Patent ID: 12199378

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Physiological parameter measurement pods are devices for measuring one or more patient physiological parameters of a patient. Such data acquisition devices can self-describe the data produced and adjust configuration settings based on a particular connection environment. Self-describing physiological parameter measurement pods can allow medical devices to use data with minimal to no software updates. The present subject matter is described in detail herein.

FIGS.1A and1Bare front and rear perspective views of an example environment for an example system including a monitor120, a physiological parameter measurement pod140, a monitor mount160, a physiological parameter measurement pod rack210, one or more rack modules220, at least one cable700, a male connector701, and a female connector702. In the embodiment shown inFIGS.1A and1B, at least one cable700including a male connector701and a female connector702may be used to electrically connect the monitor mount160, the physiological parameter measurement pod rack210, and/or the one or more rack modules220.

FIG.2is a logical diagram100of a monitor120, a physiological parameter measurement pod140, and a monitor mount160which can detachably secure (or otherwise physically interface) with both of the monitor120and the physiological parameter measurement pod140. As will be described in further detail below, the monitor120can have a shape and size which differs from that of the physiological parameter measurement pod140. Nonetheless, both of the monitor120and the physiological parameter measurement pod140are able to be concurrently secured to the monitor mount160. In addition, while certain configurations are illustrated inFIG.2with regard to the monitor mount160, the monitor120, and the physiological parameter measurement pod140, it will be appreciated that these illustrations are examples and not limiting in nature (unless otherwise specified).

The monitor120can, for example, be a patient monitor that is used to monitor various physiological parameters for a patient110. With such a variation, the monitor120can include a sensor interface122that can be used to connect via wired and/or wireless interfaces to one or more physiological sensors and/or medical devices112(e.g., ECG electrodes, SPO2 sensors, blood pressure cuffs, apnea detection sensors, respirators, etc.) associated with the patient110. The monitor120can include one or more processors124(e.g., programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory130of the monitor120. Various data and graphical user interfaces can be conveyed to a user via an electronic visual display126. This information can, for example, relate to the measured physiological parameters of the patient110and the like (e.g., blood pressure, heart related information, pulse oximetry, respiration information, etc.). Other types of information can also be conveyed by the electronic visual display126. In some variations, the electronic visual display126includes a touch screen interface.

The monitor120can additionally include a communications interface128which allows the monitor120directly or indirectly (via, for example, the monitor mount160) to access one or more computing networks. The communications interface128can include various network cards/interfaces to enable wired and wireless communications with such computing networks. The communications interface128can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from the monitor mount160to the monitor120.

The monitor120can optionally also include a power source and/or conduit132that can be used to power the various components of the monitor120. The power source/conduit132can include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or the power source/conduit132can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet (either directly or by way of the monitor mount160).

Physiological parameter measurement pods140are devices for measuring one or more patient physiological parameters of the patient110. Additionally, physiological parameter measurement pods140can facilitate the exchange of data related to the physiological parameters of the patient110with a patient monitoring device, such as the monitor120. The physiological parameter measurement pod140can include one or more processors142(e.g., programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory144of the physiological parameter measurement pod140. In some variations, various data and graphical user interfaces can be conveyed to a user via an electronic visual display146. This information can, for example, relate to the measured physiological parameters of the patient110and the like (e.g., blood pressure, heart related information, pulse oximetry, respiration information, etc.) as received from the monitor120. Other types of information can also be conveyed by the electronic visual display146. In some variations, the electronic visual display146includes a touch screen interface.

The physiological parameter measurement pod140can additionally include a communications interface148which allows the physiological parameter measurement pod140directly or indirectly (via, for example, the monitor120and/or the monitor mount160) to access one or more computing networks. The communications interface148can include various network cards/interfaces to enable wired and wireless communications with such computing networks. The communications interface148can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as from the monitor mount160to the physiological parameter measurement pod140and from the monitor120to the physiological parameter measurement pod140.

The physiological parameter measurement pod140can optionally also include a power source and/or conduit150that can be used to power the various components of the monitor120. The power source/conduit150can include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or the power source/conduit150can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet (either directly or by way of the monitor120and/or the monitor mount160). In some variations, the physiological parameter measurement pod140can only be powered and render information when secured or otherwise connected to one or more of the monitor120and the monitor mount160.

The monitor mount160can include one or more processors162(e.g., programmable data processors, etc.) which can execute various instructions stored in memory164of the monitor mount160. The monitor mount160can additionally include a communications interface166which allows the monitor mount160directly or indirectly to access one or more computing networks. The communications interface166can include various network cards/interfaces to enable wired and wireless communications with such computing networks. The communications interface166can also enable direct (i.e., device-to-device, etc.) communications (i.e., messaging, signal exchange, etc.) such as with the monitor120and/or the physiological parameter measurement pod140.

