Patent Publication Number: US-2023158819-A1

Title: Media Cartridge and Media Processing Device Engagement Mechanisms

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/071,593, filed Oct. 15, 2020, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A media processing device, such as a label printer, may store a supply of media for processing, e.g. by printing or otherwise applying indicia to the media. When the supply of media stored by the media processing device is exhausted, the supply may be replenished by accessing an interior of the device to install a new supply, such as a new roll of labels. Replenishing the supply of media in the above manner, however, may be time-consuming and prone to improper installation of the media, which may negatively impact the performance of the media processing device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate embodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those embodiments. 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric view of a media cartridge, taken from above. 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of the media cartridge of  FIG.  1   , taken from below. 
         FIG.  3    is an exploded view of the media cartridge of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a diagram of a printer for use with the media cartridge of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram of the printer of  FIG.  4    with the cartridge of  FIG.  1    installed therein. 
         FIG.  6    is a cross section of the printer and cartridge of  FIG.  5   , with the lid of the printer in a closed position. 
         FIG.  7    is an isometric view of a further media cartridge, taken from above. 
         FIG.  8    is a diagram of another example printer. 
         FIG.  9    is a diagram of a media cartridge for use with the printer of  FIG.  8   , viewed from below. 
     
    
    
     Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
     The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Media supplies, such as rolls of labels used in printers, require periodic replacement, e.g. when the media supported by the roll or other structure is exhausted. Label printers may require media to be fed through a system of rollers within the printer, which complicates the loading and unloading process, and may lead to incorrectly installed media supplies. 
     A replaceable media cartridge containing the above media supply may mitigate some of the above complication by providing a drop-in mechanism to load new media into a printer. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, such cartridges may have various physical features to mitigate operational issues in the printer, such as media jams and the like. Third-party cartridges (e.g. those manufactured by an entity other than the manufacturer of the printer) may lack such features, or imperfectly reproduce such features, leading to suboptimal printing and/or damage to the printer. Printer and media manufacturers may therefore implement mechanisms to warn operators or interrupt printer operation when such a third-party cartridge is installed in the printer. Some mechanisms may involve the physical placement of components of the cartridge, such as an identification chip (also known as an ‘ID chip’), in contact with components of the printer, such as an electrical interface to read the above chip. Imperfect contact between the chip and the interface may lead to interruptions in printer operation. 
     Cartridge features, and complementary printer features, are discussed herein that ensure good contact between the above ID chip and the printer interface, and/or that further simplify the removal and installation of the cartridge. 
     Examples disclosed herein are directed to a media cartridge, comprising: a base defining a media chamber and including a lower wall and an opposing upper wall; an identification circuit disposed on the lower wall, the identification circuit configured to engage with an electronic interface of a printer; a ledge on the upper wall of the base, the ledge configured to receive downward pressure from an inner surface of a lid of the printer in a closed position; wherein the identification circuit is aligned with the ledge to receive at least a portion of the downward pressure. 
     Additional examples disclosed herein are directed to a media cartridge, comprising: a base defining a media chamber having a mouth for receiving a supply of media; a cover including: a perimeter configured to engage the mouth of the media chamber and enclose the media chamber; and a guide feature defining a portion of the cover configured to be grasped to manipulate the cartridge for installation or removal from a printer. 
     Further examples disclosed herein are directed to a printer, comprising: a housing defining a media enclosure configured to receive a media cartridge, the media enclosure having a lower wall to support the media cartridge, opposing side walls, a rear wall and a forward wall defining a media outlet; a lid rotatably coupled to the housing and movable between a closed position to enclose the media enclosure, and an open position; an electronic interface at the lower wall, configured to engage with an identification chip of the media cartridge; a contact region on an inner surface of the lid, the contact region configured to exert a downward pressure on the media cartridge when the lid is in the closed position; wherein the electronic interface is aligned with the ledge to transfer the downward pressure from the contact region to the electronic interface via the identification chip. 
