Patent Publication Number: US-2017357288-A1

Title: Digital device with expandable display

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to systems and devices for a computer interface and digital display. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, electronic devices with digital displays have come in a limited number of form factors. For example, typical cellular telephones may come in a “bar” form factor. These form factors may limit the possible size of a display of the device, such as limiting the display to the diagonal dimensions of the form factor. Therefore, it may be desired to provide devices with other form factors which may allow for larger displays in a smaller device, especially as flexible screen and diode technology advances allow for more dynamic device configurations. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some aspects of the present disclosure, a device is described including a processor. The processor may be a general-purpose processor or a specialty processor, and may include one or more chips or processing units. The device also includes one or more memory modules storing computer code, such as volatile or non-volatile memory, or a combination of both volatile and non-volatile memory. The device also includes a display operably connected to the processor, the display connected to two or more struts, wherein a size of the display is alterable based on a movement of the two or more struts relative to each other. For example, the struts may be horizontal struts as described above, or struts with another orientation. The struts may be attached to a central hinge, to vertical struts (or of another orientation), or in other manners. The struts may have flexible screen between them, where movement of the struts expands or contracts the screen. 
     The device may include a flexible screen positioned between two struts of the two or more struts, the two struts being movable with respect to one another in order to alter the size of the display. The device may include a display configured to fold up or roll up based upon the movement of the two or more struts relative to each other. The device may have two or more struts are attached to a central hinge and the size of the display may be alterable by movement of the two or more struts around the central hinge. The display may be circular or semi-circular. The device may be a cellular telephone, with a microphone and a speaker. The size of the display may be altered by movement of the two or more struts relative to each other, the two or more struts may be moved by an electrical, mechanical, or magnetic force. The display may be one of a graphene-based flexible display, a flexible organic light-emitting diode display, or a phase-change material display. The device may also include a handle with one or more control buttons. 
     In one aspect of this disclosure, a device including a processor and one or more memory modules storing computer code is described. The device includes an expandable display screen, the screen configured to expand or contract a physical size of the screen based on an input from a user. The display may be a flexible screen positioned between two struts, the two struts being movable with respect to one another in order to alter the size of the display. A portion of the display may be configured to fold up or roll up based upon the movement of two or more struts relative to each other. Two or more portions of the display may be attached to a central hinge and the size of the display may be alterable by movement of the two or more portions. The device may be a cellular telephone, which may include a microphone and a speaker. The display may be one of a graphene-based flexible display, a flexible organic light-emitting diode display, or a phase-change material display. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure includes a device with a processor or a communication channel to communicate with a process for obtaining a representation or reference to a display image. The device also has a plurality of struts, wherein the plurality of struts are movable from a first state to a second state and optical pixel elements on the plurality of struts that are controllable by the display device to permit presentation of all or part of the display image using the optical pixel elements within a display region of the display device, wherein the display region varies between the first state and the second state and the display region spans the plurality of struts. 
     In some aspects, the display device also includes a flexible screen element attached between two struts of the plurality of struts, the two struts being movable with respect to one another in order to alter the display region. The flexible screen element may include optical pixel elements, thereby forming the display region to span the flexible screen element and the two struts. 
     The following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings will provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a computer device with a folding display according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is another exemplary illustration of a computer device with a folding display according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary illustration of a computer device with a folding display according to some aspects of the present disclosure with an alternative wire location. 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary illustration of a computer device with a handheld folding display according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary illustration of another embodiment of a device that includes a central support strut and drop side struts. 
         FIG. 6  is another exemplary illustration of another embodiment of a device that includes a central support strut and drop side struts. 
         FIG. 7  is another exemplary illustration of another embodiment of a device that includes a central support strut and drop side struts. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a device that includes a horizontally-opening handle. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a device according to some aspects described herein that includes a second hinged handle. 
         FIG. 10  illustrated a device in which the handle opens vertically from the device. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a device in which the screen has been fully opened. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a device according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is an alternative configured of a device according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is an alternative configured of a device according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 15  in exemplary illustration of an alternative embodiment of a device according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 16  is another viewpoint of a device according to some aspects of this disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is an illustration of a device according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 18  is another illustration of a device according to some aspects of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, various embodiments will be described. For purposes of explanation, specific configurations and details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. Furthermore, well-known features may be omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the embodiment being described. 
