Patent Publication Number: US-2012024918-A1

Title: Holder for an electronic device

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/368,047, filed Jul. 27, 2010, and entitled “HOLDER FOR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to holders for portable electronic devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the disclosure are described, including various embodiments of the disclosure with reference to the figures, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a holder for an electronic device, according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a front view of a case of a holder, according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a back view of a case of a holder, according to one embodiment. 
         FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate a holder for an electronic device, according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 5A-5E  illustrate a holder for an electronic device, according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate a holder for an electronic device, according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 7A-7H  illustrate a holder for an electronic device, according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate a holder for an electronic device, according to another embodiment. 
         FIGS. 9A-9E  illustrate a split cam rotation member, according to one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The proliferation of portable electronic devices (PEDs), including notebook and tablet computers, PDAs, and smart phones, has placed more computing power into the hands of users than the computing power of early computers that occupied an entire room. This portable computing power has enhanced both personal and business mobile productivity, or productivity away from a traditional office. 
     Touchscreen technology and display technology has further revolutionized mobile productivity. Touchscreen technology allows data to be quickly and efficiently entered with a single hand, and even with a single touch. To allow display flexibility for applications that are more easily viewed in landscape orientation than in portrait orientation, PEDs may automatically adjust the display when rotated from a portrait orientation to a landscape orientation. 
     The flexibility and portability of PEDs are not without challenges. The sleek, lightweight design of many PEDs may limit the ability to secure a PED while operating it. For example, the design of a PED may prevent a user from firmly or easily grasping the PED with one hand. Prolonged use may tire the user&#39;s hand that is used to secure the device. The Apple® iPad™, for example, is a tablet computer designed for portability. The iPad may not be easily secured in one hand and prolonged use of the iPad may tire the user&#39;s securing hand. 
     The present disclosure provides embodiments of holders for a PED, such as an iPad. In some embodiments, the holder may be configured to prop the PED in an upright position on a horizontal or nearly horizontal working surface, such as on a table, desk, or the like. As used herein, the term upright position means a position in which a plane of a back surface of a PED (e.g., a side of the iPad opposite the touchscreen) is positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane (e.g., the horizontal or nearly horizontal working surface). For example, the angle between the back surface of the PED and the working surface may be greater than 0° and less than 180°. Generally, the angle between the back surface of the PED and the working surface may be greater than 0° and less than 90°, such that the screen of the PED is presented to the user at an ergonomic viewing angle with the user looking horizontally at the screen or at a downward angle at the screen. In some embodiments, rotation of the PED in the upright position allows the angle between the back surface of the PED and the working surface to vary through a range of angles. For example, the angle may range between 0° and 90°. In still other embodiments, the angle may be between 30° and 90°. In still other embodiments, the angle may be between 45° and 90°. In still other embodiments, the angle may be between 60° and 90°. In still other embodiments, the angle may range between 45° and 85°. In still other embodiments, the angle may range between 50° and 80°. In still other embodiments, the angle may range between 65° and 75°. 
     In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a measure of convenience and efficiency may be obtained by providing a holder of a PED that facilitates securement of the PED while affording full functionality of a touch screen and an ability to use the PED in both a portrait orientation and a landscape orientation. 
     The embodiments disclosed herein are described as being configured to be used with an iPad. An ordinarily skilled artisan appreciates that the embodiments are not limited to use with an iPad and can be configured to hold and support any of a variety of PEDs and thus the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments disclosed nor limited to use with an iPad. The term “iPad” as used herein refers to an iPad and to any of a variety of suitable portable electronic devices. 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate a holder  100  for an electronic device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder  100  may comprise a sleeve  102 , a mounting base  104 , and a securement device  106 . The sleeve  102  may be formed of a stretchable and/or elastic material. The sleeve  102  may be constructed and configured to be coupled to the mounting base  104 . The mounting base  104  may comprise a shell, which may be molded to correspond to the contour of, for example, a user&#39;s forearm. The sleeve  102  and the mounting base  104  may be coupled together with stitching, or any suitable method or device for attaching a flexible cloth or cloth-like material (e.g., the sleeve  102 ) to a rigid material or shell (e.g., the mounting base  104 ), including but not limited to glue, adhesive, hooks and loops, and snaps. The sleeve  102  can be placed on a forearm of a user to secure the mounting base  104  to the forearm. The user can insert an arm through the sleeve  102  to thereby secure the mounting base  104  to the user&#39;s forearm. 
