阅读说明：本技术 用于近场无线装置的品质因数控制 (Quality factor control for near field wireless devices ) 是由 安东尼·凯斯拉斯 莉斯贝思·戈麦 于 2020-08-28 设计创作，主要内容包括：一个例子公开了一种近场无线装置,包括：近场天线；可变电流源；耦合到所述近场天线和所述可变电流源的控制器；其中所述控制器被配置成测量所述近场天线的传输品质因数(Qtx)；并且其中所述控制器被配置成当测得的Qtx低于最小Qtx时,增大由所述可变电流源发送到所述近场天线的电流。(One example discloses a near field wireless apparatus, comprising: a near field antenna; a variable current source; a controller coupled to the near field antenna and the variable current source; wherein the controller is configured to measure a transmission quality factor (Qtx) of the near field antenna; and wherein the controller is configured to increase the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna when the measured Qtx is below a minimum Qtx.)

1. A near field wireless apparatus, comprising:

a near field antenna;

a variable current source;

a controller coupled to the near field antenna and the variable current source;

wherein the controller is configured to measure a transmission quality factor (Qtx) of the near field antenna; and is

Wherein the controller is configured to increase the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna when the measured Qtx is below a minimum Qtx.

2. The apparatus of claim 1:

wherein the controller is configured to set an upper limit for current increase to prevent the near field antenna from transmitting signals that exceed a set of legal limits.

3. The apparatus of claim 1:

wherein the controller is configured to reduce the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna when Qtx is above the minimum Qtx.

4. The apparatus of claim 1:

characterized in that the variable current source comprises a set of amplifiers arranged in parallel with each other.

5. The apparatus of claim 4:

characterized in that the current sent to the near field antenna is increased or decreased by switching in or switching out one or more of the amplifiers.

6. The apparatus of claim 4:

wherein the amplifier is a current amplifier.

7. The apparatus of claim 6:

characterized in that half of the current amplifiers are coupled to a first feed point of the near field antenna and the other half of the current amplifiers are coupled to a second feed point of the near field antenna.

8. The apparatus of claim 1:

wherein the near field antenna comprises a set of feed points;

the apparatus additionally includes a set of voltage sense lines coupled from the feed point to the controller; and is

Wherein the controller is configured to measure a channel or signal voltage on the voltage sense line and calculate the measured Qtx based on the measured channel or signal voltage.

9. The apparatus of claim 1:

wherein the controller is configured to obtain Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements corresponding to signals transmitted by the near field device; and is

Wherein if the measured RSS is above a minimum RSS, the controller is configured not to increase the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna even if the measured Qtx is below the minimum Qtx.

10. The apparatus of claim 1:

characterized by additionally comprising a tuning circuit coupled to the controller;

wherein the tuning circuit comprises a set of tuning elements configured to adjust Qtx; and is

Wherein the controller is configured to increase Qtx using the tuning circuit.

Technical Field

This specification relates to systems, methods, apparatus, devices, articles of manufacture, and instructions for quality factor control of wireless near-field devices.

Background

Discussed herein are near-field interactions between near-field devices (e.g., on a user's body) and other near-field electromagnetic induction (NFEMI) based conductive surfaces and/or other wireless networking devices (e.g., internet of things (Iot) devices), where a transmitter and a receiver are coupled by a magnetic (H) field and an electrical (E) field. RF wireless communication is achieved by propagating RF plane waves through free space, while NFEMI communication utilizes non-propagating quasi-static H and E fields.

H-field antennas (i.e., magnetic antennas) are primarily sensitive to magnetic fields and/or primarily enable magnetic fields when driven by electric current. All E-field components from the H-field antenna are greatly reduced (e.g., -20dB to-60 dB, with a reduction of 0.1 to 0.0008 (10% to 0.08%) depending on the antenna design).

A small loop antenna is an exemplary H-field antenna and includes a loop antenna that is much smaller in size than the wavelength it uses. The small loop antenna does not resonate at the NFEMI carrier frequency but is tuned to resonate through external reactance. In some example embodiments, the current in the small loop antenna has the same value at each position of the loop.