       FIG.  1    depicts a media cartridge  100 , also referred to herein simply as the cartridge  100 . The cartridge  100  is configured to store a supply of media, such as a roll of adhesive labels, paper or the like, although the cartridge  100  is illustrated in an empty state in  FIG.  1   . 
     The cartridge  100  includes a base  104  that defines a media chamber to contain the above-mentioned media roll. The cartridge  100  also includes a cover  108  that is configured, when the cartridge  100  is assembled as shown in  FIG.  1   , to engage with the base  104  to enclose the above-mentioned media chamber. The cover  108  can also be coupled to certain internal components of the cartridge  100  that support the media roll, as will be seen below. 
     The cartridge  100  includes a media outlet  112  from which media is dispensed from the media chamber, e.g. in the direction  116  indicated in  FIG.  1   . The media may be dispensed from the cartridge  100  under the action of one or more components of a media processing device such as a printer. Examples of such components include a platen roller and a print head that together form a nip through which the media is drawn from the cartridge to be processed and subsequently dispensed from the printer. 
     When the cartridge is fully assembled, the base  104  and cover  108  cooperate to define the media outlet  112 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . To that end, the base  104  includes a lower portion  120  of the media outlet  112 , over which the media travels in the direction  116  to exit the cartridge  100 . The lower portion  120  of the media outlet  112  can be integrally formed with a forward wall  122  of the base  104 . The cover  108  includes an upper portion  124  of the media outlet  112  configured to contact an upper surface of the media as the media exits the cartridge  100 , e.g. to mitigate against retraction of the media into the cartridge  100 . 
     In addition to the forward wall  122 , the base  104  includes side walls  126 - 1  and  126 - 2  (opposite the side wall  126 - 1 , and therefore not visible in  FIG.  1   ). Together with other walls of the base  104  to be discussed below, the side walls  126  define the above-mentioned media chamber. 
     The cartridge  100  is loaded into a printer in a downwards direction  128 , i.e. substantially vertically. Conversely, the cartridge  100  is withdrawn from the printer in a direction opposite to the direction  128 , e.g. when the media in the cartridge  100  is exhausted or a different type of media is required. The cartridge  100  includes certain structural features to facilitate the installation and withdrawal of the cartridge  100  into and out of the printer, as well as to maintain a position of the cartridge  100  within the printer when installed. 
     Specifically, the cartridge  100  includes a ledge  132  that is configured to interact with a component of the above-mentioned printer to exert downward pressure (i.e. a force substantially in the direction  128 ) when the cartridge  100  is installed within the printer. In addition, the cartridge  100  includes a guide feature, examples of which are discussed below, defining a portion of the cover  108  that is configured to be grasped (e.g. by an operator of the printer) to manipulate the cartridge for installation or removal from the printer. 
     In the present example the guide feature includes a first grip  136 - 1  at a first side of the cover  108 , implemented as an indentation into the cover  108  relative to the side wall  126 - 1  of the base  104 . In the illustrated example, the indentation defining the grip  136 - 1  extends into the base  104  itself, in the form of a cutout  140 - 1  at the upper edge of the side wall  126 - 1 . The cover  108  can include a second grip on the side opposite of the grip  126 - 1  (not visible in  FIG.  1   ), and the base  104  can also include a second cutout in the side wall  126 - 2 , corresponding to the second grip of the cover  108 . 
     In addition, in the present example the cover  108  includes additional guide features. For example, the cover  108  can include a label-placement region  144 , e.g. indicated visually by a pair of ridges  148  extending from an upper surface of the cover  108 . A label (not shown) may be placed over the cover  108 , extending from the side wall  126 - 2  to the side wall  126 - 1  between the ridges  148 . As will be apparent, such a label can serve both to affix the cover  108  to the side walls  126  of the base  104 , and to provide a visual guide towards the grips  136 . 