     The mounting base  104  may comprise a shell configured to be positioned on the top of the user&#39;s arm when the arm is inserted through the sleeve  102 . The shell may be constructed and configured to support the securement device  106 . The mounting base  104  may further include a track  108  to allow positioning of the securement device  106  to be adjusted relative to the mounting base  104 . In the illustrated embodiment, the track  108  is oriented in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis A 1  of the sleeve  102  (and a longitudinal axis of the mounting base  104 ). Accordingly, the track may enable at least partial rotation of the securement device  106  about a longitudinal axis of the sleeve. The partial rotation along the track may adjust the position of the securement device  106  forward or backward relative to a centerline C 1  of the mounting base  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1B . In other embodiments, the track may be configured differently, such as in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve  102  (and mounting base  104 ). 
     The securement device  106  of the illustrated holder  100  is a suction cup configured to releasably attach to the back of a case or directly to the back of an iPad or other PED (not shown in the figure). In other embodiments the securement device  106  may comprise any appropriate mechanism for attaching an electronic device or case to the mounting base  104 . The securement device  106  and/or the mounting base  104  may be configured such that the securement device  106  is separately pivotable to allow rotation and/or pivoting of an iPad attached thereto about an axis A 2  that is transverse to the longitudinal axis A 1  of the sleeve. The rotation may be enabled by a rotation member, such as a ratcheting swivel. An example of a rotation member is shown in  FIGS. 9A-9E  and described below with reference to the same. The rotation of the securement device  106  can allow the iPad to be positioned in a portrait orientation and in a landscape orientation. The rotation of the securement device  106  may be accomplished by a ratcheting swivel, a ball and socket, or any suitable rotatable rotation member. Alternatively, the holder  100  may be rotatable in the sense that the securement device can be detached from the iPad (or case) and rotated relative to the iPad to achieve a desired orientation. 
     The securement device  106  may also be able to tilt relative to the shell. The tilt may be separate and independent from rotation about axis A 2  and from repositioning along the track  108  (or rotation about the longitudinal axis A 1  of the sleeve  102 ). 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates that the sleeve  102  can be folded or otherwise tucked into a cavity of the mounting base  104 , thereby allowing the mounting base  104  to function as a stand to support the iPad in an upright position. The mounting base  104  may contact a surface upon which the holder  100  is placed and provide a stable stand for an iPad. The tilt of the securement device  106  and/or rotation of the securement device  106  about the longitudinal axis A 1  of the sleeve  102  may facilitate positioning the iPad in a partially upright position. 
     As can be appreciated, the holder  100  can further comprise a case (not shown) configured to receive, secure, and carry an iPad or another electronic device. The case may secure the iPad, while exposing the touch-screen surface to allow user manipulation of the touchscreen for operating the iPad. The case may provide one or more of a back, one or more sides, and a front, to secure and protect an electronic device. The securement device  106  can be configured to attach to the case or may be permanently affixed to the case. One embodiment of a case for an iPad is discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 2A-2C , and another embodiment is discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 3A and 3B . 
       FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate a front view of a holder  200 , showing insertion of an iPad  10  into a case  202  of the illustrated embodiment. As shown, the case  202  may be shaped and configured to receive and fittingly secure the iPad  10 , while exposing the touchscreen for user manipulation to operate the iPad  10 . The case  202  may provide one or more of a back  204 , one or more sides  206 , and a front (not depicted), to secure and protect the iPad  10 . The case  202  may have a depth to accommodate the thickness of the iPad  10 . In other words, the sides  206  may have a width sufficient to accommodate the thickness of the iPad  10  or any other similar electronic device. The case  202  may also have a shape substantially similar to the shape of the iPad  10 , such that a portion of the case  202 , such as a lip  208  (or rail), may fittingly secure the iPad  10 . For example, a side  206  of the case  202  may form a lip  208  that wraps around the edge of the iPad  10  from back to front. The lip  208  may be positioned around a portion of one or more edges of the front surface of the iPad  10 , thereby securing the iPad  10  while leaving the touchscreen substantially exposed for a user to manipulate. The case  202  may comprise two pieces  202   a,    202   b  that slide together and/or lock in place around the iPad  10 , as depicted in  FIG. 2B , to secure the iPad  10  as shown in  FIG. 2C . The two pieces  202   a  and  202   b  may be attached to one another via one or more rails, bars, or the like. Alternatively, pieces  202   a  and  202   b  may be entirely separate pieces. 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  illustrate a back perspective view of a case  302  of a holder  300  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The case  302  may include a one or more kickstands  308  configured to to allow the case  302  to also function as a stand. The one or more kickstands  308  may be recessed into the case  302  when not in use, and may rotate out from the case  302  for use to prop the case  302 , as illustrated. The one or more kickstands  308  allow the case to operate as a stand to support an iPad  10  ( FIGS. 2B and 2C ) in an upright position. A first kickstand  308  may prop the case upright in a landscape orientation as shown in  FIG. 3A  and a second kickstand  308  may prop the case upright in a portrait orientation as shown in  FIG. 3B . 
     The case  302  may also include a cover  310  configured to be positioned over an iPad  10  ( FIGS. 2B and 2C ) inserted into the case  302  to substantially enclose the iPad  10 . The cover  310  may, for example, snap to the case  302 . The cover  310  can be used to protect the iPad  10  when not in use. In another embodiment, the cover may comprise a transparent window through which a user can manipulate the iPad  10 , and thus the cover can remain positioned over the iPad  10 , both during use and when not in use, to protect the iPad  10 . The window may be selectively openable. In another embodiment, the window may be an opening in the cover  310  such that the window is permanently open to allow a user direct access to the touchscreen of the iPad  10 . 
       FIGS. 4A-4D  illustrate a holder  400  for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder  400  may include a weighted base  402 , a securement device  404 , and a coupling member  406 . The weighted base  402  may be a flattened cylindrical shape sufficiently weighted to support the weight of an iPad  10  when inserted into the securement device  404  in an upright position. A longitudinal axis of the cylinder extends parallel to a working surface on which the weighted base  402  may be positioned, and a portion of the cylinder may be flattened to limit the weighted base  402  from rolling on the working surface. The weighted base  402  may further include feet  408  that may provide additional support to limit the base  402  from rolling. The feet  408  may be configured to be oriented in an extended position, as shown in  FIG. 4C  and a storage position, as shown in  FIG. 4D . For example, the feet  408  may rotate relative to the base  402  so as to retract into the base  402 . 
     The weighted base  402  may also comprise a coupling member  406  to couple the securement device  404  to the weighted base  402  in a manner that allows the securement device  404  to be rotatable relative to the weighted base  402 . In one embodiment, the securement device  404  is rotatable in two directions relative to the weighted base  402 . For example, the securement device  404  may pivot around a longitudinal axis of the weighted base  402 , as depicted by the directional arrow A, and also may rotate around an axis extending radially from, or perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the weighted base  402 , as depicted by the directional arrow B. 
