Patent Document

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/833,554 filed on Jun. 11, 2013 and titled “ULTRA-LIGHT WEIGHT, LOW COST, FOLDING VEHICLE,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Automotive vehicles have evolved from relatively simple designs in the late 1800s and early 1900s to extremely complex and costly transportation devices in industrialized nations. Tremendous population growth in countries like China and India, and the lack of adequate infrastructure in emerging markets such as Africa, makes transportation using conventional vehicles difficult. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0003]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an example 2-passenger vehicle. 
           [0004]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an example 2-passenger vehicle. 
           [0005]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are stick diagrams showing the vehicle of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in open and closed positions, respectively, with first linkage lengths. 
           [0006]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are stick diagrams showing the vehicle of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in open and closed positions, respectively, with second linkage lengths. 
           [0007]      FIG. 5  illustrates an example vehicle having a folding floor. 
           [0008]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are stick diagrams showing an example vehicle with a sliding floor in open and closed positions, respectively. 
           [0009]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate example latches for securing the vehicle in open and closed positions, respectively. 
           [0010]      FIGS. 7C and 7D  are stick diagrams showing a first example latching mechanism with the vehicle in open and closed positions, respectively. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 7E and 7F  are stick diagrams showing a second example latching mechanism with the vehicle in open and closed positions, respectively. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  illustrates an example vehicle having curved cross-members. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C illustrate an example vehicle having straight cross-members in a perspective view, a side view, and a top view, respectively. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate views of an example steering column and bell crank linkage. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate views of an example front and rear suspension, respectively. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate a vehicle having an example suspension system with different types of springs. 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  is a side view of an example vehicle having a powertrain with a motor and a battery. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate example removable battery packs. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate a perspective view and a side view of an example 4-passenger vehicle. 
           [0020]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  are stick diagrams showing an example 2-person vehicle with a pick-up bed in open and closed positions, respectively. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 17A and 17B  are stick diagrams showing an example 4-person vehicle with a pick-up bed in open and closed positions, respectively. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  are perspective views of an example seatbelt mechanism. 
           [0023]      FIGS. 19A and 19B  are stick diagrams showing an example vehicle, with a sliding roof, in an open and closed position, respectively. 
           [0024]      FIGS. 20A and 20B  are perspective views of an example vehicle having a cover. 
           [0025]      FIGS. 21A and 21B  illustrate a first example storage trunk alone and located in the vehicle, respectively. 
           [0026]      FIGS. 21C and 21D  illustrate a second example storage trunk alone and located in the vehicle, respectively. 
           [0027]      FIGS. 22A-22F  illustrate components of an example vehicle collapsed for storage or shipping. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0028]    A simple, ultra-low cost, commuter vehicle could create a whole new global market, filling the price gap between bicycles and automobiles. One way to develop a low-cost vehicle is to keep the design simple while balancing factors such as meeting the most basic of transportation needs, minimizing weight, and using the fewest possible numbers of parts by having individual components serve multiple functions. Ultra-light weight is also a key consideration in making “zero-emission” electrified vehicles commercially viable. Since the battery is often one of the most expensive parts of an electric vehicle, and battery sizing is primarily determined by vehicle weight; light-weight, low-cost vehicles provide an opportunity for electric vehicles to commercially succeed. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, space is at a premium in congested mega-cities such as those in China and India. Consequently a vehicle that can fold into a smaller footprint when parked is a desirable feature. Moreover, an architecture that is low investment, and can be flexibly configured with minimal change (e.g. 2-passenger, 4-passenger, pick-up, etc.) for varying customer needs, helps create a business case the can profitably support an ultra-low sales price. 
         [0030]    An example ultra-light weight, low-cost, folding vehicle is described below. One implementation includes a 4-wheeled lightweight vehicle that uses an X-frame (side-view) structure. The X-members can pivot at a central axis in the side-view, allowing the frame to fold. Lateral tubular cross-members connect the X-members to create the frame, and also provide support for the seats. Horizontal tension beams or cables or vertical compression beams between the ends of the X-members make the frame stiff vertically, yet allow the frame to fold longitudinally when the vehicle is not in use, by either disconnecting the members or allowing the cables to fold. Conversely, when attached, the horizontal members or vertical tension members or cables may limit the ability of the vehicle to fold in front or rear impact or when the floor is loaded vertically. The seats may attach to two cross-members behind the seat back and under the occupant&#39;s thighs. The seats can be either rigid or fabric sling seats designed to attach to the vehicle cross-members. The sling seats can also form the floor support. Regardless of the material, the seat design may still allow the vehicle to fold. By adding a tandem X-frame structure, the same basic components can be used to make a 4-passenger vehicle. Cross-member length determines the number of occupants that can sit laterally. Consequently, single passenger, 2-passenger tandem, 2-passenger 2-abreast, 2-row 4-passenger and 2-row 6-passenger 3-abreast models are possible, using the same basic vehicle architecture and many of the same components; and other vehicle model versions are possible. For example, a 4-passenger model can be converted into a 2-passenger pick-up by the addition of a removable pick-up bed. 
