Patent Publication Number: US-10334377-B2

Title: Multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/334,336, filed on May 10, 2016, incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     One or more embodiments relate generally to digital media networking, and in particular, a method and system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A wireless electronic device may be used to wirelessly transmit data to one or more other electronic devices (e.g., another wireless electronic device, a non-wireless electronic device, etc.) without use of a physical cable. A wireless microphone is an example wireless electronic device used for transmitting sound to a broadcast/media device/system, such as an amplifier or a recording device. Wireless microphones may operate in various different spectrum bands. Wireless microphones may be designed to operate on a discrete set of frequencies within a spectrum band, or they may cover an entire range of frequencies in the band. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment provides a method for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation. The method comprises wirelessly receiving switch state information from a first wireless media device. The switch state information indicates a current switch position of a first switch corresponding to the first wireless media device. The method further comprises wirelessly receiving signals from the first wireless media device, and selectively routing the signals to one of multiple pre-determined destinations based on the switch state information and a first signal routing table corresponding to the first wireless media device. The first signal routing table maps different switch positions of the first switch to different pre-determined destinations of the multiple pre-determined destinations. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an example wireless system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another example wireless system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein a switch corresponding to a wireless media device is external to the wireless media device, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another example wireless system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein the system includes multiple communication buses and multiple signal combining devices, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another example wireless system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein the system comprises a computing device, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another example wireless system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein the system comprises a network connection, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another example wireless system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein a wireless media device has an additional switch, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart of an example process for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, in accordance with one embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a flowchart of another example process for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, in accordance with one embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a high-level block diagram showing an information processing system comprising a computer system useful for implementing the disclosed embodiments. 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     One or more embodiments relate generally to digital media networking, and in particular, a method and system for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation. One embodiment provides a method for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation. The method comprises wirelessly receiving switch state information from a first wireless media device. The switch state information indicates a current switch position of a first switch corresponding to the first wireless media device. The method further comprises wirelessly receiving signals from the first wireless media device, and selectively routing the signals to one of multiple pre-determined destinations based on the switch state information and a first signal routing table corresponding to the first wireless media device. The first signal routing table maps different switch positions of the first switch to different pre-determined destinations of the multiple pre-determined destinations. 
     For expository purposes, the term “media device” as used herein refers to a professional broadcast/media device/system, such as a professional audio device/system or a professional video device/system, etc. Examples of media devices include, but are not limited to, microphones, wireless microphones, amplifiers, audio mixers, recording devices, etc. Examples of different users/operators of media devices include, but are not limited to, broadcasters, programming networks, theaters, venues (e.g., sports venues, music venues, etc.), festivals, fairs, film studios, conventions, corporate events, houses of worship, sports leagues, schools, etc. 
     For expository purposes, the term “wireless media device” as used herein refers to a media device capable of exchanging data with another device (e.g., another media device) wirelessly (i.e., without need of a physical cable). For example, a wireless microphone is a wireless media device used to capture and transmit audio data (i.e., sound) to another device (e.g., an amplifier, a recording device, etc.) wirelessly. Examples of wireless microphones include, but are not limited to, hand-held or body-worn wireless microphones, in-ear monitors, media devices used for cueing on-air talent, intercom systems for backstage communications, etc. 
     There is a need for talent performing or presenting at a live event to have the ability to communicate with off-air personnel (e.g., production personnel) without having signals going over the air or to a main public address (PA) speaker. Conventionally, this may be implemented by adding a second, typically wired, microphone and path to transmit signals directly to off-air personnel, resulting in additional complexity and costs. Alternatively, the signals may be routed manually by a user/operator (e.g., an audio/sound operator). Manually routing signals, however, is prone to human error and may result in an inadvertent transmission of a private communication exchange between the talent and the off-air personnel over the air or to the PA speaker. As such, such conventional methods are less than ideal. 
     Further, there is a need for talent or other on-air personnel to be able to mute their audio signal when off the air. In a live production environment, a person wearing a wireless microphone does not always know whether their audio signal is being transmitted and heard at another location. 
     One or more embodiments of the invention may be used in wireless microphone systems, wireless systems, public address systems, and other professional audio systems. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an example wireless system  310  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, in accordance with one embodiment. The system  310  comprises one or more wireless media devices  100 . In one embodiment, each wireless media device  100  is utilized/operated by a user/operator at an event (e.g., an on-air talent/performer performing live at an event, such as a concert, an awards ceremony, etc.). In one embodiment, the system  310  is a wireless microphone system, and each wireless media device  100  is a wireless microphone. 
