Patent Abstract:
A remote control system is provided that includes a master controller for storing a plurality of remote control codes for a plurality of remotely controlled equipment, receiving a remote control code request message, retrieving a requested remote control code and transmitting the requested remote control code, and a remote control unit for transmitting the remote control code request message, receiving the requested remote control code from the master controller, storing the requested remote control code, converting the remote control code into a plurality of remote control commands and transmitting at least one of the plurality of remote control commands to at least one of the plurality of remotely controlled equipment, wherein each remote control code contains the plurality of remote control commands for controlling at least one of the plurality of remotely controlled equipment.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a remote control system and more particularly to a self-programming remote control for home entertainment. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Conventional remote control units, as typically utilized in home entertainment systems, are dedicated to a particular piece of remotely controlled equipment, such as a specific make and model of television or stereo, and are permanently programmed to produce the control codes necessary to operate only the specific remotely controlled equipment with which the remote control units were provided. Universal type remote control units can be user programmed to operate many different pieces of remotely controlled equipment and some can control more than one piece of equipment at a time. Frequently, in an environment with many different pieces of remotely controlled equipment positioned in several different locations, such as in different rooms in a house, multiple remote control units are necessary even with universal type remote control units available. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a remote control system including a master controller for storing a plurality of remote control codes for a plurality of remotely controlled equipment, receiving a remote control code request message, retrieving a requested remote control code and transmitting the requested remote control code, and a remote control unit for transmitting the remote control code request message, receiving the requested remote control code from the master controller, storing the requested remote control code, converting the remote control code into a plurality of remote control commands and transmitting at least one of the plurality of remote control commands to at least one of the plurality of remotely controlled equipment, wherein each remote control code contains the plurality of remote control commands for controlling at least one of the plurality of remotely controlled equipment. 
     Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of operating a remote control system including the steps of storing in a master controller a plurality of remote control codes for a plurality of remotely controlled equipment, transmitting from a remote control unit a remote control code request message, receiving the remote control code request message, retrieving in the master controller the requested remote control code, transmitting from the master controller the requested remote control code, receiving in the remote control unit the requested remote control code, converting in the remote control unit the requested remote control code into a plurality of remote control commands for controlling at least one of the plurality of remotely controlled equipment, storing in the remote control unit the plurality of remote control commands, and transmitting at least one of the plurality of remote control commands to control at least one of the plurality of remotely controlled equipment, wherein each remote control code contains the plurality of remote control commands for controlling at least one of the plurality of remotely controlled equipment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a remote control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a remote control unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a master controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a repeater/localizer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a remote control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a remote control system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a common application for the present invention is a residence with several rooms containing several pieces of remotely controlled equipment  120  to be controlled with remote control units  100 . In this embodiment there is a master controller  110  which can store the remote control codes for remotely controlled equipment  120  such as televisions, audio systems or other remotely controlled devices including garage door openers. The master controller  110  can also contain remotely controlled equipment  120  such as a satellite radio system (not shown) having controls and displays on the master controller  110 . Also in this embodiment there is an optional repeater/localizer  130  that is used to relay information from the remote control units  100  to the master controller  110 . In the event the master controller communicates using radio frequency (RF) signals then the repeater/localizer can receive a message transmitted using an infrared (IR) signal from the remote control units  100  and can transmit the message to the master controller  110  using an RF signal. A remote control system according to this embodiment can use several repeater/localizers positioned in different locations or rooms containing remotely controlled equipment  120 . 
     A master controller  110  is programmed by the factory, a remote control system installer or the user to contain the remote control codes for controlling the remotely controlled equipment  120  contained in the residence. The master controller  110  can also be programmed to identify the location of the remotely controlled equipment for which it contains remote control codes. 
     When a user attempts to use a remote control unit  100  for the first time in a specific location, the remote control unit  100  may lack the remote control codes for the remotely controlled equipment  120  positioned in the location and assembles a request to receive the remote control codes for that location. The remote control unit  100  can also start a timer to determine if a request is processed in an appropriate amount of time. The remote control unit transmits the request for remote control codes using IR signals. In other embodiments the transmission may be by RF signals or by another communication method. The preferable IR carrier frequency for the remote control units  100  to communicate with the repeater/localizers  130  is about 455 kHz and the preferable IR carrier frequency for the remote control units  100  to communicate with the remotely controlled equipment  120  is about 38 kHz but any other suitable frequency used in home entertainment IR communication can be used. In a remote control system using multiple remote control units  100  the request for remote control codes can include an identification code for the remote control unit  100  making the request for remote control codes. The generation of an identification code can be done in a pseudo-random fashion using techniques known in the art that will not be described further. The remote control unit  100  can also generate a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code to detect errors in the transmission. A CRC code can be generated using techniques known in the art that will not be described further. 