         [0031]    The example vehicles described below address various issues relative to introducing mass-market vehicles to emerging markets, large urban areas where space is a premium, or both. The vehicles maximize design simplicity by using only those components required to achieve the desired function and using minimum manufacturing processing, i.e. minimal welding, machining, forming, etc. Several components of the vehicles are designed to perform multiple functions. For example, chassis cross-members can double as the seat structure. The vehicles can further reduce weight by using cables in place of rigid members for key tension loads. The vehicle can further fold into a smaller footprint, minimizing parking and storage space, and, in some instances, “kitted” so that it can be shipped globally in small, high-density packages. In some implementations, the vehicle may be powered electrically or by another fuel source such as gasoline (e.g., via an internal combustion engine). The vehicle may further incorporate various drive mechanisms such as rear wheel drive (RWD), front wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). Other features of the vehicle may include a design that localizes masses to minimize weight effect on the chassis structure to synergistically reduce vehicle weight, a modular and scalable design that allows for a number of different models from essentially the same components (1-pass, 1-pass pick-up, 2-pass transverse, 2-pass tandem, 4-pass, 6-pass, 2-pass pick-up, 2 and 4-pass golf carts, ATVs, light tractors, etc.), and the ability to upgrade the vehicle with optional features for more developed markets. 
         [0032]    Accordingly, a vehicle is described below that has a simplistic design, both minimizing cost and manufacturing investment, has a reduced weight relative to other vehicles, and has a flexible and scalable architecture. Such a vehicle may be well-suited for rapidly growing countries, like China and India, emerging markets such as various countries in Africa, and urban areas in developed countries. Other potential markets include Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) in developed countries, rental vehicles in vacation or resort communities, or the like. The vehicles and components shown in the FIGS. may take many different forms and include multiple and/or alternate components and facilities. The exemplary components illustrated are not intended to be limiting. Indeed, additional or alternative components and/or implementations may be used. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an example 2-passenger folding vehicle  100  includes an X-frame structure  105  configured to pivot at the intersections of the X members  110 , a seat  115  that may be attached to a cross-member  120  located at a center of an X pivot  125  (i.e., where two X members  110  intersect) and an upper rear cross-member  120  behind the passenger&#39;s shoulders, upper and lower members  110  configured to attach front and rear axles  130  to the vehicle structure  105 , a tension cable or detachable horizontal (tension) or vertical (compression) member that controls vehicle  100  extension, and a detachable vertical tension cable, horizontal (compression) or vertical (tension) member that, e.g., prevents the vehicle  100  from folding upon front or rear impact. The vehicle  100 , as shown, may be configured to power fold, extend, or both. Further, by setting a brake or parking brake at one end of the vehicle  100 , the driven wheels  135  at the other end can be used to actuate the longitudinally folding or extending of the vehicle  100 . 
         [0034]    The X-member structure  105  may include individual beams  140  connected by a pivot joint at an intersection point. Horizontal axis pivot joints may also located at pivots  125 A,  125 B,  125 D, and  125 E. Lateral horizontal cross-members  120  may be configured to connect the corresponding pivots  125  of the X-members as shown in the plan view of  FIG. 2 . The cross-members  120  between pivots  125 F and  125 R may be used, e.g., to improve lateral stiffness. 
