Patent Abstract:
The user of a portable device defines the charging direction when two devices with bi-directional power transfers interfaces are interconnected. The device detects a gesture of the user and starts the power transfer to the defined direction. The user may also define the amount of charge to be transferred by the same gesture. The portable device may be operational for a longer period as long as there is another device sharing the battery charge. Embodiments of portable devices include smartphones, speakers, tablets, watches or other wearable devices.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Many portable devices are battery powered. A user may carry several devices and sometimes the battery charge of one of the devices may drain. Some portable devices may be capable of receiving and transferring power through a bi-directional power transfer interface. One embodiment of such an interface is the USB Type-C. Bi-directional power transfer allows one device to donate battery charge to another device. Users having access to multiple portable devices thereby reduce the risk of a portable device running completely out of charge. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0002]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0003]    A user of a portable device may define a charging direction when two devices with bi-directional power transfer interfaces are interconnected. The device detects a gesture of the user and starts the power transfer to the defined direction. The user may also define the amount of charge to be transferred by the same gesture. The portable device may stay operational for a longer period as long as there is another device sharing the battery charge. Embodiments of portable devices include smartphones, speakers, tablets, watches or other wearable devices. 
         [0004]    Many of the attendant features will be more readily appreciated as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are not limited to implementations which solve any or all of the disadvantages of bi-directional charging in hand-held devices. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates a portable device according to an embodiment, wherein the portable device is a smartphone; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of a configuration with two portable devices; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3 a    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture on a display; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3 b    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture on a display; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4 a    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture on a portable device; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4 b    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture on a portable device; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5 a    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture with two portable devices; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 5 b    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture with two portable devices. 
       
    
    
       [0014]    Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present embodiments and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present embodiments may be constructed or utilized. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments. 
         [0016]    Although the present embodiments are described and illustrated herein as being implemented in a smartphone, the device described is provided as an embodiment and not a limitation. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the present embodiments are suitable for application in a variety of different types of portable, mobile and/or hand-held apparatuses, e.g. in tablets, laptops, smart watches, wearable devices, or gaming consoles having suitable sensors for detecting a user&#39;s gesture. A gesture is herein defined as a motion of an object or body part of the user, wherein the motion has a starting position and a final position. The gesture is not a simple action of pushing a button, touching a software/touch button or operating a switch that has two positions, on/off. 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates a portable device according to an embodiment, wherein the portable device is a smartphone. The portable device comprises a body  100  comprising a display  110 , a speaker  120 , a microphone  130  and keys  140 . The display  110  is usually on the front side of the portable device. The portable device comprises a camera  150 . The portable device may comprise multiple input sensors  160  to detect the environment and to enable interaction with the user interface. Embodiments of input sensors  160  that may be implemented in the portable device are a gyroscope  161 , an accelerometer  162 , a magnetometer  163 , a camera  150 , a microphone  130 , an ambient light sensor  164 , a force sensor  165 , a proximity sensor  166  and a touch sensor  167 . A power source  170  is configured inside the body  100 . The power source  170  stores electrical energy for the portable device. One embodiment of the power source  170  may be a battery suitable for a smartphone or a mobile phone. A gesture detecting element  180  is configured to receive or detect a user gesture through the input sensor  160 . In an embodiment multiple and/or different types of input sensors  160  are used either simultaneously or in a predefined sequence to improve the accuracy, reliability or to enlarge the detection area. The gesture detecting element  180  may be implemented partially by the operating system of the portable device; it may be implemented by hardware or by partially hardware and partially embedded software. In an embodiment the software or a part of the software is configured in a cloud computing environment and at least a portion of the software is executed in the cloud computing environment. At least one sensor  160  may be included in the gesture detecting element  180  or the gesture detecting element  180  may be directly connected to the input sensor  160 . The portable device comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to perform at least the functionality described herein. The system described hereinafter may comprise portion of the portable device, its components and/or peripherals connected to the portable device. For example, in an embodiment the portable device is a wearable device such as a watch that may be operable without physical keys. In another embodiment the battery may be detachable from the device or it may be an external, visible component. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  shows one embodiment of a configuration with two portable devices. A portable device  201  comprises a bi-directional power transfer interface  211 . A second portable device  202  also comprises a bi-directional power transfer interface  212 . A connecting cable  230  connects the portable device  201  and the second portable device  202  via the bi-directional power transfer interfaces  211 ,  212 . According to an embodiment, the bi-directional power transfer interfaces  211 ,  212  and the connecting cable  230  may conform to USB Type-C specifications. The portable device  201  and the second portable device  202  each comprise a battery that is connected to the bi-directional power transfer interfaces  211 ,  212 . The portable devices  201 , 202  may be configured to donate and/or receive battery charge through their respective bi-directional power transfer interfaces  211 ,  212 . The battery charge may be transferred from the first portable device  201  to the second portable device  202  or from the second portable device  202  to the first portable device  201 . 
