Patent Grant
9235945
The following disclosure relates generally to coin processing machines and, more particularly, to coin input apparatuses and methods for use with coin counting and/or sorting machines, such as consumer-operated coin counting machines and the like.
Various types of coin counting machines are known. Some coin counting machines (e.g., vending machines, gaming devices such as slot machines, and the like) are configured to receive one coin at a time through a slot. These machines are relatively simple and typically designed for relatively low throughput and little, if any, coin cleaning. Such machines, however, are usually ill-suited for counting large quantities of consumer coins received all at once (such as a large quantity of coins poured into a machine from, e.g., a coin jar).
Machines for counting and/or sorting relatively large quantities of consumer coins include those disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,620,079, 7,028,827, 7,520,374, and 7,865,432, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Some of these machines count consumer coins and dispense redeemable cash vouchers, while others may offer other types of products and services either exclusively or in addition to vouchers. Such products and services can include, for example, dispensing and/or topping-up prepaid cards (e.g., gift cards, phone cards, etc.), “e-certificates,” and the like, and transfers to online accounts (e.g., Paypal™), mobile wallets, etc. Vouchers can be redeemed for cash and/or merchandise at a point of sale (POS) in a retail establishment, while e-certificates can enable the holder to purchase items online by inputting a code from the e-certificate when making the purchase. Prepaid gift cards can be used to make POS purchases by, for example, swiping the card through a conventional card reader, and prepaid phone cards can be used for making cell phone calls. The term “mobile wallet” can refer generally to an electronic commerce account implemented by a mobile phone or other mobile wireless device. In some embodiments, mobile wallets store “virtual gift cards,” virtual loyalty cards, etc.; transfer value; and/or conduct transactions for, e.g., purchasing goods and/or services from suitably enabled merchants. The term “virtual gift card” can refer to an application program operating on the mobile device that performs like a prepaid card, such as a gift card. Virtual gift cards can enable the user to wirelessly purchase items and/or services, pay bills, and/or conduct other transactions with retailers and other merchants via, e.g., a wirelessly enabled point of sale (POS) terminal, the Internet, and/or other computer networks.
Some coin counting and/or sorting machines include a hinged coin input tray that is manually lifted by the user to introduce their coins into the machine for processing. Such an input tray is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,079. When at rest, the input tray is angled downward and away from a raised hinge line that forms a slight peak. This prevents coins in the tray from flowing into the machine until the user begins rotating the tray upwardly about the peak. As the user continues lifting the input tray, the coins begin to slide out of the tray, over the peak and into the machine for counting and/or sorting. In some instances, the user may be required to use their hands to manually control the flow of coins out of the input tray. For example, if the user lifts the tray too fast, the user may need to place their hands near the peak to prevent coins from leaving the input tray too quickly and jamming the machine. On the other hand, if the user lifts the tray too slowly, the user may need to move some coins out of the tray and over the peak by hand. In either case, user involvement may be necessary to facilitate the coin input process. U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,125, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, disclosed an automatic coin input tray for a self-service coin-counting machine. The input tray employed a spring-loaded rotating disk that would drop if the user poured in more coins than the tray could initially process. This dropping feature can make it difficult to adequately seal gaps between the rotating disk and the surrounding coin bowl.
Speed and accuracy are important considerations in self-service coin counting machines. Consumers are less inclined to use a coin counting machine if they have to wait an appreciable amount of time to have their coins counted. Coin counting machines should also be accurate and relatively easy to operate to encourage use. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide coin counting machines with coin input systems that are relatively easy to use, and facilitate accurate and relatively fast counting of large quantities of coins.
