Patent Publication Number: US-2022235960-A1

Title: Room conditioning comfort switch

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/694,797, which was filed on Nov. 25, 2019, and is entitled, “ROOM CONDITIONING COMFORT SWITCH.” The entire content of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/694,797 is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to heating and air conditioning controls. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Buildings with heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems may heat and cool rooms using forced air distributed through ducts. Some examples of HVAC systems may include circulating warm liquid which may heat rooms through radiators or radiant flooring. The temperature of a room may be controlled by a thermostat somewhere in the building but may not necessarily be inside the room. The room therefore may receive forced air, or circulating water or other liquid, where the temperature of the forced air or liquid is controlled by another space. 
     SUMMARY 
     In general, the disclosure is directed to a control device configured to control the distribution of conditioned air, or liquid, to a space inside a building. In some examples, the control device may be a wall mounted switch, similar to a light switch, inside or near the space. Operating the switch may send signals to control the position of a vent, or a valve, to allow or prevent conditioned air, or liquid, from changing the environment of the space in the building. 
     In one example, the disclosure is directed to a system comprising: a register device comprising: one or more dampers; a motor configured to adjust a positioning of the one or more dampers to at least a first damper position and a second damper position, wherein in the first damper position, the one or more dampers are substantially open and in the second damper position, the one or more dampers are substantially closed; receiver circuitry; and a first power source configured to deliver power to the motor and the receiver circuitry; a controller device comprising: 
     a housing configured to be mounted to a wall; a first user input mechanism configured to receive user input; transmitter circuitry configured to: wirelessly transmit, in response to a first user input at the first user input mechanism, a first signal to the receiver circuitry of the register device to cause the motor to adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers to the first damper position; and wirelessly transmit, in response to a second user input at the first user input mechanism, a second signal to the receiver circuitry of the register device to cause the motor to adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers to the second damper position; and a second power source configured to deliver power to the transmitter circuitry. 
     In another example, the disclosure is directed to a controller device, the device comprising: a housing configured to be mounted to a wall; a first user input mechanism configured to receive user input; transmitter circuitry configured to: wirelessly transmit, in response to a first user input at the first user input mechanism, a first signal to a register device, separate from the controller device, to cause the register device to adjust the positioning of one or more dampers of the register device to a first damper position; and wirelessly transmit, in response to a second user input at the first user input mechanism, a second signal to the register device to cause the register device to adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers to a second damper position; and a power source configured to deliver power to the transmitter circuitry. 
     The details of one or more examples of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device configured to be mounted to a wall of a room, in according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example system that includes a controller device configured to allow or prevent an HVAC system of a building from changing the environment of a room. 
         FIG. 3  is a conceptual illustrating an example system that includes a controller device and control mechanisms to prevent or allow an HVAC system of a building from changing the environment of a room. 
         FIG. 4  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with multiple position settings according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with a thermostat control according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 7  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with both thermostat and ON-OFF control according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with both light control and temperature control according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure is directed to a control device configured to control the distribution of conditioned air, or liquid, to a space inside a building. Most buildings, such as residential homes, have rarely used spaces that do not require cooling (or heating) at all times. Also, in some examples, a room&#39;s occupant may want to control the environment of a room differently the environmental settings for the remainder of the building. The controller device of this disclosure gives building occupants the ability to turn off conditioning, such as when a space is unoccupied and switch the conditioning on again when desired. 
     In some examples, the controller device may be a wall mounted switch, similar to a light switch, inside or near the space. Operating the switch may control the position of a vent, or a valve, to allow or prevent conditioned air, or liquid, from changing the environment of the space in the building. In other examples, the controller device may have several settings, to allow a vent, or valve, to be set fully ON, fully OFF, or some intermediate position. In other examples, the controller device may include one or more sensors that are configured to control the position of a vent, or valve, based on a temperature or other environmental condition of a room. In other examples, the controller device may also be configured to operate other features in the room, such as a light switch or an outlet. 