         [0019]    The gesture detecting element  180  of the portable device is configured to receive information when the connecting cable  230  is connected between the portable devices  201 ,  202  to the bi-directional power transfer interfaces  211 ,  212 . A negotiation protocol may inform the portable device  201  of the power transfer capabilities of the second portable device  202 . In one embodiment the operating system of the portable device  201  detects the connection of the connecting cable  230  between the portable device  201  and the second portable device  202 . The operating system transmits the information of the connection to the gesture detecting element  180 . After receiving the information the gesture detecting element may be set to the state, wherein the following user gesture may relate to the power transfer direction. In one embodiment, the negotiation protocol follows the USB Type-C specification. In one embodiment, as the power transfer interface  211  detects that the power source of the second portable device  212  is a battery, the gesture detecting element  180  is initiated to detect user gestures indicating the power transfer direction between devices  201 ,  202 . In one embodiment, the gesture detecting element  180  may be configured to detect the initial position and/or the final position of the gesture relating to the power transfer direction. According to an embodiment, when the portable device  201  is connected to a second device  202  having mains current as a power source, the portable device  201  may start charging its battery without waiting for the user gesture indicating the power transfer direction. The negotiation protocol may inform the portable device  201  about the characteristics of the second device  202 . 
         [0020]    One embodiment of a user gesture is illustrated in  FIG. 3 a   . The display  110  of the portable device comprises a touch sensor  167 . The user interface displays an image of a large battery  301  after detecting the connection of a connecting cable  230 . In this embodiment the portable device has 71% battery charge  302  as an illustrative example. By swiping away from the power transfer interface  211  located, for example, at the bottom of the portable device along the arrow  303  the gesture detecting element  180  receives information through the touch sensor that the user desires that the battery of the portable device  201  be charged. By swiping towards the power transfer interface  211  along the arrow  304  the gesture detecting element  180  receives information that the user desires that the portable device donate power through the connecting cable  230 . A swipe includes a movement along the surface of the display  110 , wherein the swipe comprises an initial position and a final position on the display area  110 . In one embodiment the swipe may comprise a unidirectional motion. The display  110  may visualize the swipe with a visual cue along which the user may drag the swipe. The visual cue may appear after detecting the initial position or it may be visible for a predetermined time after connecting the cable  230  to enable the user to identify the initial position. The visual cue may also indicate, in the battery image, the amount of power to be donated and/or the charge level that will remain in the portable device  201 . 
         [0021]      FIG. 3 b    illustrates another embodiment of a user gesture, wherein one gesture indicates both the direction and the amount of charge to be transferred. The swipe  305  has a magnitude indicating the amount of charge to be transferred from the second portable device  202 . The swipe  306  directed towards the power transfer interface  211  indicates that the user desires that the portable device  201  donate power to the second device  202 , wherein the length of the swipe indicates the amount of charge. In an embodiment the end position of the swipe in the longitudinal direction of the portable device  201  defines the amount of charge to be transferred. Definition of the transferrable charge ensures that the portable device  201  retains an amount of charge after donating a portion of it to the second portable device, thus eliminating the chance of battery of the portable device  201  draining too much when donating the charge. According to an embodiment, the functionality according to embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 3 a    or  FIG. 3 b   . may be executed with the display  110  fully or partially turned off. Detecting the touch sensor and the swipe gesture after connecting the cable  230  to the power transfer interface  211  may start the power transfer. According to an embodiment, the selective regions of the display may turn on to show visual cues to the user or it may not turn on at all. The visual cue may indicate the level of remaining charge during the swipe, thus providing feedback to the user about the battery charge (e.g. 41%) after the portable device  201  has donated power to the second portable device  202 . This may ensure, in cases where battery charge is low, that the battery charge is not consumed for powering the display  110 . One example of a gesture which may be executed on the display  110  when it is off towards the power transfer interface and the connecting cable  230 . 
         [0022]    In an embodiment the amount of charge to be transferred is defined by the force detected from the user pressing the display  110 . The display  110  comprises a force sensor configured to detect the pressure applied to the display  110 . The amount of charge to be transferred may be proportional to the force, for example a stronger press results a larger amount of charge to be transferred. This embodiment may be combined with other embodiments, such as the display-oriented charge direction definition methods illustrated in  FIG. 3 a    or  FIG. 3   b.    