     Each wireless media device  100  may be associated with a particular application. For example, one wireless media device  100  of the system  310  may be a wireless microphone transmitter for a vocalist performing at the event, whereas another wireless media device  100  of the system  310  may be a wireless microphone transmitter for a guitarist performing at the same event. 
     In one embodiment, each wireless media device  100  is assigned a corresponding unique identifier (ID). 
     Each wireless media device  100  comprises, but is not limited to, one or more of the following components: (1) a transmitter unit  102  for wirelessly transmitting data/signals (e.g., audio data/signals, video data/signals, etc.), and (2) a user interface (UI)  103  for configuring one or more parameters/settings for the wireless media device  100 . In one embodiment, each wireless media device  100  may further comprise a receiver unit (not shown) for wirelessly receiving data/signals (e.g., control commands comprising instructions for adjusting an operating mode of the wireless media device  100 ). 
     Each wireless media device  100  has a corresponding switch  101 . In one embodiment, a switch  101  corresponding to a wireless media device  100  is integrated in/combined with the wireless media device  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Each switch (e.g., switch  101  in  FIG. 1 , switch  104  in  FIG. 6 ) corresponding to a wireless media device  100  may be positioned in one of multiple switch positions (i.e., states). In one embodiment, the switch is a momentary switch that may be positioned in either an open position and or a close position, where the open position is the default switch position. Each switch position of the switch may correspond to a particular pre-determined destination of multiple pre-determined destinations that signals from the wireless media device  100  may be routed to. In one embodiment, the switch is equipped with a button (e.g., a soft-touch button), a knob, or another type of component that may be manipulated by a user/operator utilizing/operating the wireless media device  100  to adjust a current switch position of the switch (e.g., pressing/releasing the button or twisting the knob), thereby allowing the user/operator to select a desired pre-determined destination that signals originating from the wireless media device  100  should be routed to. 
     The system  310  further comprises a channel receiver  201  for wirelessly receiving data/signals (e.g., audio data/signals, video data/signals, etc.) transmitted from a wireless media device  100 . The channel receiver  201  is a media device. In one embodiment, the channel receiver  201  is an audio channel receiver. 
     The system  310  further comprises a signal combining device  204 . The signal combining device  204  is a media device. In one embodiment, the signal combining device  204  is an audio mixer. 
     In one embodiment, the channel receiver  201  is connected to the signal combining device  204  via a communication bus  205  comprising M channels, wherein M&gt;1. Each channel of the communication bus  205  corresponds to a particular pre-determined destination of the multiple pre-determined destinations that signals from a wireless media device  100  may be routed to. In one embodiment, the communication bus  205  is an audio bus comprising M audio channels. 
     A wireless media device  100  is configured to transmit, via the transmitter unit  102 , switch state information for the wireless media device  100  to the channel receiver  201 . Switch state information for a wireless media device  100  comprises a limited amount of data (e.g., at least 1 bit) identifying a current switch position (i.e., current state) of a switch (e.g., switch  101  in  FIG. 1 , switch  104  in  FIG. 6 ) corresponding to the wireless media device  100 . 
     The system  310  further comprises a signal router  206  integrated in/combined with the channel receiver  201 . The signal router  206  is configured to: (1) receive signals (e.g., audio signals, video signals, etc.) from a wireless media device  100 , and (2) perform signal routing by selectively routing the signals to one of the multiple pre-determined destinations based on switch state information for the wireless media device  100  and a pre-determined signal routing table corresponding to the wireless media device  100  (e.g., a pre-determined signal routing table corresponding to an unique ID of the wireless media device  100 ). 
     A pre-determined signal routing table corresponding to a wireless media device  100  maps different switch positions of each switch corresponding to the wireless media device  100  to different pre-determined destinations of the multiple pre-determined destinations. As described in detail later herein, a pre-determined signal routing table is user-definable. 
     In one embodiment, each pre-determined destination of the multiple pre-determined destinations corresponds to a particular channel of a communication bus (e.g., communication bus  205  in  FIG. 1 , communication bus  207  in  FIG. 3 ). The signal router  206  routes signals to a particular pre-determined destination via a particular channel of a communication bus corresponding to the pre-determined destination. In one embodiment, the signal router  206  is an audio signal router configured to selectively route audio signals to an appropriate audio channel of an audio bus. 
