Patent Publication Number: US-2015066314-A1

Title: System for dispensing agricultural products in specified groupings

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application. No. 61/870,667 filed Aug. 27, 2013, entitled SYSTEM FOR DISPENSING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS IN SPECIFIED GROUPINGS, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to material delivery systems for agricultural products and more particularly to material dispensing systems using distributed processing. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In markets requiring the usage of chemicals, often hazardous substances, the Environmental Protection Agency and other regulatory bodies are imposing stricter regulations on the transportation, handling, dispersion, disposal, and reporting of actual usage of chemicals. These regulations, along with public health concerns, have generated a need for products that address these issues dealing with proper chemical handling. 
     To reduce the quantity of chemicals handled, the concentration of the chemical, as applied, has been increasing. This has raised the cost of chemicals per unit weight and has also required more accurate dispensing systems. For example, typical existing systems for agricultural product dispensing use a mechanical chain driven dispenser. Normal wear and tear on these mechanical dispensers can alter the rate of product applied by as much as 15%. For one typical chemical, Force®, a pyrethroid type insecticide by Syngenta, an over-application rate of 15% can increase the cost of the insecticide by $1500 over 500 acres. 
     Since many of the current agricultural product systems are mechanical systems, any record keeping and reporting must generally be kept manually. 
     The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present material delivery systems. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a broad aspect, the present invention is embodied as a system for dispensing agricultural products including: a) a master controller; b) a power distribution box; c) a plurality of agricultural product containers; d) a plurality of meter devices; and, e) a plurality of secondary controllers. The power distribution box is operatively connected to the master controller and a secondary power source. The meter devices are operatively connected to the product containers and configured to dispense agricultural products at metered rates from the containers to rows in a field. The secondary controllers actuate the meter devices. Each secondary controller receives command data from the master controller, via the power distribution box, and controls the meter devices for dispensing in response to the command data. The master controller and the secondary controllers are configured to provide operator defined groups of rows. Each of the rows in a group has an operator assigned dispensing rate and operator assigned agricultural product. The dispensing rate and agricultural product are controllable by the operator during operation according to planting needs. Typically, the groups of rows may include multiple groups of rows that the master controller and the secondary controller are configured to control simultaneously. 
     In another broad aspect, the present invention is embodied as a method for dispensing agricultural products. A system is provided that is arranged and constructed to dispense agricultural products from a plurality of agricultural product containers. The system for dispensing includes a master controller, a plurality of meter devices operatively connected to the product containers and configured to dispense agricultural products at metered rates from the containers to rows in a field, and a plurality of secondary controllers for actuating the plurality of meter devices. Each secondary controller receives command data from the master controller and controls the meter devices for dispensing in response to the command data. Groups of rows are defined, each of the rows in a group having a defined dispensing rate and defined agricultural product. Agricultural products are dispensed in accordance with the defined groups of rows 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified diagram showing a system for dispensing agricultural products of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of one embodiment of an electromechanical metering system for use with the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic illustration of a planter in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing a row grouping. 
         FIG. 5  is schematic illustration of an alternative embodiment of a metering system. 
     
    
    
     The same elements or parts throughout the figures of the drawings are designated by the same reference characters, while equivalent elements bear a prime designation. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and the characters of reference marked thereon,  FIG. 1  shows a simplified diagram of a planter  20  incorporating a distributed control material dispensing system. The material dispensing system of the present invention may be used with other types of agricultural implements, but is primarily used with seed planting equipment. Although the Figures show a single row of planting equipment, typical planters include multiple rows, for example, 48 or more. 
     The distributed control system includes a main microcontroller  10  which communicates to a plurality of sub-controllers  60 . (As used herein the term sub-controller may alternatively be referred to as a secondary controller, slave controller, or row controller.) The sub-controllers  60  implement commands received from the main control unit  10  by applying electric power to a metering device  72 . The agricultural product container  40  may contain a memory device  85  for retaining information pertaining to the material in the container  40  and to the metering device  72  (see  FIG. 2 ). This information is used by the main control unit (i.e. main microcontroller or master controller  10 ) and the sub-controllers  60  to properly dispense the product. 
