Patent Publication Number: US-2022211139-A1

Title: Heated boot cover

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application is a Continuation of and claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/359,977, titled “HEATED BOOT COVER,” filed by Derek Wright, et al., on Mar. 20, 2019, which application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/645,425, titled “HEATED BOOT COVER,” filed by Derek Wright, et al., on Mar. 20, 2018. This application incorporates the entire contents of the foregoing application(s) herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention pertains generally to footwear and more specifically to a heated boot cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Individuals do many outdoor activities. These outdoor activities require appropriate gear to be worn by individuals. When individuals do outdoor activities during winter months or in colder climates, they often wear boots. Boots may come in many fashions and be made from many materials. Some boots are made from rubber and some are made from fabric or leather. The boots and material that boots are made from often have a heat resistance rating so that the feet of individuals wearing the boots can remain warm. However, the efficiency of the boots of retaining warmth depends greatly on the circumstances of use. For instance, if an individual is highly active outdoors, such as hiking or running, the feet of the individual can remain warm while in use. However, if a person is sitting still and is not active, such as when hunting, then the feet of the individual can quickly become cold. When a person&#39;s feet become cold in such circumstances the overall warmth of the person can suffer and the individual is unlikely to remain outdoors. This can lead to missed hunting opportunities. What is needed is a cover for boots which can provide warmth to the boots to keep an individual feeling warm and more likely to remain outdoors. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. 
     The invention is directed toward a shaped personal heating apparatus comprising an upper, a sole connected to said upper, wherein said upper and said sole define a cavity; wherein said upper comprises a first layer facing externally from said personal heating apparatus, a second layer disposed adjacent to said first layer, a third layer disposed adjacent to said second layer, and a fourth layer disposed adjacent to said third layer; wherein said fourth layer is disposed facing said cavity; wherein said third layer comprises an electrically conductive material; and wherein said second layer comprises a thermal insulation material having a thermal insulation value higher than a thermal insulation value of said first layer and a higher thermal insulation value of said third layer. 
     The upper may be shaped to include a vamp portion and a shaft portion and wherein said electrically conductive material extends through said vamp portion and said shaft portion. The electrically conductive material may further comprise a non-conductive textile core and one or more metallic conductive filaments wrapped around said non-conductive textile core. The electrically conductive material may have a width and a depth and wherein said width of said electrically conductive material is greater than said depth. 
     The electrically conductive material may comprise a non-conductive textile core and one or more metallic conductive filaments; wherein said non-conductive textile core comprises a plurality of textile filaments, wherein a portion of said non-conductive textile core is configured to have said one or more metallic conductive filaments interwoven with one or more of said plurality of textile filaments. 
     The personal heating apparatus may further comprise a battery electrically connected to said electrically conductive material of said third layer. The personal heating apparatus may further comprise one or more fasteners connected to said upper; said one or more fasteners having a secured position and an unsecured position. 
     The personal heating apparatus may further comprise a first electrical contact element integral to a portion of said fastener and a second electrical contact element integral to a second portion of said fastener; wherein electricity will flow through said electrically conductive material only when said first electrical contact element is physically in contact with said second electrical contact element; wherein said first electrical contact element is only in physical contact with said second electrical contact element when said fastener is in a secured position. 
     The personal heating apparatus may further comprise a microprocessor configured to control the operation of said electrically conductive material and a transceiver in operative communication with a remote computerized device. 
     The first layer may comprise a polyurethane coated nylon fabric; wherein said second layer may be composed of a synthetic fiber insulation having a thermal resistance value in a range R 1.6 to R 2.9; wherein said third layer may further comprise a woven non-conductive base; and wherein said fourth layer may comprise ripstop nylon. 
     The invention is also directed toward a method of utilizing a shaped personal heating device wherein said method comprises connecting a battery to said third layer; placing a foot in said cavity; and securing said one or more fasteners. 
     The method may further comprise placing said fastener in a secured position so that said first electrical contact element comes into contact with said second electrical contact element sufficient to allow a flow of electricity to occur between said first electrical contact element and said second electrical contact element. 