       FIG. 1  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device configured to be mounted to a wall of a room, in according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. Controller device  102  includes housing  108  and user input mechanism  104 . 
     Housing  108  may be configured to be mounted to a wall in or near the room of a building. Inside housing  108  may include circuitry configured to transmit and/or receive signals from a device controlling a register damper, or similar mechanism, that controls the flow of forced air into the room (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). In some examples the circuitry may be powered by a battery or similar power storage device. The example of controller  102  powered by a battery may have advantages over other types of devices because a battery powered controller  102  may have simplified assembly compared to other types of devices. 
     In some examples, controller device  102  is configured to fit into a standard sized 1-gang electrical box. In other examples controller device  102  may be configured to be installed in a 2-gang or larger electrical box along with one or more other electrical devices, such as a light switch or similar device. 
     Controller device  102  includes user input mechanism  104  configured to receive user input, and in the example of  FIG. 1 , is similar to a light switch. User input mechanism  104  may be set to OFF, which may signal a register device to close a damper to prevent forced air from an HVAC system from passing through the damper and into the room (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). User input mechanism  104  may be set to COMFORT, which may signal the register device to open the damper and allow conditioned air to affect the environment of the room. 
     The system of this disclosure may provide benefits to improve the environmental management of a building. For example, by closing off dampers to unused rooms, conditioned air may be reserved for rooms that are in use, which may reduce energy costs. The controller device of this disclosure may offer a low-cost and convenient control in an expandable solution, e.g. the ability to easily turn a room&#39;s conditioning on and off like the lights. In some examples, wireless dampers inserted into ductwork can start and stop airflow on command, and the controller device may be installed in as many or as few rooms as desired. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example system that includes a controller device configured to allow or prevent an HVAC system of a building from changing the environment of a room. Controller device  202  is an example of controller device  102  described above in relation to  FIG. 1  and includes the same functions and characteristics as controller device  102 . Controller devices  102  and  202  may also be referred to as “comfort switch” in this disclosure. 
     In the example of  FIG. 2 , system  200  includes controller device  202 , register devices  240 A and  240 B, server  250 , power supply  230  and light fixture  232 . Controller device  202  may send, and in some examples also receive, signals from register devices  240 A and  240 B. Controller device  202  and register devices  240 A and  240 B may also be in communication with a server  250 , in some examples. In the example of  FIG. 2 , the communication between controller device  202 , register devices  240 A,  240 B and server  250  is depicted as wireless communication. However, in other examples, the components of system  200  may also communicated via wired communication techniques such as Ethernet, or similar protocols. Wireless communication may be implemented in system  200  by one or more of Bluetooth, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or other wireless communication protocols. Examples of server  250  may include a Wi-Fi routing device, a general purpose computer, or similar device that may be connected to a building network. 
     Controller device  202  may include processing circuitry  210 , transceiver circuitry  204 , a user input mechanism, UI  206 , a power source  208 , one or more sensors  215  and a switch  214  controlled by one or more features of UI  206 . Controller device  202  may include a housing configured to be mounted to a wall (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     Register device  240 B is an example of register device  240 A and may include the same functions and characteristics as register device  240 A. For simplicity, the description of  FIG. 2  will focus on register device  240 A, however, the description may equally apply to register device  240 B, unless otherwise noted. 
     Transceiver circuitry  204  may include transmitter circuitry configured to transmit a signal to transceiver circuitry  244  of register devices  240 A and  240 B to cause a motor to adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers to a an OPEN, CLOSED, or some intermediate damper position. For example, in response to a user input to move user input mechanism  104  (depicted in  FIG. 1 ) to an OFF position, transceiver circuitry  204  may send a first signal to receiver circuitry that is part of transceiver circuitry  244  of register device  240 A to cause the motor to adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers to the CLOSED damper position. Similarly, in response to a user input to move user input mechanism  104  to the COMFORT position, transceiver circuitry  204  may send a second signal to the receiver circuitry of register device  240 A to cause the motor to adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers to the OPEN damper position. 