     The material dispensing system shown in the figures is a distributed control system that employs a master microcontroller computer  10  located in the operator&#39;s cab. Typically, the material dispensing system is used in conjunction with a seed planter  20  which is attached to and pulled by a farmer&#39;s tractor (not shown). Each row of the seed planter  20  includes a seed hopper and seed planting mechanism  30  and an agricultural product container (i.e. typically a product container)  40  and associated dispensing mechanism (i.e. meter system)  70 . Agricultural products include, but are not limited to, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals. Other agricultural products may include growth hormones, growth promotion products, and other products for enhancing crop production. This master or main controller  10  distributes command and control information via a high speed serial communications link  50 , via a power distribution box  15 , to sub-controllers  60  connected to individual meter systems  70 . Each row corresponds to one row in the field being planted. Each individual meter system  70  is controlled by its own slave or row controller  60 . The meter system  70  includes an electronic memory circuit  80  and a metering or dispensing device  72  (see  FIG. 2 ). The meter system  70  can be permanently attached to the product container  40 . Preferably, the meter system  70  is attached using a known tamper evident securing system. The row controller  60  includes a material flow sensor  62  (see  FIG. 3 ) which is integral with the row controller  60 . The material flow sensor  62  detects the presence or absence of flow from the product container  40   
     The main microcontroller unit  10  may include a display  12  and keypad  14  for operator interface. A speed sensing device such as radar, GPS, or wheel speed sensor  16  is connected to the main control unit  10  to provide ground speed. Ground speed is used to modify the material dispensing rate to account for the planter&#39;s speed. The main control unit  10  is connected to a plurality of junction boxes  55 . The junction boxes  55  are operatively positioned between a power distribution box  15  and the secondary controllers  60  by a high speed serial communications link  50 . The main controller  10  is in constant communication through the serial communications link  50  to the secondary controllers  60  located on the planters  20 . 
     The secondary controllers (i.e. row control units)  60  allow a method of multiplexing signals going to the main controller  10 . A main benefit is that the main controller  10  can control a planter with only nine wires going to a junction box  55 . One pair of wires is used for serial communications, three pairs of wires are provided for power to the row control units  60  and to the metering devices  72 . Three pairs of wires are used for power to more evenly distribute the current requirements. The power distribution box  15  obviates the need for power to be supplied by the master controller to the secondary controllers. The power distribution box  15  is independently connected to a power source as indicated by numeral designation  19 . The power distribution box  15  is also connected to a lift switch  21 . The power distribution box  15  has three serial ports  22  for connection to the junction boxes  55 . It includes suitable electronic overload protectors to prevent damage to the system. 
     The main controller  10  also contains a suitable non-volatile memory unit, such as “flash” memory, a memory card, etc. Information pertaining to the usage and application of agricultural products is stored in this non-volatile memory unit. This information is used to prepare printed reports which meet EPA reporting requirements. Currently, farmers prepare these written reports manually. 
     A preferred junction box  55  can connect up to eight row control units  60  to the power distribution box  15 . If the planter  20  has more than eight rows, additional junction boxes  55  can be connected to the power distribution box  15 . The lift switch  21  is connected to the power distribution box  15 . This switch indicates when the planter  20  is not in an operating position. Other interfaces to the main control unit  10  may be provided such as serial or parallel links for transmitting information to other computer systems or printers. 
     The row control unit  60  has memory devices and logic devices within to modify and implement the commands from the main controller  10 . The row control unit  60  can read information from a container memory circuit  80  (see  FIG. 2 ) attached to the container  40  and may manipulate the commands from the main controller  10  to properly operate the metering device  72 . For example, if the concentration of product on row  1  is different than the concentration of product on row  8 , the row control unit  60  can modify the commands of the main controller  10  to properly dispense products from all rows. The row control unit  60  also reads metering device  72  calibration data from the container memory circuit  80  and modifies the main controller  10  commands to account for differences in performance of different metering devices. 
