Patent Publication Number: US-2021172899-A1

Title: Systems and methods for using a plurality of solid electrolyte sensors for a selective, low resolution formaldehyde detector

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In monitoring for the presence of various gases, other gases (e.g., carbon monoxide (CO)) can be present that can also react within the sensor. For example, an electrode of the sensor can comprise a catalyst that can catalyze the reaction of both a target gas and an interferent gas (e.g., carbon monoxide). As a result, the presence of the interferent gas may create a cross-sensitivity in the sensor, resulting in a false impression that greater levels of the target gas are present in the ambient gases than are actually present. Due to the danger presented by the presence of various target gases, the threshold level for triggering an alarm can be relatively low, and the cross-sensitivity due to the presence of the interferent may be high enough to create a false alarm for the target gas sensor. 
     SUMMARY 
     In an embodiment, a method for determining the concentration of a second target gas while in the presence of a first target gas may comprise operating a first sensor under a first operating condition, wherein the first sensor is part of a sensor assembly; operating a second sensor under a second operating condition, wherein the second sensor is part of the sensor assembly, and wherein the second operating condition is different from the first operating condition; detecting at least one target gas by the first sensor; detecting at least one target gas by the second sensor; processing a signal output from the first sensor with a signal output from the second sensor; and determining a concentration of at least one of the first target gas and second target gas based on the processed output signals. 
     In an embodiment, a sensor assembly configured to detect a second target gas in the presence of a first target gas may comprise a first sensor comprising a first operating condition; a second sensor comprising a second operating condition, wherein the first operating condition is different from the second operating condition; and a processor configured to receive a first output signal from the first sensor; receive a second output signal from the second sensor; process the received output signals by comparing them; and determine a concentration of at least one of the first target gas and second target gas based on the processed output signals. 
     In an embodiment, a method for determining a concentration of formaldehyde in the presence of carbon monoxide may comprise operating a first sensor under a first operating condition, wherein the first sensor is part of a sensor assembly; operating a second sensor under a second operating condition, wherein the second sensor is part of the sensor assembly, and wherein the second operating condition is different from the first operating condition; detecting at least one of the carbon monoxide and the formaldehyde by the first sensor; detecting at least one of the carbon monoxide and the formaldehyde by the second sensor; processing a signal output from the first sensor with a signal output from the second sensor; and determining a concentration of at least one of the carbon monoxide and the formaldehyde based on the processed output signals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a schematic diagram of a sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a sensor assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate exploded views of a first sensor and a second sensor according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, the disclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents. 
     The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout the application: 
     The term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context; 
     The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment); 
     If the specification describes something as “exemplary” or an “example,” it should be understood that refers to a non-exclusive example; 
     The terms “about” or “approximately” or the like, when used with a number, may mean that specific number, or alternatively, a range in proximity to the specific number, as understood by persons of skill in the art field; and 
     If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” “often,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic. Such component or feature may be optionally included in some embodiments, or it may be excluded. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure include systems and methods for detecting formaldehyde without a cross-sensitivity to carbon monoxide. Demand for domestic formaldehyde detectors (for personal use) may increase in areas with growth in the housing market, where people may be exposed to health damage due to exposure to low levels of formaldehyde, particularly in newly built homes (as formaldehyde exists in construction supplies and paints). Current detectors for formaldehyde typically suffer from cross-sensitivity to carbon monoxide (CO), where CO may exist in larger concentrations (when compared to the levels of formaldehyde). This cross-sensitivity may cause false alarms and prevent effective detection of formaldehyde. Also, high quality detectors currently available (that may not suffer from these cross-sensitivity issues) may be prohibitively expensive. 
     Embodiments of the disclosure may employ two solid electrolyte sensors (SECS) operating under two different conditions. For example, the sensors may operate with two different bias potentials and/or with two different filters. The two sensors may respond differently when exposed to formaldehyde than they do when exposed to CO (and other cross-sensitivity gases), allowing the response related to formaldehyde to be isolated and detected. The low cost of the SECS may allow for more widespread domestic use, providing users with an affordable selective formaldehyde detector. Additionally, by comparing the outputs from the two sensors, noise in the signal(s) may be cancelled out, allowing for high resolution in the detected signal. This improved resolution may allow for lower concentrations of formaldehyde to be detected. 
     It may be known in the art for a gas detector to use multiple sensors to provide selectivity. However, the disclosed embodiments comprise two sensors operating under different conditions, which may provide additional detection benefits, as described here. For example, a formaldehyde detector may comprise two different bias voltages applied to the two sensors. As another example, a formaldehyde detector may comprise different filters for the two sensors, which may provide increased resolution and selectivity for formaldehyde. These two examples of different operating conditions may be used individually and/or simultaneously in the same formaldehyde detector. 
