阅读说明：本技术 个人移动工具 (Personal moving tool ) 是由 车东垠 黄珍皓 李尚宪 于 2021-06-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：本申请涉及个人移动工具。一种个人移动工具可以包括：主体,设置有上板部；轮子,与待驱动的主体连接；以及电池,设置在主体或轮子中并且被配置为向轮子提供驱动能量,其中,移动工具被配置为存储在车辆中或从车辆拉出,并且电池被配置为与车辆的高压电池相关联地充电或放电。(The present application relates to personal mobility tools. A personal mobility tool may include: a main body provided with an upper plate portion; a wheel connected with the main body to be driven; and a battery provided in the main body or the wheel and configured to supply driving energy to the wheel, wherein the moving tool is configured to be stored in or pulled out from the vehicle, and the battery is configured to be charged or discharged in association with a high-voltage battery of the vehicle.)

1. A mobile tool, comprising:

a main body provided with an upper plate portion;

a wheel connected with the main body to be driven; and

a battery provided in the main body or the wheel and configured to supply driving energy to the wheel,

wherein the mobile tool is configured to be stored in or pulled out of a vehicle, and

wherein the battery is configured to be charged or discharged in association with a battery of the vehicle.

2. The mobile tool of claim 1, further comprising a rod, the rod being built into the body,

wherein, when the rod is inserted into the body, the rod is configured to be pulled out of the body by an external force for use.

3. The mobile tool of claim 2, wherein the rod is not exposed outside the body when the rod is fully inserted into the body.

4. The mobile tool according to claim 1, wherein the battery and a driving unit of the mobile tool are provided within the main body, and the driving unit receives the driving energy transmitted from the battery of the mobile tool and drives the wheel by the driving energy.

5. The moving tool according to claim 2, wherein in a state where the rod is inserted into the main body, the main body is configured to be stored in a dedicated storage space separately provided in the vehicle.

6. The mobile tool of claim 1, further comprising a controller comprising a processor configured to wirelessly control the wheels.

7. The mobile tool according to claim 1, wherein,

wherein a wireless charging reception module connected to the battery of the mobile tool is provided in the main body, and

wherein the wireless charging reception module is configured to receive power from a wireless charging transmission module provided in a storage space of the vehicle and charge the battery of the mobile tool when the mobile tool is stored in the storage space.

8. The mobile tool of claim 2, wherein the lever is rotatably connected to the body at a predetermined adjustable angle.

9. The mobile tool according to claim 2, wherein,

wherein the rod comprises a first member having a first end connected to the body, the first member being adjustable in length according to the point of connection with the body and inserted into the body; and a second member which is connected to a second end portion of the first member and is insertable into the first member, and

wherein the length of the rod is adjustable by inserting a portion of the second member into the first member to adjust the length of the second member.

10. The moving tool as claimed in claim 9,

wherein the second member includes a plurality of holes, and

wherein the first member includes a through hole and a fixing pin disposed outside the first member, the fixing pin is configured to be inserted into the through hole of the first member, and one of the plurality of holes fixes the second member to the first member to fix the length of the rod.

11. The moving tool according to claim 9, wherein the second member is formed in plurality to be telescopically movable.

12. The mobile tool according to claim 1, wherein,

wherein a handle is disposed at an end of the rod and a central portion of the handle is connected to the end of the rod and first and second ends of the handle extend from the central portion to first and second sides of the handle, respectively.

13. The mobile tool according to claim 12, wherein,

wherein the first and second ends of the handle are foldable relative to the central portion.

14. The mobile tool according to claim 13, wherein,

wherein the handle includes a hinge portion foldable in a predetermined direction and a gear portion including a plurality of gears provided inside the hinge portion;

wherein the hinges comprise a first hinge in the central portion of the handle and second and third hinges on the first and second sides of the handle, respectively; and is

Wherein the gear part includes a first gear part disposed within the first hinge part, a second gear part disposed within the second hinge part, and a third gear part disposed within the third hinge part.