     The method may further comprise entering an instruction for operation of said shaped personal heating apparatus into said remote computerized device; transmitting said instruction from said remote computerized device to said transceiver of said shaped personal heating device; receiving said instruction by said transceiver of said shaped personal heating device; and altering one or more parameters of operations of said shaped personal heating device by said microprocessor in response to receiving said instruction. 
     Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described the embodiments of this invention, simply by way of illustration of the best modes suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, wherein like reference numerals refer to identical or similar components, with reference to the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the boot cover; 
         FIG. 2  is a left side view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view thereof; 
         FIG. 4  is a back view thereof; 
         FIG. 5  a back view thereof; 
         FIG. 6  is a right side view thereof; 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of the electrically conductive material utilized in the upper of the boot cover; 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of the electrically conductive yarn utilized in the boot cover; 
         FIG. 9  is a left side view of the boot cover having a pocket; 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded side view of the layers of materials utilized for the boot cover; 
         FIG. 11  is an exploded side view of the layers of materials utilized for the boot cover; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the boot cover; 
         FIG. 13  is a side cross-sectional view thereof; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the material utilized for the boot cover; 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the upper of the boot cover; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic top view of the electrically conductive material used to form the upper of the boot cover; 
         FIG. 17  is a rear view of the boot cover; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic of the boot cover in communication with a smartphone; and 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic of the method of utilizing the boot cover. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The claimed subject matter is now 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 the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced with or without any combination of these specific details, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention and the claims. 
     As used in this application, the terms “component”, “module”, “system”, “interface”, or the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a controller and the controller can be a component. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the preferred embodiment of the heated boot cover  10  is illustrated. In the simplest version of the preferred embodiment the heated boot cover comprises an upper  18  connected to a sole  14 . The upper  18  may be connected to the sole  14  by any number of means, such as sewing, adhesive, or ultrasonic welding. The upper end of the upper  18  defines an opening  34  for receiving the foot of a user. The upper  18  is shaped to define a cavity  30 . The cavity  30  is shaped to receive a foot of a user. On the rear of the boot cover  10  is a fastener  46 . In the preferred embodiment the fastener  46  is a zipper. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the zipper  46  is zipped toward the opening  34  so that the heated boot cover  10  completely enclosing the foot of the user. This closed position would be a secured position. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the zipper  46  is distant from the opening  34 , which allows the user to remove or insert their foot from the cavity  30 . This position would be an unsecured position. Where other types of fasteners are utilized, the fasteners would be in an unsecured position if the user can remove his foot from the cavity  30  and would be in a secured position if the user cannot remove his foot from the cavity  30 . The heated boot cover  10  may be utilized outside of a boot, such that a user places his foot in a boot and then places his boot in the cavity  30  of the heated boot cover  10 . Alternatively, the heated boot cover  10  may be utilized inside of a boot where the user places his foot inside the cavity  30  and then places the entire heated boot cover  10  inside of a boot. The sole  14  may be made of any material. In the preferred embodiment the sole  14  has a foam layer formed from any foam type, such as neoprene foam or sponge rubber, and a bottom sole layer formed from thick neoprene material, hardened rubber, or any other sturdy natural or synthetic material. The sole  14  may be formed to have traction or may be smooth. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the heating layer of material is illustrated, identified as the electrically conductive layer  66  below. The heating layer is composed of a woven base  110  of non-conductive fibers, such as polyester and/or aramid fibers. Interwoven with the woven base  110  is one or more electrically conductive yarns  70 . The electrically conductive yarns  70  may overlap or interweave with each other or may not cross over each other. The electrically conductive yarn  70  may be interwoven at any density per square inch of material. The electrically conductive yarns  70  have sufficient resistant to generate heat when electric current is applied. Extending from the heating layer of material are two wires  122 ,  124  which terminate in on or more connectors  136  which in turn can be connected to a battery. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the electrically conductive yarn  70  is illustrated. The conductive yarn comprises a core  700  and first electrical filament  702  and a second electrical filament  704 . In some embodiments only a single electrical filament  702  is utilized. In the embodiment shown, the first electrical filament  702  wraps around the outer circumference of the core  700  in one direction and the second electrical filament  704  wraps around the outer circumference of the core in the opposite direction. In other embodiments the second electrical filament  704  may wrap around the core  700  in the same direction as the first electrical filament  702 . The core  700  is composed of nonconductive yarn. The core  700  may be composed of a single yarn or a bundle of a plurality of yarn. If the core  700  is composed of a bundle of yarn then the electrical filaments  702 ,  704  may be wrapped around the outside or may be interwoven into the bundle of fibers in the core. The electrical filaments  702 ,  704  may be any size and shape and may be small round wires or may be flattened such that their width is greater than their depth. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a heated boot cover  10  with a pocket  200  is illustrated. In this embodiment the heated boot cover  10  has a pocket  200  for holding a battery (not shown). Inside of the pocket  200  may be a slot  202 . The slot  202  a hole in the outer layer of fabric of the heated boot cover  10  to allow the wires  122 ,  124  to pass through and connect with a battery being held in the pocket. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , the separate layers of material utilized in the heated boot cover  10  are illustrated. The separate layers may be attached together by physical means, such as sewing or heat sealing or ultrasonic welding, or chemical means, such as adhesive placed between the layers. The outer layer  54  faces the outside of the heated boot cover  10 . The outer layer may be formed from a durable water repellant material, such as 1000 denier polyurethane coated nylon fabric. The polyurethane coating, together with the 1000 denier rating gives the outer layer higher water resistant properties than standard nylon or any other material. Adjacent to the outer layer  54  is the insulation layer  62 . The insulation layer  62  is preferably composed of a synthetic fiber thermal insulation. The fibers utilized in the insulation layer  62  are preferably approximately 15 micrometres in diameter although other sizes of fibers may be used. Preferrably the insulation layer  62  has a thermal resistance R-value of 1.6 for 80-gram fabric to 2.9 for 200-gram fabric. The material used to make the insulation layer  62  may be any type of material but may be primarily made from polyethylene terephthalate or a mixture of polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. Other materials making up the insulation layer  60  may be polyethylene terephthalate-polyethylene isophthalate copolymer and acrylic. Adjacent to the insulation layer  62  is the electrically conductive layer  66 . Adjacent to the electrically conductive layer  66 , and the innermost layer of the material utilized, is the interior fabric layer  74 . The interior fabric layer  74  may be made of any type of material. The material used for the interior fabric layer  74  may be cotton or wool or polyester. In the preferred embodiment the interior fabric layer is composed of 70 denier interlock polyester. The interior fabric layer  74  may also have a layer of ripstop nylon, either by itself or paired with the polyester. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a heated boot cover  10  is schematically depicted. The boot cover  10  includes a sole  14  and an upper  18 . The upper  18  includes a vamp portion  22  and a shaft portion  26 . The sole  14  and the upper  18  cooperate to define a cavity  30  having an opening  34  at the top of the shaft portion  26 . 
     The cavity  30  is sized and shaped to enclose and contain a boot  28 . The upper  18  defines two edges  38 ,  42  adjacent to opening  34 . The boot cover  10  includes a fastening system  46  that is configured to selectively and releasably connect edge  38  and edge  42 . Thus, when the fastening system  46  is disengaged and the edges  38 ,  42  are movable with respect to each other, the size of the opening  34  is variable; edges  38  and  42  may be separated to enlarge opening  34  and thereby facilitate insertion or removal of the boot  28 . When the fastening system  46  is engaged, the edges  38 ,  42  are adjacent one another and the size of the opening  34  is not variable. At its minimum size, with the fastening system  46  engaged, the opening  34  permits the leg  50  of the boot wearer to protrude from the cavity  30 . In the embodiment depicted, the fastening system  46  is a zipper although other fastening systems may be employed within the scope of the claims. Other fastening systems that may be utilized include snaps, hooks and eyes, or any other metal fastening system. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the material forming the upper  18 , and is representative of any portion of the upper  18 . The upper  18  comprises four layers of material. One layer  54  of material defines the outer surface  58  of the upper  18 . The layer  54  is a water resistant fabric having a high degree of abrasion, scuff, and tear resistance. In one embodiment, the layer  54  comprises polymeric yarn such as nylon 66. The yarn may, for example, be arranged in a broad weave, e.g., plain dobby, basket or rip-stop weaves; or knit, e.g., circular, flat, or warp knits. One example of a material for layer  54  is Cordura® from Invista. 