     The two-sensor design can be utilized by determining a difference in the response of the two sensors. The sensor response may vary due to the difference in bias voltage, which may provide a difference in sensitivity, response time, and noise towards gases (e.g., formaldehyde, CO, and other organic gases). The differences in the response of the two sensors can be interpreted to identify one or more gases. Noise in the signals may also be canceled out to achieve selectivity and high resolution. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a sensor  100  is shown, wherein the sensor  100  may comprise a plurality of layers attached to a substrate  102 . The substrate  102  may comprise an alumina ceramic material, and may comprise one or more diffusion channels  112  through the thickness of the substrate, where the diffusion channels  112  may allow gas flow into the sensor  100  from the surrounding environment. In some embodiments, the sensor  100  may comprise a first layer  104  (e.g., which may be a catalytic and/or electrode layer) configured to allow gas transfer into the sensor  100  and to the other layers of the sensor  100 . In some embodiments, the first layer  104  may comprise a platinum (Pt) and ionic solution material. Although the diagram of  FIG. 1  only shows one electrode layer (i.e., catalytic layer, first layer  104 ), the sensor  100  may comprise two or three electrodes that are co-planar with each other. In some embodiments, the first layer  104  may comprise between one and three electrodes, which may include a sensing (or working) electrode, a counter electrode, and/or a reference electrode. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  100  may comprise a second layer  106  (e.g., which may be a humidification layer) configured to absorb any humidity within the sensor  100  which may prevent electrolyte from a third layer  108  from flooding the electrodes located within the first layer  104 . In some embodiments, the second layer  106  may comprise silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) and an ionic solution material. In some embodiments, the sensor  100  may comprise a third layer  108  (e.g., which may comprise an electrolyte layer) configured to provide electrolyte to facilitate ionic conduction between the electrodes. Optionally, the third (electrolyte) layer  108  may also be configured to provide a reservoir of water to enable the sensor to be operated over a range of humidity conditions. In some embodiments, the third layer  108  may comprise a mixture of sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPY), where the PVPY may serve to immobilize the sulfuric acid electrolyte. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  100  may comprise a fourth layer  110  (e.g., which may comprise a sealing layer) configured to seal with the substrate  102  to provide an air-tight seal for the sensor  100 . This sealing layer  110  may prevent air flow into the sensor  100  except for at the diffusion channels  112 . In some embodiments, the sealing layer  110  may comprise a silicone material. In some embodiments, the sensor  100  may comprise one or more electrical contacts  120  that extend out of the sensor  100  to provide electrical connection(s) to other elements of a gas detector. In some embodiments, the sensor  100  may comprise up to three electrical contacts  120  for each of three electrodes that are located within the first layer  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a sensor assembly  200  is shown where the sensor assembly  200  may comprise at least part of a formaldehyde gas detector. The sensor assembly  200  may comprise at least two sensors  202  and  204  located within the sensor assembly  200 . In some embodiments, the sensors  202  and  204  may comprise electrochemical sensors. In some embodiments, the first sensor  202  may operate under a first condition and the second sensor  204  may operate under a second condition, wherein the outputs from the first sensor  202  and/or the second sensor  204  may be adjusted by adjusting the operating conditions. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly  200  may comprise a power source  212  (e.g., a battery) configured to power the elements of the sensor assembly  200 . In some embodiments, the sensor assembly  200  may comprise one or more other components, such as component  214 , which may comprise additional sensor elements, communication elements, electrical elements, and/or any other component  214  that may be located within the sensor assembly  200 . 
     In some embodiments, the different operating conditions applied to the first sensor  202  and the second sensor  204  may comprise a difference in bias voltage, a difference in filtering conditions, and/or a combination of both. By comparing the signal outputs from the two sensors  202  and  204 , the gas concentrations may be predicted without the sensor(s)  202  and  204  needing to reach a steady-state. Additionally, any common mode signals (e.g., temperature, pressure, and/or humidity transients, and/or electrical interference) in the signal output from each of the sensors  202  and  204  may be cancelled out by comparing the signals. 
     The sensor assembly  200  may comprise a printed circuit board (PCB)  210  which may comprise one or more electrical connection elements configured to connect with the sensors  202  and  204 . In some embodiments, the PCB  210  may be configured to apply one or more controls to one or more of the sensors  202  and  204  (i.e., the PCB  210  may control one or more operating conditions of the sensors  202  and  204 ). For example, the PCB  210  may comprise one or more elements configured to apply a bias voltage to one or both of the sensors  202  and  204 . The PCB  210  may comprise a processor, a memory, and other elements as would be known to those skilled in the art. 