     The securement device  404  may comprise a clip  406  configured to releasably secure to a bottom edge of an iPad  10 . The bottom edge may be an edge closest to the working surface upon which the base member may be resting and may change according to the orientation of the device. The iPad  10  may be secured in the clip  406  and supported in an upright position. The iPad  10  can be easily removed from the clip  406 , rotated within the plane of the screen of the iPad  10  as desired, and reinserted into the clip  406  to be presented in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation. As can be appreciated, the holder  400  may further comprise a case to receive, secure, and carry the iPad  10 , and the securement device  404  can be constructed and arranged to couple to and secure the case to thereby support the iPad  10  in an upright position. The clip  406  may comprise a rigid, flexible material and may be configured such that its width is slightly less than that of an iPad so as to accommodate a clamping or friction fit grip between the clip  406  and the iPad. 
       FIGS. 5A-5E  illustrate a holder  500  for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder  500  includes a base member  502  and two securement devices  504 . The base member  502  may be an elongate, cylindrical or semi-cylindrical shape having a first end configured to be positioned proximate to a first side of an iPad  10  and a second end configured to be positioned proximate to a second side of the iPad  10 . The base member  502  is shown alone (without an iPad  10 ) in  FIG. 5B . The length of the base member  502  may be adjustable to conform to the width of an iPad  10  in a portrait orientation and also to conform to the width of an iPad in a landscape orientation. For example, the base member  502  may comprise three pieces, such that two base pieces  502   a,    502   b  nest together with a third base piece  502   c  in a telescoping fashion, as shown in  FIG. 5E . In another embodiment the holder may comprise two base members  502 , such that each base member corresponds to one of the securement devices  504 , similar to the embodiment of  FIGS. 7A-7E  discussed below. 
     Each of the securement devices  504  may be clip members configured to secure to opposite sides of the base member  502 . The clip members  504  and base member  502  may be configured so that the clip members  504  can releasably attach to an edge of an iPad  10 , as shown in  FIG. 5A . The clip members  504  may allow the iPad  10  to be inserted by sliding into the clip members  504  from the top, in a direction parallel to a plane of a surface of the iPad  10 . In another embodiment, the clip members  504  may be constructed and arranged to receive an iPad  10  inserted by pushing the iPad into the clip members  504  in a direction substantially transverse to a plane of the screen of the iPad  10 . 
     When an iPad is inserted into the holder  500 , the clip member  504  may be positioned on the side edges near the bottom (closest to a surface on which the iPad is to be propped), and the iPad may be supported in an upright position by the clip members  504  and base member  504 . As can be appreciated, the clip members  504  may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the base member  502  to allow the iPad  10  to be tilted, as shown in  FIGS. 5C and 5D . 
       FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate a holder  600  for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder  600  includes a base member  602  and two clip members  604 , similar to the holder  500  of  FIGS. 5A-5C . The length of the base member  602  may be adjustable to conform to the width of an iPad  10  in a portrait orientation and also to conform to the width of an iPad in a landscape orientation. For example, the base member  602  may comprise two base pieces  602   a ,  602   b  nested together in a telescoping fashion. The clip members  604  may support and secure the iPad  10 . The base member  602  may further comprise a foot  606  (or plurality of feet) extending radially from a cylindrical portion of the base member  602  and constructed and arranged to prop the base member  602  and limit rolling of the base member  602  on a working surface on which the holder  600  may be placed. Alternatively, the base member  602  may be elevated above the surface and only the foot member  602  may function as a support to prop up the iPad  10 .  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B, and  6 C illustrate this configuration with the base member  602  elevated above the working surface positioned at a distance from a bottom edge and along a length of the iPad  10  and the foot member  606  propping the iPad  10  with the bottom edge on the working surface.  FIG. 6D  illustrates the holder  600  without an iPad  10 , and shows two foot members  606  extending radially from a cylindrical portion of the base member  602 . 
     In one embodiment, the foot member  606  may comprise a single rod extending radially from a portion of the base member  602 . For example, the foot member  606  may be positioned at an outer edge of the base member  602 , or two foot members  606  may be positioned at each of the outer edges of the base member  602  The foot member  606  may also be positioned on the base member  602  closer toward the center of the iPad  10  or other electronic device and a single foot member, if sufficiently wide, may be used if desired. In another embodiment, the foot member  606  may comprise a plate that extends at least a portion of a width of the iPad  10 . In other words, the foot member  606  may be solid and extend across at least a portion of the back of an iPad inserted into the holder  600 . In still another embodiment, the foot member  606  may comprise a frame formed by a bar configured in a “U” shape. The bar of the frame may extend radially from the base member  602  and extend substantially across at least a portion of the back of an iPad  10  inserted into the holder  600 . 