     Layer  62  contacts layer  54  and functions as an insulator. In one embodiment, layer  62  comprises polymeric fibers that are hydrophobic. The fibers may be siliconized. One example of a commercially available material for layer  62  is Thinsulate™ Water Resistant Insulation from 3M™. Layer  66  includes electrically conductive material (shown at  70 A,  70 B,  70 C in  FIG. 5 ). Layer  74  secures layers  54 ,  62 , and  66  together. Layer  74  also protects layer  66  from tears and abrasions that could occur in layer  66  if the boot  28  came into contact with layer  66 . One example of material that may be employed in layer  74  is ripstop nylon. The layers  54 ,  62 ,  66 , 74  are attached to each other such as by sewing or stitching, though other techniques may be employed within the scope of the claims. In other embodiments the layers of material are glued together with adhesive. In other embodiments the layers are adhered together by ultrasonic welding or heat sealed together. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , panels  78 ,  82 ,  86  are schematically depicted. Panels  78 ,  82 ,  86  are depicted prior to assembly to form the upper  18 . Each of panels  78 ,  82 ,  86  comprises the four layers of material (shown at  54 ,  62 ,  66 ,  74 ) in  FIG. 3 . Panel  78  includes an edge  88  that partially defines opening  34 , edge  42 , a curvilinear edge  90 , and edge  94 . Similarly, panel  82  includes an edge  98  that partially defines opening  34 , edge  38 , a curvilinear edge  102 , and edge  106 . Panel  86  forms the upper portion of the vamp portion  22 . Curvilinear edges  90 , 102  are connected to panel  86 ; edges  94  and  106  are connected to each other at the toe section of the upper  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , wherein like reference numbers refer to like components from  FIGS. 12-15 , layer  66  of panels  78 ,  82 ,  86  is schematically depicted. The layer  66  includes a woven base  110  of non-conductive fibers, such as polyester and/or aramid fibers (e.g., Nomex® available from DuPont). The layer  66  also includes electrically conductive yarns  70 A,  70 B,  70 C interwoven with the non-conductive fibers of the base  110 . The conductive yarns  70 A,  70 B, 70 C have sufficient resistant to generate heat when electric current is applied. 
     More specifically, conductive yarn  70 A is within panel  78  and extends from an electrical terminal  114  to conductive yarn  70 B, which extends through panel  86 . Conductive yarn  70 B is in electrical communication with yarn  70 C, which extends through panel  82 . Conductive yarn  70 C terminates at electrical terminal  118 . The routes of yarns  70 A,  70 B,  70 C depicted are merely exemplary, and may be modified within the scope of the claims to vary the heat distribution throughout the upper  18 . Furthermore, the yarns  70 A,  70 B,  70 C are shown connected in series; however, and within the scope of the claims, yarns may be connected in parallel. Yarns  70 A,  70 B,  70 C form a portion of an electrical circuit  120 . 
     Yarns  70 A,  70 B,  70 C may comprise a non-conductive textile core with a metallic conductive filament wrapped around it in, for example, a helical pattern. Examples of conductive yarns that may be employed within the scope of the invention are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,060, issued Jul. 27, 1999 to Watson; U.S. Pat. No. 9,719,194, issued Aug. 1, 2017 to Chi-Hsueh, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2010/0300060 (HSU et al.), published Dec. 2, 2010; each of the aforementioned patent documents being hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Metallic filament size and metal composition may be altered to achieve the desired resistance for heat generation. 
