阅读说明：本技术 利用力传感器和触觉致动器的可调节触觉反馈 (Adjustable haptic feedback using force sensors and haptic actuators ) 是由 史瑞纳斯·尤尼克理辛南恩 于 2017-06-30 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供了用于定制输入设备的方法、计算机可读介质及设备。所述方法可包括设定与致动所述输入设备的按键相关联的一组参数。所述一组参数可包括用于致动所述按键的阈值力或用于致动所述按键的阈值位移中的至少一个。所述方法可接收所述按键的按压。所述方法可响应于所述按键的所述按压基于所述一组参数提供触觉反馈。(Methods, computer-readable media, and devices are provided for customizing an input device. The method may include setting a set of parameters associated with actuating keys of the input device. The set of parameters may include at least one of a threshold force for actuating the key or a threshold displacement for actuating the key. The method may receive a press of the key. The method may provide haptic feedback based on the set of parameters in response to the pressing of the key.)

1. A method of customizing an input device, comprising:

setting a set of parameters associated with actuating a key of the input device, the set of parameters including at least one of a threshold force for actuating the key or a threshold displacement for actuating the key;

receiving the pressing of the key; and

providing haptic feedback based on the set of parameters in response to the pressing of the key.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing haptic feedback based on the set of parameters includes triggering the haptic feedback when the press of the key satisfies at least one of the threshold force or the threshold displacement.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the threshold force is met when a force applied by the pressing of the key is greater than or equal to the threshold force.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising detecting the force applied by the pressing of the key using a sensor configured to measure a force applied to the key.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the threshold displacement is satisfied when a displacement of a surface of the key caused by the pressing of the key is greater than or equal to the threshold displacement.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the threshold displacement is a threshold of perceived displacement, wherein the threshold of perceived displacement is met when a duration of the press of the key is greater than or equal to a threshold duration.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining the duration of the press of the key using a sensor or circuit.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing haptic feedback comprises generating the haptic feedback using a haptic actuator.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing haptic feedback includes generating audio feedback via a speaker of the input device, wherein the haptic feedback is generated from the audio feedback.

10. An apparatus for customization, the apparatus being an input apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

setting a set of parameters associated with actuating a key of the input device, the set of parameters including at least one of a threshold force for actuating the key or a threshold displacement for actuating the key;

receiving the pressing of the key; and

providing haptic feedback based on the set of parameters in response to the pressing of the key.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein to provide the haptic feedback based on the set of parameters, the at least one processor is configured to trigger the haptic feedback when the press of the key satisfies at least one of the threshold force or the threshold displacement.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the threshold force is satisfied when a force applied by the pressing of the key is greater than or equal to the threshold force.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to detect the force applied by the pressing of the key using a sensor configured to measure a force applied to the key.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the threshold displacement is satisfied when a displacement of a surface of the key caused by the pressing of the key is greater than or equal to the threshold displacement.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the threshold displacement is a threshold of perceived displacement, wherein the threshold of perceived displacement is met when a duration of the press of the key is greater than or equal to a threshold duration.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the duration of the press of the key using a sensor or circuitry.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein to provide the haptic feedback, the at least one processor is configured to generate the haptic feedback using a haptic actuator.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein to provide the haptic feedback, the at least one processor is configured to generate audio feedback via a speaker of the input device, wherein the haptic feedback is generated from the audio feedback.

19. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, comprising instructions for:

setting a set of parameters associated with actuating a key of an input device, the set of parameters including at least one of a threshold force for actuating the key or a threshold displacement for actuating the key;

receiving the pressing of the key; and

providing haptic feedback based on the set of parameters in response to the pressing of the key.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein instructions for providing the haptic feedback based on the set of parameters include instructions for triggering the haptic feedback when the depression of the key satisfies at least one of the threshold force or the threshold displacement.

Technical Field

Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to human-computer interaction, and more particularly to customization of haptic feedback of an input device.

Background

Computational techniques have multiplied in performance since their generation. The processor operates at a higher rate; the memory is larger and always faster; mass storage is becoming larger and cheaper every year. Computers are now a necessary component in many aspects of life and are often used to present a three-dimensional world to users in everything from gaming to scientific visualization.

Human-computer interaction (HCI) research into the design and use of computer technology focuses on the interface between a human (user) and a computer. Humans interact with computers in many ways. The interface between a person and a computer is crucial to facilitating this interaction. The interface between the user and the computer has not reached the same rate of change as the computing technology. For example, screen windows, keyboards, monitors, and mice are standard and have undergone minimal changes since their introduction. Little thought has been given about human-computer interfaces, but much of the user's experience with a computer is dominated by the interface between the user and the computer.

