Patent Abstract:
In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first interface including a first voltage terminal and at least one data interface terminal and a second interface including a second voltage terminal and at least one configuration channel terminal, wherein the first voltage terminal is coupled to the at least one configuration channel terminal by at least a pull-up circuitry configured to cause a predetermined voltage at the at least one configuration channel terminal, and wherein the at least one configuration channel terminal is coupled to the at least one data interface terminal to enable communication between the at least one data interface terminal and the at least one configuration channel terminal. Related methods, systems, and articles of manufacture are also disclosed.

Full Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The subject matter described herein relates to interfaces including connectors. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Physical connectors, such as the connector used with the Universal Serial Bus (USB), can be used to couple devices. USB standards may be used to define physical and electrical aspects of USB. Examples of those standards include the Universal Serial Bus 3.1 Specification and Universal Serial Bus 2.0 and 3.0 Specifications, as well as any additions, revisions, and updates thereto. More recently, the USB Type-C connector has emerged as a USB-type connector having a relatively small size, when compared to the USB Type-A (also referred to as Standard A) and Type-B (also referred to micro-B). 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for connectivity. 
         [0004]    In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a first interface including a first voltage terminal and at least one data interface terminal and a second interface including a second voltage terminal and at least one configuration channel terminal, wherein the first voltage terminal is coupled to the at least one configuration channel terminal by at least a pull-up circuitry configured to cause a predetermined voltage at the at least one configuration channel terminal, and wherein the at least one configuration channel terminal is coupled to the at least one data interface terminal to enable communication between the at least one data interface terminal and the at least one configuration channel terminal. 
         [0005]    In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein including the following features can optionally be included in any feasible combination. The first voltage terminal may be coupled to the second voltage terminal. The at least one data interface terminal may include at least one data terminal of a data interface. The at least one data terminal may include a first data terminal and a second data terminal, and wherein the second data terminal may be coupled to a data ground terminal of the data interface to enable, when connected to a charger, coupling of the first data terminal to the data ground terminal via the second data terminal. The first data terminal may include a positive data reception terminal and the second data terminal comprises a negative data reception terminal. The at least one data interface terminal may include a data ground terminal of a data interface. The apparatus may further include a switch coupling the data ground terminal to the at least one configuration channel terminal, when a predetermined voltage is detected at a data terminal of the data interface. The data terminal may include a data reception terminal. The pull-up circuitry may include at least one resistor coupled between the first voltage terminal and the at least one configuration channel terminal and a zener-diode coupled between the first voltage terminal and a ground terminal of the first interface. The first interface may include a universal serial bus 3.0 interface and the second interface comprises a universal serial bus type C interface. The at least one configuration channel terminal may be coupled to the at least one data interface terminal to least carry power delivery communications. 
         [0006]    In some example embodiments, there may be provided an apparatus, which may include an interface including a voltage terminal, at least one first level data terminal for communicating data according to a first communication protocol, and at least one second level data interface terminal for communicating data according to a second communication protocol; and power delivery communication circuitry coupled to the at least one second level data interface terminal and configured to communicate, via the second level data interface terminal, configuration data associated with a voltage at, or a current through, the voltage terminal. 
         [0007]    In some variations, one or more of the features disclosed herein including the following features can optionally be included in any feasible combination. The at least one second level data interface terminal may include a data reception terminal. The at least one second level data interface terminal may include a data ground terminal. The at least one data terminal may be coupled to a ground potential. The at least one data terminal may include a first data terminal and second data terminal, and wherein the first data terminal and the second data terminal are short-circuited. 
