9  for receiving data control signals, and a data output socket  10  for transmitting data control signals. 
     Digital multiplex (DMX) is a communications protocol allowing different devices to be linked together and operated from a single controller, provided that the devices and the controller are DMX compliant. In one embodiment, the data input socket  9  is a DMX input socket  9  (e.g., a 3-pin DMX input connector or a 5-pin DMX input connector), and the data output socket  10  is a DMX output socket  10  (e.g., a 3-pin DMX output connector or a 5-pin DMX output connector). DMX signals received via the DMX input socket  9  comprise DMX data instructions from a DMX compliant controller  102  ( FIG. 8 ), such as a DMX512 controller. The lighting apparatus  100  may have a DMX address (e.g., a DMX512 address) used to route DMX signals thereto from the controller  102 . The DMX output socket  10  transmits DMX signals to another DMX compliant device such as another lighting apparatus  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating components of the lighting apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As stated above, the control unit  104  controls the actuator  103  and each lighting source  3  of each lighting component  8 . The control unit  104  may control the actuator  103  and each lighting source  3  of each lighting component  8  based on data control signals received via the data input socket  9 . The data control signals received may be from a controller  102 , such as a DMX512 controller. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram illustrating drivers of the control unit  104  in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The control unit  104  comprises a plurality of drivers, such as at least one lighting driver  104 A, a display driver  104 C, a power/data input/output (I/O) driver  104 D, and an actuator driver  104 E. 
     As stated above, each lighting component  8  may operate either independently or in coordination with another lighting component  8 . In one embodiment, the control unit  104  includes a corresponding lighting driver  104 A for each lighting component  8 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the control unit  104  includes a first lighting driver  104 A (LIGHTING DRIVER 1) for the first lighting component  8 A, and a second lighting driver  104 A (LIGHTING DRIVER 2) for the second lighting component  8 B. Each lighting driver  104 A controls the lighting effects of each lighting source  3  of a corresponding lighting component  8 . For example, a lighting driver  104 A can selectively turn on or turn off each lighting source  3  of a corresponding lighting component  8 . The lighting driver  104 A can also selectively adjust the color temperature or brightness of each lighting source  3  of a corresponding lighting component  8 . 
     The display driver  104 C controls the display screen  11  and the manual control buttons  15  of the user interface board  14 . The power/data I/O driver  104 D controls the power socket  12 , the data input socket  9 , and the data output socket  10  of the I/O interface board  17 . 
     The actuator driver  104 E controls movement of the actuator  103 . The actuator driver  104 E controls how the actuator  103  rotates the support mechanism  6  and each lighting component  8  to a desired position. In one embodiment, the actuator  103  may pan the support mechanism  6  and the lighting components  8  to a desired orientation. The actuator  103  may also tilt one or more of the lighting components  8  to a desired orientation. Specifically, each lighting component  8  may be independently actuated by the actuator  103  to tilt to a desired orientation. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the first lighting component  8 A is tilted to a partially downward-looking position, and the second lighting component  8 B is titled to a partially upward-looking position. The actuator driver  104 E also controls the speed at which the actuator  103  pans and/or tilts. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating the control unit  104  in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In addition to drivers, the control unit  104  may further comprise a wireless module  104 G, a memory unit  104 F, and a microprocessor  104 K. 
     In one embodiment, the operating functions of the lighting apparatus  100  may also be wirelessly controlled using a remote wireless controller  400 . The wireless module  104 G is configured to wirelessly communicate/exchange information (e.g., data control signals) with the wireless controller  400 . In one embodiment, the wireless module  104 G operates on one or more radio frequencies. The wireless module  104 G includes an antenna  104 H and a wireless transceiver  104 J. The antenna  104 H and the transceiver  104 J are configured to wirelessly receive radio frequency (RF) signals from, and wirelessly transmit RF signals to, a wireless transceiver  400 B of the wireless controller  400 . The RF signals received include data control signals such as DMX signals. In another embodiment, the antenna  104 H and the transceiver  104 J wirelessly exchange information (e.g., data control signals) with the wireless controller  400  using infrared (I/R) waves. 
     In one embodiment, the controller  400  is a DMX controller, and the wireless module  104 G wirelessly receives DMX data signals from the controller  400 . 