     In other examples the cover  108  can include further guide features, such as textured elements (e.g. ridges, channels or the like) on shoulders  152  of the cover  108 , providing both visual indications that the shoulders  152  are suitable for grasping the cartridge  100  from above, and surface texture to facilitate such grasping. The grips  136 , when present in conjunction with the textured elements on the shoulders  152 , may define a gap in the textured elements (e.g. the grips  136  need not include textured elements). In other examples the textured elements may also be present within the grips  136 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  2   , the cartridge  100  also includes structural features to align the cartridge  100  within the printer upon installation. In the illustrated example, the cartridge  100  includes an alignment ridge  200  extending from a lower wall  204  of the base  104 . The alignment ridge  200  is configured to engage with a complementary alignment channel of a printer, constraining the position of the cartridge  100  within the printer as the cartridge  100  is installed in the printer (i.e. preventing installation of the cartridge  100  in an incorrect orientation). 
     In the present example, the alignment ridge  200  is a T-shaped ridge that includes a stem  208  and an arm  212 . As seen in  FIG.  2    as well as  FIG.  1   , a forward surface  216  of the arm  212  is contiguous with the forward wall  122  of the base  104 . In other examples, however, the arm  212  can be disposed on the lower wall  204  such that the forward surface  216  is spaced apart (rearwardly) from the forward wall  122 . In addition, the arm  212  extends across the width (between the side walls  126 ) of the base  104  in the present example. In other examples, the arm  212  can have a reduced length, such that the arm  212  extends across only a portion of the width of the base  104 . 
     The stem  208  of the alignment ridge  200  is disposed centrally on the lower wall  204  and orthogonal to the arm  212 . The stem  208  extends between the arm  212  and a rear end of the lower wall  204 , where the lower wall joins a rear wall  220  of the base  104 . In other examples, the length of the stem  208  can be reduced. In further examples, the stem  208  can be disposed off-center relative to the arm  212 , such that the stem  208  is closer to, for example, the side wall  126 - 1  than to the opposing side wall  126 - 2 . 
     The cartridge  100  also includes an additional alignment feature in the present example, in the form of an alignment spine  224  extending from the rear wall  220  of the base  104 . The spine  224 , in the present example, is contiguous with the stem  208  and extends from the stem  208  to an upper end of the base  104 , adjacent to the cover  108 . In particular, the ledge  132  is defined at an upper end of the spine  224  in this example, and is therefore located adjacent to the rear edge of the cover  108 . 
     The spine  224  is wedge-shaped in the present example, having a larger width W 1  near the upper end of the base  104  (i.e. near the ledge  132 ) than a width W 2  near the stem  208 . The spine  224  is configured to engage with a complementary channel of the printer to guide the cartridge  100  into position as the cartridge  100  is inserted into the printer. In other examples, the spine  224  need not be contiguous with the stem  208 . For example, the spine  220  can terminate above the lower wall  204  such that the spine  220  does not reach the stem  208 . 
     The cartridge  100  also includes, in the illustrated example, an identification circuit  228  disposed on an outer surface thereof. In the present example, the circuit  228  is disposed on the lower wall  204 , and specifically on a lower surface of the stem  208  of the alignment ridge  200 . The circuit  228  can be implemented, for example, as a suitable integrated circuit that is readable by the printer upon installation of the cartridge  100 , via an electrical interface of the printer. The circuit  228  can store information such as a unique identifier of the cartridge  100 , a manufacturer identifier of the cartridge  100 , data defining the type and/or initial quantity of media in the cartridge  100 , an encryption key or other authentication data, and the like. The circuit  228  may therefore be read by the printer to obtain the above data, and determine, for example, whether the cartridge  100  is manufactured by an approved supplier of media for the printer. 