     In another embodiment, the signal router  206  routes signals to a particular pre-determined destination over a network connection  300  ( FIG. 5 ). 
     In one embodiment, if a switch corresponding to a wireless media device  100  is a momentary switch positioned in the default switch position (i.e., open position), the signal router  206  routes signals from the wireless media device  100  to a pre-determined destination that allows the signals to be heard over the air or on the main (e.g., the main PA speaker). If the switch is then held/pressed closed such that the switch is now positioned in the close position, the signal router  206  re-routes signals from the wireless media device  100  to a different pre-determined destination that allows the signals to be heard by off-air personnel (e.g., production personnel) but not over the air or on the main. If the switch is subsequently released such that the switch returns to the default switch position (i.e., open position), the signal router  206  returns signals from the wireless media device  100  back over the air or on the main. Therefore, the switch supports multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation. Unlike conventional methods, additional equipment or personnel are not required, thereby preventing additional complexity and costs. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another example wireless system  350  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein a switch corresponding to a wireless media device  100  is external to the wireless media device  100 , in accordance with one embodiment. The system  350  is similar to system  310  in  FIG. 1 . However, unlike the system  310  where each wireless media device  101  has a corresponding switch  101  integrated in/combined with the wireless media device  100 , each wireless media device  100  in the system  350  has a corresponding switch  101  that is coupled to but separate from and external to the wireless media device  100 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another example wireless system  400  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein the system  400  includes multiple communication buses and multiple signal combining devices, in accordance with one embodiment. The system  400  is similar to system  350  in  FIG. 2 . However, unlike the system  350  that includes only the signal combining device  204 , the system  400  comprises one or more additional signal combining devices  208 , such as a signal combining device  208 . 
     In one embodiment, the channel receiver  201  is connected to the signal combining device  208  via a separate communication bus  207  comprising M channels, wherein M&gt;1. Each channel of the communication bus  207  corresponds to a particular pre-determined destination of the multiple pre-determined destinations. In one embodiment, the communication bus  207  is an audio bus comprising M audio channels. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another example wireless system  450  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein the system  450  comprises a computing device  202 , in accordance with one embodiment. The system  450  is similar to system  400  in  FIG. 3 . However, unlike the system  400 , the system  450  further comprises a computing device  202 . The computing device  202  is configured to exchange data (e.g., control data) with the channel receiver  201  over a point-to-point connection (e.g., a wireless connection such as a WiFi connection or a cellular data connection, a wired connection, or a combination of the two). The computing device  202  may be operated by a user/operator tasked with managing the system  450  (e.g., an audio/sound operator). 
     In one embodiment, the computing device  202  comprises an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet, a smart phone, etc. 
     In one embodiment, the computing device  202  comprises a user interface  203  configured to provide information and one or more functionalities that a user/operator (e.g., an audio/sound operator) tasked with managing the system  450  may utilize for management of the system  450 . The functionalities include, but are not limited to, configuring/modifying a pre-determined signal routing table corresponding to a wireless media device  101 . For example, the user/operator may provide user input specifying, for each switch position of a switch corresponding to the wireless media device  100 , a particular pre-determined destination of the multiple pre-determined destinations that the switch position should be mapped to. The computing device  202  transmits control data to the channel receiver  201 . Based on user input provided by the user/operator via the user interface  203 , the control data may comprise one or more modifications to a pre-determined signal routing table corresponding to a wireless media device  101 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates another example wireless system  500  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein the system  500  comprises a network connection  300 , in accordance with one embodiment. The system  500  is similar to system  450  in  FIG. 4 . However, unlike the system  450  where data is exchanged between the channel receiver  201 , the computing device  202 , and the signal combining devices  204 ,  208  via point-to-point connections, the system  500  further comprises the network connection  300  for exchanging data between the channel receiver  201 , the computing device  202 , and the signal combining devices  204 ,  208 . Further, signals originating from a wireless media device  100  of the system  500  may be routed to a particular pre-determined destination over the same network connection  300  as control data. For example, low latency audio signals over IP allows multichannel audio to be transferred over the same network connection as control data. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another example wireless system  550  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, wherein a wireless media device  100  has an additional switch, in accordance with one embodiment. The system  550  is similar to system  500  in  FIG. 5 . However, unlike the system  500  a wireless media device  100  has only one corresponding switch  101 , a wireless media device  100  in the system  550  has multiple corresponding switches, such as a switch  101  and an additional switch  104 . The additional switch  104  may provide one or more additional routing options (i.e., routing signals from the wireless media device  100  to one or more additional pre-determined destinations) or a mute function. 