         [0023]      FIG. 4 a    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture for indicating the power transfer direction after detecting that cable  230  has been connected. The user holds the body  100  of the portable device  201  and tilts it towards the power transfer interface  211  and the connecting cable  230 . An input sensor, for example an accelerometer  162  or/and a gyroscope  161  or/and a camera detects the tilt and sends the information to the gesture detecting element  180 . If the gesture detecting element  180  detects the tilt to have occurred after connecting the cable  230 , it informs the operating system to start transferring power to the second device  202 . In an embodiment, the tilting gesture may resemble pouring the battery charge from the portable device. In an embodiment, the tilting and/or subsequent charging may be visualized on the display  110  as pouring the battery charge from the device  201 . In one embodiment the tilting angle of the portable device  201  is measured with the accelerometer  162  or/and the gyroscope  161 . The tilting angle corresponds to the amount of power donated to the second portable device  202 . The display may show a visual cue to the user to indicate the relation between the tilting angle and the power to be donated to the second portable device  202 , for example more tilt causes the visual cue to indicate more power to be donated to the second portable device  202 . In an embodiment the second portable device  202  is configured to display an indication of the power sharing, for example starting the charging or indication of the charge to be received during the connection to the portable device  201 . In an embodiment the amount of charge to be transferred is defined by the amount of shaking detected from the user shaking the portable device  201 . The accelerometer detects the shaking and increases the indication of charge to be transferred when detecting more shaking. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4 b    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture for indicating the power transfer direction. The user holds the body  100  of the portable device in an upright position and shakes the portable device. The accelerometer  162  or/and the gyroscope  161  detects the shaking action and sends the information to the gesture detecting element  180 . If the gesture detecting element  180  detects the shaking action to have occurred after connecting the cable  230 , it informs the operating system to start transferring power to the second device  202 . In an embodiment, the shaking gesture may resemble shaking the “power particles” out of the portable device to the connecting cable  230 . In an embodiment, the shaking and/or subsequent charging may be visualized on the display  110  as shaking the “power particles” out from the device  201  to the connecting cable  230 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 5 a    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture for indicating the power transfer direction, wherein the portable device  201  is taken near the second portable device  202  until it touches the second portable device  202  or the portable device  201  detects that the second portable device  202  is within a predetermined distance from the portable device  201 . The two portable devices  201 ,  202  may be moved to touch or tap each other&#39;s displays when they are connected by the connecting cable  230 . The power transfer direction may be set by the sequence of taps, for example power transfer is set from the device that is tapped first to the device that is tapped after. In an embodiment the portable device  201  touches the second portable device  202 , wherein the accelerometers  162  in the portable device  201  and in the second portable device  202  are used to decide the charging direction. For example, when the portable device  201  actively touches the second portable device  202 , the charge is transferred from the portable device  201  to the second portable device  202 . The data received from the accelerometer  162  is different in both devices, because the portable device  201  accelerates slowly and decelerates fast during the touch and the second portable device  202  accelerates fast during the touch and then decelerates slower. 
         [0026]      FIG. 5 b    illustrates one embodiment of a user gesture for indicating the power transfer direction, wherein the vertical distance between the portable devices  201 ,  202 , may define the direction of power transfer. If the portable device  201  is positioned higher than the second portable  202  device and it is shook or tilted after connecting the cable, the power is transferred from the portable device  201  to the second portable device  202 . The suggested user experience is that the battery charge pours from above to the lower device; it may be visualized on the display  110  as well. Additionally, either device or both devices may acknowledge starting the power transfer to the user by visual signal, a sound or by vibrating the device. In an embodiment the portable device  201  and the second portable device  202  comprise a barometer configured to detect the difference in elevation between devices when held by a person. The barometer may detect the absolute air pressure or changes in the air pressure. Detecting changes in the air pressure allows the device to detect if it is moving upwards or downwards. In an embodiment the change in elevation may be detected using an accelerometer, a camera or a gyroscope. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment the camera  150  acts as the sensor detecting the user gesture. The camera detects the direction of eyes of the user, wherein the eye movement indicates the power transfer direction. For example, the user may stare at the cable and shift the view to another device. 
         [0028]    In one embodiment the charging direction is set by a voice command, wherein the portable device comprises a microphone  130  to capture the voice command. Examples of a voice command are “charge Device A using Device B” or “charge C&#39;s phone using D&#39;s tablet computer”. 