15. The mobile tool according to claim 14, wherein,

wherein the first gear part includes an even number of gears of the plurality of gears, and

wherein the second gear part and the third gear part respectively include odd-numbered gears of the plurality of gears.

16. The mobile tool of claim 1, wherein a stopper is provided on an inner surface of the main body, and the stopper is configured to fix the goods loaded on the upper plate portion.

17. The mobile tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a global positioning system configured to receive location information related to the mobile tool;

a first receiver connected to the global positioning system and configured to receive the location information related to the mobile tool from the global positioning system;

a first transmitter connected to the first receiver and configured to transmit the location information related to the mobile tool; and

a controller connected to the first transmitter and configured to receive the location information related to the mobile tool from the first transmitter.

18. The mobile tool according to claim 17, wherein,

wherein the main body is stored in a storage space separately provided in the vehicle in a state where the lever is inserted into the main body, and the storage space has a door configured to open or close the storage space; and is

The first transmitter transmits the position information related to the moving tool to the vehicle, and the first receiver receives information on whether to open or close the door from the vehicle.

19. The mobile tool of claim 17, the vehicle comprising:

the storage space having a door;

a second receiver configured to receive the location information related to the mobile tool from the first transmitter;

a second transmitter configured to transmit a signal to the vehicle to open the door of the storage space when the mobile tool is located within a predetermined distance from the vehicle, thereby storing the mobile tool in the storage space.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a mobile tool, which can be seated in a comfortable position by a user because a lever of the mobile tool is adjustable in length and a handle is foldable and unfoldable, and which can be charged in a state in which the mobile tool is stored in a vehicle, and which can transmit position information to or receive position information from the vehicle.

Background

Recently, attention to personal moving means (means of transportation on which one person can ride) has been greatly increased. Since the moving means is not affected by traffic jam, it is suitable for short distance traffic, and since it is driven by electric power rather than an internal combustion engine, it does not pose an environmental pollution problem. As representative moving tools, various types of moving tools have appeared, such as segway, electric wheels, and electric scooters.

Generally, a mobile tool is provided with a battery as a power source and a driving device such as a motor. Since mobile tool manufacturers produce mobile tools having different battery voltages and current amounts, charging voltages and currents thereof are also different from each other, thereby causing difficulty in charging these different mobile tools.

Since the moving tool is rather bulky, it is not easy to store the moving tool, and since the moving tool is rather heavy, it is uncomfortable for a user to forcibly drag the moving tool. Therefore, if a situation where the battery is discharged occurs during traveling, it is uncomfortable to store or transport the moving means.

Further, there is a limitation in using a moving means as a vehicle for loading and transporting goods, in addition to being used as a moving means.

The information included in the background section of the present invention is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and is not to be construed as an admission that the information forms part of the prior art or any form of suggestion that the person skilled in the art knows.

Disclosure of Invention

Various aspects of the present invention are directed to provide a mobile tool having a structure in which a rod is inserted into a main body to minimize a volume thereof and to facilitate storage thereof, the mobile tool is configured to be stored in a vehicle and wirelessly charged with the vehicle for simultaneous charging and storage, and the mobile tool is configured to fold or unfold a handle to facilitate grasping the handle.

According to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention to achieve the above object, a moving tool may include: a main body provided with an upper plate portion; a wheel connected with the main body to be driven; and a battery provided in the main body or the wheel and configured to supply driving energy to the wheel, wherein the moving tool is configured to be stored in or pulled out from the vehicle, and the battery is configured to be charged or discharged in association with a high-voltage battery of the vehicle.

The moving tool may further include a rod inserted and built in the body, wherein the completely inserted rod is not exposed outside the body, and the rod is configured to be pulled out of the body for use by an external force.

A battery and a driving unit may be provided within the main body, and the driving unit may receive driving energy transmitted from the battery and may drive the wheels.