         [0008]    The above-noted aspects and features may be implemented in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The details of one or more variations of the subject matter described herein are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Features and advantages of the subject matter described herein will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In the drawings, 
           [0010]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict examples of chargers having various types of interfaces, in accordance with some example embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts an example of a USB Type-A connector being augmented to carry power delivery (PD) communications, in accordance with some example embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4-7  depict examples of USB Type-A chargers using a certain pin to carry power delivery (PD) communications, in accordance with some example embodiments; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  depicts an example of a user equipment, in accordance with some example embodiments. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Like labels are used to refer to same or similar items in the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Although some of the examples disclosed herein refer to certain types of universal serial bus (USB) interfaces including connectors, other types of interfaces and connectors may be used as well in accordance with the subject matter disclosed herein. Moreover, although some of the examples show a certain pin out arrangement, other arrangements may be used as well. 
         [0016]    With the evolution of newer types of USB connectors including the smaller Type-C connector, some products, accessories, and chargers may include the Type-C connector, such as a Type-C receptacle or a captive cable having a Type-C plug. However, many existing devices, such as chargers and the like, may consist of other types of USB connectors, such as a charger with a Type-A (also known as Standard A) connector receptacle on the power charging unit or a captive cable having a plug. Moreover, these Type-A connector-based devices may remain on the market for some time to come despite the introduction of other the Type-C connector as well as other types of USB connectors. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts examples of USB Type-C chargers having Type-C electrical interfaces  102  and  104  at the chargers  105 A-B and Type-C interfaces  108 C and  110  where a device couples to be charged. Specifically, Type-C charger  105 A may include a physical Type-C receptacle at which a compatible cable including connectors  108 A-C may couple. Charger  105 B depicts an example of a Type-C electrical interface  104  which can be coupled to a captive cable having a USB Type-C connector  110 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  depicts an example of a charger  205 A having Type-A receptacle  202  into which a compatible end of cables  201 A-C may be inserted. In the case of charger  205 A, the receptacle  202  is compatible with Type-A, while the distal end of the cables is compatible with another format, such as Type-C or Micro-B.  FIG. 2  also depicts a USB Micro-B charger  205 B with Micro-B to Type-C adapter, where either Micro-B or C interfaces  250  can be used by the device to be charged. 
         [0019]    With Type-C, the USB electrical interface provides a different way of providing Power Delivery (PD) communications. PD communications is used to coordinate and control power delivery between the charger and the device being charged. In the case if Type-C, it introduces the use of baseband signals superimposed on the Type-C Communication Control (CC)-line, unlike other types of USB in which PD communications occur over the VBUS-line using a frequency shift key (FSK) modulated radio frequency (RF) carrier (which may explain why PD communications over the VBUS line on mobile devices and chargers are rarely implemented/used). However, the move to baseband PD communications over for example the USB CC-line may simplify PD communications and may thus lead to increase use of PD communications. The baseband PD communications may be carried as shown at  FIG. 1  over a Type-C receptacle or a captive cable. 
         [0020]    Although newer types of USB interfaces may be implemented, such as the Type-C including the baseband PD communications feature noted above, it may be possible that some devices may continue to operate using the USB Type-A connector (also called Standard A), so a charger may keep a USB Type-A receptacle or captive cable as shown at  FIG. 2 . Implementing the baseband PD communications feature may, however, pose a problem as USB Type-A connectors do not have a pin that could be used for outputting the CC-line that carries the baseband PD. As such, these chargers having the Type-A connectors/captive cable may only be able to provide PD communications using FSK modulation via the VBUS-pin as noted above. 
         [0021]    In some example embodiments, at least one additional contact (or pin) may be used or added to a USB Type-A (also known as Standard A) connector to allow baseband PD communications to be carried. For example, the Type-A connector may be specified to include an additional contact (or pin) so that the resulting Type-A connector would be fully backwards compatible with current USB Type-A connectors as defined by for example USB 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 and/or any subsequent additions or revisions to the USB standards. Alternatively or additionally, an existing pin of the Type-A interface may be used to carry the PD communications. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  depicts an example system  300 , in accordance with some example embodiments. System  300  may provide a USB charger to another device that couples at Type-C connector  390 . The system  300  may include a power source  305 , such as a switched-mode power source (SMPS), for converting alternating current into for example a direct current. System  300  may also include a power delivery controller  310  which controls power delivery and provides power delivery communications between the system  300  and a device being charged (which would couple at Type-C connector  390 ). 