       FIGS. 7A-7G  illustrate a holder  700  for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder  700  may include two base members  702  and two securement devices  704 . The first base member  702  is constructed and arrange to couple to a first side of an iPad  10  and/or a case and a second base member  702  is constructed and arranged to separately couple to a second side of an iPad, as shown in  FIG. 7A . Together the first and second base members function as stand for an iPad  10 , or other electronic device, to prop the iPad  10  in a substantially vertical position. Each base member  702  may comprise a foot  706  and a securement device  704 . The foot  706  may extend radially from a cylindrical portion of the base member  702  to secure the base member  702  at a substantially fixed position on a surface. 
     The securement device  704  may be a clip member. The clip member  704  may be cylindrical in shape and may be positioned coaxial with and/or integrated with the cylindrical portion of the base member  702  and is configured to receive and secure an edge of an iPad. In the illustrated embodiment, the clip member  704  is configured as a slot into which the iPad can be slid or inserted from the top. The iPad can be inserted into the clip member  704  and supported at a slight angle in an upright position. In another embodiment, the clip member  704  can also comprise a biased securement component  708  that forms the front portion of the slot and that may be shaped and configured to retract toward the outer edge of the base member  702  when force is applied to the front of the biased securement component  708 . Accordingly, the biased securement component  708  allows an iPad  10  or other electronic device to be inserted by pressing the iPad  10  into the clip members  704  in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slot. 
       FIGS. 7F-7G  illustrate another embodiment of a base member  702   f  of a holder  700  for an electronic device. As can be appreciated, the base member  702  may be constructed and arranged to be used by itself or in conjunction with another base member  700  having a mirror-image configuration to secure an opposite bottom corner of the iPad. 
       FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate a holder  800  for an electronic device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The holder  800  may comprise a base member  802  and a securement device  804 . The base member  802  in the illustrated embodiment may comprise a substantially spherical shape having a flattened bottom side. The base member  802  may further comprise a rotating base  806  configured to allow the base member to rotate  804  about a vertical axis, as shown by arrow C. 
     The securement device  804  may be a tray configured to support an iPad in an upright position in either a portrait orientation or a landscape orientation. The tray  804  may comprise a back  808  to support the back of an iPad inserted into the tray  804 , a bottom  810  to support the bottom edge of an iPad inserted into the tray  804 , and a front  812  to prevent the iPad from sliding forward out of the tray  804 . The tray  804  may be coupled to the spherical base member in a slidable manner so as to adjust the tilt of the tray  804 . In other words, the tray  804  may slide relative to the surface of the spherical base member  802 , as shown by arrow D, and thereby adjust the tilt of the back  808  of the tray  804 . The tray  804  may also be coupled to the base member  802  in a pivotable manner, such that the tray can rotate about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the tray back  808 , as shown by arrow E. 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate a split cam rotation member  900 , as may be used in various of the other embodiments described herein. The rotation member  900  may be substantially any cylindrical shape (e.g., a long shaft, a short cylinder similar to a hockey puck, etc.) and may comprise two complementary halves  902   a,    902   b  configured to rotate relative to each other and interact so as to create one or more locking positions. The complementary surfaces of the halves  902   a,    902   b  may comprise one or more protrusions  904  and one or more depressions  906  to implement a locking position. The protrusions  904  of a first half  902   a  may complement and conform to the depressions  906  of a second half  902   b,  as shown in  FIG. 9B . Similarly, the protrusions  904  of the second half  902   b  may complement and conform to the depressions  906  of the first half  902   a.  As the first half  902   a  rotates relative to the second half  902   b,  the protrusions  904  of the first half  902   a  may rotate between non-locking positions (in which the protrusions  904  of the first half  902   a  abut the protrusions  904  of the second half  902   b ) and locking positions (in which the protrusions of the first half  902   a  abut the depressions of the second half). The protrusions  904  and depressions  906  may alternate as shown. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions  904  may have a rounded shape and be configured such that a first protrusion  904  on a first half  902   a  allows a second protrusion  904  on the opposing second half  902   b  to smoothly rotate over and past the first protrusion as the halves  902   a,    902   b  rotate relative to one another. Similarly, the depressions  906  may have a rounded shape. Moreover, the transition from a protrusion  904  to a depression  906  may be seamless and continuous to form a gentle rounded surface as illustrated. Accordingly, the halves  902   a,    902   b  can easily be rotated relative to one another, and thereby transitioned between locking positions, while the halves  902   a,    902   b  are in abutment to one another and without being separated. 