         [0029]    In one embodiment the charging direction is set by gestures detected near the body  100  of the device, for example above the display  110 . The user-related gesture is detected with a camera  150 , a proximity sensor  166  or a system comprising a sound-wave emitter, such as an ultrasound emitter and a microphone receiver. In one embodiment the user-related gesture is a unidirectional movement of an object such as a hand, a finger, multiple fingers, eyes or a stylus. The movement may be along a surface or a path in the vicinity of the portable device. The portable device may detect gestures on the air. In one embodiment the input sensor is configured to detect the starting position of the object in the unidirectional movement and the final position of the unidirectional movement. The portable device may be initiated to detect the starting position when the connecting cable is connected between two portable devices and the portable device has completed the negotiation with the second portable device about the possibility to bi-directional power transfer. Negotiation may be needed due to ambiguity in charging capability of each device. As an example, the portable device  201  may be resting on a docking station that has no connection to the mains current. The power transfer direction is not obvious as the portable device may be connected to another portable device, such as a speaker or a smartwatch. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment the portable device  201  is wirelessly connected to a docking station or a device configured for wireless charging, for example conforming to Qi standard. The docking station or the device configured for wireless charging may participate in the power transfer negotiation between the portable device  201  and the second portable device  202 , wherein the second portable device  202  may be connected to the docking station with a connecting cable  230 . In this embodiment the docking station may receive charge from the second portable device through the connecting cable  230  and transfer it to the portable device wirelessly. In one embodiment the system comprises a docking station. 
         [0031]    The bi-directional power transfer interface  211 , such as the USB Type-C may be configured to transmit data and power. After connecting the devices  201 , the user may be prompted to choose the desired action, whether the device  201  should transfer data, synchronize the data or transfer power in the desired direction. The user gesture for enabling the power transfer to the desired direction may simplify the connection procedure. 
         [0032]    One aspect discloses a portable device comprising: a first power source; at least one bi-directional power transfer interface configured to connect the device to a second device having a second power source; a gesture detecting element comprising an input sensor; wherein the gesture detecting element is configured to receive through the input sensor a user gesture; and the gesture detecting element is configured to define a power transfer direction through the bi-directional power transfer interface as a response to the user gesture. In an embodiment the gesture detecting element is configured to receive information of insertion of a power transfer cable connected between the bi-directional power transfer interface of the device and the second bi-directional power transfer interface of the second device. In an embodiment the input sensor is selected from the group of: gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, camera, microphone, ambient light sensor, thermometer, force sensor and proximity sensor. In an embodiment the user-related gesture is a unidirectional movement of an object along a surface and the input sensor is configured to detect the starting position of the object in the unidirectional movement and the final position of the unidirectional movement. In an embodiment the device comprises a display configured to display a visual cue indicating the power transfer direction as a response to the detected starting position of the object. In an embodiment the gesture detecting element is configured to receive information of the amount of the charge to be transferred with the user-related gesture indicating the direction of power transfer. In an embodiment the device comprises a display configured to be turned off when detecting the user-related gesture on the surface of the display. 
         [0033]    One aspect discloses a system comprising: a portable device; a first power source configured to provide power to the portable device; at least one bi-directional power transfer interface configured to connect the portable device to a second device having a second power source; a gesture detecting element comprising an input sensor; wherein the gesture detecting element is configured to receive through the input sensor a user-related gesture; and the gesture detecting element is configured to define a power transfer direction through the bi-directional power transfer interface as a response to the user-related gesture. In an embodiment the gesture detecting element is configured to receive information of insertion of a power transfer cable connected between the bi-directional power transfer interface of the device and the second bi-directional power transfer interface of the second device. In an embodiment the input sensor is selected from the group of: gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, camera, microphone, ambient light sensor, thermometer, force sensor and proximity sensor. In an embodiment the user-related gesture is a unidirectional movement of an object along a surface and the input sensor is configured to detect the starting position of the object in the unidirectional movement and the final position of the unidirectional movement. In an embodiment the system comprises a display configured to display a visual cue indicating the power transfer direction as a response to the detected starting position of the object. In an embodiment the gesture detecting element is configured to receive information of the amount of the charge to be transferred with the user gesture indicating the direction of power transfer. In an embodiment the system comprises a display configured to be/remain turned off when detecting the user gesture on the surface of the display. 