As computers continue to increase in performance, human-machine interfaces become increasingly important. The effective bandwidth of communication with the user is insufficient to use only a traditional mouse and keyboard for input and a monitor and speaker for output. More adequate interface support is desirable to accommodate more complex and demanding applications.

Conventional buttons on a computer mouse do not provide any kind of customization to the user. Thus, it may be desirable to allow customization of keys to improve the user experience when operating a computer mouse.

Disclosure of Invention

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

For human-computer interaction, haptic feedback may provide an enhanced user and gaming experience. In aspects of the present disclosure, a way for a user to precisely customize the haptic feedback of their input device using force sensors and haptic actuators is provided. The conventional mouse buttons can be replaced by the following mouse buttons: haptic feedback is provided using a high-resolution haptic actuator mounted in the body of the mouse, in conjunction with a force sensor. Using custom software provided to the user, the user may be able to set or adjust the force profile of the mouse buttons to improve the user and gaming experience.

In aspects of the disclosure, methods, computer-readable media, and devices are provided for customizing an input device. The method may set or adjust a set of parameters associated with actuating keys of the input device. The set of parameters may include at least one of a threshold force for actuating the key or a threshold displacement for actuating the key. The method may receive a press of the key. The method may provide haptic feedback based on the set of parameters in response to the pressing of the key.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of various aspects may be employed and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents.

Drawings

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an assembled view of a mouse for communicating with a processor-based device, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an exploded view of the mouse of FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a force profile for a key.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a side view of an example of a computer mouse that can provide customized haptic feedback.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top view of an example of a computer mouse that can provide customized haptic feedback.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of customizing an input device.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different components/assemblies in an exemplary apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus using a processing system.

Detailed Description

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the various concepts. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such concepts.

Aspects of human-computer interaction will now be presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These apparatus and methods are described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether such elements are implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element, or any combination of elements, may be implemented as a "processing system" that includes one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), application processors, Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processors, system on a chip (SoC), baseband processors, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), variable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gating logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functionalities described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may execute software. Software is to be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executables, threads (threads), programs, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

Thus, in one or more example embodiments, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer readable media includes computer storage media. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, a combination of such types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

In an embodiment, a method, computer-readable medium, and device are provided for customization of keys on an input device. The device may allow more customization of the keys on the input device than is possible with traditional input devices in the market place by: changing the force profile of the key, or changing the audio to which the touch can then react. The device may allow a user to save separate haptic feedback profiles (profiles) for different uses of their input device as they deem appropriate (e.g., as defined by respective force curves). The haptic feedback profile can be saved to software for automatic switching when the user initiates a different game or program. In one embodiment, the device may allow customization of the force among other characteristics of the keys. Other customizable characteristics of the keys may be force independent travel prior to actuation, or the user wants to click or double click on the key (traditional mouse keys are "double clicks" in that there are two clicks per actuation, one when the key is actuated and another when the key is released). There are still other customizable characteristics such as how "crisp" or "soft" the key feels (which can be determined by the slope of the force curve before and after the actuation point), etc.

FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an assembled view of a mouse 100 for communicating with a processor-based device, in accordance with various embodiments. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an exploded view of the mouse 100 of FIG. 1A, in accordance with various embodiments. As shown, mouse 100 may include a housing 110. Housing 110 may be an outer housing of mouse 100. Further, the housing 110 can include a lid portion 120 and a base portion 130. The cover portion 120 and the base portion 130 can be two separate portions of the housing 110. The cover portion 120 of the housing 110 may be a top box cover of the outer housing of the mouse 100. Base portion 130 of housing 110 may be a bottom housing cover of an outer housing of mouse 100. According to various embodiments, when the cover portion 120 and the base portion 130 are assembled together, the housing 110 may define an interior cavity to house or encase the internal components 140 of the mouse 100.

According to various embodiments, internal components 140 of mouse 100 may include an electronic circuit module 142 and a motion detection module 144. The electronic circuit module 142 may include a printed circuit board or any other suitable electronic circuit. The electronic circuit module 142 may be connected to a processor-based device, such as a computer, via the cable 102. Motion detection module 144 may include an optical sensor, or a laser sensor, or a trackball mechanism, or any other electronic or mechanical component that may be configured to detect movement of mouse 100. The motion detection module 144 may be further configured to communicate with the electronic circuitry module 142 such that detected movements of the mouse may be transmitted to a processor-based device to which the mouse 100 may be connected.