     Register device  240 A may include motor control circuit  242  that is in communication with transceiver circuitry  244 . Motor control circuit  242  may drive a motor, solenoid or similar mechanism to control the position of a damper or valve based on signals received by the receiver circuitry of transceiver circuitry  244 . 
     In some examples, register device  240 A may also be configured to receive control commands from a second controller device of the HVAC system of the building. The other control commands may also cause register device  240 A to control the position of the damper or valve. In some examples, signals from controller device  202  may be configured to have higher priority than a third signal from the second controller device. For example, the second controller device may be in communication with the HVAC thermostat and be configured to operate register device  240 A in accordance with commands from the thermostat. However, in examples in which commands from controller device  202  have priority, register device  240 A may adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers to comply with the signals from controller device  202 , without regard for the third signal from the second controller. For example, a user may want to prevent air flow to an unused room at certain times but allow the thermostat configuration and the second controller to control register device  240 A at other times. 
     Power source  246  of register device  240 A may deliver power to transceiver circuitry  244  and to motor control circuit  242  to drive the motor. In some examples power source  246  may include a replaceable or rechargeable battery, a transformer or other source of electrical power. 
     In some examples, transceiver circuitry  244  may include transmitter circuitry that may communicate with controller device  202 , or other components of system  200 . In some examples, transmitter circuitry of register device  240 A may transmit a status, such as damper or valve OPEN, battery status of power source  246 , to relay signals from control device  202  to a more distance receiver device, and similar signals. 
     Controller device  202  may also include processing circuitry  210 , which may further include computer readable storage media, memory  212 . Processing circuitry  210  may receive user input from UI  206  and cause transceiver circuitry  204  to send the appropriate signal to register device  240 A. UI  206  may include one or more of user input mechanism comprises one of a toggle switch, a rotary switch, a rocker switch, a push button switch, or a slider switch, or similar mechanisms to perform the functions described in this disclosure. In some examples, UI  206  may also include a display. 
     Examples of processing circuitry  210  in controller device  202  may include any one or more of a microcontroller (MCU), e.g. a computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals, a microprocessor (μP), e.g. a central processing unit (CPU) on a single integrated circuit (IC), a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on chip (SoC) or equivalent discrete or integrated logic circuitry. A processor may be integrated circuitry, i.e., integrated processing circuitry, and that the integrated processing circuitry may be realized as fixed hardware processing circuitry, programmable processing circuitry and/or a combination of both fixed and programmable processing circuitry. Accordingly, the terms “processing circuitry,” “processor” or “controller,” as used herein, may refer to any one or more of the foregoing structures or any other structure operable to perform techniques described herein. Examples of memory  212  may include memory integrated as part of processing circuitry, or separate memory, including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and similar examples of computer readable storage. media. 
     Controller device  202  may also be configured to operate other functions within a room, such as a light switch or an outlet. In the example of  FIG. 2 , controller device  202  includes a first terminal  220  configured to receive a first portion of hot wire  234  from power supply  230 . A second terminal  218  of controller device  202  receives a second portion  235  of the hot wire that leads to light fixture  232 . UI  206  may include another user input mechanism configured to open and close the electrical connection, e.g. switch  214 , between the first portion  234  of the hot wire and the second portion  235  of the hot wire. The connection  216  between UI  206  and switch  214  may be an electrical signal or a mechanical connection that operates switch  214 . 
     In some examples, power supply  230  may originate from line power for the building, for example, 120 VAC, 240 VAC, 230 VAC or other voltages, depending on the line power standards of the building location. In other examples, power supply  230  may be originate from a transformer, such as a 24V transformer on an HVAC system. In some examples, power source  208  may receive electrical energy provided from power supply  230 , which may be used to provide power for the functions of controller device  202 , such as transceiver circuitry  204 . In some examples the power from power supply  230  may recharge a battery included in power source  208 . In some examples power source  208  may include a power converter configured to receive the electrical energy from power supply  230  and convert the electrical energy to power for use by the transmitter circuitry, for example an AC-DC power converter. 
