Patent Publication Number: US-2006007016-A1

Title: Utilities and communication integrator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates to metering or measuring of electrical energy usage and data, and to the collection and communication of electrical energy usage and other utility service data (such as gas and water) for multiple customers. The present invention also enables the integration of multiple communication mediums to the home or business via wiring, fiber and wireless communication.  
      2. Description of the Related Art  
      So far as is known, the most common method for determining the amount of electricity delivered to a consumer has been to read an electric utility meter (usually measuring kilowatt hours), which was mounted on the home or building of the consumer being served. This arrangement was also usually comparable for both gas and water meters as well, with separate usage meters for each of the commodities provided by those utilities being located on or near the building or property being served. Service charges for those commodities were based on the amounts used, as indicated by the various meters. Because the various utility meters were located at a point where the utility commodity was delivered to the consumer, it became necessary for utility companies to establish meter reading routes composed of a number of user locations. A “meter reader” then periodically visited each meter for a utility on a particular route to record the amount of utility product consumed. The consumer was then periodically billed according to measured utility usage.  
      At present, many utility companies (including gas, electric, and water) have continued to send meter readers to consumer residences or buildings to collect utility meter readings. However, there are practical limitations on how efficiently this procedure can actually be performed. Personnel and staffing costs of meter reading crews became a concern as the numbers of users increased. Also, since security is a major concern of most homeowners today, access to the actual location of the consumer&#39;s meters has heightened security issues with consumer and utilities. Some consideration has thus been given to implementing a self-reporting process where consumers themselves read their usage meters and periodically report usage readings for billing purposes. This, however, gives rise to other concerns. For instance, most consumers have little or no knowledge of how to read their meters, or how to gain access to meters themselves. This directly and adversely impacted the accuracy and efficiency of the self-reporting process.  
      The typical process of collecting meter data in the manner now in use thus had numerous disadvantages and inefficiencies. Collection of meter data was a labor intensive and costly process. Widespread use was made of electromechanical metering devices which were less expensive than electronic meters. However, electromechanical metering devices generally had little or no communication capability. Each utility, whether electric, gas or water, had its own type of meter for each individual user/consumer, and each utility had its own process for data collection.  
      There was some thought and effort towards conversion to an automated meter reading (or AMR) system to overcome some of the problems discussed above. However, for AMR applications, electric utilities were still dependent on a separate meter device at the service entrance of a home, apartment or business. AMR applications typically made the utility meters electronically accessible, either to a meter reading device or by individual telemetry connections. The various meters still had to be read individually for automated meter reading or AMR. Thus, in AMR applications, an additional meter reading/communication device, such as a telemetry device in the form of a meter interface unit or telemetry interface unit was required. The meter reading/telemetry device was necessary to receive the meter data and convert it to a suitable format for processing of usage data, and subsequent billing. The AMR process has still not been widely used by most utilities because it is cost prohibitive and was limited to one-way communication, that of reporting usage read from a meter to a data center or site for processing and billing.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Briefly, the present invention provides a new and improved usage and data collection unit for utility data one or more consumers. The unit includes one or more electrical sensors which obtain data including the amount of electric energy flowing from a distribution transformer to the consumer for use. The unit also includes a data accumulator to store electrical data for, including usage data, power service provided to the consumer from the distribution transformer. The unit also includes a data transmitter to transmit stored electrical data readings to a data collection facility for billing based on power service provided to the consumer.  
      The present invention is adapted for use with underground power distribution systems. When the electrical power service to the consumer is by underground distribution, a transformer, or a pedestal having a secondary distribution transformer, serves as a power distribution point. In these underground power distribution systems, the unit according to the present invention is mounted at the power distribution point, either with the transformer or to replace the pedestal separate from the transformer.  
      The present invention is also adapted for use with overhead power line distribution systems. When the electrical power service to the consumer is by overhead power lines, pole-mounted secondary distribution transformers serve as a power distribution point. In these systems, the unit according to the present invention is mounted at the power distribution point, either with the transformer on the pole, or on the pole separate from the transformer.  