     The microprocessor  104 K is configured to process the data control signals received. The memory unit  104 F maintains information, such as a DMX address of the lighting apparatus  100 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the controller  400  comprises an antenna  400 A, a wireless transceiver  400 B, a controller  400 C, a microprocessor  400 E, and an A/V interface  400 D. The A/V interface  400 D of the controller  400  may comprise a graphic display, and alphanumeric and directional keypads that a user can use to enter input commands. The A/V interface  400 D may comprise other types of electronic or manual data input means. The microprocessor  400 E of the controller  400  is configured to process the input commands entered and generate the appropriate data control signals. The controller  400 C of the controller  400  is configured to generate RF signals including the data controls signals generated. 
     The antenna  400 A and the transceiver  400 B of the controller  400  are configured to wirelessly communicate/exchange information (e.g., data control signals) with the wireless module  104 G of the control unit  104 . In one embodiment, the antenna  400 A and the transceiver  400 B operate on one or more radio frequencies. The antenna  400 A and the transceiver  400 B wirelessly receive RF signals from, and wirelessly transmit RF signals to, the wireless module  104 G. In another embodiment, the antenna  400 A and the transceiver  400 B wirelessly exchange information (e.g., data control signals) with the wireless module  104 G using infrared (I/R) waves. 
     The data control signals (e.g., DMX signals) received via the data input socket  9  or the wireless module  104 G are delivered to the drivers of the control unit  104  for controlling different operating functions of the lighting apparatus  100 . These operating functions may include setting and displaying a DMX address for the lighting apparatus  100 , moving the actuator  103  to pan and/or tilt one or more lighting components  8 , setting the speed at which the lighting components  8  are panned and/or tilted, or controlling the lighting effects of the lighting sources  3  such as selectively lighting the lighting sources  3  or selectively adjusting the color temperature and/or brightness of the lighting sources  3 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom view of the lighting apparatus  100  in  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bottom side wall  7 C of the controller unit  1  includes a plurality of support members  16 . The support members  16  are distributed evenly on the bottom side wall  7 C to stabilize and support the lighting apparatus  100  when the lighting apparatus  100  is set upright on a flat supporting surface, such as a table or ground. 
     The lighting apparatus  100  may be used as a stand alone, in multiples such as in a parallel lighting circuit  200  ( FIG. 7 ), or linked in a master/slave configuration such as a daisy-chain (i.e., serial) lighting circuit  300  ( FIG. 8 ). In the daisy-chain circuit  300 , data control signals (e.g., DMX signals) are sent as serial data that travel from one lighting apparatus  100  to another lighting apparatus  100  via the I/O sockets  9 ,  10  of each lighting apparatus  100 . For example, the input socket  9  receives master/slave DMX signals and the output socket  10  transmits master/slave DMX signals to the next lighting apparatus  100  in the master/slave circuit  300 . Each lighting apparatus  100  may have a unique DMX address used to route DMX signals thereto. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram illustrating multiple lighting apparatuses  100  arranged in a parallel lighting circuit  200 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The circuit  200  comprises multiple lighting apparatuses  100 , such as a first lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 1), a second lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 2), . . . , and an N th  lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS N). The circuit  200  is controlled by a controller  102 , such as a DMX compliant controller. Each lighting apparatus  100  receives data control signals (e.g., DMX signals) from the controller  102  via the data input socket  9 . 
     Each lighting apparatus  100  in the circuit  200  may also be wirelessly controlled by a wireless controller  400 . As described above and illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a wireless module  104 G of each lighting apparatus  100  can wirelessly receive data control signals (e.g., DMX signals) from with a wireless controller  400 . 