E-field antennas (i.e., electrical antennas) are primarily sensitive to and/or primarily enable electric fields when driven by voltages. All H-field components from the E-field antenna are greatly reduced (e.g., -20dB to-60 dB, with a reduction of 0.1 to 0.0008 (10% to 0.08%) depending on the antenna design).

The short-loaded dipole antenna is an example E-field antenna and includes a short dipole sized much smaller than the NFEMI carrier frequency, and in some example embodiments has an additional capacitive surface at both ends.

The quasi-static nature of these fields is a result of the NFEMI antenna size in combination with its carrier frequency. Most of the near-field energy is stored in the form of magnetic and electric fields, while a small amount of RF energy inevitably propagates in free space. The geometry of the miniature antenna minimizes the radiated wave in free space.

Disclosure of Invention

According to an example embodiment, a near field wireless device comprises: a near field antenna; a variable current source; a controller coupled to the near field antenna and the variable current source; wherein the controller is configured to measure a transmission quality factor (Qtx) of the near field antenna; and wherein the controller is configured to increase the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna when the measured Qtx is below a minimum Qtx.

In another example embodiment, the controller is configured to set an upper limit for current increase to prevent the near field antenna from transmitting signals that exceed a set of legal limits.

In another example embodiment, the controller is configured to reduce the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna when Qtx is above the minimum Qtx.

In another example embodiment, the variable current source comprises a set of amplifiers arranged in parallel with each other.

In another example embodiment, the current sent to the near field antenna is increased or decreased by switching in or out one or more of the amplifiers.

In another example embodiment, the amplifier is a current amplifier.

In another example embodiment, half of the current amplifiers are coupled to a first feed point of the near field antenna and the other half of the current amplifiers are coupled to a second feed point of the near field antenna.

In another example embodiment, the near field antenna comprises a set of feed points; the apparatus additionally includes a set of voltage sense lines coupled from the feed point to the controller; and wherein the controller is configured to measure a channel or signal voltage on the voltage sense line and calculate the measured Qtx based on the measured channel or signal voltage.

In another example embodiment, the measured channel or signal voltage is 3dB lower than the maximum channel or signal voltage.

In another example embodiment, a voltage on the voltage sense line is based on the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna.

In another example embodiment, the controller is configured to obtain Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements corresponding to signals transmitted by the near field device; and if the measured RSS is above a minimum RSS, the controller is configured to not increase the current sent by the variable current source to the near field antenna even if the measured Qtx is below the minimum Qtx.

In another example embodiment, if said measured RSS is below said minimum RSS, said controller is configured to increase said current sent by said variable current source to said near field antenna.

In another example embodiment, the apparatus additionally includes a receiver circuit; and the controller is coupled to the receiver circuit and configured to obtain the RSS measurements from the receiver circuit.

In another example embodiment, the minimum RSS is higher than a noise floor of the receiver circuit.

In another example embodiment, the near field antenna is a first near field antenna; the receiver circuit is coupled to a second near field antenna; and the controller is coupled to obtain the RSS measurements from a second near-field antenna.

In another example embodiment, the near field device is a first near field device; and the controller is configured to obtain the RSS measurements by requesting the RSS measurements from a second near field device configured to receive the communication signals transmitted by the first near field device.

In another example embodiment, if said second near field device does not respond to said RSS measurement request from said first near field device, said controller is configured to assume that said measured RSS is below said minimum RSS.

In another example embodiment, additionally comprising a tuning circuit coupled to the controller; wherein the tuning circuit comprises a set of tuning elements configured to adjust Qtx; and wherein the controller is configured to increase Qtx using the tuning circuit.

In another example embodiment, the tuning element comprises a set of variable resistors; and the controller is configured to increase Qtx using the variable resistor.

In another example embodiment, the near field antenna is configured to receive and transmit non-propagating quasi-static electrical and/or magnetic near field signals.