     In this embodiment of the present invention there are repeater/localizers  130  positioned in some of the locations containing remotely controlled equipment  120 . The repeater/localizers can be set with a switch or programmed with a location code and can add the location code to messages received from a remote control unit  100  positioned in the same location requesting remote control codes. The repeater/localizer  130  receives the message from the remote control unit requesting remote control codes, adds the location code and transmits the request for remote control codes with the location code using an RF signal. 
     The master controller  110  receives the RF signal containing the request for remote control codes with the location code if included and prepares a response. In preparing a response, the master controller  110  can determine which remotely controlled equipment to send remote control codes for based on the location code. The master controller  110  can also determine if there are errors in the CRC code if included and transmit an error message. An error message can minimally contain an indication that a bad message was received so that any remote control unit  100  can operate an error function if it was waiting for remote control codes or other transmissions. If the identity of a remote control unit  100  can be determined from the received message, then the error message can contain the identity of the remote control unit  100  that sent the bad message. 
     The master controller  110  can transmit the requested remote control codes to the remote control units  100  using RF signals or other communication signals can be used. The transmission can include the identification code if supported by the remote control system configuration. The master controller  110  can also generate a CRC code for inclusion in the transmitted message to detect errors in the transmitted message. 
     The remote control unit  100  that sent the request for remote control codes can determine that the received remote control codes were intended for that remote control unit  100  by the identification code if included. The remote control unit  100  can also detect errors in the received message if the CRC included is incorrect and operate an error function. An error function can be to retransmit the request for remote control codes, to display an error message on a display such as directing the user to relocate for better reception or to sound an audible alarm. 
     The remote control unit  100  is self-localizing where it reports its location in messages to the master controller  110  and self-identifying where it reports which remote control unit  100  it is in messages to the master controller  110 . The remote control unit  100  is also state-aware where the functions of the remote control unit  100  includes operating modes where the remote control unit  100  can receive messages from the master controller  110  including commands causing the remote control unit  100  to function via “soft” keys and its display in a way that complements the remotely controlled equipment  120  it is controlling. For example, when a remote control unit  100  is positioned in a location containing a satellite radio receiver, the remote control unit  100  can be configured through messages from the master controller  110  to operate in a satellite radio mode of operation. In the satellite radio mode of operation, the remote control unit  100  periodically requests program data to display and configures its soft keys to operate specific satellite radio functions. A remote control unit  100  requesting satellite radio program data that is not positioned in a location containing a satellite radio or in a zone control area will receive an error message to display such as “media busy.” 
     Another mode of operation is zone control mode where a zone control unit (not shown) is positioned in a remote location so that equipment such as a satellite radio receiver positioned in another location can be operated in the remote location using remote control units  100  of the remote control system. Zone control systems typically communicate with a master controller, satellite radio or other equipment via cable and can receive signals from the remote control units  100  and convert their messages to be transmitted to the master controller, the satellite radio receiver or other equipment via the cable. In another embodiment the zone control system can also communicate with the master controller  110  in the same way as a repeater/localizer  130 . The zone control system can remodulate a signal received from the remote control unit  100  and transmit the message from the remote control unit  100  to receiver equipment via the cable. 
     The master controller  110  can be positioned in a relatively isolated location such as in a cabinet, closet or attic if the master controller communicates using RF signals. The master controller  110  can also employ other communication signals such as IR signals in which case it can be positioned in a more prominent location for the type of communication signals it uses. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a remote control unit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the remote control unit  100  of the present invention is typically a portable, handheld device. The remote control unit  100  includes a remote processing unit  101 , a remote memory  102 , a remote radio frequency (RF) receiver  103 , an infrared (IR) transmitter  104 , a display  105 , a keypad  106  and an audio generating device  107 . Power is typically supplied to the remote control unit  100  and its component parts by an on board battery (not shown). The battery can be of the disposable type or can be rechargeable. The remote control unit  100  can be operated while the battery is being charged by a battery charger. 