The following disclosure describes various embodiments of apparatuses, systems and methods for receiving a plurality of coins and transferring the coins into a kiosk or machine for, e.g., counting, sorting and/or other processing of the coins. In some embodiments, for example, a coin input tray configured in accordance with the present technology can include a rotating disk disposed in a bowl structure for transferring coins placed thereon into a consumer-operated coin-counting kiosk or similar machine for counting therein. In operation, the coin disk can automatically change direction of rotation to quickly and efficiently transfer the coins into the consumer-operated kiosk without requiring the user to manually move the coins into the kiosk for counting and/or other processing. As described in greater detail below, in some embodiments the rotating coin disk can drive the coins out of the coin input tray along two different paths depending on the direction of disk rotation, and this feature can reduce the tendency of coins to jam or otherwise clog the outlet opening of the coin input tray.
The various embodiments of coin input apparatuses described herein can be used with various types of self-service and/or consumer-operated coin counting machines configured to receive large batches of random coins from users in exchange for, e.g., redeemable cash vouchers, prepaid cards (e.g., gift cards), e-certificates, etc., and/or deposits in on-line accounts, mobile wallets, etc. Certain details are set forth in the following description and in
The accompanying Figures depict embodiments of the present technology and are not intended to be limiting of its scope. The sizes of various depicted elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and these various elements may be arbitrarily enlarged to improve legibility. Component details may be abstracted in the Figures to exclude details such as position of components and certain precise connections between such components when such details are unnecessary for a complete understanding of how to make and use the invention.
Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in the Figures are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can have other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of the invention can be practiced without several of the details described below.
In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical, or at least generally similar, elements. To facilitate the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits of any reference number refers to the Figure in which that element is first introduced. For example, element 110 is first introduced and discussed with reference to
In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosk 100 includes a display screen 112 (e.g., a video screen) that can display various user-selection graphics or buttons (via, e.g., a touch screen) that enables the user to make selections and provide operating instructions to the kiosk 100 in response to prompts displayed on the display screen 112. The kiosk 100 can additionally include a speaker 115 for audibly providing prompts, instructions, advertisements, etc. to users. The kiosk 100 can also include a voucher outlet 114 that can dispense, e.g., a redeemable voucher, e-certificate, etc. for all or a portion of the value of the coins deposited in the coin input tray 110. In some embodiments, the kiosk 100 can also include a card outlet 122 from which the user can receive, e.g., a new prepaid card (e.g., a prepaid gift card, phone card, credit card, etc.), an e-certificate, etc. for all or a portion of the coin value, a card reader 124 with which the user can swipe an existing prepaid card and reload or “top-up” the card or an associated account with all or a portion of the coin value, and/or a bill accepter 126 for receiving paper currency from the user in payment for a product or service. In some embodiments, the kiosk 100 can include additional user-interface devices, such as a user-interface panel 130 accessibly positioned below the deck 116 and having various user input devices including, for example, a keypad, a card reader, a bill acceptor, etc. The kiosk 100 can additionally include a communications facility 106 (e.g., a router, modem, etc.; shown schematically) for remotely exchanging information with various user computers, servers, financial institutions, and/or other remote computer systems and providing the various kiosk products and services described herein. The kiosk 100 can operate in a network environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers over various suitable communications links, including the Internet. Such remote computers can include, for example, personal computers, servers, routers, network PCs, network nodes, etc. In network environments, program modules, application programs, and/or data, or portions thereof, can be stored in remote computers and accessed by or sent to the kiosk 100, and/or sent from the kiosk 100 to one or more remote computers. The communications facility 106 and/or the associated network connections discussed above are only some examples of suitable communication links between the kiosk 100 and other remote computers and associated devices. In other embodiments, other types of communication facilities and links, including wireless links, can be used. Such networking environments are well known, and can include links comprising Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area Networks (WAN), or the Internet. In such distributed computing environments, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
The kiosk 100 described above is merely representative of one type of consumer-operated or self-service kiosk, commercial enclosure, or other type of coin processing machine that can utilize the coin input apparatuses, systems and methods described herein. Accordingly, in other embodiments, other types of consumer-operated kiosks, machines, etc. can utilize the technology described herein. Such kiosks can include, for example, DVD rental kiosks, food vending machines such as coffee vending machines, card dispensing machines, gift card dispensing and exchange machines, etc. Moreover, in other embodiments other kiosks and machines utilizing the coin input apparatuses, systems and methods described herein can include more, fewer, or different functionalities than those described herein.