     In still other embodiments, the protrusions  904  may be jagged, or not have a rounded shape. For example, the protrusions may comprise complementary teeth. The teeth may be triangular in shape, alternating between a protrusions and depressions. In such an embodiment, the halves  902   a,    902   b  may need to be pulled apart and separated before rotation can occur, In another embodiment, the transition from protrusion  904  to depression  906  may be more pronounced and in even non continuous, such that there is a separation between each protrusion  904  and depression. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, each half  902   a,    902   b  comprises four protrusions and four depressions. Accordingly, the split cam rotation member  900  comprises four locking positions. The four locking positions may each correspond to ninety degrees of rotation. As can be appreciated, additional protrusions  904  and depressions  906  may be provided so as to allow additional locking positions at smaller degrees of rotation. Moreover, fewer protrusions  904  and depressions  906  may be provided as well to provide fewer locking positions. 
     The split cam rotation member  900  may further comprise a connecting member  908 , such as a rod or elastic piece, configured as an axis about which the halves  902   a,    902   b  rotate. The connecting member  908  may also secure the halves  902   a,    902   b  relative to one another. In one embodiment, the connecting member  908  may include one or more biasing members configured to urge the first half  902   a  and second half  902   b  together. For example, the connecting member  908  may pass through the two halves  902   a,    902   b  and be spring-loaded with springs  912  on the outside of the two halves  902   a,    902   b  to push the two halves  902   a,    902   b  together. Alternatively, the connecting member itself may comprise a biasing member, such as a spring  914  or an elastic material, that may provide a biasing force. The biasing force may be provided to urge the halves  902   a,    902   b  toward one another The biasing force may also urge the split cam rotation member  900  toward a locking position (i.e., by urging the protrusions  904  of the first half  902   a  toward a position abuting the depressions  906  of the second half  902   b  and vice versa). In another embodiment, an external force, such as for example gravity, may provide a biasing force to urge the halves  902   a,    902   b  toward one another. 
       FIG. 9D  illustrates a split cam rotation member  900  as a component of holder  100  of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The rotation member  900  couples a securement device  106  to a mounting base  104  such that the securement device  106  can rotate relative to the base  104  and the sleeve  102 . The securement device  106  is configured to couple to the back of an iPad  10  such that the iPad  10  can also rotate relative to the base  104 . The rotation member  900  provides a plurality of locking positions such that the sleeve  102  and/or base  104  tends to be rotationally oriented relative to the iPad  10  at a position corresponding to one of the locking positions. 
     Similarly,  FIG. 9E  illustrates a split cam rotation member  900  as a component of holder  702  of  FIG. 7E . The rotation member  900  functions to provide a plurality of locking positions as the case is rotated about a base member  702  to tilt the case, for example, toward and away from a user. 
     It will be appreciated and understood by those having skill in the art that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles disclosed herein. Any suitable combination of various embodiments, or the features thereof, is contemplated. 
     Throughout this specification, any reference to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim require more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, inventive aspects may lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.