     In one embodiment, the controller  102  and/or the wireless controller  400  may selectively send data control signals to a lighting apparatus  100  of the circuit  200 . For example, the controller  102  and/or the wireless controller  400  may selectively route a first set of data control signals to a first DMX address corresponding to the first lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 1), and route a different set of data control signals to a second DMX address corresponding to the second lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 2). Therefore, a lighting apparatus  100  of the circuit  200  may be operated differently from other lighting apparatuses  100  of the circuit  200  based on a corresponding set of data control signals from the controller  102  and/or the wireless controller  400 . 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram illustrating multiple lighting apparatuses  100  linked in a daisy-chain lighting circuit  300 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The circuit  300  comprises multiple lighting apparatuses  100 , such as a first lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 1), a second lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 2), . . . , and an N th  lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS N). The circuit  300  is controlled by a controller  102 , such as a DMX compliant controller. In the daisy-chain circuit  300 , data control signals (e.g., DMX signals) are sent as serial data that travel from one lighting apparatus  100  to another lighting apparatus  100  via the data I/O sockets  9 ,  10  of each lighting apparatus  100 . Specifically, the data input socket  9  receives master/slave data control signals and the data output socket  10  transmits master/slave data control signals to the next lighting apparatus  100  in the master/slave circuit  300 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a first lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 1) receives data control signals from the controller  102 . The first lighting apparatus  100  then transmits data control signals to a second lighting apparatus  100  (LIGHTING APPARATUS 2). 
     Each lighting apparatus  100  in the circuit  300  may also be wirelessly controlled by a wireless controller  400 . As described above and illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a wireless module  104 G of each lighting apparatus  100  can wirelessly receive data control signals (e.g., DMX signals) from with a wireless controller  400 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of the lighting apparatus  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 10  illustrates an alternate side view of the lighting apparatus  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 9-10 , the first lighting component  8 A is positioned in a partially downward-looking position, and the second lighting component  8 B is positioned in a partially upward-looking position. The second lighting component  8 B is rotated about a substantially ninety degree angle relative to the first lighting component  8 A. The actuator  103  can tilt each lighting component  8  from a forward-looking position to a downward-looking/upward-looking position. 
     The actuator  103  may rotate the lighting components  8  in a pan direction  172  ( FIG. 13 ) or a tilt direction  171  ( FIG. 13 ). In one embodiment, the actuator  103  of the lighting apparatus  100  can pan the lighting components  8  in about a substantially five hundred forty degree angle)(540° about a vertical axis  162  ( FIG. 13 ). For example, the actuator  103  can pan a lighting component  8  from a forward-looking position to a backward-looking position. The actuator  103  of the lighting apparatus  100  can also tilt each lighting component  8  about a substantially two hundred and seventy degree angle)(270° about a horizontal axis  161  ( FIG. 13 ). For example, the actuator  103  can tilt a lighting component  8  from a forward-looking position to a downward-looking/upward-looking position. Each lighting component  8  may be individually actuated by the actuator  103 . 
       FIGS. 11-17  illustrate an example of the range of panning and/or tilting motion of each lighting component  8  of the lighting apparatus  100 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a side perspective view of the lighting apparatus  100 , wherein one lighting component  8  is positioned in a forward-looking position, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the second lighting component  8 B is positioned in a forward-looking position. The first lighting component  8 A is positioned in a partially downward-looking position. The second lighting component  8 B is rotated about a substantially forty-five degree angle relative to the first lighting component  8 A. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a side perspective view of the lighting apparatus  100 , wherein all lighting components  8  are aligned, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Specifically, the first lighting component  8 A (not shown for clarity) and the second lighting component  8 B are both positioned in a forward-looking position. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a front view of the lighting apparatus  100 , wherein one lighting component  8  is positioned directly opposite the other lighting component  8 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 14  illustrates a rear view of the lighting apparatus  100  in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the lighting apparatus  100  in  FIG. 13 , in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , the second lighting component  8 B is positioned in an upward-looking position, and the first lighting component  8 A is positioned in a downward-looking position. The second lighting component  8 B is rotated about a substantially one-hundred and eighty degree angle relative to the first lighting component  8 A. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a top view of the lighting apparatus  100 , wherein the lighting components  8  are panned clockwise, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 16 , the first lighting component  8 A and the second lighting component  8 B are positioned in a forward-looking position and a backward-looking position, respectively. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a top view of the lighting apparatus  100 , wherein the lighting components  8  are panned counter-clockwise, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 17 , the first lighting component  8 A and the second lighting component  8 B are positioned in a forward-looking position and a backward-looking position, respectively. 
     The present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof; however, other versions are possible. The above description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the present invention and is not meant to limit the inventive concepts claimed herein. Further, particular features described above can be used in combination with other described features in each of the various possible combinations and permutations. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, all terms should be given their broadest possible interpretation including meanings implied from the specification as well as meanings understood by those skilled in the art and/or as defined in dictionaries, treatises, etc. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.