In a state where the lever is fully inserted into the main body, the main body may be stored in a dedicated storage space separately provided in the vehicle.

The mobile tool may further include a controller configured to wirelessly control the wheels.

A wireless charging reception module connected to the battery may be provided in the main body, and a wireless charging transmission module may be provided in a storage space of the vehicle, wherein the wireless charging transmission module is configured to supply power to the wireless charging reception module in a state in which the mobile tool is stored in the storage space, and the wireless charging reception module charges the battery of the mobile tool.

The lever may be rotatably connected to the body at an adjustable angle.

The rod may include a first member having one end connected to the body, the first member being adjustable in length based on a connection point with the body and inserted into the body; and a second member connected to the other end of the first member and insertable into the first member, wherein the length of the rod is adjustable by adjusting the length of insertion of the second member into the first member.

The fixing pin may be disposed outside the first member and may be inserted into the first member, and may fix the second member to fix the length of the rod.

The handle may have a structure in which a central portion of the handle is connected to the rod, and both sides of the handle extend from the central portion and are folded toward the central portion, so that the handle can be folded or unfolded.

The handle may include a hinge portion that is foldable inwardly; and a gear part including a plurality of gears disposed within the hinge part, the hinge part may include a first hinge part located in a central portion of the handle, and second and third hinge parts located on both sides of the handle, the gear part may include a first gear part disposed within the first hinge part; a second gear portion disposed within the second hinge portion; and a third gear part disposed within the third hinge part.

The stopper may be provided on an inner surface of the main body and may fix the goods loaded on the upper plate portion.

The moving means may further comprise: a Global Positioning System (GPS) configured to receive location information related to a mobile tool; a first receiver connected to the GPS and configured to receive location information from the GPS; a first transmitter connected to the first receiver and configured to transmit the location information; and a controller connected to the first transmitter and configured to receive the location information from the first transmitter.

In a state where the lever is fully inserted into the body, the body may be stored in a dedicated storage space separately provided in the vehicle, the storage space may have a door configured to open or close the storage space, the first transmitter may transmit the position information to the vehicle, and the first receiver may receive information on whether to open or close the door.

Since the moving tool according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention is configured such that the rod is configured to be completely inserted into the body and pulled upward for use, the volume of the moving tool may be minimized, and thus may be easily stored.

Since the shape of the handle is foldable or unfoldable, the user can change the shape of the handle for comfortable gripping and the stop is provided to facilitate loading of goods.

Since the mobile tool can be stored in a storage space of the vehicle and can be wirelessly charged while the mobile tool is stored, it is easy to maintain the charge amount of the battery, and a controller that can be carried by a user is provided to enable radio control. Further, since the position information is displayed on the controller, the user can easily grasp the current position of the moving means.

The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or are set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and in the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the invention.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile tool according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a view exemplarily showing a state in which a mobile tool is stored in or pulled out of a storage space of a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a view exemplarily illustrating the movement of a lever and a handle of a mobile tool according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view exemplarily illustrating an interior of a handle of a mobile tool according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a view exemplarily showing a state where the moving tool is used as a cart according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a view exemplarily showing a region B of fig. 5;

fig. 7 is a view exemplarily showing a region of fig. 2; and

fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a communication relationship between a moving tool and a vehicle according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

It is to be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The particular design features of the invention as embodied herein, including, for example, particular dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

In the drawings, like or equivalent parts of the invention are designated by reference numerals throughout the several views.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that the description is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the present invention is intended to cover not only exemplary embodiments of the present invention but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The specific structural or functional explanation of the embodiments of the present invention included in the exemplary embodiments or applications is merely to explain the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and the exemplary embodiments according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various forms and may not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments described in the exemplary embodiments or applications.