     The present invention might find a use in presenting information to users of digital devices. Examples of digital devices, while not limiting, include tablet computers, portable phones, laptop computers, pedometers, watches and the like. Such digital devices typically include some logic circuits and/or a processor that executes a stored set of instructions to perform some actions. Some of those actions might relate to presenting a display image to a user of the digital device. To be more precise, the digital device includes logic or instructions that, when executed, determine that a particular display image is to be presented to the user and communicates that display image, or a reference to it or a representation of it, to a display element, also referred to herein as “a display.” The display image might be regularly refreshed and/or changed, for example when the digital device attempts to present a video image. The display element may be equipped with means and methods for communicating with the digital device, wired or wirelessly, such that the digital device can convey a desired digital image to the display element and the display element can attempt to present that desired digital image for user viewing. The display element might also be configured to convey to the logic/processor a state of the display element. 
     The display element has an ability to present the display image, or at least parts of it, within certain constraints of the display element. Herein, the area over which a display image can be presented is referred to as a “display region” for the display element. The display region might be rectangular or not. The display region may vary based on the state of the display element. In some embodiments, the digital device includes logic or programming to alter the display image to account for the state of the display element. The display element might have a defined footprint corresponding to the space or area that the display element occupies when in a given state. For example, a display element might have a display region that is a rectangle 6 cm by 10.5 cm and a footprint of 6.5 cm by 14 cm. 
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary illustration of a folding display  100  for use with a digital device, according to some aspects of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the folding display  100  may be shaped similarly to a handheld folding fan. In  FIG. 1 , the folding display  100  is illustrated in a “folded up” position or state. Foldable and other soft screen technologies may allow for the creation of display elements in a vast array of different footprints and display regions. In order to allow a device to include as large a display region as possible, and to provide an array of different features that will become clear in light of this disclosure, a fan-shaped form factor for the display element may be beneficial. Instead of a folded display, a rolled up display might be used. Unless otherwise indicated, teachings herein related to folded displays can be applied to rolled up displays. 
     It may be advantageous to allow a display to fold or roll or otherwise be altered in size, in comparison to conventional displays that maintain the same size at all times. For example, many conventional cellular phones are in a “candy bar” format, i.e., a large rectangle. To increase the size of the screen shape, the size of the rectangle of the device must be increased, but such an increase in size may negatively affect users of the device, who may not wish to carry around such a bulky device. Accordingly, expandable displays, such as displays that can fold or roll up, may allow for larger display regions in more convenient form factors. This combination of portability and display region may be desirable to some users. 
     As illustrated, the folding display  100  contains a number of internal struts  104 . The display region, or the edges of the display region, may be visible even when the folding display  100  is folded up at these locations, such as the corner of a folded location. It may be beneficial to place controls for common functions on these internal struts  104 , such as to allow the taking of photographs without unfolding the entire folding display  100 , or to use the folding display  100  as a telephone interface without unfolding the entire folding display  100 . The folding display  100  may also include one or more exterior buttons  102 , which may be used for performing functions such as turning on or off an associated digital device, allowing the display to fold out, or to take photographs, use as a phone, or enable other functions. The associated digital device might be integrated with the folding display  100  or might be wired or wirelessly connected to the folding display  100  and be a separately housed unit (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) Functions of the folding display may be split between internal struts  104  and exterior buttons  102 , as desired, based upon a preference of the user and based on how commonly used a particular function is. For example, it may be advantageous to place more commonly-used functions on buttons that are more accessible to a user. It may also be advantageous to have a touch-sensitive “skin” on the frame of the folding display  100  rather than a button, where the skin may enable a knock code or fingerprint activation. 
       FIG. 2  is an exemplary illustration of a folding display  200  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  200  in  FIG. 2  may be similar to the folding display  100  of  FIG. 1 , but here, the folding display  200  is in an “unfolded” state. Dashed line  204  illustrates a possible location of a wire in the center of the fan-shaped screen formed by the folding display  200  in its unfolded state. This wire may be used, for example, to control when the screen is folded or unfolded. A tape or a cord might be used instead of the wire. The wire may be placed behind the screen, in order to minimize interference with viewing a display image presented on the screen of the folding display  200 . In some aspects, the folding display may instead be rolled up rather than folded. The wire may also be used to provide power to the folding display, used as a handle, or used for other functions. 
       FIG. 3  is an exemplary illustration of a folding display  300  according to some aspects of the present disclosure, where the wire is placed in a different location than that shown in  FIG. 2 . In  FIG. 3 , the screen of folding display  300  is “unfolded,” and dashed line  308  illustrates another possible location of a wire around the screen. This wire may be used, for example, to control when the fan is folded or unfolded. A tape or a cord might be used instead of the wire. Here, the screen may be bonded to the retracting wire at the location of the dashed line  304 . The wire may be adjusted, to change the display region by altering the state of the fan, using electrical, mechanical, and/or magnetic winding systems or other techniques. For example, the folding display  300  may also use air pressure along a structural support line to act as a frame of the device, rather than using wire to control when the display to folded or unfolded. 
