Patent ID: 12186122

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1shows a schematic representation of a computed tomography system1in order to clarify its general structure. The arrangement comprises a gantry2with a stationary part3, also referred to as a gantry frame, and with a part4which can be rotated or rotated about a system axis z, also referred to as a rotor or drum. The rotating part4has an imaging system (X-ray system)4a, which comprises an X-ray source6and an X-ray detector7, which are arranged opposite one another on the rotating part4. The X-ray source6and the X-ray radiation detector7together form the imaging system4a. When the computed tomography system1is in operation, the X-ray source6emits X-rays8in the direction of the X-ray detector7, penetrates a measurement object P, for example a patient P, and is detected by the X-ray detector7in the form of measurement data or measurement signals.

InFIG.1, a patient bed9for positioning the patient P can also be seen. The patient bed9comprises a bed base10on which a patient support plate11provided for the actual positioning of the patient P is arranged. The patient support plate11can be adjusted relative to the bed base10in the direction of the system axis z, i.e. in the z direction, in such a way that, together with the patient P, it can be introduced into an opening12, i.e. a patient reception area12of the gantry2for recording X-ray projections from the patient P. The computational processing of the X-ray projections recorded with the imaging system4aor the reconstruction of slice images, 3D images or a 3D data set based on the measurement data or measurement signals of the X-ray projections takes place in an image computer13of the computed tomography system1, wherein the slice images or 3D images can be displayed on a display device14. The image computer13can also be designed as a control unit for controlling an imaging process for controlling the gantry2and in particular the imaging system4a.

FIG.2shows a sectional illustration of an arrangement of an imaging system4awith an X-ray source6, which is framed with dashed lines, and an X-ray detector7. The X-ray source6comprises a cathode22from which an electron beam E is emitted in the z-direction. The electron beam E is focused and deflected by a deflection unit25, which is designed as an electromagnetic deflection coil. Furthermore, the electron beam E strikes a rotatable mounted anode23, which can be rotated about the z-axis. When the X-ray source6is in operation, the anode23is set in rotation by an electric drive (not shown). When the X-ray source6is in operation, an electrical high voltage is applied between the cathode22and the anode23, so that the aforementioned electron beam E emanates from the cathode22and acts on the anode23. So that the anode23is acted upon in its edge area by the electron beam E at a predetermined position PF, the position of the X-ray focus FFS, which can be clearly described with a φ-coordinate and a z-coordinate, the electron beam E is appropriately deflected by the deflection unit25. The electron beam E strikes the material of the anode23and there forms the already mentioned focal spot or X-ray focus FFS.

The resulting X-ray radiation8emerges laterally from the X-ray source6via an exit window. An object O between the X-ray source6and the detector7is also shown inFIG.2. The object O is acted upon by the X-ray beam8and casts a shadow on the X-ray detector7. The position of the electrical focal spot FFS is generally influenced by different disturbance variables during operation. To compensate for a focal spot movement caused by these disturbance variables, the electromagnetic deflection unit25generates a correspondingly oppositely directed, time-variable deflection field. For this purpose, the electromagnetic or electrostatic deflection unit25is connected to a control unit (not shown), which provides control signals that take place in accordance with previously recorded correlations that characterize the focal spot movement as a function of the operating parameters of the electric drive not shown inFIG.2. As already mentioned, a movement of the focal point can also be desired and deliberately controlled, if a so-called jump focus is to be generated. In this case, the control unit controls a change in the position PF of the X-ray focus FFS in the φ-direction and in the z-direction as a function of time.

InFIG.3, an arrangement30for measuring a φ-component and a z-component of an X-ray focus FFS of an X-ray beam8is shown schematically. The arrangement30includes the anode23, also referred to as a plate. A secondary component of the X-ray beam8reflected by the anode23is guided through a slot31in the x-ray beam shielding and detected by a so-called position element32. In order to realize a jump focus FFS, the coordinates φ and z of the point of incidence of the X-ray beam8, i.e. the X-ray focus FFS, are varied.