     When a cartridge is installed that lacks the circuit  228 , or in which the circuit  228  contains data that does not satisfy criteria applied by the printer, the printer may interrupt operation, generate warning notifications, or the like. For example, the printer may simply not operate when the circuit  228  is not detected, or when a detected circuit  228  does not contain information satisfying criteria applied by the printer. In other examples, when the printer fails to detect the circuit  228  or detects a non-compliant circuit, the printer may operate in a mode with reduced functionality (e.g. a safe mode). 
     As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, consistent contact between the circuit  228  and the corresponding electrical interface in the printer may avoid interruptions, warnings and the like due to loss of communication between the circuit  228  and the printer (rather than due to the cartridge  100  being an authorized cartridge). The ledge  132  introduced in connection with  FIG.  1   , and also illustrated in  FIG.  2   , serves to mitigate against loss of connection between the circuit  228  and the printer. In particular, as noted earlier, the ledge  132  receives downward pressure from a component of the printer (in particular, an inner surface of a lid of the printer). The ledge  132  and the circuit  228  are aligned such that a substantial portion of the downward pressure is transferred from the ledge  132  to the circuit  228 , driving the circuit  228  into contact with the electrical interface of the printer. 
     The alignment between the ledge  132  and the circuit  228  will be discussed in greater detail below. In the present example, such alignment is provided, at least in part, by placement of the circuit  228  adjacent to the rear end of the stem  208  (i.e. adjacent to a rear end of the lower wall  204 ), and by placement of the ledge  132  adjacent to a rear edge of the base  104  (i.e. adjacent to the rear wall  220 ). That is, a load path between the ledge  132  and the circuit  228  is substantially vertical (e.g. within about 20 degrees of vertical). 
     Turning to  FIG.  3   , the cartridge  100  is shown in a disassembled state. In particular, the cover  108  is shown disassembled from the base  104  to reveal the media chamber  300  within the base  104 , which houses the media supply when the cartridge  100  is assembled. 
     The media chamber  300  has a mouth defined by an upper wall  304  of the base  104 , which forms a perimeter of the mouth. The ledge  132  extends from a portion of the upper wall  304  defined by the top of the spine  224 , and the cutouts  140 - 1  and  140 - 2  are defined along portions of the upper wall  304  above each side wall  126 . 
     The cartridge  100  also includes a pair of wings  308 - 1 ,  308 - 2  connected to the cover  108 . The wings  308  can be rotatable relative to the cover  108  about joints defined at the grips  136 , such as living hinges. The cover  108  and wings  600  can be manufactured as a single integrated component (e.g. via injection molding as mentioned earlier), while the base  104  can be manufactured as a separate component. In some examples, however, the entire cartridge  100  can be manufactured as a single integrated component, e.g. via injection molding. In such examples, the cover  108  can be connected to the base  104  via a hinge (e.g. a living hinge) adjacent to the ledge  132  (with the ledge  132  being rearward of the hinge). 
     A roll of media can be placed between the wings  308  and below the cover  108 , and the wings  308  can then be rotated towards each other as indicated by the arrows  312  to reach the positions illustrated in  FIG.  3   . Each wing defines a spindle  316  extending inwardly, to support the roll of media. When the roll is supported by the wings  308 , the wings  308  are inserted into the media chamber  300  until the cover  108  rests on the upper wall  304  (or at least a portion thereof, excluding the portion bearing the ledge  132 ). 
     The wings  308  can include latching features configured to engage with openings  324  in the base  104  to secure the wings  308  and cover  108  to the base following assembly. The above-mentioned label can also serve to affix the cover  108  and wings  308  to the base. As will now be apparent, when the media roll is loaded between the wings  308 , the center of gravity of the cartridge  100  is substantially on the axis of rotation defined by the spindles  316 . In other words, the center of gravity of the cartridge  100  is directly below (i.e. vertically aligned with) the grips  136 , such that when the cartridge is lifted by the grips  136 , rotational movement of the cartridge  100  due to gravity is mitigated or avoided. 