     In some embodiments of the sensor assembly  200 , the first sensor  202  may comprise a first bias voltage while the second sensor  204  may comprise a second bias voltage, where the second bias voltage is different from the first bias voltage. When the two sensors  202  and  204  are operating at different bias voltages, the relative sensitivity of the sensors to different gases may be adjusted and compared. As an example, the sensors  202  and  204  may comprise sensors configured to detect a first gas, where the sensor response to the first gas may not change with changes in bias voltage (e.g., because of diffusion limitations). However, the response of the sensors  202  and  204  to other gases, or a second gas, may be changed by adjusting the bias voltage applied to the sensors. In some embodiments, the sensitivity to other gases may be increased by increasing the bias voltage. If two different bias voltages are applied to the two different sensors  202  and  204 , the signals from the two sensors  202  and  204  may be compared and/or processed to determine the response that is caused by a gas other than the first gas (i.e., the second gas). This information may be used to determine a concentration of the second gas. Algorithms that may be used to process the sensor outputs may consider the specific type of sensor(s), the gas flow rate(s) to the sensor(s), the effects of the bias voltage(s) applied to the sensor(s), operating conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, humidity), among other things. Additionally, the transient behavior of the sensors  202  and  204  may be different due to the different operating conditions (i.e., different bias voltages), and therefore time dependence may be accounted for in an algorithm that processes the signals from both of the sensors  202  and  204 . 
     As an example, the first gas may comprise CO and the second gas may comprise formaldehyde. The sensor assembly may be configured to detect both CO and formaldehyde based on the outputs of the two sensors  202  and  204 . The bias voltages applied to the two sensors may be between zero (i.e., no bias voltage) and approximately 300 mV. 
     In some embodiments, only one sensor may have an applied bias voltage. In some embodiments, both sensors may have an applied bias voltage, where the applied bias voltage is different for the two sensors. In some embodiments, the sensor assembly  200  may comprise more than two sensors (i.e., a plurality of sensors), where each sensor of the plurality of sensors may comprise a different bias voltage, and wherein the number of gases that can be detected by the sensor assembly  200  may be equal to the number of sensors. 
     Each of the two (or plurality) of sensors  202  and  204  may comprise a gas channel configured to allow gas flow into the sensor(s)  202  and  204  from the external environment (e.g., similar to the diffusion channels  112  described in  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the gas channels to the sensors  202  and  204  may be separate from one another. In some embodiments, the gas channels to the sensors  202  and  204  may be configured to provide an equal gas flow to each of the sensors. 
     In some embodiments of the sensor assembly  200 , the sensors  202  and  204  may comprise different filtering elements configured to filter certain gases from the airflow into the sensor. For example, the first sensor  202  may comprise a first filter while the second sensor  204  may comprise a second filter, wherein the first filter is configured to filter differently than the second filter. As another example, one of the first sensor  202  and second sensor  204  may comprise a filter while the other does not. 
     As an example, the sensors  202  and  204  may comprise sensors configured to detect a first gas, and the sensor assembly  200  may be configured to also detect a second gas. To accomplish detection of the second gas, the first sensor  202  may comprise a filter configured to capture/block the second gas, while the second sensor  204  does not comprise a filter. Therefore, the first sensor  202  may produce a signal in response to the first gas, while the second sensor  204  may produce a signal in response to the first gas and the second gas. 
     During operation, the output of the first sensor  202  (that does not include the second gas) may be compared to the output of the second sensor  204  (that does include the second gas) to determine a concentration of the second gas. In some embodiments, the signal generated by the sensor(s)  202  and  204  in response to the first gas may be significantly higher than the signal generated by the sensor(s)  202  and  204  in response to the second gas. In some embodiments, the first gas may typically be present in much higher concentrations than the second gas. As an example, the determined concentration of formaldehyde may be approximately 100 times less than the concentration of carbon monoxide. As an example, the ratio of the carbon monoxide concentration to the formaldehyde concentration may be approximately 100:1. As another example, the ratio of the carbon monoxide concentration to the formaldehyde concentration may be approximately 500:1. In some embodiments, it may be more difficult to filter the first gas from entering the sensor(s)  202  and  204  than to filter the second gas. 