Since embodiments according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be variously modified and can have various forms, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and will be described in detail in exemplary embodiments or applications. However, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments according to the inventive concept are not limited to the specifically included forms, but include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

Terms such as "first and/or second" may be used to describe a plurality of constituent elements, but the constituent elements may not be limited by the terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element, and for example, a first constituent element may be referred to as a second constituent element, and a second constituent element may be referred to as a first constituent element in a similar manner, without departing from the scope of the concept according to the present invention.

It is to be understood that if it is referred to that a certain constituent element is "connected" or "coupled" to another constituent element, it includes a case where the certain constituent element is directly connected or coupled to another constituent element and a case where the certain constituent element is connected or coupled to another constituent element via another constituent element. On the contrary, if it is mentioned that a certain constituent element is "directly connected or coupled" to another constituent element, it is understood that the certain constituent element is connected or coupled to another constituent element without any intervention of the other constituent element. Other expressions for explaining the relationship between constituent elements, i.e., "between" and "exactly between" or "adjacent" and "directly adjacent" may be interpreted in the same manner.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by way of specific embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

The present invention relates to a mobile tool 10 that a user can use for traveling short distances. The mobile tool 10 is conveniently configured so that it can be stored in the storage space 22 of the vehicle 20 and, when stored, the battery 110 of the mobile tool can be charged by the high voltage battery of the vehicle.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a main body 100, a lever 200, a handle 300, and wheels 400.

The main body 100 may be provided with an upper plate portion 101, and the user puts his or her feet on the upper plate portion 101 to ride the moving means 10. The upper plate portion 101 may serve as a step for supporting the user's foot while the user is seated. The body 100 may include a rigid material so that it can bear the weight of a user and it is not damaged by external impact. In addition, a battery 110 providing driving energy may be built in the main body 100. The battery 110 can drive the driving unit 410 connected to the wheel 400.

The lever 200 may perform a function of allowing a user to hold the handle 300 while maintaining his or her balance during travel. The rod 200 may be inserted and built in the main body 100. When the lever 200 is completely inserted into the body 100, the lever 200 is not exposed outside the body 100, and the lever 200 may be pulled upward from the body 100 for use.

The rod 200 may have a structure extending in a multi-stage manner such that the length of the rod 200 can be adjusted in a top-to-bottom direction thereof.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the multi-stage manner includes a telescopic structure that extends the pole 200 in at least one or more stages.

Referring to fig. 1, a pole 200 may include a first member 210 and a second member 220. The first member 210 may have one end connected to the body 100 and may be adjusted in length based on the connection point with the body 100. That is, after the second member 220 is inserted into the first member 210, the first member 210 is rotated and received in the body 100 so that the first member 210 can be completely inserted into the body 100.

The second member 220 may be connected to the other end of the first member 210 and may be inserted into the first member 210. The user can adjust the entire length of the lever 200 by adjusting the length of the second member 220 inserted into the first member 210. Thus, the user can adjust the length of the lever 200 to a height suitable for the height of the user.

Further, the lever 200 may be positioned at a predetermined angle by rotating the first member 210. Accordingly, the user can selectively adjust the angle formed between the body 100 and the lever 200. Since the angle of the lever 200 may be changed according to the user's body structure or sitting posture, the user can ride the moving tool 10 in the most comfortable position.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the body 100 may include a locking device to lock the lever 200 to the body 100 at a predetermined angle. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the state in which the first member 210 is completely inserted into the main body 100 includes a state in which the first member 210 is rotated and folded on the main body 100 such that the lever 200 is positioned in a radius of the wheel 400.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the second member 220 is formed in plurality, extending in a telescopic manner.

The handle 300 may be provided at the end of the lever 200. During travel, the user can maintain his or her balance by grasping the handle 300, and can adjust the direction of travel by adjusting the center of gravity applied to the handle 300.

The wheel 400 is a vehicle and may be coupled to the main body 100. The wheel 400 may perform traveling by being driven and rotated by a driving unit built in the main body 100.