      The unit according to the present invention is adapted to measure energy usage by a number of consumers or users, and for this purpose includes a plurality of meter ports for the various users. The data accumulator of the unit takes the form of a memory for storing data from each metered user. The user or consumer can readily access energy usage data via a local meter display either located on the utility and communication integrator (or UCI), or located on or in the home or office. Usage information will also be readily available through the Internet. In one embodiment, the unit measures electric kilowatt-hour consumption for multiple consumers and stores that information in memory for real-time or future retrieval. The unit of the present invention is also adapted to collect consumption information from other meter devices for other commodities (such as gas and water) through the data accumulator, and stores that information in memory for real-time or future retrieval. Consumers can readily access and/or receive usage information regarding demand, time of use, reliability, marketing and utility messages regarding product quality, or service interruption, or other such information. The unit of the present invention also serves as a host device so that the data transmitter is able to transmit multiple metering data using one or more of a number of types of telecommunication technologies. The telecommunication technologies which can be used for data transmission include wire, coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, broadband powerline carrier (also known as BPL), power line carrier (also known as PLC), Wireless Fidelity (also known as WIFI), and others.  
      The present invention also enables the integration of multiple communication media to the home or business via wiring, fiber and wireless communications. Data transmission with the present invention through the telecommunications technologies makes available one or two-way interactive communication between a unit according to the present invention, and the consumer/user, and utilities or others.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when the detailed description set forth below is reviewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a prior art service and metering arrangement for electric power to a consumer via underground residential distribution.  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a prior art service and metering arrangement for electric power to a consumer via overhead distribution.  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a service arrangement for delivery of electric power with a unit for metering and communication of utility data and communications services according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  is an example plan view of a typical electrical power distribution arrangement to multiple consumers with delivery of electric power and a unit (UCI) for metering of power and communications with typical meter locations for other utilities according to the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is a more detailed schematic diagram of the unit of the present invention in utility service arrangement of  FIG. 3  for delivery of electric power and for gathering utility data and facilitating multiple broadband services on service conductors.  
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating the flow of information to and from the meter data accumulator.  
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of portions of a module according to the present invention and the interactive communication and flow of metering information provided to and from such a module. 
    
    
      To better understand the invention, we shall carry out the detailed description of some of the modalities of the same, shown in the drawings with illustrative but not limited purposes, attached to the description herein.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      In the drawings, the letter D ( FIG. 1 ) designates generally a conventional, prior art arrangement for distribution and metering to determine the amount of electrical power delivered to a consumer or consumer site, in this instance a home H. In the distribution arrangement D, an example underground residential distribution (URD) arrangement of a typical, conventional type is shown. In the distribution arrangement D, a primary distribution line, usually underground, shown and designated schematically at 20 transports power at a primary voltage, for example 7.2 kilovolts or 19.92 kilovolts to a URD distribution transformer  22 . The URD transformer  22  reduces the voltage of power provided to a secondary voltage at a customary rated voltage, volts. The power from the transformer  22  at the customary secondary voltage is transferred by conductors or lines of a secondary distribution line shown schematically at  24  from the transformer  22 . In the underground residential distribution arrangement D of  FIG. 1 , power is delivered to a secondary pedestal P where a number of consumer or utility owned conductors are connected in the conventional manner to transfer power over service conductors, such as shown at  26  to the consumer site H, and through a number of other conductors such as the one shown schematically at  26   n  to various other consumer sites.  
      At the consumer site H, a conventional electrical kilowatt hour meter  28  is connected between the service conductor lines  26  and a conventional circuit breaker box  30  at the consumer&#39;s home or facility H. The meter  28  may be any one of a number of conventional kilowatt-hour meters, demand meters or other types. Typically, the meter  28  has been mounted on the home or building of the consumer receiving electrical power service from the electrical power company or utility.  
      The consumer also has typically had a connection and arrangement for receipt of gas and water from other utilities, each of the other utilities being provided with a separate meter for measuring the amount of gas or water or other utility commodity being delivered by that service.  