In operation, the user wishing to have, for example, a batch of coins of random denomination counted by the kiosk 100 (in return for, e.g., a redeemable voucher, e-certificate, gift card value, transfer to online account, transfer to mobile wallet, etc.) can approach the kiosk 100 and pour the coins into the coin input tray 110. As described in greater detail below, the coin input tray 110 can include a rotating coin disk forming a bottom-portion thereof. In some embodiments, the user can press a start button to begin rotation of the coin disk for transferring the coins into the kiosk 100 for counting. The start button can be, e.g., graphically represented on the display screen 112 by a start button icon 132a or similar feature. In other embodiments, the kiosk 100 can include an physical start button 132b positioned proximate the coin input 110 which the user can depress to start the coin input process. In still further embodiments, the kiosk 100 can include a coin detection sensor that automatically starts rotation of the coin disk (and/or other coin processing components and systems) in response to detecting, for example, the presence of coins placed on the coin disk. As described in greater detail below, in some embodiments the coin disk can rotate in a first direction for a preset (or user-controlled) period of time (or number of rotations), and then stop (and/or pause) and rotate in the opposite direction for a preset (or user-controlled) period of time. This back and forth process can continue until all the coins have been transferred from the coin input tray 110 to a coin counting and/or sorting apparatus 120 (shown schematically in
In some embodiments, a coin input tray cover (not shown), such as a clear plastic cover, can be hingedly or otherwise attached to the kiosk deck 116 proximate the coin input tray 110. The user can open the cover to pour their coins into the coin input tray 110, and then close the cover before pressing the start button 132a, b to begin the coin intake process. In other embodiments, the coin disk can begin rotating automatically in response to a signal generated by the cover being closed. In some embodiments, the use of a cover can reduce the ambient noise from operation of the coin input tray 110.
In the illustrated embodiment, the kiosk 100 includes an external housing, such as an enclosure 102, having a hinged access panel, such as a door 108 that permits access to the interior portion of the enclosure 102. The door 108 is rotatably mounted proximate a corner portion of the enclosure 102 by a vertical hinge 103. The hinge 103 allows the door 108 to rotate between a closed position as shown in
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the coin counting and/or sorting apparatus 120 can be at least generally similar in structure and function to the coin counting and/or sorting apparatuses disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/906,126, filed May 30, 2013 and entitled “COIN COUNTING AND/OR SORTING MACHINES AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 120 is configured and/or used as a coin counting apparatus, but in other embodiments the apparatus 100 can be suitably configured and/or used as a coin sorter, or as a coin counter and sorter. Accordingly, for ease of reference the apparatus 120 is referred to herein as a coin “processing” apparatus, with the understanding that the apparatus 120 and various features and structures thereof can be used in various embodiments for coin counting, coin sorting, or for coin counting and sorting. In other embodiments, the kiosk 100 and/or other kiosks and machines utilizing the coin input technology and related technologies described herein can include other types of coin counting and/or sorting apparatuses, systems, and/or methods, such as those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/778,461, filed Feb. 27, 2013, and entitled “COIN COUNTING AND SORTING MACHINES,” which is also incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
In some embodiments as illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, the coin cleaner 230 can be a rotating drum-type coin cleaner having a plurality of openings in an exterior wall thereof. The openings enable dirt, debris and other unwanted material that may be mixed with the coins to fall out of the rotating drum, thereby cleaning the coins as the coins tumble through the rotating drum. Such coin cleaners can be at least generally similar in structure and function to coin cleaners disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,230, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As the coin cleaner 230 rotates about its longitudinal axis, the rotational movement drives the coins therein from the first opening 238 toward a second opening 240. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotational movement drives the coins out of the coin cleaner 230 and onto a ramp 232, which directs the clean coins into a coin hopper 236 of the coin processing apparatus 120 via an inlet 234. As noted above, the coin processing apparatus 120 can discriminate and count, sort, or count and sort the coins in the manner described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/906,126, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. For example, coins that are properly discriminated and counted can be transferred to one or more removable coin bins 248a, b via first and second coin acceptance chutes 244a, b (