InFIG.4, the movement of the jump focus FFS is illustrated. The jump focus FFS changes its position PF on the anode in a defined time interval. Either the φ-position POSφ or the z-position POSz of the X-ray focus FFS or both coordinates POSφ, POSz are changed at the same time. The jump amplitude amplφ in the p-direction indicates the change in the p-position POSφ of the X-ray focus FFS during a jump, the z-distance zdist indicates the change in the z-position during a jump.

FIG.5shows a schematic representation of a position regulation device50according to an example embodiment of the present invention. The position regulation device50comprises a single-loop control loop with a single plant, i.e. regulation path. The control loop comprises a plant model unit51, which records both an electrical current Iφ for deflecting the X-ray beam8in the p-direction and a decoupled p-position POSφ_mess_entk as input variables. The input variables, the current Iφ and the decoupled p-position POSφ_mess_entk, are processed by the plant model unit51. On the basis of the input variables Iφ, POSφ_mess_entk, the plant model unit51generates a possibly modeled actual variable POSφ_ist which is then passed through a slot filter52.

The slot filter52serves to suppress the influence of high-frequency interference on the following position regulating unit53and is explained in detail in connection withFIG.7.

In addition to the filtered input variable POSφ_ist_f, the position regulating unit53also receives two target values POSφ_soll, POSZ_soll from a φ-z decoupling unit54, which performs a φ-z decoupling according to equation (2) (see below). The two target values POSφ_soll, POSZ_soll represent the target p-position POSφ_soll of the X-ray beam and the target z-position POSZ_soll of the X-ray beam. The position regulating unit53determines on the basis of the processing of the target values POSφ_soll, POSZ_soll and the decoupled actual values POSφ_mess_entk, POSz_ist a manipulated variable, namely the necessary coil voltage Uφ_stell, which is applied to the magnetic coil of the electromagnetic deflection unit25(seeFIG.2) in order to achieve the target values POSφ_soll, POSZ_soll.

The φ-position POSφ of the jump focus FFS is now corrected on the plant55.

The position element32(please refer toFIG.3) then carries out a measurement of the position of the X-ray focus FFS, the measured φ-position POSφ_mess being determined, which has not yet been decoupled.

This not yet decoupled φ-position POSφ_mess is input together with a measured z-position POSZ_ist into a decoupling unit54, which uses this to determine a decoupled φ-measurement position POSφ_mess_entk according to equation (2).

The decoupled φ-measurement position POSφ_mess_entk is transmitted to the plant model unit51, which processes this decoupled φ-measurement position POSφ_mess_entk together with the current Iφ of the deflection coil in the manner described above. The decoupled φ-measurement position POSφ_mess_entk is also transmitted directly to the slot filter52.

FIG.6shows the plant model unit51shown inFIG.5in detail. First, based on the deflection current Iφ, a model-based φ-position POSφ_mod is calculated using a plant model51a. In addition, the measurement in the slot with dead time is simulated by a measuring plant model51band a dead time simulation unit51cand a simulated measured variable POSφ_mess_mod of the φ-position, also referred to as the model-based measurement position, is determined. These two variables POSφ_mod, POSφ_mess_mo are offset against the measured and already decoupled φ-position value POSφ_mess_entk in the following way:
POSφ_ist=POSφ_mess_entk+POSφ_mod−POSφ_mess_mod.  (1)

The calculation method is similar to the classic Smith predictor. The result, i.e. the actual φ-position POSφ_ist, is used after filtering, which is illustrated inFIG.7, in filtered form as the actual value for the position regulating unit53. For low-frequency or constant components of the signal, the model-based φ-position POSφ_mod is the same as the model-based φ-measurement position POSφ_mess_mod. In this case, only the decoupled φ-measurement position remains in equation (1) as the actual φ-position POSφ_ist=POSφ_mess_entk. For high-frequency signal components, these components are reduced in the measurement due to the filter characteristics in the position detection. This means that they are also reduced in the model-based φ-measurement position POSφ_mess_mod. In this case, the proportions in the model-based φ-position POSφ_mod are transferred directly to the actual φ-position POSφ_ist.