      In  FIG. 2 , the letter O designates generally a conventional prior art arrangement for distribution and metering to a consumer site with an overhead electrical power distribution arrangement. In the overhead distribution arrangement O, an overhead distribution line  32  transports power at comparable levels to those discussed above to a distribution transformer  34  which reduces the voltage of the power to secondary voltage. The distribution transformer  34  is typically mounted at a power distribution pole or other suitable location, and the secondary voltage is furnished from the distribution transformer  34  at a customary rated voltage through a service conductor arrangement shown schematically at  36  to the home or facility H of the consumer. Other consumers are also typically connected through separate service conductors, one of which is shown schematically at  36   n.    
      The arrangement of metering and circuit breaking in the facility or home H of  FIG. 2  is like that of the arrangement of  FIG. 1 , and accordingly the arrangement of  FIG. 2  uses like reference numerals for the conventional kilo watt-hour meter  28  and the consumer breaker box  30 . Also, the consumer in the arrangement of  FIG. 2  has had a similar arrangement for gas, water and other utility connections, again each with a separate meter and requiring separate meter reading arrangements to be made for each such utility service.  
      Thus, each of the two distribution arrangements described above have had three or more different types of meters and a variety of different data reading arrangements for the meters located at the user&#39;s site. Disadvantage of this prior art is the requirement to read multiple meters at the user&#39;s site, one meter for each utility service furnished to each user, having been detailed above.  
      In the present invention, a usage, data collection and communication unit designated, UCI according to the present invention, is shown. The UCI, as will be described, measures utility usage data for electrical power service, plus other utility and communication services, provided to one or more consumers as shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . The unit UCI in  FIG. 3  is shown schematically for either a URD or an overhead powerline distribution arrangement. When the power distribution arrangement is underground residential distribution like that of  FIG. 1 , the unit UCI of the present invention is usually provided as a replacement for the secondary pedestal P. When the unit UCI of the present invention is used in connection with an overhead distribution arrangement like that of  FIG. 2 , the unit UCI is mounted in close proximity to the distribution transformer  34 , either on the same pole or otherwise quite near the transformer  34 .  
      The unit UCI of the present invention serves to integrate the data collection and reporting of utility usage data from electric and other utilities and thus is referred to as a utilities communication integrator (UCI). The UCI also facilitates the injection of communications signals onto the service conductors from multiple communications services through a communication link module  45  ( FIG. 7 ) according to the present invention. The UCI provides for injection of communications signals onto the service conductors  26 . The communications signals may be from multiple sources. For example, the communications signals may be of various types of telecommunication technologies such as BPL, PLC, WIFI, digital, fiberoptic and other signals, as will be set forth.  
      The unit UCI ( FIGS. 3 and 5 ) receives a voltage signal and includes a separate electrical current sensor E ( FIG. 7 ) for obtaining data indicating the amount of electrical power flowing from the distribution transformers  22  or  34 , as the case may be, over the secondary line  36  to each of the users or consumers. In  FIG. 3 , the electric lines shown schematically as secondary line  36  or primary line  20 ,  32 , are typically several conductors.  
      The electrical current sensor E of the present invention, whether for multi-phase or single phase, preferably takes the form of a current flow sensor arranged on each one of the service conductors for each individual consumer. The current sensors of the electrical current sensor E may take the form of a current transformer to indicate sensed current flow through the service conductor, Hall effect sensor operating based on the Hall effect to generate a signal proportional to the amount of current flowing to the individual user. It should he understood that various types of metering chips, or other current sensing technology, such as those available from Cirrus Logic, Inc., of Austin, Tex. could be used, for example. The voltage level of power to the consumer is measured by a voltage transducer  43  ( FIG. 5 ). The amount of current flowing over time, combined with the voltage, to an individual consumer or user is an accurate indication of power level and energy consumed. It should be understood that other types of current flow sensors, or other sensors or transducers may also be used to sense electrical power furnished to the users and consumers.  
      Readings from the individual electrical current sensors E are furnished to a meter data accumulator  42  ( FIGS. 3, 5 ,  6  and  7 ) which stores data indicating the electrical energy usage provided to the consumer. The data accumulator  42  and its associated computer executable instructions or software are capable of storing, organizing and transferring various sets of data in the form of signals or other information media from various sources, organizing the data, time-stamping the data, and presenting the data to an intended recipient in the course of collection and communication of electrical energy usage data and other data and signals according to the present invention.  