The monitor mount160can optionally also include a power source and/or conduit168that can be used to power the various components of the monitor mount160and/or the monitor120and the physiological parameter measurement pod140when secured to the monitor mount160. The power source/conduit168can include a self-contained power source such as a battery pack and/or the power source/conduit168can include an interface to be powered through an electrical outlet.

In some variations, the one or more processors162and the memory164are omitted such that the monitor mount160provides only physical support and optionally a power source.

The monitor mount160has a shape and size which allows the monitor mount160to detachably secure both the monitor120and the physiological parameter measurement pod140. In this regard, “detachably secure” means that the monitor mount160can secure the monitor120and the physiological parameter measurement pod140such that the monitor120and/or the physiological parameter measurement pod140can be removed by a user when desired.

The positioning of the monitor120, when secured to the monitor mount160, can be such that the communications interface128on the monitor120interacts with the communications interface166of the monitor mount160to allow, for example, a direct connection (e.g., electrical connection). In other variations, the communications interface128of the monitor120exchanges data with the communications interface166of the monitor mount160optically (via, for example, respective optical windows on the monitor120and the monitor mount160).

The positioning of the monitor120when secured to the monitor mount160can also align the power source/conduit132of the monitor120to be coupled to the power source/conduit168of the monitor mount160which causes the monitor mount160to power the monitor120.

Any of the monitor mount160, the monitor120, and the physiological parameter measurement pod140can optionally also include an interface configured to receive a connector701-702″″ of a cable700-700″ or wired connection for connecting a module, a monitor, device, other external unit or the like.

FIG.3is an example physiological parameter measurement pod rack210having a rack slot for a rack module220. In some variations, the rack module220can be detachably secured within one or more slots of the physiological parameter measurement pod rack210. One or more cables700-700″, i.e., patient connections as shown in the embodiment inFIG.3, can be coupled to the rack module220for transmission of one or more physiological patient parameters of the patient110. In other variations, the physiological patient parameter pod rack210can be a modular pod rack as described by WO 2015/094248 titled “Rack Mounted Modules,” the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference. An example of physiological patient parameter pods140for use in connection with subject matter described herein can include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,012 B1, titled “Transportable Modular Patient Monitor with Data Acquisition Modules,” the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated by reference.

The rack module220can provide one or more different functions used in delivering healthcare to a patient. The rack module220can acquire patient data including the monitored parameters allocated to a given patient from a network and collate the information for storage in a database. The rack module220can be any of a patient monitoring module for acquiring and processing data generated by at least one physiological sensor monitoring a physiological parameter of a patient (e.g., gas measurement, end-tidal carbon dioxide (etCO2), SCIO, patient gas, thermoregulation, blood pressure, heart related measurement, pulse oximetry, respiration, neonatal measurement, ventilation, anesthesia information, incubation information, etc.), a patient treatment module for delivering treatment to the patient (e.g., supplying fluids administered to the patient and supplying anesthesia to the patient, respectively), a control module, a charging module, a compartment module, a converter module, a transmitter module, a relay module, a battery module, a camera module, a purge module, a robot module, an internal and/or external communication module, a power supply module, a global positioning system (GPS) module, a mobile and/or stationary data transfer module, an output board, a facility module, a Trace Work Area (TWA) control module, an output board, a dock module, an adapter module, a passive treatment module, an active treatment module, etc. A processor can process signals derived from the rack module220.

FIG.4is a system block diagram illustrating an architecture300for use in connection with the current subject matter. The current subject matter is described in connection with an arrangement involving the monitor120, the one or more physiological parameter measurement pods140, the monitor mount160, and one or more servers320which can communicate over one or more networks330. Each of the monitor120, the one or more physiological parameter measurement pods140, the monitor mount160, and the one or more servers320can comprise one or more programmable data processors and memory for storing instructions for execution by such programmable data processor(s). Furthermore, it will be appreciated that each of the monitor120, the one or more physiological parameter measurement pods140, the monitor mount160, and the one or more servers320can comprise more than one computing device depending on the desired configuration and that the illustration inFIG.4is simplified to aid in the understanding of the current subject matter. Software configurations and/or updates to the monitor120, the one or more physiological parameter measurement pods140, and/or the monitor mount160can be transmitted via the network(s)330. The network(s)330can be wireless network(s) and/or wired network(s).