     The row control unit  60  allows the possibility to completely change the programmed functions of the main controller  10 . As an example, if a pre-programmed row control unit  60  is placed on a liquid herbicide sprayer, the main controller  10  would be able to read the dispenser type information and operate as a liquid sprayer controller. 
     The preferred embodiment shown in the figures uses one row control unit  60  to control one metering device and memory unit  70 . A row control unit  60  can control more than one device, for example, two metering device and memory units  70  or one metering device and memory unit  70  and one seed hopper and seed planting mechanism  30 . 
     Each container  40  includes a metering or dispensing device  72  which allows controlled application rates under different conditions. The metering device  72  described herein is an electromechanical solenoid driven device for dry granular material. Other type of dispensers may be used for other materials, such as liquids. One type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,171,913, entitled “Self-Calibrating Meter With In-Meter Diffuser”. Another type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,782, entitled “Transfer Valve For a Granular Materials Dispensing System”. Another type of metering device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,794, entitled “Metering Device for Granular Materials”. Another type of metering device for dry granular material is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,372, entitled Metering Device for Granular Materials. U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,171,913; 5,687,782; 5,524,794; and, 5,156,372 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     As will be discussed below in detail, the master controller  10  and the secondary controllers  60  are configured to provide operator defined multiple groups of rows. Each of the rows in a group has an operator assigned dispensing rate and operator assigned agricultural product. The dispensing rate and agricultural product are controllable by the operator during operation, according to planting needs. The master controller  10  and the secondary controllers  60  are configured to control multiple groups of rows simultaneously. A group of rows may include a single row. Thus, for example, on a 48 row planter, 48 different products can be applied, each at its own specific rate. Furthermore, each of the products and their corresponding rate can be recorded. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the meter system is illustrated, designated generally as  70 . The meter system  70  includes a metering device  72  and memory unit  80 . A base plate  71  is fastened to the bottom of the container  40 . An electromechanical metering device  72  is attached to the base plate  71 . The preferred metering device  72  uses an electric solenoid  74 . The solenoid  74  is attached to one end of a pivot bar  75  which pivots on pivot support  77 . The other end of the pivot bar  75  is biased into contact with material dispensing aperture  76  by a spring  78 . The solenoid  74  is energized by the row control unit  60  to pivot the pivot bar  75  away from the material dispensing aperture  76 , thereby allowing product to flow by gravity out of the container  40 . 
     The solenoid  74  must be sealed from the product. Product entering the solenoid  74  can cause its premature failure. The solenoid end of the pivot bar  75 , the spring  78  and the connection of the pivot bar  75  to the solenoid  74  are sealed by a cover (not shown) to prevent entry of product into the solenoid  74 . The preferred method for pivoting the pivot bar  75  and sealing the solenoid cover is to include a round flexible washer (not shown) in the pivot support  77 . This flexible washer, sometimes referred to as a living hinge, has a small hole in the center, smaller than the diameter of the pivot bar  75 . The pivot bar  75  is inserted through the small hole in the flexible washer. The flexible washer allows the pivot bar  75  to pivot and seals the solenoid cover from the product. 
     The electronic memory circuit (i.e. unit)  80  is connected to the solenoid  74 . A multi-conductor cable  82  and connector  83  are used to connect the electronic memory circuit  80  to the row control unit  60 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the row control unit  60  directly applies electrical power to the solenoid  74  through power wires  81 . In addition to connecting the row control unit  60  solenoid power to the solenoid  74 , the electronic memory circuit  80  also includes a non-volatile memory device  85 . The memory device  85  may be an E PROM or other suitable non-volatile memory device that has an electrically erasable programmable memory. The memory device  85  is equipped to handle 48 or more rows. 