         [0034]    One aspect discloses a method, comprising: a portable device comprising a first power source and at least one bi-directional power transfer interface configured to connect the device to a second device having a second power source; a gesture detecting element detecting a user-related gesture; and the gesture detecting element defining a power transfer direction through the bi-directional power transfer interface as a response to the user-related gesture. In an embodiment the method comprises the gesture detecting element receiving information of insertion of a power transfer cable connected between the bi-directional power transfer interface of the device and the second bi-directional power transfer interface of the second device. In an embodiment the user-related gesture is a unidirectional movement of an object along a surface and the input sensor detecting the starting position of the object in the unidirectional movement and the final position of the unidirectional movement. In an embodiment the method comprises a display displaying a visual cue on the power transfer direction as a response to detecting the starting position of the object. In an embodiment, the method further comprises receiving information of the amount of the charge to be transferred with the user-related gesture indicating the direction of power transfer. In an embodiment, the method further comprises comprising detecting the user-related gesture on the surface of a display when the display is turned off. 
         [0035]    An embodiment of the apparatus or a system described hereinbefore is a computing-based device comprising one or more processors which may be microprocessors, controllers or any other suitable type of processors for processing computer executable instructions to control the operation of the device in order to control one or more sensors, receive sensor data and use the sensor data. Platform software comprising an operating system or any other suitable platform software may be provided at the computing-based device to enable application software to be executed on the device. 
         [0036]    The computer executable instructions may be provided using any computer-readable media that is accessible by a computing based device. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storage media such as memory and communications media. Computer storage media, such as memory, includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be used to store information for access by a computing device. In contrast, communication media may embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media do not include communication media. Therefore, a computer storage medium should not be interpreted to be a propagating signal per se. Propagated signals may be present in computer storage media, but propagated signals per se are not embodiments of computer storage media. Although the computer storage media are shown within the computing-based device it will be appreciated that the storage may be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network or other communication link, for embodiment by using communication interface. 
         [0037]    The computing-based device may comprise an input/output controller arranged to output display information to a display device which may be separate from or integral to the computing-based device. The display information may provide a graphical user interface, for embodiment, to display hand gestures tracked by the device using the sensor input or for other display purposes. The input/output controller may also be arranged to receive and process input from one or more devices, such as a user input device (e.g. a mouse, keyboard, camera, microphone or other sensor). In some embodiments the user input device may detect voice input, user gestures or other user actions and may provide a natural user interface (NUI). This user input may be used to configure the device for a particular user such as by receiving information about bone lengths of the user. In an embodiment the display device may also act as the user input device if it is a touch sensitive display device. The input/output controller may also output data to devices other than the display device, e.g. a locally connected printing device. 
         [0038]    The term ‘computer’ or ‘computing-based device’ is used herein to refer to any device with processing capability such that it can execute instructions. Those skilled in the art will realize that such processing capabilities are incorporated into many different devices and therefore the terms ‘computer’ and ‘computing-based device’ each include PCs, servers, mobile telephones (including smart phones), tablet computers, set-top boxes, media players, games consoles, personal digital assistants and many other devices. 
         [0039]    The methods described herein may be performed by software in machine readable form on a tangible storage medium e.g. in the form of a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform all the steps of any of the methods described herein when the program is run on a computer and where the computer program may be embodied on a computer readable medium. Embodiments of tangible storage media include computer storage devices comprising computer-readable media such as disks, thumb drives, memory etc. and do not only include propagated signals. Propagated signals may be present in tangible storage media, but propagated signals per se are not embodiments of tangible storage media. The software can be suitable for execution on a parallel processor or a serial processor such that the method steps may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously. 
         [0040]    This acknowledges that software can be a valuable, separately tradable commodity. It is intended to encompass software, which runs on or controls “dumb” or standard hardware, to carry out the desired functions. It is also intended to encompass software which “describes” or defines the configuration of hardware, such as HDL (hardware description language) software, as is used for designing silicon chips, or for configuring universal programmable chips, to carry out desired functions. 
         [0041]    Those skilled in the art will realize that storage devices utilized to store program instructions can be distributed across a network. For example, a remote computer may store an embodiment of the process described as software. A local or terminal computer may access the remote computer and download a part or all of the software to run the program. Alternatively, the local computer may download pieces of the software as needed, or execute some software instructions at the local terminal and some at the remote computer (or computer network). Alternatively, or in addition, the functionally described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For embodiment, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc. 
         [0042]    Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as embodiments of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims. 
         [0043]    It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items. 
         [0044]    The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought. 
         [0045]    The term ‘comprising’ is used herein to mean including the method blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements. 
         [0046]    It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, embodiments and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6