     In some examples, controller device  202  may include one or more sensors  215 . Sensors  215  may include sensors to measure temperature, humidity and other factors of the room&#39;s environment. In some examples, processing circuitry  210  may cause transceiver circuitry  204  to send signals to register device  240 A based on environmental factors measured by sensors  215 . 
       FIG. 3  is a conceptual illustrating an example system that includes a controller device and control mechanisms to prevent or allow an HVAC system of a building from changing the environment of a room. System  300  of  FIG. 3  is an example of system  200  described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . 
     System  300  may include controller device  320 , register device  302  configured to control dampers  304 . System  300  may also include a radiator  338  that may extract heat from liquid circulating from inflow pipe  336  to outflow pipe  334 . Controller device  320  may also be configured to send signals to control the operation of valve device  330 . 
     Controller device  320  is an example of controller device  102  and controller device  202  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Controller device may have the same or similar functions and characteristics as controller device  102  and controller device  202 , unless otherwise noted. For example, controller device  320  may include transmitter circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit a first signal to receiver circuitry (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) of register device  302  based on a first user input at a user input mechanism of controller device  320 . The first signal may cause motor  308  of register device  302  to adjust the positioning of the one or more dampers  304  to a CLOSED damper position. Controller device  320  may be configured to be mounted in a standard electrical box along with one or more other electrical devices, such as a light switch or similar device. In some examples controller device  320  may be powered by a battery or similar energy storage device. 
     Similarly, controller device  320  may wirelessly transmit a second signal to the receiver circuitry of register device  302 , based on a second user input at the first user input mechanism, such as moving a switch to an OPEN or COMFORT position, as described above in relation to  FIG. 1 . The second signal may cause motor  308  to adjust the positioning of dampers  304  to an OPEN damper position, for example. Though dampers  304  is depicted as a single plate in the example of  FIG. 3 , in other examples, dampers  304  may be two or more pieces that move to open or restrict air flow through duct  306 . 
     In some examples, the CLOSED damper position may substantially block air flow to room  301 . In other words, the plates or vanes of a damper may not completely seal the flow of air through duct  306 , therefore though the CLOSED position may be considered substantially closed, some flow of air may still move past damper  304 . Similarly, the OPEN position, may restrict airflow to some degree, therefore, though the damper is substantially open, the air flow may be somewhat restricted compared to other portions of duct  306  without a damper. 
     Room  301  depicted in  FIG. 3  is defined by walls  312  and  314 . Duct  306  provides forced air supplied by and HVAC system (not shown in  FIG. 3 ) through vent  310 . Though only a s single vent  310  is depicted in  FIG. 3 , in other examples duct  306  may include one or more branches that feed multiple vents  310  into room  301 . In some examples, damper  304  and register device  302  may be located at a branch point of duct  306  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ), which may allow a single register device to control the air flow to all the vents into room  301 . In some examples, a single register device at a branch point may control the flow of air to more than one room. In other examples, register device  302  and damper  304  may be integrated as part of vent  310  (not shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     In other examples, the transmitter circuitry of controller device  320  may be configured to wirelessly transmit a first signal to receiver circuitry  332  of valve device  330  based on the first user input at the user input mechanism of controller device  320 . The first signal may cause a solenoid, or some similar activation component of valve device  330  to adjust the positioning of a valve, of valve device  330  to a CLOSED position. 
     Also, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , controller device  320  may control one or more register devices  302  and/or one or more valve devices  330  at the same time. For example, a “space” within a building may include one or more rooms, or a room with one or more vent ducts. Controller device  320  may control the environment of the space by wirelessly transmitting signals to multiple register devices, where each register device controls a separate vent duct into the space. 