FIG.7shows an arrangement70, which illustrates the slot filter52already shown inFIG.5in detail in cooperation with the adjacent or upstream plant model unit51. The plant model unit51generates, as explained in connection withFIG.6, an actual φ-position value POSφ_ist and also outputs the φ-position value or the decoupled φ-measurement position POSφ_mess_entk as well as the simulated measured variable of the φ-position POSφ_mess_mod. In the measured values POSφ_mess_entk of the φ-position of the X-ray focus FFS, regular dips and overshoots occur due to slits in the anode plate structure. These act as high-frequency interference on the control loop. Even with low X-ray intensity, the measurement noise causes high-frequency interference that is not based on any actual change in the position of the X-ray focus FFS. Without filtering, such disturbances would lead to reactions of the control loop, which would then lead to an actual movement in the position of the X-ray focus FFS and thus to movement artifacts.

Therefore, the φ actual value POSφ_ist generated by the plant model unit51and possibly modeled as well as the decoupled measured φ-position value POSφ_mess_entk and the simulated measured variable POSφ_mess_mod of the φ-position are transferred to the slot filter52. The two values, i.e. the measured and decoupled φ-position value POSφ_mess_entk and the simulated measured variable POSφ_mess_mod of the φ-position, are subtracted in the slot filter52. The result Diffmess_mod corresponds to the deviation of the model from reality and includes both low-frequency and high-frequency components. With the high-frequency components of the measurement signal POSφ_mess_entk, the difference signal Diffmess_mod includes the actual errors due to irregularities in the rotating anode or high-frequency interference due to the measurement noise. The high-frequency component Diffmess_mod_hf is extracted from this variable Diffmess_mod via a high-pass filter52a, which is part of the slot filter52, and subtracted from the possibly modeled actual φ-value POSφ_ist. The possibly modeled actual φ-value POSφ_ist_f, which has been corrected for high-frequency interference effects, is then transmitted to the position regulating unit53.

FIG.8shows the decoupling unit54shown inFIG.5in detail. An actual decoupled φ-position POSφ_entk is calculated from the measured or as target position predetermined φ-position POSφ and the measured or predetermined z-position POSz of the X-ray focus FFS by compensating the geometrical coupling. This decoupling unit54is used for both the target value path and the actual value path. For decoupling, an offset φZero_Offset, which is calculated in the manner described in connection withFIG.9, is subtracted from the φ-position POSφ.

In addition, a reciprocal value zdist_rec of a measured or predetermined distance between two z-positions zdist is calculated and this reciprocal value zdist_rec is multiplied by a z-position POSz that is either measured or predetermined as a target position. The result is then multiplied by the result from the subtraction of the offset φZero_Offset from the φ-position POSφ, the decoupled φ-position POSφ_entk being the end result.

The offset value φZero_Offset of the φ-position POSφ is therefore required as a correction value for the decoupling function. This offset value φZero_Offset can be calculated in an adjust step. For this purpose, the values of the measured position and the model position are determined again for two φ-positions and two z-positions. An offset value φZero_Offset can then be calculated from the differences between the mean values of the φ-positions and the distance in the z-direction (see alsoFIG.9).

FIG.9shows a detailed illustration90of a coupling of an X-ray beam in the φ-direction and in the z-direction. InFIG.9, four jump positions FFS of an X-ray focus are shown. These jump positions differ from each other regarding z-position, R-position and φ-position. Due to a coupling of the deflection in the φ-direction and in the z-direction, a φ-coordinate of the x-ray beam is incorrectly detected by the position element32. This false decoupling is symbolized inFIG.9by four false decoupled jump positions FFSFD1, FFSFD2, FFSFD3, FFSFD4. For comparison, also the four correctly decoupled positions FFSCD1, FFSCD2, FFSCD3, FFSCD4 are shown inFIG.9. Further, inFIG.9, also two not decoupled positions FFSND1, FFSND2 of the jump focus are drawn in.