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary illustration of a folding display  400  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  400  may include a number of electrically triggered magnets  404 , illustrated with dark circles at the edge of the various internal struts of the display. These magnets  404  may be used to retract and to expand the screen, as is desired by a user of the folding display  400 . The magnets  404  may be part of an electrical magnetic winding system to open and close the footprint and display region of the folding display  400 . In some aspects, other winding systems may also be used, such as a mechanical system or an electric system. For example, the magnets  404  in  FIG. 4  may be used in conjunction with the wire found in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , such that the magnets  404  may control a wire or other mechanism for opening and closing the folding display  400  in order to adjust the display region. 
       FIG. 5  is an exemplary illustration of another embodiment of a folding display  500  that includes a central support strut and drop side struts. In this illustration, the folding display  500  is in the closed position. In some aspects, components of a digital device associated with the folding display  500  may be in external support struts at the edge of the folding display  500 , or in a central control strut at the center of the folding display  500 , and within internal struts. These struts may contain the main user interface of the device  500 , such as cameras and speakers, which may be accessed fully even if the folding display  500  is closed. In this mode, the folding display  500  may be used as if it were a long and narrow display, until a user requires a larger display area. In some aspects, the portions of the display region that are between the struts may be concertina-folded like a classical fan, or may be rolled into the struts themselves. The folding display  500  may also include a processor and memory and other components, which may also be in one or more struts of the device. 
       FIG. 6  is an exemplary illustration of another embodiment of a folding display  600  that includes a central support strut and drop side struts. In this illustration, the folding display  600  has only the two side struts  604 ,  608  open. As illustrated, the folding display  600  may have only a subset of the struts open, here the struts  604 ,  608 , while other parts are closed. This may allow the folding display  600  to have a large number of possible viewing configurations, depending on the needs of a user at a particular time. Thus, a user may choose a desired screen size for a particular application or other considerations. 
       FIG. 7  is another exemplary illustration of an embodiment of a folding display  700  that includes a central support strut and drop side struts. In this illustration, the folding display  700  is half open, and the center support strut  704  remains closed. As illustrated, the display region of the folding display  700  may open into a shape that is more than a half-circle, such as opening to be fully circular or to be approximately three-quarters of a circle. 
     The folding display may or may not have a handle.  FIG. 8  illustrates a folding display  800  that includes a horizontally-opening handle  804 . The handle  804  is attached to the folding display  800  using a hinge  808 . The hinge  808  allows the handle to either be placed adjacent to one of the struts  812 ,  816  or to swing open into a position to allow a user to grasp the handle  804 . When the handle  804  is not needed or the folding display  800  is not in use, the hinge  808  allows the handle  804  to “close”, by swinging the handle  804  to be concealed near or around one of the struts  812 ,  816 . As with other devices described herein, the display region  820  of the folding display  800  may be concealed within or between the struts  812 ,  816  when not in use, and may unroll or unfold from between the struts  812 ,  816  when needed. Here, the display region  820  may be only partly opened, in order to provide as large a screen as a user might need for a particular usage of the folding display  800 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a folding display  900 , according to some aspects described herein, that includes a second hinged handle  904 . This folding display  900  may be similar to the folding display  800  in  FIG. 8 , but here, a second hinged handle  904  is included that opens from a hinge  908  connected to the end of a first handle  912 . Other types of handles may also be used, with various connections. The handle may include one, two, or more parts, as desired. Including a handle with multiple parts may be advantageous for some users who wish to have more flexibility in how the folding display  900  is kept in position. For example, the handles may be configured to rest on a surface in order to hold the folding display  900  up without requiring a user to continue holding the folding display  900 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrated a folding display  1000  in which the handle  1004  opens vertically from the folding display  1000 . For example, the handle  1004  may be configured to slide into or around a strut  1008  of the folding display  1000 . The handle  1004  may slide into and out of the folding display  1000  in a vertical manner, rather than around a hinge as described above. This may be an alternative manner of providing a convenient handle  1004  for the folding display  1000 . The handle  1004  may be slid vertically either manually, or using an electrical, mechanical, magnetic, or other automated mechanism. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a folding display  1100  in which the display region  1104  has been fully opened. As illustrated, the display region  1104  may be configured to open into a full circular shape. The display region  1104  may be smaller than the handle  1108 , in order to allow the handle  1108  to still be used when the display region  1104  is open. The screen  1104 , as illustrated, is also configured to open in front of the handle  1108 , in order to allow a user to view the display region  1104  without the handle  1108  obscuring the view. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a folding display  1200  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  1200  includes control buttons  1204  on its handle  1208 . The control buttons  1204  may offer a convenient user interface, whether the folding display  1200  is open or closed. The buttons  1200  may control operation of various functions of the device, such as opening or closing the display region  1212 , turning on and off the microphone  1216 , and may help to control various functions which may be offered by the folding display  1200 , such as use of the camera  1220  and the projector  1224 . The folding display  1200  also includes a speaker  1228  which itself is held in place using a number of support struts  1232 . 