     The combination of the electronic memory  85  and the product container  40  with attached metering device  72  may, in combination, form a material container capable of electronically remembering and storing data important to the container, the material dispensing system, and the agricultural product. Among the data which could be stored are: a serial number unique to that container, product lot number, type of product, metering calibration, date of filling, quantity of material in the container, quantity of material dispensed including specific rates of application, and fields treated. These stored data can be recalled and updated as needed. The stored data can also be used by a metering controller or pumping system by accessing specific calibration numbers unique to the container and make needed adjustments, by sounding alarms when reaching certain volume of product in a container, or keeping track of usage of the container to allow scheduling of maintenance. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , in operation, the main control unit (i.e. master controller)  10  receives a desired dispensing rate from the operator via the display  12  and keypad  14 . The main control unit  10  monitors the planter&#39;s  20  ground speed by the speed sensing device  16 . Using the desired dispensing rate, the ground speed and basic dispensing characteristics for the metering device  72 , command data for the row control units  60  are prepared. The preferred dispensing control for a solenoid type metering device  72  is to use a fixed rate for actuating the metering device  72 , 0.5 seconds, and vary the on time (or duty cycle) of the metering device, 10% to 50%. The row control unit  60  modifies the duty cycle specified by the main control unit  10  to account the actual metering device  72  calibration data which was retrieved from the memory device  85 . The row control unit  60  continues to operate the metering device  72  at the rate and duty cycle specified by the main control unit  10  until new commands are received from the main control unit  10 . The main control unit  10  may calculate the quantity of material remaining in the product container  40 . 
     As discussed above, the master controller  10  is connected to the power distribution box  15 , which in turn, is connected to three junction boxes  55  via high speed serial communications links  50 . The row control unit  60  has a flow sensor  62  as part of its electronic circuits. The flow sensor  62  senses the flow of material from the container  40 . The main control unit  10  can monitor the flow sensors  62  and generate visual and audible alarms as required. The flow sensor  62  includes an infra-red light source positioned across from an infra-red light detector. These two components may be mounted on a printed circuit board which is part of the row control unit  60 . (A hole is made in the board between the light source and the light sensor.) Alternatively, the flow sensor  62  may be a separate unit operatively connected to the row control unit  60 . The dispensed product is guided between the light sensor and the light source. The logic circuit associated with the flow sensor  62  monitors for the presence of flow by intermittent interruptions of the light reaching the light sensor. Proper flow will cause intermittent interruptions of the light. A non-interrupted light will signal no material flowing from the container  40 . A completely interrupted light will indicate a flow of the tubing after the flow sensor  62 . 
     To operate the material dispensing system, it is necessary for the main control unit  10  to uniquely identify the row control unit  60 , metering device and memory unit  70  pairs. Each metering device and memory unit  70  includes a unique electronic serial number in the memory device  85 . Each row control unit  60  also has a unique electronic serial number. When the material dispensing system is initialized, the main control unit  10  must poll or query all the metering device and memory units  70  and row control units  60  to determine by serial number which units  70 ,  60  are attached to the planter  20 . This is sufficient identification for the system to function. In the preferred embodiment, the operator should be able to refer to a row and its associated seed and material dispensing equipment as row x, rather than by the serial number of the metering device and memory unit  70  or by the serial number of the row control unit  60 . To associate a particular metering device and memory unit  70  and row control unit  60  to a particular row, a row configuration method is provided. 
     The main control unit  10  is initialized in a configuration mode with no row control units  60  connected. The row control units  60  are then connected to the main control unit  10  via the power distribution box  15  and the junction boxes  55  (one at a time) in the order in which the operator would like them to represent. The first row control unit  60  connected would represent row one. This allows an operator who prefers to work from left to right to have the left most row, row  1 , and an operator who prefers to work from right to left to have the right most row as row  1 . 
     With, for example, 48 rows on a planter  20 , it is necessary to control or limit the current drawn by the metering solenoids  74 . In this example, if all 48 solenoids were operated simultaneously, the current demands could exceed the capacity of the operator&#39;s tractor. 