      The meter data accumulator  42  includes a processor which operates under the control of a series of computer-executable instructions. The instructions may be contained in a memory of the meter data accumulator  42 , or on magnetic tape, conventional hard disk drive, electronic read-only memory, optical storage device, or other appropriate data storage device. Also, the instruction may be stored on a data storage device with a computer readable medium, such as a computer diskette, having computer-executable instructions stored thereon.  
      The meter data accumulator  42  is connected by input/output interfaces as described below ( FIG. 5 ) for data transfer purposes. The meter data accumulator  42  may be one of several types of digital processors, such as a laptop computer, processing circuit, processing chip or any suitable processing apparatus. For example, a Dell® brand laptop computer may serve as the CPU.  
      In  FIG. 5 , the electrical current sensor E is providing data to the meter data accumulator  42 . The data could be transmitted via a NetGear Powerline XE102, a wall-plugged Ethernet bridge network adapter available from Netgear Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif., for example. It should be understood that a number of network adapters commonly commercially available could also be used, if desired. Typically, electrical voltage is also provided, as indicated at  43  by the voltage transducer/converter to the meter data accumulator  42 . The current data and voltage data are combined, resulting in energy usage being provided to the meter data accumulator  42  and other components of the UCI.  
      The meter data accumulator  42  is also capable of receiving and storing usage data from other utilities, such as gas and water. Data readings from the meter data accumulator  42  are thus composite or integrated data readings representing meter usage data from the various utilities being served by the UCI for one or more utility consumers or users. The data from accumulator  42  provided to a communication link  45  ( FIG. 7 ) where they are transmitted to a data collection facility. The transmitter type and communication medium may take a number of forms.  
      For example, the integrated metering data from accumulator  42  ( FIG. 5 ) may be sent via the communications link  45  using multiple telecommunication technologies such as wire as indicated at  43   a ; coaxial cable as indicated at  43   b ; fiberoptic cable or other cable media as indicated at  43   c ; BPL, or broadband powerline carrier over lines  24  and  36 ; PLC, or power line carrier; or wireless, such as WIFI (Wireless Fidelity) as shown at  43   d , or the like. Where fiberoptic signals are used as a telecommunications technology, the fiberoptic signals are converted to digital signals by a fiber-to-digital converter  61 . Wireless communications may also be used. The data may be sent by way of a communications link module, as indicated at  45 .  
      When power line carrier communication of some form is used, BPL/PLC converters/injectors (hop-on connectors) or other methodology, as shown schematically at  49  are provided. These devices transfer the meter usage data and other signals to the electrical utility conductors  24  or  36 . The communications link module  45  provides for data readings transmission and makes available two-way interactive communication through the UCI, to the consumer, the utilities, and others. Finally, the UCI serves through the telecommunications technology of the foregoing types, as the point of communication for the consumer&#39;s telecommunication services ( FIG. 5 ) such as CATV, telephone, BLP/PLC, wireless, or fiberoptics. Protocols typically used include twenty-four bit, two&#39;s complement for electric meter reading, and pooled serial for gas and electric metering, although it should be understood that others could be used as well. The protocol for control may be of the type known as polled and wait (i.e. no feedback status), but again it should be understood that others could be used.  
      In  FIG. 6 , details of information flow in a UCI unit according to the present invention for gathering utility data for electrical, gas and water utility services are shown. The current sensor E for each individual consumer/user may be connected to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  44  which converts the readings of current flow combined with voltage, and thus energy usage, into a digital signal. Digital signals from the A/D converter  44  are provided as current flow readings and voltage readings, and thus electrical power or energy usage readings, for storage in a data accumulator  46  of the meter data accumulator  42 . The data accumulator  46  accumulates readings of energy usage versus elapsed time and forms an electronic record of such usage. In the data accumulator  46 , a user identifier code, stamp or prefix unique to the user or consumer being served is also added or included as an identifier to the usage data. The stored electronic is available for use in analysis and diagnostics of electrical devices or for other purposes.  
      Similarly, a gas pressure transducer  48  for each individual consumer/user being served may be connected to an A/D converter  50  and digital signals representing the amount of gas provided by the utility to consumer are provided and stored in a gas data accumulator  52  of the data meter accumulator  42 . The gas data accumulator  52  for gas utility usage functions in a like manner to the electric data accumulator  46 , storing usage data either as a function of time or accumulating cumulative usage data by periodic data samplings, and adding a consumer identifier stamp or code.  