     Similar to the description for damper  304 , when in the CLOSED position, some liquid may still flow through the valve of valve device  330 . In some examples, a valve may intentionally include an orifice that allows pressure on either side of the valve to equalize when the valve is CLOSED. Therefore, though the valve is substantially closed, some liquid may flow past the valve. Also, the valve may be substantially open when in the OPEN position, the valve may still restrict flow, e.g. when compared to other portions of inflow pipe  336  and outflow pipe  334  that do not include a valve. 
     To allow liquid to flow to radiator  338 , controller device  320  may wirelessly transmit a second signal to receiver circuitry  332  of valve device  330 , based on a second user input as described above for register device  302 . The second signal may valve device  330  to open the valve, allowing radiator  338  to warm the room. Similar to the branches of duct  306 , inflow pipe  336  may branch to feed two or more radiators in room  301 , or into more than one room. Valve device  330  may be located between the branch and the source of heated liquid to control the flow to multiple radiators. 
     Controller device  320  is located on wall  314  inside of door  316  in the example of  FIG. 3 . In other examples controller device  320  may be mounted outside room  301  to control register device  302  and/or valve device  330 . Use of a controller device, such as controller device  320 , along with register device  302  may provide advantages by conveniently controlling the environment of room  301  separately from the rest of the building in which room  301  is located. In some examples, one or more vents, such as vent  310 , may be in difficult to reach locations, such as under or behind furniture, in a ceiling, and similar locations. Individually opening and closing all the vents of a room may be difficult in some examples. Use of controller device  320  may simplify the separate control of the environment of room  301 . 
       FIG. 4  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. System  400  of  FIG. 4  is an example of system  200  and  300  described above in relation to  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
     System  400  includes controller device  402 , which is an example of controller devices  102 ,  202  and  320  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-3  and may include the same or similar functions and characteristics. The example of system  400  depicts a light switch  410  with a separate housing from housing  408  of controller device  402 . In some examples controller device  402  may be mounted on a wall next to an existing light switch  410  and be a completely separate device. In other examples user input mechanism  406  for light switch  410  may be included in the same housing  408  as user input mechanism  404 , and both light switch  410  and controller device  402  are a single integrated unit, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with multiple position settings according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. Controller device  502  is an example of controller devices  102 ,  202 ,  320  and  402  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-4  and may include the same or similar functions and characteristics. 
     User input mechanism  504  is depicted as a sliding switch in  FIG. 5  and is an example of UI  206  described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . User input mechanism  504  is shown in the middle position (“MID” in  FIG. 5 ). Other positions include open  510  and closed  512 . As described above in relation to  FIG. 2 , housing  508  may include transmitter circuitry configured to wirelessly transmit, in response to user input at user input mechanism  504 , a signal to the receiver circuitry in a register device, or valve device (not shown in  FIG. 5 ), to cause a motor to adjust positioning of one or more dampers to a middle damper position. The middle damper position may be more closed than the OPEN damper position and more open than the CLOSED damper position. In other examples, controller device  502  may have two or more middle positions, rather than the single middle position shown in  FIG. 5 . In other examples, not shown in  FIG. 5 , controller device  502  may include a second user input mechanism integrated with housing  508  to control other room features, such as light fixtures or outlets. 
       FIG. 6  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with a thermostat control according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. Controller device  602  is an example of controller devices  102 ,  202 ,  320  and  402  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-4  and may include the same or similar functions and characteristics. 
     Housing  608  includes user input mechanism  604 , processing circuitry and one or sensors (not shown in  FIG. 6 ), such as sensors  215  described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , user input mechanism  604  is depicted as a slider switch that may be positioned in the OFF setting  612 , or at a position along temperature scale  610 . In response to user input at user input mechanism  604 , processing circuitry within housing  608  may set a temperature setpoint. The transmitter circuitry within housing  608  may be further configured to wirelessly transmit a signal to the receiver circuitry in a register device (not shown in  FIG. 6 ) to cause the motor to adjust positioning of the one or more dampers based on a magnitude of temperature measured at the sensor relative to the temperature setpoint. Similar to controller device  502  described above in relation to  FIG. 5 , in some examples controller device  602  may include a second user input mechanism integrated with housing  608  to control other room features, such as light fixtures or outlets (not shown in  FIG. 6 ). 