A correction, a so-called φZero-Offset, results from the following equation:

φZero⁢_⁢Offst=φZero⁢_⁢Offset⁢_⁢old-rdist·(awpz⁢_⁢1234)(amplR).(2)

The new φZero_Offset is calculated from the old φZero_Offset old at the last jump position reduced by the quotient from the φ-deviation awpz_1234 between incorrectly decoupled jump position FFSFD1, FFSFD2, FFSFD3, FFSFD4 and correctly decoupled jump position FFSCD1, FFSCD2, FFSCD3, FFSCD4 and the R-amplitude amplR of the jump focus multiplied by the distance rdist of the jump focus FFS to the slot31in the X-ray shield. The R-amplitude results from the z-jump zdist explained in connection withFIG.4andFIG.8, i.e. the distance between two z-positions. Since the geometry of the anode23is known, the R-amplitude amplR results from the z-jump zdist in an unambiguous manner. The formula (2) results from the second set of rays, where the quotient of the R-amplitude amplR and the distance rdist of the jump focus FFS to the slot31is equal to the quotient of the φ-deviation awpz_1234 and the new φZero_Offset.

FIG.10shows a flowchart1000to illustrate a method for regulating a control of a position of an X-ray focus of an X-ray source of a medical-technical imaging device according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In step10.I, an actual variable POSφ_ist is initially modeled on the basis of a measured deflection current Iφ and an already decoupled measurement position POSφ_mess_entk. In step10.II, the influence of high-frequency interference on the regulation process is suppressed, a filtered actual variable POSφ_ist_f being determined. For details of the filtering, reference is made to the description ofFIG.6. In step10.III, the desired variables POSφ_soll, POSz_soll are decoupled in the manner described in connection withFIG.8andFIG.9.

In step10.IV, a position regulation is carried out on the basis of the actual variable POSφ_ist and the decoupled desired variable POSφ_soll entk of the φ-position, i.e. the manipulated variable, an electrical voltage Uφ_stell used to generate the deflection current Iφ, is calculated and is played out on plant55in step10.V. In step10.VI a position measurement is carried out and a measured φ-position POSφ_mess is determined. In step10.VII, a φ-z-decoupling is then carried out on the basis of the measured φ-position POSφ_mess and a measured z-position POSZ_ist, as it was explained in connection withFIG.8andFIG.9. In step10.VIII the decoupled measured φ-position POSφ_mess_entk is made available for steps10.I and10.II. The regulation process then continues with step10.I.

FIG.11shows a representation110of measurement curves POSφ_mess, POSz mess and difference curves DIFFφ_mess_mod, DIFFz_mess_mod regarding the difference between the measured value and the model value of the position of an X-ray focus.

When measuring a measured value POSφ_mess, POSz mess of the position of an X-ray focus, the following parameters, which have a relevant influence on the position regulation of the X-ray focus and on the φ-z-decoupling illustrated inFIG.8andFIG.9, are subject to a tolerance:the gain of the φ-position POSφ with a linear error>=+−10%,the gain of the z-position POSz with a linear error>=+−10% andthe offset value φZero_Offset of the φ-position POSφ to the zero-position in the X-ray source for the current Iφ=0 amperes.

In order to compensate for the influence of the parameter variations, the following parameters should be adjusted by the plant model unit51and the regulation unit53:the offset value φZero_Offset,the gain of the plant model unit51and the regulation unit53with respect to the φ-position POSφ andthe gain of the plant model unit51and the regulation unit53with respect to the z-position POSz.

The adjustment can take place in a single adjustment step before an imaging process or by continuous adaptation during an imaging process.