     The remote processing unit  101  performs the functions of the remote control unit  100  and can be a microprocessor or other electronic circuitry. The remote processing unit  101  is programmed by hardware, software or firmware to store remote control codes in the remote memory  102 , to process data received from the remote RF receiver  103 , to output data to the IR transmitter  104 , to display messages on the display  105 , to receive user inputs from the keypad  106  and to report audio information through the audio generating device  107 . The remote processing unit  101  can prepare messages to be transmitted by the IR transmitter  104  and in doing so can generate a pseudorandom identifier code and error detection and correction codes such as cyclic redundancy check (CRC) codes. The remote processing unit  101  can also process messages received by the remote RF receiver  103  and in doing so decode error detection and correction codes such as CRC codes to determine the validity of messages received. The remote processing unit  101  can operate and monitoring a timer to determine if a sent message has been responded to in a predetermined amount of time so that an error function can be operated. The remote processing unit  101  can be used for other remote control unit  100  processing functions contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The remote memory  102  is in communication with and electrically connected with the remote processing unit  101 . The remote memory  102  is typically a semiconductor memory device but can be any other type of electronic storage circuitry. The remote memory  102  is used to store remote control codes and other remote control operation data including software to operate the remote processing unit  101 . 
     The remote RF receiver  103  is in communication with and electrically connected with the remote processing unit  101 . The remote RF receiver  103  is a conventional circuit including an antenna that is known in the art and will not be described further. The remote processing unit  101  processes messages received by the remote RF receiver  103 . The remote processing unit  101  also controls when the remote RF receiver  103  is active to save power. The remote RF receiver  103  does not need to be powered when the remote processing unit  101  is not expecting to receive messages. The remote RF receiver  103  may be intermittently activated by the remote processing unit  101  to search for messages. The remote RF receiver  103  can receive remote control codes from the master controller  110  or other such messages as requests for the remote control unit  100  to identify its location. Other types of messages are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The IR transmitter  104  is in communication with and electrically connected with the remote processing unit  101 . The IR transmitter  104  can transmit on more than one carrier frequency. The preferable IR carrier frequency for the remote control units  100  to communicate with the repeater/localizers  130  is about 455 kHz and the preferable IR carrier frequency for the remote control units  100  to communicate with the remotely controlled equipment  120  is about 38 kHz but any other suitable frequency used in home entertainment IR communication can be used. The IR transmitter  104  is a conventional circuit including IR signal generators that are known in the art and will not be described further. The IR transmitter  104  transmits messages prepared by the processing unit  101 . The remote processing unit  101  also controls when the IR transmitter  104  is active to save power. The IR transmitter  104  does not need to be powered when it is not transmitting messages. The messages transmitted by the IR transmitter  104  can be remote control codes sent to remotely controlled equipment  120  or can be requests to the repeater/localizers  130  to receive remote control codes from the master controller  110 . Other types of messages are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The display  105  is in communication with and electrically connected with the remote processing unit  101 . The display  105  can be an electronic display device such as a liquid crystal display device, light emitting diode array or other form of visual indicator device including incandescent devices. The remote processing unit  101  utilizes the display  105  to present relevant information to the user. This information includes but is not limited to program information regarding the remotely controlled equipment  120  that the remote control unit is in proximity with, location identification alerts and information to indicate the function of the remote control unit  100  such as programmable keypad buttons or “soft” keys. Currently, typical satellite radio systems transmit program data and require the display of this data in order for a product to be certified for use with their system. The remote control unit  100  can display this program data on the display  105 . 
     The keypad  106  is in communication with and electrically connected with the remote processing unit  101 . The keypad  106  is typically a conventional array of switches mounted on the surface of the remote control unit  100  to receive user input. The information input to the keypad  106  by the user is communicated to the remote processing unit  101  where it is processed to determine the nature and intent of the user&#39;s commands. The functions of some of the keypad switches can be altered by the remote processing unit  101  to create remote control system programmable keypad buttons or “soft” keys. The user input can initiate a process where the remote processing unit  101  identifies the location of the remote control unit  100 , requests remote control codes or it can cause the transmission of remote control codes to the remotely controlled equipment  120  for command purposes. Other user inputs are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The audio generating device  107  is in communication with and electrically connected with the remote processing unit  101 . The audio generating device  107  can be a conventional tone generator device or other electronic audio generation device. The audio generating device  107  is used to report audio signals to the user to alert the user of conditions requiring user response including but not limited to the remote control unit  100  location, program response requirements, timed response reminders and other audio alert functions contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the remote control unit  100  can include an RF transmitter and communicate directly with the master controller  110 . 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a master controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the master controller  110  is typically a stand-alone device that can be positioned for use in a concealed location such as a cabinet, closet or attic. The master controller  110  can communicate with the other devices of the remote control system using radio frequency (RF) signals that are capable of transmission through barriers of typical residential construction. The master controller  110  includes a master processing unit  111 , a master memory  112 , a master radio frequency (RF) receiver  113 , a master RF transmitter  114  and an input/output unit  115 . Power is supplied to the master controller  110  and its component parts by either a conventional on-board line current power supply unit (not shown), a conventional external power pack unit (not shown) or by an on-board battery (not shown). The battery can be of the disposable type or can be rechargeable. The master controller  110  can be operated while the battery is being charged by a battery charger. 