         [0023]    In some example embodiments, an additional contact  350  is added to a USB Type-A interface (for example, a contact is added to a receptacle, a plug, or a captive cable-connector). For example, USB Type-A interface  392  may at least have a ground terminal (GND), a voltage bus (VBUS), data terminals (for example, pins labeled D+ and D−), and the augmented contact  350  that couples to PD controller  310  and serves as a CC-line for the USB Type-A interface. This CC-line  350  extends through the cable  370  to the Type-C connector  390  to enable baseband PD communications in accordance with USB Type-C despite the use of a Type-A physical connector  392 . 
         [0024]    In some example embodiments, the USB charger system may include a receptacle in the charging unit and a cable, where in a first cable end at the charger itself is for example a USB 3.0 Type-A connector and the other end (which couples to the device being charged) is a USB Type-C connector. In some example embodiments, this cable may only have USB 2.0 level connectivity and include a built-in pull-up resistor for pulling the CC-line voltage level to an established or a specified connection or CC-line voltage level. This pull-up resistor may be connected to a regulated or controlled reference voltage rather than directly to the VBUS as the VBUS may vary for example between 5 and 20 Volts due to the PD communications and control. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  depicts a system  400  including a charger  410  having a USB 3.0 Type-A receptacle into which a first end of cable  450  is coupled, in accordance with some example embodiments. The USB 3.0 Type-A receptacle may comprise a USB 2.0 interface with a voltage bus terminal (VBUS), a ground terminal, and one or more data communication pins (for example, D+/− and the like). USB 3.0 Type A receptacle may further comprise a plurality of USB 3.0 data interface terminals. The plurality of data interface terminals may include for example one or more USB 3.0 data terminals/pins (labeled as for example SS TX+, SS TX−, SS RX+, and SS TX− at  FIG. 4 ) for transmitting and receiving data and at least one data ground terminal/pin (for example, labeled as SS GND at  FIG. 4 ) that may be used as a reference potential for the data terminals. Cable  450  may also couple to a USB Type-C receptacle at device  490 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 4 , one of the USB 3.0 data terminals, such as the Rx pin or Tx pin, may be used as a CC-line to carry PD communications. In the example of  FIG. 4 , the Rx pin  452  is selected to function as a CC-line and carry baseband PD communications between USB charger  410  having a USB 3.0 Type-A receptacle and the Type-C device  490 . Although a single Rx pin  452  is used in the example of  FIG. 4 , Rx pin  454  may be used as well. For example, both pins  452  and  454  may be used to prevent differential signal voltages from being generated on the bus.  FIG. 4  also depicts a pull-up resistors  456 A-B that pull-up the voltage on the Rx pin  452  to a voltage high to provide a specified voltage for line  452  now acting as a CC-line. The Zener diode  458  and resistor  456 B may provide a stable reference voltage (for example, +5 Volts) from the 5 Volt to 20 Volt VBUS. In this way, the pull-up resistor  456 A creates a constant current to the Type-C pull-down resistor  456 A independently of a given VBUS voltage. The use of the Rx pin  452  may be somewhat safer because if the charger is connected to a USB 3.0 host or device with a full USB 3.0 cable, any outgoing PD signaling from the charger is then connected back to back with Tx-pin from the other device. 
         [0026]    Although  FIG. 4 , as well as some of the other examples described herein, shows a Type-A receptacle at the charger, the Type-A receptacle may be an interface for a captive cable as well. Moreover, although reference is made in the description of  FIG. 4  (as well as some of the other examples described herein) to specific version of USB, these are merely examples as other versions of USB may be used as well. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  depicts a system  500  including a charger  510  having a USB Type-A receptacle into which a first end of cable  550  is coupled, in accordance with some example embodiments. Cable  550  may also couple to a USB Type-C receptacle at device  590 . In the example embodiment of  FIG. 5 , one of the USB 3.0 data interface pins is used as a CC-line, and this pin is a data ground (GND) pin  552 . In the example of  FIG. 5 , the power and control circuitry is coupled to the data ground pin (SS GND) at the USB Type-A receptacle and GND pin  552  of the cable. Moreover, the GND pin  552  operates as a CC-line and carries baseband PD communications between charger  510  and Type-C device  590 .  FIG. 5  also depicts a pull-up circuitry including for example resistors  556 A-B and Zener diode  558  that pulls-up the voltage on the GND pin  552  to a voltage high, such as a required or specified voltage level(s) for the CC-line. 