FIG.5is a diagram illustrating a sample computing device architecture400for implementing various aspects described herein. A system bus404can serve as the information highway interconnecting the other illustrated components of the hardware. A processing system408labeled CPU (central processing unit) (e.g., one or more computer processors/data processors at a given computer or at multiple computers) can perform calculations and logic operations required to execute a program. A non-transitory processor-readable storage medium, such as read only memory (ROM)412and random access memory (RAM)416, can be in communication with the processing system408and can include one or more programming instructions for the operations specified here. Optionally, program instructions can be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a recordable memory device, flash memory, or another physical storage medium.

In one example, a disk controller448can act as an interface between one or more optional disk drives and the system bus404. These disk drives can be external or internal floppy disk drives such as460, external or internal CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW or DVD, or solid state drives such as452, or external or internal hard drives456. As indicated previously, these various disk drives452,456,460and disk controllers are optional devices. The system bus404can also include at least one communication port420to allow for communication with external devices either physically connected to the computing system or available externally through a wired or wireless network. In some cases, the communication port420includes or otherwise comprises a network interface.

To provide for interaction with a user, the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computing device having a display440(e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor) for displaying information obtained from the system bus404to the user and an input device432such as a keyboard and/or a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball) and/or a touchscreen by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of input devices432can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback by way of a speaker437, or tactile feedback), and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input. The input device432and a microphone436can be coupled to and convey information via the system bus404by way of an input device interface428. The speaker437can be coupled to and receive information via the system bus404by way of a speaker interface438. Other computing devices, such as dedicated servers, can omit one or more of the display440, the display interface414, the input device432, the microphone436, the speaker437, the input device interface428and the speaker interface438.

In the embodiments shown inFIGS.6-21, male and female connectors701-702″ can be used to electrically connect any two or more devices (e.g., a monitor mount160, a physiological parameter measurement pod rack210, a rack module220, and/or a medical device112or sensor connected to a patient110).

FIGS.6-21show various exemplary implementations of cables700-700″, male connectors701-701″, and female connectors702-702″″. The male and female connectors701-702″ can be used to electrically connect any two or more devices (e.g., a monitor mount160, a physiological parameter measurement pod rack210, a rack module220, and/or a medical device or sensor112connected to a patient110). In particular, the male and female connectors701-702″ enable power sharing and/or data transfer between the two or more devices.

In some variations, the male connectors701-701″ and the female connectors702-702″″ can be configured in any of cable, monitor mount, or rack versions. For example, in the embodiments shown inFIGS.9,12,15and16, the male connector701of the rack module220and the female connector702can electrically and mechanically connect directly to each other whereby no cable is integrated with the female connector702. As shown inFIG.8, for example, a cable700″ is integrated with the female connector702′. The cable700″ may function as a connection from the rack module220to the monitor mount160or a monitor120by circumventing the physiological parameter measurement pod rack210. In other words, the rack module220may be directly connected to the monitor mount160or the monitor120via the cable700″. For example, female connectors702-702″ can be connected to male connectors701″.

As shown inFIGS.10A-10D, for example, the female connector702-702″″ includes a housing719including a pair of longitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector702-702″″, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector702-702″ “, and a front surface including a plurality of sockets703located therein, the plurality of sockets703being arranged along a line parallel to the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector702-702”.

As shown inFIGS.11A and11B, for example, the male connector701-701″ includes a housing707including a recess with a pair of longitudinal sides, a planar side connecting first ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector701-701″, a rounded side connecting second ends of the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector701-701″, and a recessed surface including a plurality of pins710extending therefrom, the plurality of pins710being arranged along a line parallel to the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector701-701″.

As shown inFIGS.15and16, for example, the housing719of the female connector702-702″″ is configured to be insertable into the recess of the housing707of the male connector701-701″ such that the plurality of pins710of the male connector701-701″ enter into the plurality of sockets703of the female connector702-702″″. In some variations, the male connector701-701″ may include seven pins710and the female connector702-702″″ may include seven sockets703. In the embodiment shown inFIG.12, the male connector701-701″ and the female connector702-702″ can be connected through a back wall of a physiological parameter measurement pod rack210.

As shown inFIGS.10A and10D, for example, the pair of longitudinal sides of the male connector701-701″ or the pair of longitudinal sides of the female connector702-702″″ may include ribs704formed thereon. The ribs704may increase friction such that the connector having the ribs704cannot be inserted into an incorrect device or interface. For example, the monitor mount160may include a female connector702″ having ribs704. The ribs704may increase friction such that a sturdier electrical and mechanical connection is provided. The cables700-700″ may also include a female connector702′ having ribs704.