      A water usage converter, such as a flow sensor  54 , is provided for each individual consumer/user being served. The sensor  54  is connected to an A/D converter  56  where digital signals representing water consumption readings are formed. The digital water consumption signals indicating the amount of water provided to the consumer by the utility are stored in a water usage data accumulator  58 , which functions in a like manner to the accumulators  46  and  52  storing usage data and applying user identifiers, stamps or codes.  
      Periodically at some suitable time interval, such as some number of minutes, data readings and consumer identifiers or codes from the data accumulators  46 ,  52 , and  58  are transferred to a data storage register  60  where the utility usage readings and consumer identifiers are stored. Preferably, the memory of the data storage register  60  is of a stable form not susceptible to inadvertent erasure due to power surges or the like. At some suitable time period or interval, such as daily intervals or the like, usage data is transferred to the utility data collection facility via the communication link  45  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ) using any of the techniques described above.  
      From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention is adapted for use in connection with a variety of utilities and with a variety of arrangements for furnishing electrical power or other utility commodities to a consumer or user&#39;s facility. As is indicated in  FIG. 4 , energy usage for a group of adjacent home sites H can be provided by a single UCI. The requirement for separate meter readings and technology for each of the various utilities to a home are no longer required. The “X” symbol in  FIG. 4  indicates the locations where a kilo watt-hour meter would be located with a conventional metering arrangement. Rather, only the electrical line connection (such as  26 ,  36 ) to the various houses, as shown for one such house H, need be made.  
      As has been noted above, the UCI ( FIG. 3 ) may replace the conventional secondary pedestal ( FIG. 1 ) in connection with an underground residential or URD power distribution arrangement, or it may be a pole mounted unit in connection with overhead electrical power distribution arrangements. Additionally, the UCI of the present invention may be provided as a wall-mounted unit to facilities such as apartment buildings where there are multiple users, each requiring separate and individual billing service. With such an arrangement,-individual current flow sensors are provided by the UCI for each of the separate residents of the building or facility requiring separate billing. However, it is to be noted that there is no meter that needs to be read for any such user. Rather, the UCI of the present invention transmits the data readings for billing purposes to the same data collection facility as used for individual users, and there is no need for meter readings to take place.  
      As can be seen, the present invention provides a unit that measures electric (typically kilowatt-hours or kwh&#39;s) energy usage and serves as a collection device for other utility meter data (such as gas and water). The unit of the present invention integrates the data readings into a composite data reading for transmission to data collection facilities. Data communications may be made utilizing various telecommunications technologies, as described earlier. The unit of the present invention also reads utility meter data and interactively communicates with end user consumers or consumer devices. The present invention thus can be seen to provide a new process of collecting data regarding utility consumption, utilizing the UCI unit.  
      The UCI unit thus can be seen to include a plurality of meter ports and a memory for storing meter data from each metered user. In one embodiment, the UCI unit meters electric kilowatt hour consumption and other information for multiple consumers and stores information in memory for real-time or future retrieval. The UCI unit also collects consumption and other information from other meter devices (such as gas and water) through a data accumulator and stores information in memory for real-time or future retrieval. Consumers can readily access and/or receive usage information regarding demand, time of use, reliability, marketing and utility messages regarding product quality or service interruption.  
      With the present invention, utilities and consumers can thus have almost instantaneous access to any meter. Further, the conventional manual meter reading process for collecting readings is becoming both economically and operationally obsolete in favor of a more reliable process and utilizing new communication technology according to the present invention.  