     The rate at which the metering device  72  is operated is typically 0.5 seconds. The metering device  72  is actually activated at a 10% to 50% duty cycle (10% to 50% of the rate). The solenoid is turned on at 0.5 second intervals for 0.05 to 0.25 seconds. The preferred method of varying the dispensing rate is to keep the rate fixed and vary the duty cycle. Minimum current demand can be achieved by sequencing the activation of each metering device  72 . The optimum sequence time is defined as: Rate/Number of Rows. For a 4 row system operating at a rate of 0.5 seconds, the sequence time is 0.125 seconds (0.5 seconds/4). This means that the metering devices  72  are started at 0.125 second intervals. A variation of this sequencing is to divide the metering devices  72  into sections, and stagger the starting times of each section. 
     The system operates in the following manner: Material dispensing begins with the main control unit  10  sending each row control unit  60  a “start” command at the appropriate time (the sequence time). The row control unit  60  does not actually receive and use the sequence time value. Because of variations in the operation of the multiple row control units  60 , the row control units  60  will drift away from the ideal sequencing. It is necessary to periodically issue a “re-sync” at approximately one minute intervals and basically restart each metering device  72  which re-synchronizes each row control unit  60  back to the main control unit&#39;s  10  time base. 
     An alternate power sequencing method requires the main control unit  10  to send a sequence time or delay time to each row control unit  60 . The main control unit  10  then sends a start command to all row control units  60  simultaneously. Each row control unit  60  then activates the associated metering device  72  after the time delay previously specified. 
     After configuration  13  the operator is able to set product and application rate groups, as indicated by numeral designation  17 . Typically, there are multiple groups of rows that are defined by the operator. The master controller and the secondary controllers are configured to control the multiple groups of rows simultaneously. However, it is within the purview of the invention that the operator defines a single group. Different groupings will be discussed below in detail. The operator can define the rates and products for each row, as indicated by numeral designation  18 . 
     The material dispensing system features and capabilities include: 
     Controls application rate of material under varying operating conditions. The application rate can be set by the operator from an operator&#39;s console or can be automatically read from the material container meter unit. 
     Provides actual ground speed information if a ground speed sensor is attached. A typical ground speed sensor includes GPS, wheel rpm and radar. In lieu of a ground speed sensor, a fixed planting speed may be entered and used to distribute the granular product material. 
     The system monitors material flow and alerts the operator to no flow, empty container, or blocked flow conditions. 
     The system may monitor and track container material level for each row. 
     The system provides control information and data to a non-volatile memory for future downloading. 
     The system monitors the planter to allow product to be applied only when the planter is in the planting position. 
     A typical usage for this system is: 
     1) In some embodiments, for a new product container, the metering device and memory unit  70  may be attached to the product container  40  by either the container manufacturer or at the container filling site. In other embodiments, the metering device and memory unit  70  may be attached to the product container  40  by the grower. 
     2) A computer is connected to the metering device and memory unit  70 . (In some embodiments this might be at the time of filling.) The following information is electronically stored in memory device  85 : 
     Date 
     EPA chemical ID numbers 
     Container serial number 
     Suggested doses, such as ounces per acre for root worm, or ounces per acre for grubs, etc. These rates are specified by the EPA. 
     Meter calibration information, depending on type of metering device 
     Tare weight of the container 
     Weight of the full container 
     3) The container is sealed and prepared for shipping 
     4) The end user takes the product container  40  and attaches to dispensing implement, such as planter, sprayer, nurse tank, etc. The main controller  10  receives the information from the metering device and memory unit  70  pertaining to proper application rates and prompts the user to pick the desired rate. The row control unit  60  reads the metering device calibration information from the metering device and memory unit  70 . This information is used in combination with commands from the main controller  10  to properly control the operation of the metering device  72 . The user may enter a field ID number and any other required information such as number of rows, width between rows, etc. The user applies the product to the field. The main controller  10  monitors the ground speed and changes the amount being dispensed to keep a constant rate per acre. When the user finishes a field, additional fields may be treated. Field data, including field ID number, crop treated and quantity applied are recorded in the main controller&#39;s  10  non-volatile memory. This information may also be recorded in the metering device and memory unit  70  for later use by the distributor or product supplier. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an example of row grouping on a corn planter is illustrated, designated generally as  100 . In this example, there are four groups—Group A, Group B, Group C, and Group D—designated for a sixteen row planter  102 . The grouping feature allows the growers (operators) to apply the correct product at different rates for designated rows in one planting operation. This example indicates that Group A includes rows 1-2 with Aztec® pesticide at a rate of 1.5 oz. per 1000 feet of row. Group B includes rows 3-8 with Aztec® pesticide at a rate of 3.0 oz. per 1000 feet of row. Group C includes rows 9-14 with Counter® pesticide at a rate of 6.0 oz. per 1000 feet of row. Group D includes rows 15-16 with Counter® pesticide at a rate of 3.0 oz. per 1000 feet of row. 