     The master processing unit  111  performs the functions of the master controller  110  and can be a microprocessor or other electronic circuitry. The master processing unit  111  is programmed by hardware, software or firmware to store remote control codes in the master memory  112 , to process data received from the master RF receiver  113 , to output data to the master RF transmitter  114 , to receive user inputs from and to output user information to the input/output unit  115 . The master processing unit  111  can prepare messages to be transmitted by the master RF transmitter  113  and in doing so can generate error detection and correction codes such as cyclic redundancy check (CRC) codes. The master processing unit  111  can also process messages received by the master RF receiver  114  and in doing so decode error detection and correction codes such as CRC codes to determine the validity of messages received. The master processing unit  111  can be used for other master controller unit  111  processing functions contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The master memory  112  is in communication with and electrically connected with the master processing unit  111 . The master memory  112  is typically a semiconductor memory device but can be any other type of electronic storage circuitry. The master memory  112  is used to store remote control codes and other remote control operation data including software to operate the master processing unit  111 . 
     The master RF receiver  113  is in communication with and electrically connected with the master processing unit  111 . The master RF receiver  113  is a conventional circuit including an antenna that is known in the art and will not be described further. The master processing unit  111  processes messages received by the master RF receiver  113 . The master processing unit  111  also controls when the master RF receiver  113  is active to save power. The master RF receiver  113  does not need to be powered when the master processing unit  111  is not expecting to receive messages. The master RF receiver  113  may be intermittently activated by the master processing unit  111  to search for messages. The master RF receiver  113  can receive remote control code requests from repeater/localizers  130  that originated from a remote control unit  100 . The master RF receiver  113  can also receive requests to locate remote control units  100  from repeater/localizers  130 . Other types of messages are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The master RF transmitter  114  is in communication with and electrically connected with the master processing unit  111 . The master RF transmitter  114  is a conventional circuit including an antenna that is known in the art and will not be described further. The master RF transmitter  114  transmits messages prepared by the master processing unit  111 . The messages transmitted by the master RF transmitter  114  can be remote control codes sent to remote control units  100  or can be signals to remote control units  100  to identify their locations. Other types of messages are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The input/output unit  115  is in communication with and electrically connected with the master processing unit  111 . The input/output unit  115  is typically a conventional array of switches and optionally a visual display or an electronic data connection such as a computer interface connection. The input/output unit  115  allows the user or a technician to load the master controller  110  with data such as remote control codes, software updates or other master controller  110  required data. The input/output unit  115  can also allow the user or technician to receive data and other status information regarding the remote control system from the master controller  110 . Other types of input and output communications are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention the master controller  110  is combined in the same physical unit (not shown) with remotely controlled equipment such as a satellite radio system (not shown) having conventional controls (not shown) and displays (not shown) on the unit, wherein the master controller and the remotely controlled equipment will communicate directly using conventional electronic connections. Currently, typical satellite radio systems transmit program data and require the display of this data in order for a product to be certified for use with their system. The master controller  110  can display this program data on the conventional display on the master controller  110 . In this embodiment the master controller  110  can receive remote control commands from and send messages to a dedicated remote control unit or a remote control unit  100  that is part of the remote control system. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of a repeater/localizer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the repeater/localizer  130  is typically a stand alone device that can be positioned in a room where remotely controlled equipment  120  is located. The repeater/localizer  130  includes a repeater/localizer processing unit  131 , a location data unit  132 , an IR receiver  133  and a repeater/localizer RF transmitter  134 . Power is typically supplied to the repeater/localizer  130  and its component parts by either a conventional on-board line current power supply unit (not shown), a conventional external power pack unit (not shown) or by an on-board battery (not shown). The battery can be of the disposable type or can be rechargeable. The repeater/localizer  130  can be operated while the battery is being charged by a battery charger. 
     The repeater/localizers  130  can have a button that activates a search for any remote control units positioned in the location of the repeater/localizer  130 . A message is sent from the requesting repeater/localizer  130  to the master controller  110 . The master controller  110  then sends a message to any remote control unit  100  with a location code that is the same as the repeater/localizer  130  to identify itself by sounding an alert and producing a visual indication on its display. Alternatively, the master controller  110  can have a button to send messages to all of the remote control units  100  where all of the remote control units  100  will identify their positions in the same manner, optionally with varying alerts for each remote control unit  100 . 