      The unit UCI according to the present invention also provides other features and capabilities as well. The UCI permits monitoring performance of electrically powered devices or appliances which receive electrical energy from an electric energy provider or utility. Performance monitoring can include monitoring of energy usage by the appliance, as well as analysis, diagnostic or control functions. A number of electrical units, devices or appliances, whether of a residential or an industrial consumer, are provided with digital energy management controllers or monitors to reduce energy usage and possible waste. According to the present invention, they are collectively defined as devices. Usually the energy management controllers for such devices are digital microcontrollers or microprocessor based. The energy management controllers monitor and control energy usage by motors in the appliance, and also may provide signals indicating both usage and performance. These types of commercially available energy management controllers may be furnished as components from the original equipment manufacturer, or they may be separately installed. Examples of such devices or appliances for residential consumers include, for example, air conditioning units, evaporation coolers, household appliances, pool pumps and other appliances, usually driven by induction motors. The appliances or devices are connected to receive electrical energy by connection to the consumer electrical breaker box  30  through secondary wiring and electrical outlets in the consumer site H.  
      For this purpose, signals for control and performance monitoring are exchanged between the utility providing energy and the energy management controller, normally using BPL/PLC techniques, through the UCI. The data accumulator  42  stores a record of the performance data sent from the energy management controller or monitor over the service conductors  26 ,  36 . The performance data is then transferred along with suitable identifier codes from the data accumulator  42  through the converter/injector  49  over the power delivery distribution lines  24 ,  36  or via communications link  45  to a data receiver/transmitter at the energy provider&#39;s facility for monitoring, storage, processing or analysis there as needed. Monitoring and control signals are exchanged from the energy provider to the appliances at the user or consumer&#39;s facility H. The signals are furnished as BLP/PLC signals over the same power distribution lines  24 ,  36  to the converter/injector  49  to the communication link module  45  and the data accumulator  42 .  
      The unit UCI according to the present invention also enables demand side management of electrical energy usage at an energy consumer&#39;s facility. The converter/injectors  49  receive incoming control signals sent in BPL/PLC form over the power distribution lines  24 ,  36  via communications link  45  from the energy service providing utility. The incoming signals are addressed by suitable identifier codes to the particular user or groups of users. The processor of data accumulator  42  decodes the incoming signals and, if applicable, transfers the incoming control signals to the digital energy management controllers of the particular user or groups of users involved. The decoded signals then control or manage electrical energy consumption of equipment, units and devices at the user&#39;s facility.  
      The unit UCI also serves as a host device of a communication system for transferring received telecommunications from external services through service conductors to the user&#39;s facility from a variety of telecommunication technologies. Incoming signals from multiple telecommunications technologies including wire, as indicated at  43   a ; coaxial cable  43   b ; fiberoptic cable or other cable media  43   c ; or wireless technology, such as wireless fidelity  43   d , are provided to incoming communication slots or ports of the communication link module  45 . The incoming signals are converted into suitable format and transferred to the converter/injector  49  for transfer over the conductors  26 ,  36  to the service conductors of the energy consumer&#39;s facility. Adapters of the conventional type mentioned above are inserted into the service outlets of the user&#39;s facility to receive and convert the signals on the service conductors for transfer. The signals may be transferred, for example, to telephone handsets, radios, entertainment centers, computers, video displays, television units or other signal receivers or utilization devices for their intended use.  
      The unit UCI of the present invention also provides a communication system for two-way communication between the energy user or consumer at the facility H and the utility or other service provider furnishing electrical energy or other types of services to the user. The two-way communication through the UCI is performed via the service conductors  24 ,  36  or via communications link  45  and can be of a variety of types of information or data such as demand side management, marketing or power outage data.  
      Signals on the service conductors  24 ,  36  pass through the communication link module  45  which receives and transmits communications, either to the user from the service provider or from the provider to the user, depending on the origin of the communication. The communication link module  45  receives the message from data accumulator  42  which insures the proper address codes are present to identify that the user is the intended recipient or originator, and converts the data content of the message into proper format. The message from communications module  45  is connected by the signal converter/injector  49  which places the message onto the appropriate conductors for exchange, either receipt or transmittal, between the user and the energy service provider  
      The invention has been sufficiently described so that a person with average knowledge in the matter may reproduce and obtain the results mentioned in the invention herein. Nonetheless, any skilled person in the field or technique subject of the invention herein, may carry out modifications not described in the request herein, to apply these modifications to a determined structure, or in the manufacturing process of the same, requires the claimed matter in the following claims; such structures shall be covered within the scope of the invention.  
      It should be noted and understood that there can be improvements and modifications made of the present invention described in detail above without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.