       FIG. 7  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with both thermostat and ON-OFF control according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. Controller device  702  is an example of controller device  602  described above in relation to  FIG. 6  and may include the same or similar functions and characteristics. For example, controller device  702  may be configured to be installed in a standard electrical box. In some examples controller device  702  may be installed in a standard electrical box along with one or more other electrical devices, such as a light switch or similar device. In some examples controller device  702  may be powered by a battery or similar storage device. 
     Similar to controller device,  602 , controller device  702  includes user input mechanism  704 , which is depicted as a slider switch that may be positioned along temperature scale  710 . As with controller device  602 , transmitter circuitry within housing  708  may send signals to control the position of a damper or valve based on the magnitude of temperature measured at a sensor relative to a temperature setpoint. 
     Controller device  702  also includes a second user input mechanism,  712 . User input mechanism  712  may be configured to cause transmitter circuitry to send signals to set the damper, or valve, to either the OPEN or CLOSED position. In some examples, user input mechanism  712  may be configured to control a light fixture. In other examples, controller device  702  may include a third user input mechanism configured to control other room features, such as a light fixture (not shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
       FIG. 8  is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a controller device with both light control and temperature display according to one or more techniques of this disclosure. Controller device  802  is an example of controller devices  102 ,  202 ,  320  and  702  described above in relation to  FIGS. 1-3 and 7  and may include the same or similar functions and characteristics. For example, in some examples controller device  802  may be powered by a battery or similar energy storage device, which may simplify installation. 
     Controller device  802  includes housing  808  and user input mechanisms  804  and  812 . User input mechanisms  804  and  812  are examples of UI  206  described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . User input mechanism  804  includes a display and may also include one or more features for a user to cause transmitter circuitry within housing  808  to send signals to a register device, or valve device. In the example of  FIG. 8 , user input mechanism  804  includes a display, which may be configured to display room temperature or other measurements from one or more sensors. The display may also be configured to show temperature setpoint or otherwise communicate with processing circuitry within housing  808  (not shown in  FIG. 8 ). In some examples, user input mechanism  804  may just be configured as a display, with no user input functionality. In some examples, user input mechanism  804  may include arrow buttons or other input features. For example, tapping on the display may cause the processing circuitry to display a variety of control or display options. 
     User input mechanism  812  may connect to a switch, such as switch  214  described above in relation to  FIG. 2 . In the example of  FIG. 8 , user input mechanism  812  may be a momentary, toggle or capacitively coupled switch control mechanism. Operating user input mechanism  812  may control the operation of a light fixture, for example. 
     In one or more examples, the functions described above may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, the various components of  FIG. 2  may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on a tangible computer-readable storage medium and executed by a processor or hardware-based processing unit. 
     Instructions may be executed by one or more processors, such as one or more DSPs, general purpose microprocessors, ASICs, FPGAs, or other equivalent integrated or discrete logic circuitry. Accordingly, the term “processor,” as used herein, such as may refer to any of the foregoing structure or any other structure suitable for implementation of the techniques described herein. Also, the techniques could be fully implemented in one or more circuits or logic elements. 
     The techniques of this disclosure may be implemented in a wide variety of devices or apparatuses, including a wireless handset, an integrated circuit (IC) or a set of ICs (e.g., a chip set). Various components, modules, or units are described in this disclosure to emphasize functional aspects of devices configured to perform the disclosed techniques, but do not necessarily require realization by different hardware units. Rather, as described above, various units may be combined in a hardware unit or provided by a collection of interoperative hardware units, including one or more processors as described 
     Various examples of the disclosure have been described. These and other examples are within the scope of the following claims.