         [0028]    In the case of  FIG. 5 , the charger-based use of the GND pin  552  does not mix PD communications and control baseband signaling carried by the GND pin  552  and CC-line  592  with any other signaling which might be carried by other USB pins. However, cable  550  can only be used in charging applications because other applications that use the CC-line may find that line grounded at the Type-C device  590 . For example, if a host device, such as a user equipment, PC, music player, and/or any other device, is coupled to cable  550  instead of charger  510 , cable  550  will drag the Type C device CC-line  592  to ground and thus disable the CC-line. 
         [0029]      FIG. 6  depicts an example of a charger device  610  coupled via cable  650  to a Type-C device  690 , in accordance with some example embodiments.  FIG. 6  is similar to  FIG. 5  in some respects as both use the data ground (GND) terminal ( 552 / 652 ), but in the case of  FIG. 6  cable  650  includes an additional switch  670  between the CC-line  692  and GND pin  652 . The switch  670  may be closed to enable PD baseband communications between the CC-line  692  and GND pin  652 , when charger  610  is connected. But switch  670  may be open to disconnect the CC-line  692  and GND pin  652  connection to allow other hosts (for example, that are not chargers) to couple to device  690  while not disabling the CC-line  692  to ground as noted above. 
         [0030]    In the example of  FIG. 6 , switch  670  may be closed when the data terminal Rx+ pin (and/or Rx− pin) is pulled to ground by the charger  610  coupling to cable  650 . In this way, switch  670  is only closed when the cable  650  is connected to the charger  610 . In the example of  FIG. 6 , one or both of the Rx pins at the charger  610  may be grounded. The lines in the cable connected to these Rx pins are typically pulled up by a resistor  656 , but when the cable  650  is connected to the charger  610 , the lines are pulled to ground triggering switch  670  to close. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  depicts a charger  710  coupled to device  790  via cable  750 , in accordance with some example embodiments.  FIG. 7  is similar to  FIG. 6  in some respects but implements the switch of  FIG. 6  using just the Rx pins  710 . The CC-line  799  couples via Rx+ and Rx− pins (shorted together in the charger) back to the GND pin  752  in the cable  750 , and the GND pin carries the PD communications. If the same cable  750  is connected to a normal USB 3.0 host, the CC-line  799  is not grounded as the Rx+ pin is floating but Rx− in the host will be grounded via the cable, although this does not matter or harm the host. 
         [0032]      FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus  10 , in accordance with some example embodiments. For example, apparatus  10  may be implemented as (or include) a host, an accessory, a charger, and/or any other device. The apparatus may be implemented as a user equipment, such as a smart phone, a source of audio (for example, a microphone and the like), a sink of audio (for example, a speaker), a microphone, a headset, a digital headset, a television, a tablet, and/or any other device. 
         [0033]    The apparatus  10  may, in some example embodiments, include at least one antenna  12  in communication with a transmitter  14  and a receiver  16 . Alternatively transmit and receive antennas may be separate. 