The above discussion is not intended to represent each example embodiment, or every implementation, within the scope of the present or future claim sets. The figures and the detailed description that follow further illustrate various example embodiments.

Various example embodiments may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of aIs an example of a first near-field antenna in a first near-field wireless device.

FIG. 2Is an example of a second near field antenna in a second near field wireless device.

FIG. 3An example ideal equivalent circuit for a first near-field antenna configured to transmit communication signals in a first near-field device.

FIG. 4An example ideal equivalent circuit for a second near-field antenna configured to transmit communication signals in a second near-field device.

FIG. 5Is an example frequency response graph for a second near field antenna communication channel used to transmit communication signals by a second near field device.

FIG. 6An example ideal equivalent circuit for a second near field antenna configured to transmit communication signals in a third near field wireless device.

FIG. 7Is an exemplary set of instructions and/or logic circuitry for operating the third near-field wireless device.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. However, it is to be understood that other embodiments beyond the specific embodiments described are possible. The intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Detailed Description

Some wearable articles, such as hearing aids and wireless earplugs, employ Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) as a method of wireless communication. In NFMI wireless communication, two loosely coupled coils effect signal transmission. And radiation of radio waves does not occur. The current flowing in the transmission coil generates an H-field, which in turn induces a current in the receiving coil. In this way, wireless communication is achieved. Disadvantageously, the NFMI systems based on H-fields with small antenna coils have a limited range, which may be much smaller than the range of the entire wearer's body. Such H-field communication is sensitive to coil orientation. In terms of the form factor of the hearing aid, the H-field sensing based system cannot cover the whole human body. However, since in a hearing aid the two coils are always aligned with each other, they are not affected by the movement of the human body.

Other wearables employ near-field inductance (NFEI) as a method of wireless communication. The NFEI allows electronic devices on and near a conductive surface (e.g., a human body) to exchange information through E-field coupling (e.g., at 21 MHz). NFEI is sometimes also referred to as Body Coupled Communication (BCC). Although the E-field based NFEI signal range may be larger than the H-field based NFMI signal range, the E-field signal strength may vary according to body posture and be sensitive to body movement. The body may even partially block the capacitive return path, increasing the E-field channel loss, and reliable and stable wireless communication may not be possible.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of aIs an example of a first near field antenna 100 in a first near field wireless device. In this example, antenna 100 is a Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) antenna. The antenna 100 comprises a coil (H-field) antenna 105 for magnetic fields. The H-field antenna 105 includes a ferrite core 110 wound with a wire 115. The feed points 135, 140 of the antenna 100 are coupled to respective transceiver circuitry, e.g., downlink radio transmitter and receiver integrated circuits (RF-ICs), (not shown here). The antenna 100 may be tuned to resonate at the communication frequency by means of reactive elements/components (e.g., capacitors (C-bank)) integrated in the RF-IC. Reactive elements/components, such as resistors (R-sets), may be similarly used to tune the bandwidth and quality factor (Q) of the antenna 100.

FIG. 2Is an example of a second near field antenna 200 in a second near field wireless device. In this example, antenna 200 is a near field electromagnetic induction (NFEMI) antenna. The antenna 200 includes a coil (H-field) antenna 105 for magnetic fields, and a short-loaded dipole (E-field) antenna 220 for electric fields. The H-field antenna 105 includes a ferrite core 110 wound with a wire 115. The E-field antenna 220 includes two conductive loading surfaces 225 and 230. The feed points 135, 140 of the antenna 200 may also be coupled to various transceiver circuitry, such as a down-form radio transmitter and receiver integrated circuit (RF-IC), (not shown here). The antenna 200 may also be tuned to resonate at the communication frequency by means of reactive elements/components (e.g., capacitors (C-bank)) integrated in the RF-IC. The bandwidth and quality factor (Q) of the antenna 200 may be similarly tuned using reactive elements/components, such as resistors (R-sets).