Fig. 2 is a view exemplarily showing a state in which the mobile tool 10 is stored in the storage space 22 of the vehicle 20 or pulled out from the storage space 22 of the vehicle 20 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2, a vehicle 20 may have a storage space 22 in which a mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be stored. The storage space 22 may be provided in a front bumper or a rear bumper of the vehicle 20. The storage space 22 may be opened or closed by the door 21.

The mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may further include a controller 11 configured for wireless control of the wheel 400. The controller 11 may control the operation of putting the mobile tool 10 into or out of the storage space 22. The door 21 may be configured to open or close the storage space 22, and when the storage space 22 is opened, the door 21 may be located between the storage space 22 and the floor to form a path between the moving tool 10 and the storage space 22.

Fig. 3 is a view exemplarily illustrating the movement of the lever 200 and the handle 300 of the mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 3, the fixing pin 230 may be disposed outside the first member 210 and inserted into the first member 210 through the through-hole 225 of the first member. In a state where the insertion length of the second member 220 is adjusted, the position of the second member 220 may be fixed by inserting the fixing pin 230 into the first member 210. On one side surface of the second member 220, a plurality of holes 221 into which fixing pins 230 may be inserted may be formed at predetermined intervals. The user can adjust the overall length of the pole 200 by adjusting the length of the second member 220 inserted into the first member 210 and fixing the pole 200 at a position suitable for the height of the user.

Referring to fig. 3, the handle 300 may have a structure in which a central portion of the handle 300 is connected to the pole 200 and both sides of the handle 300 extend from the central portion. Both sides of the handle 300 may be folded toward the center portion. Thus, the handle 300 may be configured to be folded or unfolded.

Fig. 4 is a view exemplarily illustrating the inside of a handle 300 of the mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring to fig. 4, a hinge portion having a hinge structure and folded inward or unfolded outward and a gear portion including a plurality of gears disposed in the hinge portion may be disposed in the handle 300.

The hinges may include a first hinge 310 in a central portion of the handle 300 and second and third hinges 320 and 330 on both sides of the handle 300.

The gear parts may include a first gear part 311 disposed in the first hinge part 310, a second gear part 321 disposed in the second hinge part 320, and a third gear part 331 disposed in the third hinge part 330.

If the user folds the handle 300 by applying an external force, the first hinge 310, the second hinge 320, and the third hinge 330 are bent, and thus the first gear part 311, the second gear part 321, and the third gear part 331 are rotated. When the gear part is rotated by an external force applied by a user, the folded state can be maintained. Since the user can use the mobile tool 10 by gripping the handle 300 with the handle 300 folded, the user can feel comfortable gripping.

The coating of the handle 300 may comprise a flexible material. Therefore, even if the handle 300 is folded or unfolded, it is not damaged.

Fig. 5 is a view exemplarily showing a state where the moving tool 10 is used as a cart according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring to fig. 5, one or more moving tools 10 may be placed side by side and the basket 30 may be connected to the upper plate portion 101, which allows the moving tools 10 to be used as a cart. A plurality of moving tools 10 may be provided according to the size of the basket 30. The moving tool 10 can be used as a cart by moving the moving tool 10 in a state of simultaneously carrying the basket 30 and various kinds of goods.

Fig. 6 is a view exemplarily showing a region B of fig. 5. Referring to fig. 6, a stopper 120 may be provided on an inner surface of the main body 100 and fix the goods loaded on the upper plate portion 101. The stopper 120 may protrude from the inner surface and fix the loaded goods, thereby preventing the goods from being separated from the upper plate portion 101 during movement.

As shown in fig. 6, the battery 110 and the driving unit 410 may be disposed within the main body 100. The driving unit 410 may be connected to the wheel 400 by a shaft 411. The moving tool 10 may move when the driving unit 410 drives the wheels using the driving energy stored in the battery 110.

Fig. 7 is a view exemplarily illustrating a region of fig. 2. Referring to fig. 7, the mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may include a wireless charging reception unit 111 provided in the main body 100.