Further, the cover portion 120 of the housing 110 may include one or more keys 122. One or more buttons 122 may be configured to interact with electronic circuit module 142 of mouse 100 for a user to provide input to a processor-based device to which mouse 100 may be connected via clicking on one or more buttons 122 of mouse 100. The one or more keys 122 may include a click key, or a scroll key, or a push key, or any combination of suitable keys. One or more keys 122 may be positioned at any area of the cover portion 120 as desired.

According to various embodiments, the housing 110 may include a base surface. The base surface may be configured to face a tracking surface on which mouse 100 may be placed. Thus, the base surface of the housing 110 may be an exterior surface of the substantially flat section 132 of the base portion 130 of the housing 110. Accordingly, mouse 100 may be placed with the base surface of base portion 130 of housing 110 substantially flat against or substantially parallel to a mouse pad, a tabletop, or any other suitable tracking surface upon which the mouse may be used.

According to various embodiments, the base portion 130 of the housing 110 may include a window 131. The window 131 may be an open or transparent portion of the base portion 130. Thus, window 131 may allow motion detection module 144 to detect relative movement between mouse 100 and a tracking surface on which mouse 100 may be placed and moved.

The tactile feel of a key (e.g., one of the one or more keys 122) can be studied by its force profile, which plots the force applied to the key vs. the displacement of the key while it is being actuated. FIG. 2 is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a force curve 202 for a key. When a key (e.g., one of the one or more keys 122) is pressed, the force applied to the key and the displacement of the key may gradually increase, as illustrated by the force curve 202. The displacement of the key may be caused by a depression of the key. As the combination of force and displacement climbs to the actuation point 204, the depression of the key may be temporarily stored as input and tactile feedback may be provided. In one embodiment, the actuation point 204 may define a force threshold for actuation and a displacement threshold for actuation. To actuate a key, at least one of a force threshold for actuation and a displacement threshold for actuation may need to be met. For example, a key may be actuated when a force exerted on the key exceeds a force threshold for actuation and/or a displacement of the key exceeds a displacement threshold for actuation.

In one embodiment, the force applied to the key and the displacement of the key may gradually decrease after the actuation point 204 is reached. When the combination of force and displacement drops to the rebound point 206, the key may be reset and may be actuated again with the actuation point 204 reached. In one embodiment, the haptic feedback trigger at the actuation point 204 may stop when or before the rebound point 206 is reached.

In one embodiment, the rebound point 206 can define a reset force threshold and a reset displacement threshold. To reset a key, at least one of a reset force threshold and a reset displacement threshold may need to be met. For example, a key may be reset when the force exerted on the key is less than a reset force threshold and/or the displacement of the key is less than a reset displacement threshold.

In one embodiment, the keys may have a force sensor and a tactile feedback mechanism to provide tactile feedback to the user when the key is pressed. In this embodiment, the user may be able to set or adjust the force profile 202, for example, by setting or adjusting the actuation point 204 and/or the bounce point 206, to set or adjust the tactile feedback or tactile feel of the keys. In one embodiment, the force profile 202 may be set or adjusted based on a user's preferences and/or based on the application or program the mouse is being used for.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a side view of an example of a computer mouse 300 that may provide customized haptic feedback. In one embodiment, the mouse 300 may have a flexible, thin force sensor 304 embedded under the top case 302 of the mouse 300. The top shell 302 may be slightly flexible in that it transmits any force applied to it to the underlying force sensor 304. The haptic actuator 306 may be positioned at a location such that it may transmit haptic feedback to a surface (e.g., the top shell 302). In one embodiment, the haptic actuator 306 may be somewhere below or near the force sensor 304. In one embodiment, the haptic actuator 306 may be a high-resolution haptic actuator.

In one embodiment, the force sensor 304 may detect the force when an area of the top case 302 proximate to the force sensor 304 is pressed. In response to the detected force, the haptic actuator 306 may generate haptic feedback based on a force profile (e.g., force profile 202) associated with the region of the top case 302.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a top view of an example of a computer mouse 400 that may provide customized haptic feedback. In one embodiment, mouse 400 may be mouse 300 described above with reference to FIG. 3. As illustrated, the mouse 400 may have two buttons 402 and 412. The scroll wheel 408 may be positioned between the keys 402 and 412. In one embodiment, buttons 402 and 412 may be part of top shell 416 of mouse 400.