     For example, assume both the switch  101  and the additional switch  104  are momentary switches. The open position (i.e., default switch position) of the switch  101  corresponds to a first routing option (e.g., delivering signals over the air, such as to the main PA speaker), whereas the close position of the switch  101  corresponds to a second routing option (e.g., delivering signals to off-air personnel). The close position of the additional switch  104  corresponds to a third routing option or a mute function (i.e., the wireless media device  100  is silenced/muted). 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a flowchart of an example process  800  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, in accordance with one embodiment. In process block  801 , wirelessly transmit switch state information to a channel receiver, wherein the switch state information is indicative of a current switch position of a switch for a wireless media device. In process block  802 , wirelessly transmit signals originating from the wireless media device to the channel receiver. 
     In one embodiment, process blocks  801 - 802  may be performed utilizing one or more components of a wireless media device  100 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a flowchart of another example process  900  for multi-purpose user-definable wireless channel operation, in accordance with one embodiment. In process block  901 , wirelessly receive switch state information from a wireless media device, wherein the switch state information is indicative of a current switch position of a switch for the wireless media device. In process block  902 , wirelessly receive signals from the wireless media device. In process block  903 , selectively route the signals to one of multiple pre-determined destinations based on the switch state information and a pre-determined signal routing table. 
     In one embodiment, process blocks  901 - 903  may be performed utilizing the channel receiver  201 . 
       FIG. 9  is a high-level block diagram showing an information processing system comprising a computer system  600  useful for implementing the disclosed embodiments. The computer system  600  includes one or more processors  601 , and can further include an electronic display device  602  (for displaying video, graphics, text, and other data), a main memory  603  (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), storage device  604  (e.g., hard disk drive), removable storage device  605  (e.g., removable storage drive, removable memory module, a magnetic tape drive, optical disk drive, computer readable medium having stored therein computer software and/or data), user interface device  606  (e.g., keyboard, touch screen, keypad, pointing device), and a communication interface  607  (e.g., modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communications port, or a PCMCIA slot and card). The main memory  603  may store instructions that when executed by the one or more processors  601  cause the one or more processors  601  to perform one or more process blocks of the process  800  and the process  900 . 
     The communication interface  607  allows software and data to be transferred between the computer system and external devices. The system  600  further includes a communications infrastructure  608  (e.g., a communications bus, cross-over bar, or network) to which the aforementioned devices/modules  601  through  607  are connected. 
     Information transferred via communications interface  607  may be in the form of signals such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communications interface  607 , via a communication link that carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, a radio frequency (RF) link, and/or other communication channels. Computer program instructions representing the block diagram and/or flowcharts herein may be loaded onto a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, or processing devices to cause a series of operations performed thereon to produce a computer implemented process. In one embodiment, processing instructions for one or more process blocks of process  800  ( FIG. 7 ) and process  900  ( FIG. 8 ) may be stored as program instructions on the memory  603 , storage device  604  and the removable storage device  605  for execution by the processor  601 . 
     Embodiments have been described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products. Each block of such illustrations/diagrams, or combinations thereof, can be implemented by computer program instructions. The computer program instructions when provided to a processor produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor create means for implementing the functions/operations specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram. Each block in the flowchart/block diagrams may represent a hardware and/or software module or logic. In alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the figures, concurrently, etc. 
     The terms “computer program medium,” “computer usable medium,” “computer readable medium”, and “computer program product,” are used to generally refer to media such as main memory, secondary memory, removable storage drive, a hard disk installed in hard disk drive, and signals. These computer program products are means for providing software to the computer system. The computer readable medium allows the computer system to read data, instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer readable information from the computer readable medium. The computer readable medium, for example, may include non-volatile memory, such as a floppy disk, ROM, flash memory, disk drive memory, a CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. It is useful, for example, for transporting information, such as data and computer instructions, between computer systems. Computer program instructions may be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the embodiments may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the embodiments may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the embodiments may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. 
     Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. 
     Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of one or more embodiments may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). 
     Aspects of one or more embodiments are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     References in the claims to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described exemplary embodiment that are currently known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for.” 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
     Though the embodiments have been described with reference to certain versions thereof; however, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.