         [0035]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the seat  115  may be attached to the cross-member  120  extending between the pivots  125 D located behind the passenger&#39;s shoulders and the cross-member  120  extending between the pivots  125 C behind the passenger&#39;s knees. The seat  115  can be formed from a rigid for flexible material. For instance, the seat  115  may include a fabric sling attached to the cross-members  120 . The seat  115  may be removed from the vehicle  100  by, e.g., unlatching the seat  115  or otherwise disconnecting the seat  115  from the cross-members  120 . With regard to the sling seat  115 , the fabric can be extended forward to form a floor  155  and dash panel by attaching a forward most edge to the cross-member  120  between the pivots  125 A,  125 F and/or  125 B. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the upper front members  110 C may be attached to a front axle  130 F, and upper rear member  110 E may be attached to the rear axle  130 . Lower front member  110 D and lower rear member  110 F may connect to the upper members  110 C and  110 E through pivots  125 F and  125 R, respectively. Note that front and rear axle  130  centerlines may be coincident with pivots  125 F and  125 R. For smaller wheel diameters, however, the upper members  110 C and  110 E may be extended past the pivots  125 F and  125 R, as shown, to provide adequate ground clearance to the frame while the vehicle  100  is in the extended position, the folded position, or both. In addition, the lengths of the cross-members  120  and X-members  110  may be adjusted to change the ride height, the length of the vehicle  100  when extended, and the length of the vehicle  100  when folded (see  FIG. 4B ). At the minimum folded length, shown in  FIG. 4B , the front and rear wheels  135  may overlap, requiring different track widths for the front and rear axles  130 . A wider front track may provide adequate steer turn angles without excessive vehicle  100  width. Staggered track widths may also allow nesting of folded vehicles, allowing, e.g., approximately five 4-passenger or six 2-passenger folded vehicles to be lined up in a single 20 foot parking space. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , options for a floor structure  155  for the vehicle  100  that still allow the vehicle  100  to fold include rigidized fabric (see  FIG. 1 ) draped from the cross-member  120 C and attached to the cross-members  120 A,  120 B, or  120 F. Another option may include incorporating a rigid folding floor linkage  160  between pivots  125 B and  125 E, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Another possible implementation, shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , includes using a rigid sliding floor  155  attached to, and configured to pivot about, cross-member  120 B or cross-member  120 E, and configured to slide along an opposite cross-member  120 E or cross-member  120 B, respectively, as the vehicle  100  is adjusted to the folded position. Because the floor structure  155  of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  does not change when the vehicle  100  is folded, the floor structure  155  may act as a mounting surface for one or more batteries  260 , providing easy access to the battery  260  for, e.g., removal, charging, or both. 
         [0038]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , the horizontal tension cable  165  or detachable member may control the extended length of the structure  105  while still allowing the vehicle  100  to be folded longitudinally. The cable or detachable link is shown connecting pivots  125 B and  125 E, but may also be attached to the corresponding cross-members  120 , or the members  110  near the pivots  125 . The cable or detachable link can alternatively be located to join any one or more horizontal pivots  125  (such as  125 F and  125 C,  125 C and  125 R, or  125 A and  125 D). To help keep the vehicle  100  in the extended position in a front or rear impact, similar detachable cables or rigid members  180  may be attached to the cross-members  120  or members  110  near the vertical pivots ( 125 A and  125 B, or  125 D and  125 E). 
         [0039]      FIGS. 7A-7D  illustrate different ways to stabilize the vehicle  100  when in the extended position and, in some instances, reduce the likelihood that the vehicle  100  will fold following a front or rear impact. A continuous cable  165  is depicted in  FIG. 7A . The cable  165  may be routed horizontally between pivots  125 B or  125 E with the vertical portion routed through or around either pivots  125 A or  125 D. Two cable stops  170  may control the extended length while a cable latch  175  may be used to lock in the vertical safety portion of the cable  165 . The latch may be disengaged to fold the vehicle  100 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7B  depicts a latching vertical member  180 . The vertical member  180  may be attached between pivots  125 A and  125 B or  125 D and  125 E. The vertical member  180  may be configured to slide through the upper attachment at pivot  125 A or  125 D and rest upon a down stop  185  to control the extended length. The vertical member  180  may be held in place with a safety latch  190  to prevent folding upon front or rear impact. Disengaging the safety latch  190  may allow the vehicle  100  to fold. 