     Algorithms that may be used to process the sensor outputs may consider the specific type of sensor(s), the gas flow rate(s) to the sensor(s), the effects of the bias voltage(s) applied to the sensor(s), operating conditions (e.g., temperature, pressure, humidity), among other things. Testing may be completed on a prototype sensor assembly to determine the preferred or optimum algorithm processing. Additionally, the transient behavior of the sensors  202  and  204  may be different due to the different operating conditions (i.e., different filtering conditions), and therefore time dependence may be accounted for in an algorithm that processes the signals from both of the sensors  202  and  204 . For example, the gas flow into the first sensor  202  may be slower than the gas flow into the second sensor  204  when the first sensor  202  comprises a filter and the second sensor  204  does not. 
     As an example,  FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate a first sensor  302  and a second sensor  304  comprising different filtering conditions (where the sensors  302  and  304  may be similar to the sensors  202  and  204 ). The first sensor  302  and the second sensor  304  may comprise a bottom housing  320  and a top housing  322 , where the top housing  322  comprises an air inlet  323 . The first sensor  302  and the second sensor  304  may also comprise a substrate  102  (e.g., as described in  FIG. 1 ), as well as one or more diffusion channels  112  in the substrate  102  and one or more electrical contacts  120 . The bottom housing  320  may comprise a cavity  330  configured to hold the substrate  102  (and other layers described in  FIG. 1 ). In some embodiments, the first sensor  302  and/or the second sensor  304  may comprise a dust filter  324  configured to prevent particulate matter from entering through the air inlet  323 . 
     Additionally, the first sensor  302  may comprise a filter  326  (which may be configured to filter the second (target) gas) located in the airflow pathway from the air inlet  323  to the diffusion channels  112 . The filter  326  may comprise one or more materials configured to filter the second gas (as described above). As an example, the filter  326  may comprise a potassium permanganate impregnated glass fiber sheet. In some embodiments, the first sensor  302  may also comprise a membrane  328 , configured to hold the filter  326  in place so that it does not move around within the sensor housing  320  and  322 . 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure may comprise a method for detecting a second target gas in the presence of a first target gas. A method may comprise detecting at least one target gas by a first sensor of a sensor assembly, where the first sensor may comprise a first operating condition. The method may comprise detecting at least one target gas by a second sensor, where the second sensor comprises a second operating condition, and the second operating condition is different than the first operating condition. The method may comprise comparing and/or processing the output signal from the first sensor and the second sensor to determine a concentration of at least one target gas. In some embodiments, the method may comprise determining a concentration of a first target gas and determining a concentration of a second target gas. In some embodiments, the method may comprise determining the concentration of the second target gas while in the presence of the first target gas. In some embodiments, the first target gas may comprise CO, while the second target gas may comprise a volatile organic compound (VOC). In some embodiments, the second target gas may comprise formaldehyde. 
     Having described various devices and methods herein, exemplary embodiments or aspects can include, but are not limited to: 
     In a first embodiment, a method for determining the concentration of a second target gas while in the presence of a first target gas may comprise operating a first sensor under a first operating condition, wherein the first sensor is part of a sensor assembly; operating a second sensor under a second operating condition, wherein the second sensor is part of the sensor assembly, and wherein the second operating condition is different from the first operating condition; detecting at least one target gas by the first sensor; detecting at least one target gas by the second sensor; processing a signal output from the first sensor with a signal output from the second sensor; and determining a concentration of at least one of the first target gas and second target gas based on the processed output signals. 
     A second embodiment can include the method of the first embodiment, wherein the first target gas comprises carbon monoxide. 
     A third embodiment can include the method of the first or second embodiments, wherein the second target gas comprises a volatile organic compound. 
     A fourth embodiment can include the method of any of the first through third embodiments, wherein the second target gas comprises formaldehyde. 
     A fifth embodiment can include the method of any of the first through fourth embodiments, wherein the first operating condition comprises a first bias voltage and the second operating condition comprises a second bias voltage. 
     A sixth embodiment can include the method of the fifth embodiment, wherein one of the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage comprises a zero bias voltage. 
     A seventh embodiment can include the method of the fifth or sixth embodiments, wherein one of the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage comprises approximately 300 mV. 
     An eighth embodiment can include the method of any of the fifth through seventh embodiments, wherein one of the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage comprises a bias voltage between approximately 0 and approximately 500 mV. 
     A ninth embodiment can include the method of any of the first through eighth embodiments, wherein the first operating condition comprises a first filtering condition and the second operating condition comprises a second filtering condition. 
     A tenth embodiment can include the method of the ninth embodiment, wherein one of the first sensor and the second sensor comprises a filter. 
     In an eleventh embodiment, a sensor assembly configured to detect a second target gas in the presence of a first target gas may comprise a first sensor comprising a first operating condition; a second sensor comprising a second operating condition, wherein the first operating condition is different from the second operating condition; and a processor configured to receive a first output signal from the first sensor; receive a second output signal from the second sensor; process the received output signals by comparing them; and determine a concentration of at least one of the first target gas and second target gas based on the processed output signals. 