In the plant model unit51(seeFIG.6), an intermediate variable is calculated from a difference DIFFφ_mess_mod between a measured value POSφ_mess_entk and a model value or a model measured value POSφ_mess_mod, which reflects the difference between measurement and model. The accuracy of the model can be determined from this variable DIFFφ_mess_mod, when the position of the X-ray focus changes. One object of the regulation is that this deviation of the model from the measurement is minimized so that the model is completely adapted.FIG.11shows curves for a so-called φ-z jump scan, with all four positions of the jump focus being approached.

When determining the above-mentioned parameters, sum values sump_1, sump_2, sump_3, sump_4, sumz_1, sumz_2 are determined via sum times tsum_p, tsum_z on the plateaus of the difference curves DIFFφ_mess_mod, DIFFz_mess_mod. “p” is the short form of “phi” or “φ”. Sums can also be converted directly into mean values, the mean values being determined by dividing the respective sums by the respective number of measured values. Between the sum times tsum_p, tsum_z there are waiting times twt during which transitions between the φ-positions and z-positions of the jump focus take place. The differences can be summed up and averaged over several readout sequences. The aim of the adaptation is that the difference curves DIFFφ_mess_mod, DIFFz_mess_mod become smooth apart from external disturbance variables. Then the difference between model and measurement is minimal and the system is optimally adapted.

First, mean values are calculated from the sum values:
mwp_x=sump_x/tsum_p,
mwz_x=sumz_x/tsum_z.

In that context is x an integer between 1 and 4 or 1 and 2. Further, x is a number that reflects the position in φ and z in the sequence shown.

Second, the mean values of a readout sequence are calculated:
mwp_12=(mwp_1+mwp_2)/2,
mwp_34=(mwp_3+mwp_4)/2,
mwp_1234=(mwp_1+mwp_2+mwp_3+mwp_4)/4,
mwz_12=(mwz_1+mwz_2)/2.

Third, the deviations of the mean values are calculated:
awp_12=(mwp_1−mwp_12)/2+(mwp_12−mwp_2)/2,
awp_34=(mwp_3−mwp_34)/2+(mwp_34−mwp_4)/2,
awp_1234=(awp_12+awp_34)/2,
awpz_1234=(mwp_12−mwp_1234)/2+(mwp_1234−mwp_34)/2,
awz_12=(mwz_1−mwz_12)/2+(mwz_12−mwz_2)/2.

In a fourth step, the correction variables sppgainp_korr, kp_korr for the gain of the plant model unit51and the regulation unit53are calculated in φ:

There are the following parameters for this:the jump amplitude amplφ,the correction factor for the gain of the plant model unit51of φ: sppgainp_korr,the correction factor for the gain of the regulation unit53of φ: kp_korr.

Then, the correction factor for the gain of the plant model unit51for φ results in:
sppgainp_korr=(awp_1234+amplφ)/amplφ.

The correction factor for the gain of the regulation unit53of φ results in:
kp_korr=amplφ/(awp_1234+amplφ)=1/sppgainp_korr.

Fifth, the correction variables sppgainz_korr, zp_korr for the amplification of the plant model unit51and the regulation unit53are calculated for z:

There are the following parameters for this:the jump ampitude amplz,the correction factor for the gain of the plant model unit51of z: sppgainz_korr,the correction factor for the gain of the regulation unit53of z: kz_korr.

Then the correction factor for the amplification of the plant model unit51of z results as follows:
sppgainz_korr=(awz_12+amplz)/amplz.

The correction factor for the gain of the regulation unit53of z results from:
kz_korr=amplz/(awz_12+amplz)=1/sppgainz_korr.

Sixth, the new offset value φZero-Offset is now calculated according to equation (2).

The drawings are to be regarded as being schematic representations and elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the various elements are represented such that their function and general purpose become apparent to a person skilled in the art. Any connection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components, or other physical or functional units shown in the drawings or described herein may also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. A coupling between components may also be established over a wireless connection. Functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers, and/or sections, should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or,” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The phrase “at least one of” has the same meaning as “and/or”.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below,” “beneath,” or “under,” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. In addition, when an element is referred to as being “between” two elements, the element may be the only element between the two elements, or one or more other intervening elements may be present.

Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules) are described using various terms, including “on,” “connected,” “engaged,” “interfaced,” and “coupled.” Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the disclosure, that relationship encompasses a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, and also an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly” on, connected, engaged, interfaced, or coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. As used herein, the terms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Also, the term “example” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

It is noted that some example embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.) that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devices discussed above. Although discussed in a particularly manner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may be performed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flow diagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as being performed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performed simultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order. Although the flowcharts describe the operations as sequential processes, many of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of operations may be re-arranged. The processes may be terminated when their operations are completed, but may also have additional steps not included in the figure. The processes may correspond to methods, functions, procedures, subroutines, subprograms, etc.

Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein.

Units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments may be implemented using hardware, software, and/or a combination thereof. For example, hardware devices may be implemented using processing circuitry such as, but not limited to, a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a System-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, or any other device capable of responding to and executing instructions in a defined manner. Portions of the example embodiments and corresponding detailed description may be presented in terms of software, or algorithms and symbolic representations of operation on data bits within a computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the ones by which those of ordinary skill in the art effectively convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art. An algorithm, as the term is used here, and as it is used generally, is conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of optical, electrical, or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be borne in mind that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent from the discussion, terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” of “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device/hardware, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical, electronic quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

In this application, including the definitions below, the term ‘module’ or the term ‘controller’ may be replaced with the term ‘circuit.’ The term ‘module’ may refer to, be part of, or include processor hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor hardware.

The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing. In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud) module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client module.

Software may include a computer program, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, for independently or collectively instructing or configuring a hardware device to operate as desired. The computer program and/or program code may include program or computer-readable instructions, software components, software modules, data files, data structures, and/or the like, capable of being implemented by one or more hardware devices, such as one or more of the hardware devices mentioned above. Examples of program code include both machine code produced by a compiler and higher level program code that is executed using an interpreter.

For example, when a hardware device is a computer processing device (e.g., a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a microprocessor, etc.), the computer processing device may be configured to carry out program code by performing arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations, according to the program code. Once the program code is loaded into a computer processing device, the computer processing device may be programmed to perform the program code, thereby transforming the computer processing device into a special purpose computer processing device. In a more specific example, when the program code is loaded into a processor, the processor becomes programmed to perform the program code and operations corresponding thereto, thereby transforming the processor into a special purpose processor.

Software and/or data may be embodied permanently or temporarily in any type of machine, component, physical or virtual equipment, or computer storage medium or device, capable of providing instructions or data to, or being interpreted by, a hardware device. The software also may be distributed over network coupled computer systems so that the software is stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In particular, for example, software and data may be stored by one or more computer readable recording mediums, including the tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storage media discussed herein.

Even further, any of the disclosed methods may be embodied in the form of a program or software. The program or software may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium and is adapted to perform any one of the aforementioned methods when run on a computer device (a device including a processor). Thus, the non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium, is adapted to store information and is adapted to interact with a data processing facility or computer device to execute the program of any of the above mentioned embodiments and/or to perform the method of any of the above mentioned embodiments.

Example embodiments may be described with reference to acts and symbolic representations of operations (e.g., in the form of flow charts, flow diagrams, data flow diagrams, structure diagrams, block diagrams, etc.) that may be implemented in conjunction with units and/or devices discussed in more detail below. Although discussed in a particularly manner, a function or operation specified in a specific block may be performed differently from the flow specified in a flowchart, flow diagram, etc. For example, functions or operations illustrated as being performed serially in two consecutive blocks may actually be performed simultaneously, or in some cases be performed in reverse order.

According to one or more example embodiments, computer processing devices may be described as including various functional units that perform various operations and/or functions to increase the clarity of the description. However, computer processing devices are not intended to be limited to these functional units. For example, in one or more example embodiments, the various operations and/or functions of the functional units may be performed by other ones of the functional units. Further, the computer processing devices may perform the operations and/or functions of the various functional units without subdividing the operations and/or functions of the computer processing units into these various functional units.