     The folding display  1200  may be a flexible display area, such as a “Plastic Logic” graphene-based flexible display, one or more flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), or an ultra-low-power phase-change material. In some aspects, other display types may also be used provided that they are a suitable resolution and are able to be fit into the desired form factor. Specifically, the display region  1212  should be configured to be extended from the struts of the folding display  1200 , and should be able to be either folded up or rolled up, when the folding display  1200  is not in use. 
     In some aspects, the folding display  1200  incorporates a digital device, which includes a processor, a power source, such as a battery, and storage that includes a database. For example, the storage may take the form of a memory, including one or both of volatile and non-volatile memory. As described above, in one aspect, these components may be contained in a strut of the folding display  1200 . The display region  1212  may include a touch screen, such as a resistive or capacitive touch screen. The folding display  1200  may include Wi-Fi support, such as support for one or more IEEE 802.11 protocols. As illustrated, the folding display  1200  may include a speaker  1228 , a projector  1224 , a microphone  1216 , and/or a camera  1220 . The folding display  1200  may be configured to use inductive charging, to be able to charge its battery using wireless charging techniques. The folding display  1200  may include one or more antennas, in able to allow the folding display  1200  to communicate using cellular and/or Wi-Fi communications, as well as Bluetooth and other wireless communications protocols. 
       FIG. 13  is an alternative configuration of a folding display  1300  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  1300  may not contain struts, and instead, the folding display  1300  may include computer components of a digital device, such as a processor, memory, and other components in one of the “leaves” of the folding display  1300 . The folding display  1300  may include a user interface  1304 , which may include a number of physical or software buttons, on one of the “leaves” of the folding display  1300  as well. Each “leaf” of the folding display  1300  may be attached to the central hinge  1312 , which may allow the “leaves” to be used to adjust the size of the display region  1308  as desired. 
       FIG. 14  is an alternative configured of a folding display  1400  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  1400  may not contain struts, and instead, the folding display  1400  may include digital device components, such as a processor, memory, and other components in one of the portions of the folding display  1400 . The folding display  1400  may include a user interface  1404 , which may include a number of physical or software buttons, on one of the portions of the display region  1408  as well. 
       FIG. 15  in exemplary illustration of an alternative embodiment of a folding display  1500  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  1500  includes a display region  1504  that extends between two vertical struts  1508 ,  1512 . The folding display  1500  can be folded up, as illustrated in the upper portion of the folding display  1500 , between one or more horizontal struts  1516 . These horizontal struts  1516  move further apart from one another, such as by using an electrical or mechanical mechanism to move them apart, in order to expand the folding display  1500  and offer a larger display region  1504 . The folding display  1500  may include components of a digital device, such as a processor and memory, in one of the vertical struts  1508 ,  1512 . Alternatively, the folding display  1500  may be connected to an external digital device. 
       FIG. 16  is another viewpoint of a folding display  1600  according to some aspects of this disclosure. In this illustration, the folding display  1600  is folded up or rolled up between one or more horizontal struts  1616 . The folding display  1600  also includes vertical struts  1608 ,  1612 , to the side of the horizontal struts  1616 . The display region  1604  may fold or roll up between the horizontal struts  1616  when it is not needed. The folding display  1600  may include components of a digital device, which may be found in the vertical struts  1608 ,  1612 . As illustrated, folding display  1600  may include two vertical struts  1608 ,  1612 , and between those two vertical struts  1608 ,  1612 , horizontal struts  1616  contain the display region  1604 . The horizontal struts  1616  may be movable with respect to each other and the vertical struts  1608 ,  1612 , and may therefore increase or decrease the size of the display region  1604  accordingly. 