The key 402 may have an associated force sensor 406 and haptic actuator 410. The key 402 may be micro-flexible in that it transmits any force applied to it to the underlying force sensor 406. Haptic actuator 410 may be positioned below key 402 such that it may transmit haptic feedback to key 402. In one embodiment, force sensor 406 may be force sensor 304 described above with reference to FIG. 3, and haptic actuator 410 may be haptic actuator 306 described above with reference to FIG. 3. The keys 412 may have a similar configuration.

In one embodiment, force sensor 406 may detect a force when key 402 is pressed. In response to the detected force, haptic actuator 410 may generate haptic feedback based on a force profile (e.g., force profile 202) associated with key 402.

In one embodiment, the force profile of the keys 402 may be set or customized. In one embodiment, the customization of the force curve may include customization of the actuation point and/or customization of the rebound point. For example, a force threshold for actuation and/or a displacement threshold for actuation may be set or adjusted to reflect user or application preferences.

In one embodiment, there may be little or no actual displacement of a key when it is pressed. In this embodiment, the displacement of the key may be measured by the perceived travel or perceived displacement of the key. For example, in a conventional mouse button, the force applied by the user to the button causes a displacement that results in the depression of a switch. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the force increase on the mouse is detected by a force sensor that actuates a button when an actuation force is reached, rather than a physical movement of the button. However, the user may perceive that there is a displacement due to the fact that it gradually increases the force on the key until the actuation point is reached.

In one embodiment, the perceived displacement of a key may be measured by the duration of time the key is pressed. In this embodiment, the displacement threshold for actuation may be a first duration threshold and the reset displacement threshold may be a second duration threshold. The second duration threshold may be greater than the first duration threshold. For example, when the key is pressed for a duration greater than a first duration threshold, a displacement threshold for actuation is met; the reset displacement threshold is satisfied when the key is pressed for a duration greater than a second duration threshold.

In one embodiment, the perceived displacement of a key may be measured by a force applied to the key. In this embodiment, the perceived displacement of the key may be a function of the force applied to the key.

In one embodiment, different force curve profiles or click sensations may be defined for different purposes and applied accordingly. For example, a higher (e.g., higher than default) force threshold for actuation may be configured for use with a curved profile for a first-person shooter (FPS) game to avoid accidental actuation; and a lower (e.g., lower than default) force threshold for actuation may be configured for a curve profile for a multiplayer online arena (MOBA) game. In one embodiment, different actuation and rebound points may be defined for different purposes and applied accordingly.

In one embodiment, the force profile of the keys may be set or adjusted by the user using software according to the user's preferences. In one embodiment, the device manufacturer may include preset force profile settings for the user to choose from.

In one embodiment, to more closely resemble mechanical buttons, there may also be audio feedback via a speaker built into or otherwise coupled to the mouse. Using a digital signal processor, haptic feedback can be generated from the sound of the click, making the haptic feedback and the sound of the click seamless and giving the user another way to set or adjust the haptic feedback besides changing the force profile. In one embodiment, the volume and/or pitch (pitch) of the sound of the click may be set or adjusted to produce different haptic feedback. In one embodiment, the haptic feedback may be generated by a speaker built into or otherwise coupled to the mouse.

In one embodiment, different haptic feedback profiles (e.g., as defined by different force curves) may be saved for different uses. For example, a haptic feedback profile with a lighter click actuation may be saved for a MOBA game, or a haptic feedback profile with a heavier click actuation may be saved for a FPS game to avoid accidental clicks.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart 500 of a method of customizing an input device. In one embodiment, the input device may be a pointing device, which may be one of a mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a WiiMote, or a touchpad. The method may be performed by an input device or a processor-based apparatus (e.g., mouse 100, mouse 300, mouse 400, or device 602/device 602') coupled to an input device.

At step 502, the apparatus may set or adjust a set of parameters for actuating keys of an input device. The set of parameters may include at least one of a threshold force for actuating the key or a threshold displacement for actuating the key. In one embodiment, the set of parameters may represent a haptic feedback profile of the device. In one embodiment, the set of parameters may represent a force profile associated with the key.

In one embodiment, the set of parameters may be set or adjusted based on the type of input device used. In one embodiment, the set of parameters may be set or adjusted based on the application for which the input device is used. In one embodiment, the set of parameters may further include a rebound point for resetting the key after actuation.

At 504, the device may receive a press of a key. In one embodiment, the depression of a key may be detected by a force sensor (e.g., force sensor 304 or force sensor 406). In one embodiment, the device may further measure the force applied by the depression of the key. In one embodiment, the device may further measure the duration of the depression of the key.