         [0034]    The apparatus  10  may, in some example embodiments, also include a processor  20  configured to provide signals to and receive signals from the transmitter and receiver, respectively, and to control the functioning of the apparatus. Processor  20  may be configured to control the functioning of the transmitter and receiver by effecting control signaling via electrical leads to the transmitter and receiver. Likewise, processor  20  may be configured to control other elements of apparatus  10  by effecting control signaling via electrical leads connecting processor  20  to the other elements, such as a display or a memory. The processor  20  may, for example, be embodied in a variety of ways including circuitry, at least one processing core, one or more microprocessors with accompanying digital signal processor(s), one or more processor(s) without an accompanying digital signal processor, one or more coprocessors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more controllers, processing circuitry, one or more computers, various other processing elements including integrated circuits (for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or the like), or some combination thereof. Accordingly, although illustrated in  FIG. 8  as a single processor, in some example embodiments the processor  20  may comprise a plurality of processors or processing cores. 
         [0035]    Signals sent and received by the processor  20  may include signaling information in accordance with an air interface standard of an applicable cellular system, and/or any number of different wireline or wireless networking techniques, comprising but not limited to Wi-Fi, wireless local access network (WLAN) techniques, such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, 802.16, and/or the like. In addition, these signals may include speech data, user generated data, user requested data, and/or the like. 
         [0036]    The apparatus  10  may be capable of operating with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, access types, and/or the like. For example, the apparatus  10  and/or a cellular modem therein may be capable of operating in accordance with various first generation (1G) communication protocols, second generation (2G or 2.5G) communication protocols, third-generation (3G) communication protocols, fourth-generation (4G) communication protocols, Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) communication protocols (for example, session initiation protocol (SIP) and/or the like. For example, the apparatus  10  may be capable of operating in accordance with 2G wireless communication protocols IS-136, Time Division Multiple Access TDMA, Global System for Mobile communications, GSM, IS-95, Code Division Multiple Access, CDMA, and/or the like. In addition, for example, the apparatus  10  may be capable of operating in accordance with 2.5G wireless communication protocols General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), and/or the like. Further, for example, the apparatus  10  may be capable of operating in accordance with 3G wireless communication protocols, such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA2000), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), and/or the like. The apparatus  10  may be additionally capable of operating in accordance with 3.9G wireless communication protocols, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), and/or the like. Additionally, for example, the apparatus  10  may be capable of operating in accordance with 4G wireless communication protocols, such as LTE Advanced and/or the like as well as similar wireless communication protocols that may be subsequently developed. 
         [0037]    It is understood that the processor  20  may include circuitry for implementing audio/video and logic functions of apparatus  10 . For example, the processor  20  may comprise a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device, an analog-to-digital converter, a digital-to-analog converter, and/or the like. Control and signal processing functions of the apparatus  10  may be allocated between these devices according to their respective capabilities. The processor  20  may additionally comprise an internal voice coder (VC)  20   a , an internal data modem (DM)  20   b , and/or the like. Further, the processor  20  may include functionality to operate one or more software programs, which may be stored in memory. In general, processor  20  and stored software instructions may be configured to cause apparatus  10  to perform actions. For example, processor  20  may be capable of operating a connectivity program, such as a web browser. The connectivity program may allow the apparatus  10  to transmit and receive web content, such as location-based content, according to a protocol, such as wireless application protocol, WAP, hypertext transfer protocol, HTTP, and/or the like. 