Units and/or devices according to one or more example embodiments may also include one or more storage devices. The one or more storage devices may be tangible or non-transitory computer-readable storage media, such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a permanent mass storage device (such as a disk drive), solid state (e.g., NAND flash) device, and/or any other like data storage mechanism capable of storing and recording data. The one or more storage devices may be configured to store computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, for one or more operating systems and/or for implementing the example embodiments described herein. The computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may also be loaded from a separate computer readable storage medium into the one or more storage devices and/or one or more computer processing devices using a drive mechanism. Such separate computer readable storage medium may include a Universal Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, a memory stick, a Blu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and/or other like computer readable storage media. The computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or the one or more computer processing devices from a remote data storage device via a network interface, rather than via a local computer readable storage medium. Additionally, the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or the one or more processors from a remote computing system that is configured to transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, over a network. The remote computing system may transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, via a wired interface, an air interface, and/or any other like medium.

The one or more hardware devices, the one or more storage devices, and/or the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the example embodiments, or they may be known devices that are altered and/or modified for the purposes of example embodiments.

A hardware device, such as a computer processing device, may run an operating system (OS) and one or more software applications that run on the OS. The computer processing device also may access, store, manipulate, process, and create data in response to execution of the software. For simplicity, one or more example embodiments may be exemplified as a computer processing device or processor; however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a hardware device may include multiple processing elements or processors and multiple types of processing elements or processors. For example, a hardware device may include multiple processors or a processor and a controller. In addition, other processing configurations are possible, such as parallel processors.

The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium (memory). The computer programs may also include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc. As such, the one or more processors may be configured to execute the processor executable instructions.

The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML (extensible markup language), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java®, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript®, HTML5, Ada, ASP (active server pages), PHP, Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash®, Visual Basic®, Lua, and Python®.

Further, at least one example embodiment relates to the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including electronically readable control information (processor executable instructions) stored thereon, configured in such that when the storage medium is used in a controller of a device, at least one embodiment of the method may be carried out.

The computer readable medium or storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside a computer device main body or a removable medium arranged so that it can be separated from the computer device main body. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, for example flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memory devices, or a mask read-only memory devices); volatile memory devices (including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamic random access memory devices); magnetic storage media (including, for example an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive); and optical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, include but are not limited to memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.

The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. Shared processor hardware encompasses a single microprocessor that executes some or all code from multiple modules. Group processor hardware encompasses a microprocessor that, in combination with additional microprocessors, executes some or all code from one or more modules. References to multiple microprocessors encompass multiple microprocessors on discrete dies, multiple microprocessors on a single die, multiple cores of a single microprocessor, multiple threads of a single microprocessor, or a combination of the above.

Shared memory hardware encompasses a single memory device that stores some or all code from multiple modules. Group memory hardware encompasses a memory device that, in combination with other memory devices, stores some or all code from one or more modules.

The term memory hardware is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, for example flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memory devices, or a mask read-only memory devices); volatile memory devices (including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamic random access memory devices); magnetic storage media (including, for example an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive); and optical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, include but are not limited to memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.

The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks and flowchart elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

Although described with reference to specific examples and drawings, modifications, additions and substitutions of example embodiments may be variously made according to the description by those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the described techniques may be performed in an order different with that of the methods described, and/or components such as the described system, architecture, devices, circuit, and the like, may be connected or combined to be different from the above-described methods, or results may be appropriately achieved by other components or equivalents.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Finally, it is pointed out once again that the methods and regulation devices described in detail above are only example embodiments, which can be modified in various ways by the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the use of the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude the possibility of the relevant characteristics appearing more than once. Likewise, the term “unit” does not exclude the fact that the relevant component consists of several interacting sub-components, which may also be spatially distributed.