     Turning to  FIG.  4   , a printer  400  with which the cartridge  100  may be used is illustrated. The printer  400 , e.g. a desktop label printer, includes a housing  404  to receive the cartridge  100 . The housing  404 , in particular, includes a set of inner walls defining a media enclosure, and a set of outer walls  408  encasing the media enclosure and other internal components of the printer  400 . 
     The inner walls include first and second side walls  412 - 1  and  412 - 2 , a lower wall  416 , a rear wall  420 , and a forward wall  422 . Media from the cartridge is dispensed from the enclosure formed within the housing  404  by way of a print head assembly  424  supported by the housing  404 , and a platen roller  428  supported by a lid  432 . When the lid  432  is closed, the platen roller  428  cooperates with the print head  424  to form a nip through which media is drawn from the cartridge  100  for processing and dispensing from the printer  400 . 
     The enclosure defined by the inner walls of the housing  404  includes an alignment channel  436  defined in the lower wall  416 . The channel  436 , in the illustrated example, has a T shape complementary to the shape of the alignment ridge  200  discussed above. The housing  404  also defines a rear alignment channel  440 , in the rear wall  420 , that is complementary with the shape of the spine  224  discussed above. Thus, as the cartridge  100  is inserted into the printer  400 , the spine  224  engages with the channel  440  to guide the ridge  200  into the channel  436 . The ridge  200  and spine  224  of the cartridge  100 , together with the channels  436  and  440 , may also prevent insertion of the cartridge  100  in an incorrect orientation (e.g. with the media outlet  112  facing towards the lid  432  rather than towards the print head  424 ). 
     The printer  400  also includes, within the channel  436 , an electrical interface  444  configured to engage with the circuit  228  when the cartridge  100  is inserted into the housing  404 . The lid  432  is configured to apply downward pressure to the cover  108  above the circuit  228  and the interface  444 , to drive the circuit  228  into consistent contact with the interface  444 . In particular, the lid  432  includes a contact region, such as a pressure bar  448  on an inner surface thereof. The pressure bar  448  is configured, when the lid  432  rotates from the illustrated open position to a closed position, to exert downwards pressure on the identification circuit  228  via the ledge  132  and spine  224 . Such downwards pressure may serve to ensure contact between the circuit  228  and the interface  444 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  5   , the cartridge  100  is illustrated in an installed position within the enclosure of the printer  400 . As seen in  FIG.  5   , when the lid  432  is rotated to the closed position in the direction  500 , the pressure bar  448  is brought into engagement with the ledge  132  and exerts downward pressure on the ledge  132 . Such downward pressure is transferred via the previously mentioned load path, to the circuit  228  to drive the circuit  228  into engagement with the interface  444  of the printer  400 . 
     In other examples, the pressure bar  448  and the ledge  132  may be configured such that only certain portions of the pressure bar  448  contact certain portions of the ledge  132 . For example, the pressure bar  448  may be shaped such that the end regions contact the ends of the ledge  132 , while the central region of the pressure bar  448  and the ledge  132  do not come into contact. In further examples, the ends of the pressure bar  448  can be configured to crush the ends of the ledge  132  to retain the cartridge  100 . For example, the pressure bar  448  can extend further into the enclosure than illustrated in  FIG.  4    (when the lid  432  is closed), as well as forward of the central portion of the ledge  132  such that the pressure bar  448  contacts only the sides of the ledge  132 . 