         [0041]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7C and 7D , the rigid sliding floor  155  may be modified to simultaneously control the extended position and prevent folding upon front or rear impact. A hasp-type slot  195  may be configured to engage the pivot  125 E cross-member  120  to, e.g., control the extended position. When the vehicle  100  is unfolded, the rear axle  130 B cross-member  120  may slide into the hasp-type slot  195  in the floor structure  155 . An additional slot  200  may be configured to hold the vehicle  100  in the folded position. The operator can lift the rear of the floor  155  to disengage the slots  195 ,  200 , so that the vehicle  100  can be extended or folded. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7E and 7F  show vehicles  100  with the sliding vertical member  180  of  FIG. 7B  and the sliding floor structure  155  of  FIGS. 7C and 7D . The down stop  185  of the vertical member  180  may be configured to restrain the vehicle  100  in the extended position while the floor structure  155  may be configured to prevent the vehicle structure  105  from folding on impact. The slot  200  may be configured to hold the vehicle  100  in the folded position. In some implementations, the latches described above may be omitted and the vehicle  100  may be folded or extended by, e.g., lifting the rear end of the floor  155 . 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , some cross-members  120  may be curved in the side view to improve ingress/egress of the driver and passenger, and can also be swept in the front view to improve aesthetic appearance, without affecting vehicle  100  function or folding. Moreover, the X-members need not be co-planar for the folding geometry to function. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate a vehicle structure  105  with a member  110 A moved to the center of the vehicle  100 . Additional outboard links  205  between pivots  125 C and  125 E may be configured to add stability to the structure  105 . This arrangement may allow for a more car-like ingress and egress feel for the occupants as they need not climb over an outboard member  110 A to enter or exit the vehicle  100 . Other non-planar arrangements of the X-members are possible. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate an example steering mechanism. The steering mechanism may include, e.g., a bell-crank, a rack &amp; pinion system, or the like. The bell-crank system shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B  includes a steering column  210  configured to fold along with the vehicle structure  105 . The steering column  210  may be attached to the cross-member  120  between the pivot  125 A and front axle  130 A through pivot blocks  215 . Thus the steering column  210  may be configured to move with the upper link and cross-member  120  assembly as the vehicle  100  is folded. The bell crank  220  may be attached to the end of the steering column  210 . Tie rods  225  may be connected to steering arms  230  that are part of the steering knuckles. Right- or left-hand steering can be accommodated by, e.g., moving the pivot blocks  215  and reversing the bell crank  220  linkage. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  depict a possible front suspension arrangement for, e.g., rough road capability. As shown, the upper members  110  may be replaced by coil-over shocks  235  and the lower members  110  may be replaced by a triangular control arm  240  that attaches the pivots  125 B to the front axle  130 F. The steering mechanism, shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , may be attached to the axle  130  with suspension motion accommodated by a splined and U-jointed intermediate shaft to the steering column  210 . Another optional suspension arrangement may be configured for the rear axle  130 R with upper members  110  replaced by coil-over shocks  235  and lower members  110  replaced by a triangular control arm  240  that attaches the pivots  125 E to the rear axle  130 R. Another potential suspension system may include transverse front and rear leaf springs with solid axles  130 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a vehicle  100  having controlled vertical compression when, e.g., the vehicle  100  encounters rough roads. The vehicle  100  includes an extension spring  245  and/or shock  235  in the horizontal cable  250 /member  110  or compression spring  245  and/or shock  235  in the vertical member  180 . Rough road inputs can be absorbed by vertical compression of the vehicle structure  105  through various pivots  125 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  depicts one of the many possible powertrain arrangements. Both internal combustion and electric power arrangements can be accommodated. In the arrangement depicted, drive is delivered by two rear electric hub motors  255  mounted within the wheels  135 ; however, a conventional rear axle  130 R with a single electric motor  255  and differential is one of the many other possibilities. At least one removable battery  260  may be disposed in the vehicle  100 , such as mounted on the floor  155 . Multiple removable batteries may be electrically connected in parallel to increase the range of the vehicle  100 , and the batteries may be removable so that they can be carried into the home for charging or easily swapped with freshly charged batteries. 
         [0049]    An example removable battery pack  265  is shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . The removable battery pack  265  may allow an operator to carry the battery  260  for, e.g., security, remote charging, or both. In some possible implementations, the removable battery pack  265  may be configured to attach to cross-members  120  located, e.g., behind one of the seats  115 . 
         [0050]    The vehicle  100  can incorporate any number of powertrain, drive, and passenger configurations. Examples of powertrain configurations, as discussed above, may include internal combustion, electric, or hybrid. Examples of drive configurations may include front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or all wheel drive configurations. Moreover, as discussed above, the vehicle  100  may include a suspension system. Examples of passenger configurations may include a single passenger configuration, a single passenger pick-up configuration, a 2-passenger tandem configuration, a 2 passenger abreast configuration, a 4-passenger/2-abreast configuration, a 6-passenger/3-abreast configuration, a 2-passenger/2-abreast/pick-up configuration, a 3-passenger/3-abreast/pick-up configuration, etc. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate different views of an example 4-passenger model of the vehicle  100 . Through the addition of more X-members plus additional cross-members  120 , the 4-passenger model can be created from the simplistic 2-passenger model discussed above. As shown, the 4-passenger vehicle  100  is shown with optional front hub motors  255  to give the vehicle  100  all wheel drive functionality. 
         [0052]    The vehicle  100  can be fitted with an optional, e.g., 2-foot pick-up box  270  as shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B  for transport of light duty goods. While a 2-passenger vehicle  100  is shown in  FIGS. 16A and 16B , the pick-up box  270  could also be applied to other vehicle  100  configurations, including the 4-passenger model, as discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 17A and 17B . The pick-up box  270  may be connected via, e.g., the hook  275  to one cross-member  120  and latched to another cross-member  120 D. When the latch  280  is released, the pick-up box  270  may be configured to pivot about pivot  125 R so that the folded length of the vehicle  100  can remain relatively unchanged. The pick-up box  270  may be configured to easily detach when the operator desires to remove the pick-up box  270  from the vehicle  100 . 