In some variations, as shown inFIGS.13B and17D-18, for example, the male connector701-701″ may include a shield711including at least one shield protrusion708that provides electromagnetic interference (EMI) protection during signal transfer. As shown inFIGS.17A-17C, for example, the female connector702-702″″ may include at least one shield spring705for receiving the shield protrusions708. The shield spring705can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or the planar side of the female connector702-702″″. The female connector702-702″″ may also include a shield718as shown inFIG.19. Accordingly, the male connector701-701″ and the female connector702-702″″ are configured to engage with each other sufficiently to ensure that the shield protrusion708fully compresses the shield spring705. The shield711may be a 360° shield and an edge of the 360° shield may make contact with the highest point of the shield spring705.

Alternatively, in embodiments not shown, the male connector701-701″ may include at least one shield spring705and the female connector702-702″ may include at least one shield protrusion708. The shield spring705can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or the planar side of the male connector701-701″.

In addition, a minimum engagement required for full shield contact compression may be 4.86 mm. As shown inFIGS.10C-11A, for example, a gasket706may be provided on either of the male connector701-701″ or the female connector702-702″″ to provide sealing. The gasket706may surround the housing707of the male connector701-701″ or the housing719of the female connector702-702″″. The male connector701-701″ may include holes709for fasteners. Similarly, the female connector702-702″″ may also include holes712for fasteners. One end of any of the cables700-700″ may feature a circular connector for electrical connection with a device, as shown inFIGS.6-8, for example. A length of any of the cables700-700″ may be less than 3 meters.

As discussed above, an external shape of one of the male connector701-701″ and the female connector702-702″″ is asymmetrical such that the one of the male connector701-701″ and the female connector702-702″″ is configured to be connected to the other of the male connector701-701″ and the female connector702-702″″ in only one orientation.

As shown inFIG.10B, for example, one of the male connector701-701″ and the female connector702-702″ may include a shroud715for ensuring that the connector cannot be inserted into an incorrect device or interface. The shroud715may be comprised of an overmolded protrusion which is adjacent to the housing of the connector. For example, the female connector702-702″ may include the shroud715at the planar side of the housing719.

In addition, as shown inFIGS.13B and14B, for example, the male connector701-701″ or the female connector702-702″″ may include additional features such as a contact holder720, a socket holder717, shield tabs713, etc. A back face of the male connector701-701″ may include a harness714for further electrical or mechanical connection. Similarly, a back face of the female connector702-702″″ may also include a harness716for further electrical or mechanical connection.

In the embodiments shown inFIGS.17B and17C, the female connector702″″ includes at least one shield protrusion722formed thereon. The shield protrusion722can be formed on one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or the planar side of the female connector702″″. In the embodiments shown inFIGS.17B and17C, the at least one shield protrusion722is rounded.

Alternatively, in embodiments not shown, the male connector701-701″ may include a shroud715at the planar side of the housing707.

In the embodiments shown inFIGS.17E and17F, the male connector701″ includes at least one shield groove723formed therein. The shield groove723can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or the planar side of the male connector701″. The shield groove723corresponds to and is configured to receive the shield protrusion722when the male connector701″ and the female connector702″″ are physically connected. The combination of the shield protrusion722and the shield groove723ensures that the connectors cannot be inserted into incorrect devices or interfaces. Any of the female connectors702-702″ may optionally include apertures721adjacent to the sockets703for facilitating formation of the sockets703and/or facilitating fluid drainage from an interior of the female connector702-702″″.

Alternatively, in embodiments not shown, the female connector702-702″″ may include at least one shield groove723and the male connector701-701″ may include at least one shield protrusion722. The shield groove723can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or the planar side of the female connector702-702″″. The shield protrusion722can be formed in one of the longitudinal sides, the rounded side, and/or the planar side of male connector701-701″.

As shown inFIG.18, for example, the male connector701may include a boot724to be attached to an end of a cable. Similarly, as shown inFIG.19, the female connector702may include a boot725to be attached to an end of a cable.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.20, the female connector702″″ may include at least one shield protrusion722′ formed thereon. In the embodiment shown inFIG.20, the shield protrusion722′ can be formed on the planar side of the female connector702″ and may be less rounded than the shield protrusion722in the embodiment shown inFIG.17C. The shield protrusion722′ can be, for example, nonround, rectangular, or trapezoidal. In embodiments not shown, the shield protrusion722′ can be formed on one of the longitudinal sides and/or the rounded side of the female connector702″″.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.20, the male connector701″ may include at least one shield groove723′ formed therein. In the embodiment shown inFIG.20, the shield groove723′ can be formed in the planar side of the male connector701″ and may be less rounded than the shield groove723in the embodiment shown inFIG.17F. The shield groove723′ can be, for example, nonround, rectangular, or trapezoidal. The shield groove723′ corresponds to and is configured to receive the shield protrusion722′ when the male connector701″ and the female connector702″″ are physically connected. The combination of the shield protrusion722′ and the shield groove723′ ensures that the connectors cannot be inserted into incorrect devices or interfaces.