     The printer  400  also includes features to facilitate the installation and removal of the cartridge. In particular, the printer  400  includes an upper wall  504  joining the outer walls  408  with the inner walls forming the enclosure that holds the cartridge  100 . The printer  400  includes at least an indentation at the intersection of the upper wall and each side wall  412 . In the illustrated example, the printer  400  includes a first indentation  508 - 1 , and a second indentation  508 - 2 , at the intersections of the side walls  412 - 1  and  412 - 2  with the upper wall  504 , respectively. The indentations  508 , as will be apparent from  FIG.  5   , are positioned so as to lie adjacent to the grips  136  of the cartridge. The indentations  508  enable an operator of the printer  400  to insert fingers between the side walls  412  and the cartridge  100 , to grasp the cartridge (e.g. by the grips  136 ) and withdraw the cartridge  100  from the printer  400 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a cross section of the printer  400  with the cartridge  100  installed therein, showing the pressure bar  448  in contact with the ledge  132 , and the relative positions of the circuit  228  and the interface  444 . As shown in  FIG.  6   , the load path  600  between the ledge  132  and the circuit  228  is substantially vertical. 
     Other examples of guide features are contemplated. For example, as shown in  FIG.  7   , the above-mentioned label  700  applied to the cartridge  100  may include a folded region  704  at the center of the cartridge  100 . The fold  704  thus forms a tab extending up from the top of the cartridge  100 , enabling the tab to be grasped to lift the cartridge  100 . In other examples, such a tab may be provided in a manner other than a fold in the label  700 . For example, the label  700  can include a tab affixed thereto. In other examples, the cartridge  100  itself can include a tab formed integrally with the cover  108 . In further examples, the label  700  can extend onto the sidewalls of the cartridge  100 , rather than ending at the edges of the cover  108 , as shown in  FIG.  7   . 
     In further examples, the cartridge  100  and the printer  400  can include additional alignment features to maintain the position of the cartridge  100  within the printer  400  and, in turn, maintain the position of the circuit  228  relative to the interface  444 . Turning to  FIG.  8   , an example printer  400   a  is illustrated, including a housing  404   a  and a lid  432   a . With the exception of the features noted below, the components of the printer  400   a  are as described above in connection with the printer  400 . 
     The printer  400   a  includes a pin  800  adjacent to the interface  444   a , as well as a second pin or ridge  804  at a forward end of the alignment channel  436   a . The pin  800  and the ridge  804  extend upward from a lower surface of the enclosure defined within the housing  404   a , and engage with corresponding hole and slot features of a cartridged, to be discussed below. In particular, the pin  800  and the ridge  804  enable the printer  400   a  to maintain an alignment of the cartridge under varying environmental conditions. The cartridge may be manufactured from paperfoam or other similar materials, and may therefore expand or contract depending on the temperature and humidity of the operating environment. Such expansion and contraction can lead to misalignment of the cartridge, resulting in sub-optimal print quality and/or disengagement of the circuit  228  with the interface  444   a.    
     Placement of the pin  800  adjacent to the interface  444   a  constrains the position of the cartridge near the circuit  228  such that even in the presence of contraction or expansion of cartridge material, movement of the circuit  228  itself is constrained. Further, the pin  800  and ridge  804  are aligned with the direction of travel of the media, such that expansion or contraction of the cartridge in response to environmental conditions is less likely to rotate the cartridge within the printer  400   a  and dispense media in a direction that is not parallel with the media path defined by the printer  400   a.    
       FIG.  8    also shows that the lid  432   a  of the printer  400   a  includes a pressure bar  448   a  that extends further from the inner surface of the lid  448  than the pressure bar  448  described earlier. The increased depth of the pressure bar  448   a  enables consistent contact with the cartridge under various environmental conditions, e.g. by either pressing onto, or crushing (depending on the environmentally-modified size of the cartridge) the ledge  132  as mentioned earlier. 
     Turning to  FIG.  9   , a cartridge  100   a  for use with the printer  400   a  is illustrated from below. The cartridge  100   a , in addition to the features of the cartridge  100  described earlier, includes a hole  900  and a slot  904  configured to receive the pin  800  and the ridge  804 , respectively. As seen in  FIG.  9   , the hole  900  is adjacent the circuit  228 . 
     In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. 
     The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. 
     Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
     It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. 
     Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium having computer readable code stored thereon for programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of such computer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flash memory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.