When the NFEMI antenna 200 is in proximity to a conductive structure (e.g., a structure, a subject, a person, an item, etc. having one or more conductive surfaces), the magnetic and electric fields will be substantially confined to the conductive surfaces and will not generate significant radiation in free space. This enhances the security and privacy of such subject network communications.

In various exemplary embodiments, the antenna 200 operates at a frequency of 50MHz or less than 50MHz (e.g., at 30MHz) to ensure that the field follows the contour of the conductive surface and that far field radiation is greatly reduced.

FIG. 3Is an example ideal equivalent circuit 300 of a first near field antenna 100 configured to transmit communication signals in a first near field device. The example 300 includes a tuning circuit 302, a current amplifier 304, and a controller 306.

The first near-field antenna 100 shows the inductance (L1) of the coil antenna 105 and the resistive loss (R3) within the wire 115. The tuning circuit 302 includes variable capacitors C1 and C2 and variable load resistors R1 and R2. The current amplifier 304 supplies the communication signal modulating current to the near field antenna 100, thereby generating a voltage across the feed points 135, 140.

The controller 306 tunes the resonant frequency (e.g., 10.6MHz) of the antenna 100 with variable capacitors C1 and C2 (i.e., group C). The controller 306 tunes the bandwidth (e.g., 400KHz) and quality factor (Q) of the antenna 100 with variable load resistors R1 and R2 (i.e., R sets).

FIG. 4An example ideal equivalent circuit 400 for a second near field antenna 200 configured to transmit communication signals in a second near field device. The example 400 includes a tuning circuit 402, a current amplifier 404, and a controller 406.

The second near-field antenna 200 shows the inductance of the coil antenna 105 (L1), the resistive loss within the wire 115 (R3), the capacitance of the conductive surfaces 225, 230 (Ca), and the resistive loss of the short-loaded dipole (E-field) antenna 220 (R4). The tuning circuit 402 includes variable capacitors C1 and C2 and variable load resistors R1 and R2. The current amplifier 404 supplies the communication signal modulated current to the near field antenna 200, thereby generating a voltage across the feed points 135, 140.

The controller 406 tunes the resonant frequency (e.g., 10.6MHz) of the antenna 200 with variable capacitors C1 and C2 (i.e., group C). The controller 406 tunes the bandwidth (e.g., 400KHz) and quality factor (Q) of the antenna 200 with variable load resistors R1 and R2 (i.e., R sets). The tuning range of the C-bank capacitors is limited by the physical size of the capacitors. The tuning range of the R group of resistors is limited by their leakage current.

FIG. 5Is an example frequency response graph 500 of a communication channel 508 of a second near field antenna 200 for transmitting communication signals by a second near field device. The horizontal axis 502 shows frequency in MHz and the vertical axis 504 shows voltage across the feed points 135, 140 in dBV. Also shown is a frequency response curve 506 for channel 508. In this example embodiment, the communication channel 508 is defined by the 3dBV point in the frequency response curve 506.

In this example, the second near-field antenna 200 is tuned at a frequency of 10.6MHz with a channel bandwidth 508 of 400KHz, and the second near-field antenna 200 has a transmission quality factor (Qtx) defined as:

where Fr is the communication frequency (MHz) and BW is the channel bandwidth 508 (MHz). In this particular example, the value of Qtx is 26.5. The channel bandwidth 508 is important to allow communication signals to be passed without distortion.

The antenna also has an inherent quality factor (Qa) (based on its inherent physical structure, and resistive losses R3 and R4), which is defined as:

where Fr is the resonance frequency (MHz) and BWa is the channel bandwidth (MHz). For example, the near field antenna may have an intrinsic quality factor of 50.

Qtx and the transmission current must not be too high, otherwise the antenna of the near field device will generate spurious emissions that will exceed legal limits. For example, in Europe, Standard ETSI-EN3003301V1.7.1(2010-02) describes a limit on far-field spurious emission limits. In the united states, the standard FCC-subsection-C15.209 describes the limitation of far-field spurious emissions.