     This feature allows the grower to use different or the same product at different rates due to different seed traits on designated rows. For example, this feature allows use of a lower rate of product on triple stacked or quad stacked corn seed (root worm traits) on most rows on the planter but on designated rows the grower may be planting refuge corn seed (non-root worm trait or non GMO corn). This allows the use of higher rates of product for the non-traited corn. 
     This grouping feature allows the grower to use different products at different rates so they can do comparative evaluations to see which product and rate works best for their farming and production practices. 
     The grouping feature allows the growers to use different products and rates as required by a third party. For example, this feature can be used in seed corn production where the male rows typically receive a partial rate of insecticide. 
     The grouping feature allows seed corn companies to run different trials of products and rates on new seed stock production trials to determine what rates and products are best for their particular seed. For example, certain parent seed stock may respond (positive or negative) to certain crop protection products and rates of the products. This grouping feature allows the research to be accomplished in a timely fashion. 
     Setting row groups allows the grower to shut off certain rows while maintaining flow as needed from the rest of the row units. This saves product and money where the product is not needed. 
     Other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. For example, referring now to  FIG. 5 , a side view of an alternative meter system is illustrated, designated generally as  70 ′. In this system  70 ′ the pivot bar is omitted and the metering device  72 ′ is external from the container  40 . This is done to eliminate one moving part (i.e. the pivot bar) if there is sufficient space. The meter system  70 ′ includes a metering device  72 ′ and memory unit  80 ′. A base plate  71 ′ is fastened to the bottom of the container  40  (not shown). The electromechanical metering device  72 ′ is attached to the base plate  71 ′. The preferred metering device  72 ′ uses an electric solenoid  74 ′. The solenoid  74 ′ is energized by the row control unit  60 ′ to retract the solenoid plunger away from the material dispensing aperture  76 ′, thereby allowing product to flow by gravity out of the container  40 . 
     The solenoid  74 ′ must be sealed from the product. Product entering the solenoid  74 ′ can cause its premature failure. The solenoid  74 ′ is sealed by a cover to prevent entry of product into the solenoid  74 ′. 
     The electronic memory circuit (i.e. unit)  80 ′ is connected to the solenoid  74 ′. A multi-conductor cable  82 ′ and connector  83 ′ are used to connect the electronic memory circuit  80 ′ to the row control unit  60 ′. In one embodiment of the present invention, the row control unit  60 ′ directly applies electrical power to the solenoid  74 ′ through power wires  81 ′. In addition to connecting the row control unit  60 ′ solenoid power to the solenoid  74 ′, the electronic memory circuit  80 ′ also includes a non-volatile memory device  85 ′. The memory device  85 ′ may be an E PROM or any other suitable non-volatile memory device that has an electrically erasable programmable memory. 
     The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), General Purpose Processors (GPPs), Microcontroller Units (MCUs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software/and or firmware would be well within the skill of one skilled in the art in light of this disclosure. 
     In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of some of the subject matter described herein may be capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communication link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.). 
     Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state of the art has progressed to the point where there is little distinction left between hardware, software, and/or firmware implementations of aspects of systems; the use of hardware, software, and/or firmware is generally (but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between hardware and software can become significant) a design choice representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed. For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed, flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented hardware, software, and or firmware. 
     As mentioned above, other embodiments and configurations may be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.