       FIG. 17  is an illustration of a folding display  1700  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  1700  includes retractable vertical struts  1704 . Here, the crosshatched area of the vertical struts is the stable portion  1708  of the vertical struts  1704  that cannot be retracted further. The stable portion  1708  of the vertical struts  1704  may contain hardware of a digital device, such as a processor and memory. As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the retractable portion  1712  of the vertical struts  1704  may be retracted, such as into the vertical struts  1704  themselves. Horizontal support struts  1716  extended between the vertical struts  1704 , and a flexible display region  1720  is placed between the horizontal support struts  1716 . The display region  1720  may roll or fold up between the horizontal support struts  1716  when they are closed, and extend between the horizontal support struts  1716  when they are open. For example, the display region  1720  may fold like an accordion between the horizontal support struts  1716 . Folding display  1700  may be compact, as the folding display  1700  may be made smaller by retracting the retractable portion  1712  of the vertical struts  1704  and closing the display region  1720  by moving the horizontal support struts  1716  together, through the use of a mechanical, electrical, magnetic, or other mechanism. Folded parts  1722  of the display region  1720  may be between the horizontal support struts  1716  that are not expanded. 
       FIG. 18  is another illustration of a folding display  1800  according to some aspects of the present disclosure. The folding display  1800  in  FIG. 18  is similar to the folding display  1700  in  FIG. 17 , but here, the retractable struts  1804  are extended. This allows the horizontal support struts  1816  to be spread apart, and increases the size of the display region  1820 . A user may be able to extend the folding display  1800  as desired, in order to take up more or less space. The folding display  1800  may fold like an accordion, such as using micro-hinges on the screen to fold up into a compact position  1822  when the horizontal support struts  1816  are close together. 
     In some aspects of the present disclosure, a device is described including a processor. The processor may be a general-purpose processor or a specialty processor, and may include one or more chips or processing units. The device also includes one or more memory modules storing computer code, such as volatile or non-volatile memory, or a combination of both volatile and non-volatile memory. The device also includes a display operably connected to the processor, the display connected to two or more struts, wherein a size of the display is alterable based on a movement of the two or more struts relative to each other. For example, the struts may be horizontal struts as described above, or struts with another orientation. The struts may be attached to a central hinge, to vertical struts (or of another orientation), or in other manners. The struts may have flexible screen between them, where movement of the struts expands or contracts the screen. 
     The device may include a flexible screen positioned between two struts of the two or more struts, the two struts being movable with respect to one another in order to alter the size of the display. The device may include a display configured to fold up or roll up based upon the movement of the two or more struts relative to each other. The device may have two or more struts are attached to a central hinge and the size of the display may be alterable by movement of the two or more struts around the central hinge. The display may be circular or semi-circular. The device may be a cellular telephone, with a microphone and a speaker. The size of the display may be altered by movement of the two or more struts relative to each other, the two or more struts may be moved by an electrical, mechanical, or magnetic force. The display may be one of a graphene-based flexible display, a flexible organic light-emitting diode display, or a phase-change material display. 
     In one aspect of this disclosure, a device including a processor and one or more memory modules storing computer code is described. The device includes an expandable display screen, the screen configured to expand or contract a physical size of the screen based on an input from a user. The display may be a flexible screen positioned between two struts, the two struts being movable with respect to one another in order to alter the size of the display. A portion of the display may be configured to fold up or roll up based upon the movement of two or more struts relative to each other. Two or more portions of the display may be attached to a central hinge and the size of the display may be alterable by movement of the two or more portions. The device may be a cellular telephone, which may include a microphone and a speaker. The display may be one of a graphene-based flexible display, a flexible organic light-emitting diode display, or a phase-change material display. 
     Conjunctive language, such as phrases of the form “at least one of A, B, and C,” or “at least one of A, B and C,” unless specifically stated otherwise or otherwise clearly contradicted by context, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either A or B or C, or any nonempty subset of the set of A and B and C. For instance, in the illustrative example of a set having three members, the conjunctive phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” and “at least one of A, B and C” refer to any of the following sets: {A}, {B}, {C}, {A, B}, {A, C}, {B, C}, {A, B, C}. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of A, at least one of B and at least one of C each to be present. 
     Operations of processes described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Processes described herein (or variations and/or combinations thereof) may be performed under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions and may be implemented as code (e.g., executable instructions, one or more computer programs or one or more applications) executing collectively on one or more processors, by hardware or combinations thereof. The code may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, for example, in the form of a computer program comprising a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors. The computer-readable storage medium may be non-transitory. 
     The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Further embodiments can be envisioned to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the above-disclosed invention can be advantageously made. The example arrangements of components are shown for purposes of illustration and it should be understood that combinations, additions, re-arrangements, and the like are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the present invention. Thus, while the invention has been described with respect to exemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications are possible. 
     For example, the processes described herein may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and/or any combination thereof. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims. 
     All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.