The far field emission of the near field antenna may also be caused by small currents induced in the user wearing the near field device. In some instances, this is because the user's body acts as an efficient antenna at frequencies in the range of 70MHz to 150MHz, and stray currents in this frequency range will produce unwanted far-field emissions. For example, when the communication frequency is 10.6MHz, spurious emissions will be generated at all of its harmonics (e.g., 21.2MHz, 31.8MHz, etc.) and in the 70MHz to 150MHz frequency range.

Qtx cannot be too low or the Received Signal Strength (RSS) at other near-field devices is reduced, resulting in a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that is not suitable for reliable data communication.

In various exemplary embodiments, during near field device manufacturing, the current sent to the second near field antenna 200 is fixed at a maximum that does not exceed the legal spurious emission limit, but that will provide as stable an SNR as possible when receiving the near field device.

While the fixed current sent by the current amplifier 404 to the second near-field antenna 200 is related to the idealized/target Qtx (assuming ideal conditions), the second near-field antenna 200 may be coupled to multiple conductive structures from time to time during actual near-field device operation. Some of these conductive structural couplings are necessary to enable communication; however, some of these conductive structure couplings are parasitic (e.g., not required). These parasitic couplings (non-ideal) cause Qtx to deviate from its idealized/target Qtx.

If Qtx is too high, the R group of resistors in the tuning circuit 402 may be Qtx within limitsReducingBack into the nominal operating range (e.g., reducing Qtx from 50 to 26.5). Similarly, if Qtx is too low, the R set of resistors in the tuned circuit 402 may be Q within limitsIncreaseBack in the nominal Q range.

In some realistic (non-idealized) near-field device operations/applications, Qtx may drop low and fast (e.g., according to user's body movement) such that the R-set of resistors in tuning circuit 402 cannot tune QIncreaseBack in the nominal Q range.

Examples of where Q can drop rapidly and significantly include: hearing aid and ear plug applications, where the user places the smartphone too close to the hearing aid or ear plug. In this case, the NFMI antenna will be close to the conductive structure of the smartphone and the quality factor of the NFMI antenna may fall below 26.5 inappropriately, for example to 15. Another example is when the communication device uses an NFEMI antenna implemented in a wristband. When the user's wrist is close to a metal object or behind a person's back, the quality factor of the antenna may drop below a desired value.

Discussed now are particular circuits and techniques for increasing the transmission quality factor (Qtx) when Qtx is below a nominal operating range that does not violate any legal spurious emission limits. These circuits and techniques can quickly and significantly increase the current sent to the antenna of the near field device when Qtx is below the nominal Qtx range, and similarly can quickly and significantly decrease the current sent to the antenna of the near field device when Qtx is back within the nominal Qtx range so as to not exceed any legal spurious emission limits.

These circuits and techniques are applicable to Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) and near field electromagnetic Near Field (NFEMI) communication devices.

FIG. 6Is an example ideal equivalent circuit 600 for a second near field antenna 200 configured to transmit communication signals in a third near field wireless device. The example 600 includes a tuning circuit 402, a variable current source 602 (e.g., a set of current amplifiers in parallel), and a controller 604.

In various example embodiments, the controller 604 includes a set of voltage sense lines 606, 608 for monitoring the voltage across the near field antenna 200, and is coupled to receive RSS measurements 610 from a local receiver circuit and/or to receive communications from another near field device that receives the communication signals transmitted by the near field device of example 600.

The controller 604 controlsFIG. 4The tuning circuit 402 discussed in (1); however, the controller 604 also controls the variable current source 602 (e.g., by switching in or out one or more of the current amplifiers (e.g., a 1-a 5, B1-B5) arranged in parallel with each other) to additionally vary the total amount of current sent to the second near field antenna 200.

This greater degree of current control enables the controller 604 to compensate for the large drop in Qtx by sending a much larger current to the second near-field antenna 200, and also to quickly compensate for the large increase in Qtx by reducing the current sent to the second near-field antenna 200 so as not to violate legal transmit limits.