     A twelfth embodiment can include the sensor assembly of the eleventh embodiment, wherein the processor is configured to determine the difference between the two output signals. 
     A thirteenth embodiment can include the sensor assembly of the eleventh or twelfth embodiments, wherein the first operating condition allows the first sensor to detect the first target gas, and wherein the second operating condition allows the second sensor to detect the first target gas in combination with the second target gas. 
     A fourteenth embodiment can include the sensor assembly of any of the eleventh through thirteenth embodiments, wherein the first sensor comprises a first filter, and wherein the second filter comprises a second filter different from the first filter. 
     A fifteenth embodiment can include the sensor assembly of any of the eleventh through fourteenth embodiments, wherein the first sensor comprises a first bias voltage, and wherein the second filter comprises a second bias voltage different from the first filter. 
     In a sixteenth embodiment, a method for determining a concentration of formaldehyde in the presence of carbon monoxide may comprise operating a first sensor under a first operating condition, wherein the first sensor is part of a sensor assembly; operating a second sensor under a second operating condition, wherein the second sensor is part of the sensor assembly, and wherein the second operating condition is different from the first operating condition; detecting at least one of the carbon monoxide and the formaldehyde by the first sensor; detecting at least one of the carbon monoxide and the formaldehyde by the second sensor; processing a signal output from the first sensor with a signal output from the second sensor; and determining a concentration of at least one of the carbon monoxide and the formaldehyde based on the processed output signals. 
     A seventeenth embodiment can include the method of the sixteenth embodiment, wherein processing the signal output from the first sensor with the signal output of the second sensor comprises determining the difference between the two output signals. 
     An eighteenth embodiment can include the method of the sixteenth or seventeenth embodiments, wherein the first operating condition comprises a first filtering condition and the second operating condition comprises a second filtering condition. 
     A nineteenth embodiment can include the method of any of the sixteenth through eighteenth embodiments, wherein the first operating condition comprises a first bias voltage and the second operating condition comprises a second bias voltage. 
     A twentieth embodiment can include the method of any of the sixteenth through nineteenth embodiments, wherein the ratio of the concentration of carbon monoxide to the concentration of formaldehyde is approximately 100:1. 
     While various embodiments in accordance with the principles disclosed herein have been shown and described above, modifications thereof may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the teachings of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are representative only and are not intended to be limiting. Many variations, combinations, and modifications are possible and are within the scope of the disclosure. Alternative embodiments that result from combining, integrating, and/or omitting features of the embodiment(s) are also within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited by the description set out above, but is defined by the claims which follow that scope including all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims. Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present invention(s). Furthermore, any advantages and features described above may relate to specific embodiments, but shall not limit the application of such issued claims to processes and structures accomplishing any or all of the above advantages or having any or all of the above features. 
     Additionally, the section headings used herein are provided for consistency with the suggestions under 37 C.F.R. 1.77 or to otherwise provide organizational cues. These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set out in any claims that may issue from this disclosure. Specifically and by way of example, although the headings might refer to a “Field,” the claims should not be limited by the language chosen under this heading to describe the so-called field. Further, a description of a technology in the “Background” is not to be construed as an admission that certain technology is prior art to any invention(s) in this disclosure. Neither is the “Summary” to be considered as a limiting characterization of the invention(s) set forth in issued claims. Furthermore, any reference in this disclosure to “invention” in the singular should not be used to argue that there is only a single point of novelty in this disclosure. Multiple inventions may be set forth according to the limitations of the multiple claims issuing from this disclosure, and such claims accordingly define the invention(s), and their equivalents, that are protected thereby. In all instances, the scope of the claims shall be considered on their own merits in light of this disclosure, but should not be constrained by the headings set forth herein. 
     Use of broader terms such as “comprises,” “includes,” and “having” should be understood to provide support for narrower terms such as “consisting of,” “consisting essentially of,” and “comprised substantially of” Use of the terms “optionally,” “may,” “might,” “possibly,” and the like with respect to any element of an embodiment means that the element is not required, or alternatively, the element is required, both alternatives being within the scope of the embodiment(s). Also, references to examples are merely provided for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to be exclusive. 
     While several embodiments have been provided in the present disclosure, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may be embodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is not to be limited to the details given herein. For example, the various elements or components may be combined or integrated in another system or certain features may be omitted or not implemented. 
     Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described and illustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may be combined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, or methods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating with each other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through some interface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically, mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions, and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could be made without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.