Exemplary construction materials for various elements of the connector can include 10% GF PBT contact pins, and brass with 10 micro inch gold plating over 150 micro inch nickel plate per ASTM B488 Type1-C. An exemplary color for various elements of the connector can be RAL 7032. The connector may be rated to have a 10 mOHM current capacity, an initial mating force may be less than 5N and the connector should be able to withstand a minimum of 5000 mate and un-mate cycles such that a change in the contact resistance is no greater than 0.50 mOHM. The connector may also be sealed watertight IP54 minimum between contacts and a PCB therein. Therefore, the connectors701-702″″ have conspicuous keying and external shapes that are asymmetrical and can be felt in low light conditions, are easy to mate with corresponding devices or interfaces, and provide electrical and mechanical connections that can be simply physically or tactually confirmed.

The connector of the present disclosure therefore addresses deficiencies of inconspicuous keying and difficulty in mating with corresponding interfaces, and the requirement of painstaking visual confirmation of the orientations of the interfaces in order to ensure a proper connection.

Any feature of any particular portion, embodiment or modification of the connector701-702″ may be included or omitted from any of the other portions, embodiments or modifications of the connector701-702″″.

One or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be realized in digital electronic circuitry, integrated circuitry, specially designed application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) computer hardware, firmware, software, and/or combinations thereof. These various aspects or features can include implementation in one or more computer programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor, which can be special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. The programmable system or computing system may include clients and servers. A client and a server are generally remote from each other and typically interact through a communication network. The relationship of the client and the server arises by virtue of computer programs running on the respective computers and having a client-server relationship to each other.

These computer programs, which can also be referred to as programs, software, software applications, applications, components, or code, include machine instructions for a programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level procedural language, an object-oriented programming language, a functional programming language, a logical programming language, and/or in assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term “machine-readable medium” refers to any computer program product, apparatus and/or device, such as, for example, magnetic disks, optical disks, memory, and Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a machine-readable signal. The term “machine-readable signal” refers to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a programmable processor. The machine-readable medium can store such machine instructions non-transitorily, such as, for example, as would a non-transient solid-state memory or a magnetic hard drive or any equivalent storage medium. The machine-readable medium can alternatively or additionally store such machine instructions in a transient manner, such as, for example, as would a processor cache or other random access memory associated with one or more physical processor cores.

To provide for interaction with a user, one or more aspects or features of the subject matter described herein can be implemented on a computer having a display device, such as, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED) monitor for displaying information to the user and a keyboard and a pointing device, such as, for example, a mouse or a trackball, by which the user may provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well. For example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, such as, for example, visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user may be received in any form, including, but not limited to, acoustic, speech, or tactile input. Other possible input devices include, but are not limited to, touch screens or other touch-sensitive devices such as single or multi-point resistive or capacitive trackpads, voice recognition hardware and software, optical scanners, optical pointers, digital image capture devices and associated interpretation software, and the like.

It is also contemplated that the implementation of the components of the present disclosure can be done with any newly arising technology that may replace any of the above implementation technologies.

In the descriptions above and in the claims, phrases such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” may occur followed by a conjunctive list of elements or features. The term “and/or” may also occur in a list of two or more elements or features. Unless otherwise implicitly or explicitly contradicted by the context in which it is used, such a phrase is intended to mean any of the listed elements or features individually or any of the recited elements or features in combination with any of the other recited elements or features. For example, the phrases “at least one of A and B;” “one or more of A and B;” and “A and/or B” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, or A and B together.” A similar interpretation is also intended for lists including three or more items. For example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C;” “one or more of A, B, and C;” and “A, B, and/or C” are each intended to mean “A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A and B and C together.” In addition, use of the term “based on,” above and in the claims is intended to mean, “based at least in part on,” such that an unrecited feature or element is also permissible.

The subject matter described herein can be embodied in systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles depending on the desired configuration. The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Instead, the implementations set forth in the foregoing description are merely some examples consistent with aspects related to the described subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, further features and/or variations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, the implementations described above can be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosed above. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the accompanying figures and/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. Other implementations may be within the scope of the following claims.