     The boot cover  10  includes electrical wires  122 ,  124  in electrical communication with terminals  114 ,  118 , respectively. One of the wires, e.g., wire  124 , is connected to a control  128  configured to selectively vary the amount of current flowing through the circuit  120 , and thereby controlling the amount of heat generated by the conductive yarns  70 A,  70 B,  70 C. For example, control  128  may be a variable resistor or a device having a plurality of resistors that may be selected by a user. In a preferred embodiment, control  128  includes at least three resistance settings. Control  128  is in electrical communication with wire  132 . Wires  132  and  122  terminate at respective electrical connectors  136 ,  138 . Electrical connectors  136 ,  138  are releasably engageable with a rechargeable battery  142 . In one embodiment, layer  74  defines a pocket for storage and retention of the battery  142  and control  128 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , another embodiment of the heated boot cover is illustrated. In this embodiment the fastener  46  has a first electrical connector  302  connected to a first wire  304  and a second electrical connector  306  connected to a second wire  308 . In the embodiment illustrated the first electrical connector  302  and second electrical connector  306  are disposed at the top of the zipper  46 . When the zipper  46  is zipped up to completely enclose the cavity  30 , the first electrical connector  302  engages the second electrical connector  306  to complete the circuit and allow electricity to flow through the electrically conductive yarn  70  and allow the cover to generate heat. If a user unzips the zipper  46  to remove the heated boot cover  10 , then the first electrical connector  302  disengages the second electrical connector  306  and the heated boot cover  10  is unable to generate heat. In this manner, the heated boot cover can only generate heat when the fastener  46  is fully engaged. The first electrical connector  302  and second electrical connector  306  may be utilized in any shape or configuration. The first electrical connector  302  and second electrical connector  306  may be placed at the top of a zipper or in the middle of a zipper. In other embodiments the first electrical connector  302  and second electrical connector  306  are shaped as snaps which can be releasably secured together. If configured as snaps then the first electrical connector  302  and second electrical connector  306  may be positioned toward the top of the rear, towards the opening  34 , distal from the opening  34 , or may be placed on separate strips of fabric which span the opening formed when the fastener  46  is disengaged. The first electrical connector  302  and second electrical connector  306  may be integral to the fastener  46  or separate from the fastener  46 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , the heated boot cover  10  may be configured to be operated by a client application running on a smartphone  500 . The heated boot cover  10  may have a master control unit  400  with a transceiver. The master control unit  400  may have a processor and memory built in. In other embodiments there may only be a transceiver without full processing capabilities. In other embodiments the transceiver is separate from the master control unit  400 . In this embodiment the client application on the smartphone  500  can send a signal to the master control unit  400  to turn the heating on or off or adjust the level of heat generated. The client application on the smart phone  500  may be paired with one or more pairs of heated boot covers  10 . The client application on the smart phone  500  may also have one or more sets of parameters preprogrammed to control the operation of the heated boot cover. For instance, the smart phone  500  may establish that the heated boot cover  10  generates heat only for a certain amount of time or cycles between periods of time of generating heat and periods of time when no heat is generated. The smart phone  500  may also alter the amount of heat generated at any time. The smart phone  500  may also receive status information from the master control unit  400 , such as battery life remaining or power usage. 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , the method of use of the heated boot cover  10  is illustrated. First, the user connects a battery source to the heated boot cover  600 . Next the user inserts a boot into the cavity of the heated boot cover  602 . Next the user engages the fastener until electrical contacts that are integral to the fastener connect  604 . Next the user pairs the transceiver of the mater control unit with a client application on a smart phone and controls the operation of the heated boot cover with the client application on the smart phone  608 . 
     The heated boot cover  10  may have a number of additional elements or other configurations without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the heated boot cover may have a draw string, laces, ties, to help cinch or tighten the heated boot cover  10 . The heated boot cover  10  may have one or more loops of fabric which would permit easy handling of the boots when not being worn. The heated boot cover  10  may have detachable connection wires between the two boots so that the boots may be connected together into a continuous circuit. In this manner two boot covers  10  may be operated off of the same battery if the battery in one boot cover dies. Additionally, the boot cover  10  may have direct plugs for plugging the battery in the boot covers  10  directly into an electrical outlet in a wall. 
     What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art can recognize that many further combinations and permutations of such matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art the order of steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Further, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “a,” “an” or “the” is not to be construed as limiting the element to the singular. 
     The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention. 
     The hardware used to implement the various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. Alternatively, some steps or methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. 
     In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable software module, which may reside on a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such non-transitory computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of non-transitory computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or instructions on a tangible, non-transitory machine readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computer program product. 
     The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.