The increase in current results in an increase in voltage across the feed points 135, 140 of the second near field antenna 200. In some examples, the controller 604 includes a DSP (digital signal processor).

FIG. 7Is an exemplary set of instructions and/or logic circuitry for operating the controller 604 of the third near-field wireless device. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the order in which the instructions are discussed does not limit the order in which other example embodiments implement the instructions. Additionally, in some embodiments, the instructions are implemented in parallel.

The first example instruction set 700 of the controller 604 begins at 702 where the controller 604 reduces the current flowing to the second near-field antenna 200 if the measured transmission quality factor (Qtx) is above a minimum Qtx.

Next, at 704, if the measured Qtx is below the minimum Qtx but within a first adjustment range, Qtx is increased by variable resistance tuning (R-bank) of the circuit. Then, in 706, if the measured Qtx is below the minimum Qtx but not within the first adjustment range, Qtx is increased by increasing the current sent to the second near-field antenna 200, but this operation does not cause spurious emissions that exceed the legal limits. The controller 604 varies the current.

Thus, while initially the tuning circuits 402 (e.g., group C and group R) can attempt to compensate by increasing or decreasing Qtx, when the decrease in Qtx is too large, the tuning circuits cannot increase Qtx sufficiently above the minimum Qtx, and the controller 604 must adjust the variable current source 602 (e.g., switch in more current amplifiers) to boost the current delivered to the second near-field antenna 200.

The second example set of instructions 708 for the controller 604 begins at 710 where the controller 604 will reduce the current flowing to the second near-field antenna 200 if the measured transmission quality factor (Qtx) is above the minimum Qtx.

Next, at 712, if the measured Qtx is below the minimum Qtx but within the first adjustment range, Qtx is increased by variable resistance tuning (R-bank) of the circuit. Subsequently, at 714, if the measured Qtx is below the minimum Qtx but is not within the first adjustment range, the controller 604 obtains Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements corresponding to the transmission signal and Qtx of the near field device.

The controller 604 may obtain the RSS measurements in a variety of ways. For example, a transmitting near field device may request an RSS measurement from another receiving near field device corresponding to a communication signal sent by the transmitting near field device. Furthermore, when another near field device does not respond to an RSS measurement request, the transmitting near field device assumes that the RSS is below the minimum RSS. For example, the minimum RSS may be 5 to 10dB higher than the noise floor of the near field device receiver.

In another example, the antenna 200 is switched between the transmission tuning circuit 402 and a receiver circuit (not shown) that then measures the RSS.

In another example, the transmitting near field device itself may have another near field antenna coupled to its own receive circuitry for locally receiving RSS measurements.

Subsequently, at 716, if the RSS is below the minimum RSS, the controller 604 increases Qtx by increasing the current flowing to the second near-field antenna 200, but at a higher current level that does not cause spurious emissions that exceed legal limits. In some example embodiments, any decrease in the quality factor below a threshold reference level (e.g., minimum Qtx) can be linearly compensated by increasing the current flowing to the antenna 200.

The circuits and techniques described above may be applied in various embodiments to wireless ear buds, hearing aids, wireless body networks, smart lock systems, identification industrial measurement systems, and IOT systems.

Various circuits, logic gates, modules, computers, etc. may host the instructions. Such a system may include an input/output data interface, a processor, a storage device, and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable storage medium includes instructions that control how the processor receives input data and converts the input data into output data using data within the storage device. In an alternative example embodiment, the machine-readable storage medium is a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In other example embodiments, the instruction sets described above may be implemented using logic gates, special purpose chips, firmware, and other hardware forms.

Example embodiments of the materials discussed in this specification can be implemented in whole or in part by a network, computer, or data-based device and/or service. These may include clouds, the internet, intranets, mobile devices, desktop computers, processors, look-up tables, microcontrollers, consumer devices, information infrastructure, or other enabled devices and services. As used herein and in the claims, the following non-exclusive definitions are provided.

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Therefore, the detailed description of the various embodiments as represented in the figures is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in view of the description herein, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.