         [0053]    Referring now to  FIGS. 17A and 17B , the rear seats  115  of a 4-passenger model vehicle  100  may be removed, and a 4-foot box  270  may be added, resulting in a 2-passenger pick-up. The box  270  may be attached (i.e., hooked) to the cross-member  120 R and latched to the cross-member  120 D. The box  270  may be configured to pivot to a dump position by, e.g., releasing the latch  280  and power folding the vehicle  100  such that the cross-member  120 R slides forward to engage the front hook  285 , allowing the box  270  to rotate about the cross-member  120 R. The dump position may further permit the vehicle  100  to be parked in a folded condition for cramped environments. The pick-up box  270  may installed or removed by engaging or disengaging, respectively, the latch  280  and hooks  275 . 
         [0054]    The vehicle  100  may be further modified to comply with various safety, regulatory, and customer needs. Safety and regulatory features may include windshield, wipers, fenders, seatbelts, headlights, taillights, turn signals, mirrors, ignition key, reflectors, 4-wheel brakes, a parking brake, etc. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 18A and 18B  illustrate a vehicle  100  having a 3-point harness  280  to the implementation illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C . The 3-point harness  280  may be installed by attaching belt buckle receivers  295  to the member  110 A. The rear of the members  110 B may be extended vertically to attach shoulder belts  300  while the lap belts  305  may be attached to the members  205  between pivots  125 C and  125 E. A similar arrangement can be used with the parallel X-frame structure  105  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In that case, the member  205  between the pivots  125 C and  125 E may be mounted centrally to provide an attachment for the belt buckle receivers  295 . 
         [0056]    Customer customization options may include various types of weather protection and storage features such as a rigid roof  310 , flexible canopy top  320 , front and rear valences  330 , fabric side panels  335 , storage basket  355 , a sling trunk  350 , zip-out doors, and scissor doors  340 . An optional hard roof  310 , shown in  FIGS. 19A and 19B , may allow the vehicle  100  to fold by pivoting along one vertical member  180  and sliding along another vertical member  180 , similar to the sliding floor  155  described above. The vertical members  180  (previously discussed with reference to  FIG. 7B ) may be extended vertically and connected cross-car in order to provide a sliding roof  310  support. The roof  310  may be hinged to the windshield header  315  to allow a rigid roof  310  to slide rearward relative to the orientation of the vehicle  100  as the structure  105  is folded. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 20A and 20B  illustrate other weather protection customizations. A canopy top  320  may be attached to the windshield header and may be supported by the roof support  180  described above. A bottom of the canopy may be attached to the members  110 E and rear axle  130 R through snaps or other types of connectors. A zip out backlite  325  may be configured to provide storage access. A front valence  330  may be formed from a rigid panel or waterproof fabric. Side panels  335  may be formed from a 4-way stretch fabric, such as an elastic polyurethane fabric (e.g., LYCRA), and may be attached to the pivots  125 . Scissor doors  340  made of a polycarbonate material, like LEXAN, may be mounted to a door beam  345  configured to swing about the pivot  125 A or  125 F and latch to the pivot  125 C or  125 D. The vehicle  100  may be configured to fold when the doors are in the open position. 
         [0058]    Another customization may relate to additional storage options, including storage compartments.  FIGS. 21A-21D  illustrates various views of a sling  350  ( FIGS. 21A and 21B ) and an under-seat expanding basket  355  ( FIGS. 21C and 21D ) that may be used as storage options. The sling  350  may be configured to be attach to a cross-member  120  extending behind one of the seats  115 . The expanding basket  355  may be configured to rest on a floor  155  under or behind one of the seats  115 . The storage compartments  350 ,  355  may be formed from a rigid or flexible material. 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 22A-22F , the vehicle structure  105  may be made up of multiple flat plane assemblies. Therefore, for purposes of packaging and shipping, the vehicle  100  can be packed in a flat, partially assembled state, along with the wheels  135 . This results in a very compact package that can be efficiently shipped around the world.  FIGS. 22A-22F  illustrate example combinations of parts of the vehicle  100  that may be combined for purposes of packaging and shipping the vehicle  100 . 
         [0060]    With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating certain embodiments, and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims. 
         [0061]    Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation. 
         [0062]    All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. 
         [0063]    The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

Technology Category: 7