     The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  performs the functions of the repeater/localizer  130  and can be a microprocessor or other electronic circuitry and can contain its own memory. The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  is programmed by hardware, software or firmware to store and process information received from the location data unit  132 , to process data received from the IR receiver  133  and to output data to the repeater/localizer RF transmitter  114 . The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  can process messages received by the IR receiver  133  and in doing so decode error detection and correction codes such as CRC codes to determine the validity of messages received. The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  can also prepare messages to be transmitted by the repeater/localizer RF transmitter  134  and in doing so can generate location codes and error detection and correction codes such as cyclic redundancy check (CRC) codes to be included in the messages. The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  can also transmit a request to the master controller  110  for the master controller  110  to send commands to the remote control units  100  to identify their locations. The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  can be used for other repeater/localizer  130  processing functions contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The location data unit  132  is in communication with and electrically connected with the repeater/localizer processing unit  131 . The location data unit  132  is typically a conventional single switch or array of switches or an electronic data connection such as a computer interface connection. The location data unit  132  allows the user or a technician to set or input the room location of the repeater/localizer  130  to allow the location data unit  132  to supply location information to the master controller  110  during remote control requests from the remote control units  100  positioned in the room location that the repeater/localizer  130  is in. The location data unit  132  can also allow the user to initiate a request for the remote control units  100  to identify their locations. Other location data unit  132  input functions are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The IR receiver  133  is in communication with and electrically connected with the repeater/localizer processing unit  131 . The IR receiver  133  is a conventional circuit that is known in the art and will not be described further. The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  processes messages received by the IR receiver  133 . The repeater/localizer processing unit  131  also controls when the IR receiver  133  is active to save power. The IR receiver  133  does not need to be powered when the repeater/localizer processing unit  131  is not expecting to receive messages. The IR receiver  133  may be intermittently activated by the repeater/localizer processing unit  131  to search for messages. The IR receiver  133  can receive remote control code requests from remote control units  100 . Other types of messages are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The repeater/localizer RF transmitter  134  is in communication with and electrically connected with the repeater/localizer processing unit  131 . The repeater/localizer RF transmitter  134  is a conventional circuit including an antenna that is known in the art and will not be described further. The repeater/localizer RF transmitter  134  transmits messages prepared by the repeater/localizer processing unit  131 . The messages transmitted by the repeater/localizer RF transmitter  134  can be remote control code requests received from remote control units  100 . Other types of messages are contemplated by the present invention that can be implemented in the same manner. 
     The IR signals used by the IR receiver  133  are preferably about 455 kHz but the frequency can be about 38 kHz or any other suitable frequency used in home entertainment IR communication. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram showing a method of operating a remote control system according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The manufacturer or installer of a remote control system of the present invention stores remote control codes for remotely controlled equipment  200  in a master controller. 
     In one exemplary embodiment of the remote control system, the master controller can contain the remote control codes for all known remotely controlled equipment and the master controller can have the capability to have remote control codes for additional remotely controlled equipment stored as the remotely controlled equipment becomes available or as the user adds the remotely controlled equipment to the remote control system. 
     When a user attempts to use a remote control unit, the remote control unit assembles and transmits a remote control code request message  210 . The master controller receives the remote control code request message  220  and retrieves the requested remote control codes from the stored remote control codes  230  contained in the master controller. The master controller then transmits the requested remote control codes  240  back to the remote control unit. The remote control unit receives the requested remote control codes  250  and stores the requested remote control codes  260  for later use to transmit a remote control command  270  to remotely controlled equipment the user intends to operate. 
     In another exemplary embodiment, the remote control code request message can be intercepted by a repeater/localizer positioned in the same location as the remote control unit and a location code is appended to the message before retransmission to the master controller. In the case where there is a repeater/localizer utilized, the remote can transmit using IR signals received by the repeater/localizer and then transmitted by the repeater/localizer using RF signals. Then the master controller receives the remote control code request message with the location code, retrieves the requested remote control codes based on the remotely controlled equipment positioned in the location specified by the location code and transmits the requested remote control codes back to the remote control unit making the request. In the case where there is a repeater/localizer, messages to the remote control unit can be sent using RF signals. Where infrared signals are used, about 455 kHz is the preferable IR carrier frequency for communication from the remote control units to the repeater/localizers and about 38 kHz is the preferable IR carrier frequency for communication from the remote control units to the remotely controlled equipment but any other suitable frequency used in home entertainment IR communication can be used. 
     In another exemplary embodiment the transmission of a remote control code request message can include appending a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) code to messages and checking for correct CRC codes with error messages transmitted for incorrect CRC codes. A timer can operate to determine if messages have not been responded to in a predetermined time interval and operate an error function. 
     While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6