The wireless charging reception unit 111 connected to the battery 110 may be provided in the main body 100, and the wireless charging transmission unit 23 may be provided in the storage space 22. In a state where the mobile tool 10 is stored in the storage space 22, the wireless charging transmission unit 23 may supply power to the wireless charging reception unit 111, and the wireless charging reception unit 111 may receive the power. The wireless charging reception unit 111 may be provided with a reception coil that receives an electrical signal. The wireless charging reception unit 111 may charge the battery 110 with the supplied power. In the case where the mobile tool 10 is not used, the mobile tool 10 may be stored in the storage space 22, and at the same time, the battery 110 of the mobile tool 10 may be charged by a high-voltage battery of the vehicle.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a communication relationship between the mobile tool 10 and the vehicle 20 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Referring to fig. 8, the mobile tool 10 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention may further include a Global Positioning System (GPS)14 configured to receive location information, a first receiver 13 configured to receive the location information from the GPS 14; a first transmitter 12 configured to transmit location information; and a controller 11 configured to receive the location information from the first transmitter 12.

In the case where the user cannot find the moving tool 10 placed at a specific position, the user needs to identify the position. The GPS 14 may grasp current position information related to the mobile tool 10, and the first receiver 13 may receive the corresponding position information. The first transmitter 12 may transmit corresponding position information to the controller 11, and the user may recognize current position information related to the moving tool 10 through the controller 11 carried by the user.

Furthermore, in the vehicle 20 in which the mobile tool 10 is stored, a second transmitter 24 and a second receiver 25 may be provided. The first transmitter 12 may transmit position information associated with the mobile tool 10 to the second receiver 25, and the second receiver 25 may receive the position information. If it is determined that the moving tool 10 is nearby, the second transmitter 24 may transmit a signal to open the door 21, and the door 21 may be automatically opened upon receiving the signal.

Further, the second transmitter 24 may transmit information on whether to open or close the door 21 to the first receiver 13. The first receiver 13 may receive information on whether the door 21 is opened or closed, and the first transmitter 12 may transmit corresponding information to the controller 11. The user can recognize the opening of the door 21 and then can store the moving tool in the storage space 22.

Furthermore, terms related to a control device such as "controller", "control unit", "control device" or "control module" refer to a hardware device comprising a memory and a processor configured to perform one or more steps interpreted as an algorithmic structure. The memory stores algorithm steps, and the processor executes the algorithm steps to perform one or more processes of the method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be implemented by a non-volatile memory configured to store an algorithm for controlling operations of various components of a vehicle or data regarding software commands for executing the algorithm, and a processor configured to perform the above-described operations using the data stored in the memory. The memory and the processor may be separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and the processor may be integrated in a single chip. The processor may be implemented as one or more processors. The processor may include various logic circuits and operation circuits, may process data according to a program supplied from the memory, and may generate a control signal according to a processing result.

The control means may be at least one microprocessor operated by a predetermined program which may comprise a series of commands for performing the method comprised in the various aforementioned exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The foregoing invention can also be embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The computer readable recording medium is any data storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording medium include a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a Solid State Disk (SSD), a Silicon Disk Drive (SDD), a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, an optical data storage device, and the like, and are implemented as a carrier wave (e.g., transmission through the internet).

In various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the above-described operations may be performed by a controller, and the controller may be constituted by a plurality of controllers or an integrated single controller.

For convenience in explanation and accurate definition in the appended claims, the terms "upper", "lower", "inside", "outside", "upper", "lower", "upwardly", "downwardly", "front", "rear", "back", "inner", "outer", "inwardly", "outwardly", "inside", "outside", "forward" and "rearward" are used to describe features of the exemplary embodiments with reference to the positions shown in the figures. It will also be understood that the term "connected," or derivatives thereof, refers to both direct and indirect connections.

The foregoing description of certain exemplary embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application to enable others skilled in the art to make and utilize various exemplary embodiments of the invention and various alternatives and modifications thereof. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.