         [0038]    Apparatus  10  may also comprise a user interface including, for example, an earphone or speaker  24 , a ringer  22 , a microphone  26 , a display  28 , a user input interface, and/or the like, which may be operationally coupled to the processor  20 . The display  28  may, as noted above, include a touch sensitive display, where a user may touch and/or gesture to make selections, enter values, and/or the like. The processor  20  may also include user interface circuitry configured to control at least some functions of one or more elements of the user interface, such as the speaker  24 , the ringer  22 , the microphone  26 , the display  28 , and/or the like. The processor  20  and/or user interface circuitry comprising the processor  20  may be configured to control one or more functions of one or more elements of the user interface through computer program instructions, for example, software and/or firmware, stored on a memory accessible to the processor  20 , for example, volatile memory  40 , non-volatile memory  42 , and/or the like. The apparatus  10  may include a battery for powering various circuits related to the mobile terminal, for example, a circuit to provide mechanical vibration as a detectable output. The user input interface may comprise devices allowing the apparatus  20  to receive data, such as a keypad  30  (which can be a virtual keyboard presented on display  28  or an externally coupled keyboard) and/or other input devices. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , apparatus  10  may also include one or more mechanisms for sharing and/or obtaining data. For example, the apparatus  10  may include a short-range radio frequency (RF) transceiver and/or interrogator  64 , so data may be shared with and/or obtained from electronic devices in accordance with RF techniques. The apparatus  10  may include other short-range transceivers, such as an infrared (IR) transceiver  66 , a Bluetooth™ (BT) transceiver  68  operating using Bluetooth™ wireless technology, a wireless universal serial bus (USB) transceiver  70 , a Bluetooth™ Low Energy transceiver, a ZigBee transceiver, an ANT transceiver, a cellular device-to-device transceiver, a wireless local area link transceiver, and/or any other short-range radio technology. Apparatus  10  and, in particular, the short-range transceiver may be capable of transmitting data to and/or receiving data from electronic devices within the proximity of the apparatus, such as within 10 meters, for example. The apparatus  10  including the Wi-Fi or wireless local area networking modem may also be capable of transmitting and/or receiving data from electronic devices according to various wireless networking techniques, including 6LoWpan, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi low power, WLAN techniques such as IEEE 802.11 techniques, IEEE 802.15 techniques, IEEE 802.16 techniques, and/or the like. 
         [0040]    The apparatus  10  may comprise memory, such as a subscriber identity module (SIM)  38 , a removable user identity module (R-UIM), a eUICC, an UICC, and/or the like, which may store information elements related to a mobile subscriber. In addition to the SIM, the apparatus  10  may include other removable and/or fixed memory. The apparatus  10  may include volatile memory  40  and/or non-volatile memory  42 . For example, volatile memory  40  may include Random Access Memory (RAM) including dynamic and/or static RAM, on-chip or off-chip cache memory, and/or the like. Non-volatile memory  42 , which may be embedded and/or removable, may include, for example, read-only memory, flash memory, magnetic storage devices, for example, hard disks, floppy disk drives, magnetic tape, optical disc drives and/or media, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), and/or the like. Like volatile memory  40 , non-volatile memory  42  may include a cache area for temporary storage of data. At least part of the volatile and/or non-volatile memory may be embedded in processor  20 . The memories may store one or more software programs, instructions, pieces of information, data, and/or the like which may be used by the apparatus to perform one or more of the operations disclosed herein with respect to the host, accessory device, and/or extension device. The memories may comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying apparatus  10 . The functions may include one or more of the operations disclosed with respect to host, accessory device, and/or charger. The memories may comprise an identifier, such as an international mobile equipment identification (IMEI) code, capable of uniquely identifying apparatus  10 . In the example embodiment, the processor  20  may be configured using computer code stored at memory  40  and/or  42  to perform one or more of the operations disclosed herein with respect to host, accessory device, and/or charger. 
         [0041]    Some of the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. The software, application logic, and/or hardware may reside on memory  40 , the control apparatus  20 , or electronic components, for example. In some example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a “computer-readable medium” may be any non-transitory media that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer or data processor circuitry, with examples depicted at  FIG. 8 , computer-readable medium may comprise a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that may be any media that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. 
         [0042]    Without in any way limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the claims appearing below, a technical effect of one or more of the example embodiments disclosed herein is backward compatibility between Type-C connectors and earlier connectors, such as Type-A. 
         [0043]    If desired, the different functions discussed herein may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the above-described functions may be optional or may be combined. Although various aspects of some of the embodiments are set out in the independent claims, other aspects of some of the embodiments may comprise other combinations of features from the described embodiments and/or the dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the claims. It is also noted herein that while the above describes example embodiments, these descriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there are several variations and modifications that may be made without departing from the scope of the some of the embodiments as defined in the appended claims. Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following claims. The term “based on” includes “based on at least.” The use of the phase “such as” means “such as for example” unless otherwise indicated.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6