At 506, the device may provide haptic feedback based on the set of parameters in response to the pressing of the key. In one embodiment, to provide haptic feedback based on the set of parameters, the device may trigger the haptic feedback when a press of a key satisfies at least one of a threshold force or a threshold displacement.

In one embodiment, the threshold force may be satisfied when the force applied by the depression of the key is greater than or equal to the threshold force. In one embodiment, the device may detect the force applied by the depression of the key using a sensor configured to measure the force applied to the key.

In one embodiment, the threshold displacement may be satisfied when a displacement of a surface of the key caused by a depression of the key is greater than or equal to the threshold displacement. In one embodiment, the threshold displacement may be a threshold of perceived displacement. The threshold for perceived displacement may be satisfied when a duration of depression of a key is greater than or equal to a threshold duration. In one embodiment, the device may use a sensor or circuitry to determine the duration of the depression of a key.

In one embodiment, to provide haptic feedback, the device may generate haptic feedback using a haptic actuator (e.g., haptic actuator 306 or haptic actuator 410). In one embodiment, to provide haptic feedback, the device may generate audio feedback via a speaker of the device, and the haptic feedback may be generated from the audio feedback. In one embodiment, the device may further set or adjust the audio feedback based on the pressing of the key to set or adjust the haptic feedback.

Fig. 6 is a conceptual data flow diagram 600 illustrating the data flow between different components/assemblies in an exemplary device 602. The apparatus 602 may be an input device or a computing device coupled to an input device. In one embodiment, the device 602 may be the mouse 300 or the mouse 400 described above. The device 602 may include a parameter manager 604, the parameter manager 604 setting or adjusting a set of parameters associated with actuating keys of the device. In one embodiment, the parameter manager 604 may perform the operations described above with reference to 502 in FIG. 5.

The device 602 may include a key press measurement unit 610, the key press measurement unit 610 detecting a press of a key and making a measurement regarding the press of the key. In one embodiment, the measurement may include a force applied by a press of a key and/or a duration of time that the key was pressed. In one embodiment, key press measurement unit 610 may perform the operations described above with reference to 504 in FIG. 5.

The device 602 may include a haptic feedback controller 608, the haptic feedback controller 608 providing haptic feedback based on the parameters provided by the parameter manager 604 and the measurements provided by the key press measurement unit 610. In one embodiment, the haptic feedback controller 608 may output a control signal to the haptic actuator. In one embodiment, the haptic feedback controller 608 may output a control signal to a speaker within or coupled to the device. In one embodiment, haptic feedback controller 608 may perform the operations described above with reference to 506 in FIG. 5.

The device 602 may include additional components that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the flowchart of fig. 5. Thus, each block in the flowchart of fig. 5 may be performed by a component and an apparatus may include one or more of those components. The components may be one or more of the following hardware components: specifically configured to carry out the recited process/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the recited process/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or some combination thereof.

Fig. 7 is a diagram 700 illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for a device 602' using a processing system 714. The processing system 714 may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus 724. The bus 724 may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system 714 and the overall design constraints. The bus 724 links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware components, represented by the processor 704, the components 604, 608, 610, and the computer-readable medium/memory 706. The bus 724 may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described again.

The processing system 714 includes a processor 704 coupled to a computer-readable medium/memory 706. The processor 704 is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium/memory 706. The software, when executed by the processor 704, causes the processing system 714 to perform the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium/memory 706 may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor 704 when executing software. The processing system 714 further includes at least one of the components 604, 608, 610. These components may be software components running in the processor 704, resident/stored in the computer readable medium/memory 706, one or more hardware components coupled to the processor 704, or some combination thereof.

It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flow diagrams disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes/flow diagrams may be reconfigured. Further, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

The previous description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the language claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather "one or more. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. The term "some" refers to one or more, unless specifically stated otherwise. Combinations such as "A, B or at least one of C", "A, B or one or more of C", "A, B and at least one of C", "one or more of A, B and C", and "A, B, C or any combination thereof" include A, B, and/or any combination of C, and may include multiples of a, multiples of B, or multiples of C. In particular, combinations such as "at least one of A, B or C", "one or more of A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", "one or more of A, B and C", and "A, B, C or any combination thereof" may be a only, B only, C, A only and B, A and C, B and C, or a and B and C, where any such combination may contain one or more members of A, B or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the components of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words "module," mechanism, "" element, "" device, "and the like may not be alternatives to the word" means. Thus, an element that is not claimed should be construed as a member plus function unless the element is explicitly recited using the phrase "member for … …".