In the illustrated embodiment, the coin disk 222 further includes a plurality of recesses or pockets 355 formed in the outer surface thereof. The pockets 355 extend radially outward from the center of the coin disk 222 toward the periphery of the coin disk 222, and can be symmetrically distributed around the coin disk 222. For example, the illustrated embodiment includes eight coin pockets 355 evenly spaced apart by equal angles of 45 degrees. Each of the pockets 355 can have a bottom surface portion 356 (e.g., a generally horizontal bottom surface portion) that extends at least generally parallel to the plane of rotation of the coin disk 222. The bottom surface portions 356 can also be generally coplanar with the outer periphery of the coin disk 222. The inventor has found that, in certain embodiments, the coin pockets 355 favorably agitate and move the coins out of the coin input tray 110 through the opening 254 during operation. In other embodiments, however, the coin disk 222 can have recesses or pockets with other shapes, and/or the coin disk 222 can have ridges or other raised features. In further embodiments, the pockets 355 and/or other surface features of the coin disk 222 can be omitted.
In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the coin input tray 110 includes a structure or member (referred to herein as a coin deflector 358) positioned in front of the coin outlet opening 254. More specifically, in this embodiment, the coin deflector 358 is a cylindrical member, such as a pin that extends vertically across a mid-portion of the opening 254, effectively bifurcating the opening 254 into a first coin outlet passage or path 354a on one side of the deflector 358, and a corresponding second coin outlet passage or path 354b on the opposite side of the deflector 358. Accordingly, the forgoing structures can provide a dual-path coin exit port through which coins can pass from the coin input tray 110 to downstream apparatuses associated with the kiosk 100 (such as the coin cleaner 230, the coin processing apparatus 120, etc.). In other embodiments, it is contemplated that the deflector 358 can have other shapes (e.g., wedge shapes, rectangular shapes, curved shapes, etc.), and/or the deflector 358 can be a movable or rotatable device of various shapes, such as a roller pin (rather than fixed), or the deflector 358 can be omitted. In this illustrated embodiment, however, the inventor has found that the deflector 358 facilitates efficient transfer of coins out of the coin input tray 110 during operation, as will be described in greater detail below.
Referring next to
Referring to
As the coin disk 222 rotates in the first direction R1, it drives the coins 314 outwardly toward its periphery and out of the coin input tray 110 via the coin outlet opening 254. More specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the coin disk 222 in the first direction R1 drives the coins 314 out of the coin input tray 110 via the first coin path 354a (i.e., through the opening formed between the coin deflector 358 and the left side wall of the coin outlet opening 254). The inventor has found that by rotating the coin disk 222 in a first direction (e.g., the first direction R1), the coin disk 222 can feed the coins 314 out of the coin input tray 110 through, for example, the first coin path 354a while simultaneously clearing any coin jams that may have occurred at the entrance to the second coin path 354b. Similarly, reversing the coin disk 222 and rotating in the second direction R2 enables the coin disk 222 to feed the coins 314 through the coin outlet opening 254 via the second path 354b, while simultaneously clearing any coin jams that may have developed at the entrance to the first coin path 354a. This dual coin exit path feature can enable the coin disk 222 to efficiently transfer the coins 314 from the coin input tray 110 without having coin jams occur at the coin outlet opening 254 (which may unfavorably require the user to manually clear). This feature can also prevent debris (e.g., hair, clothing, etc.) from becoming entangled with the disk 222 and/or the drive system 140, as could otherwise occur if the disk 222 rotated in a single direction.
In some embodiments, rotation of the coin disk 222 in the first direction R1 drives the coins 314 out of the coin input tray 110 via the first coin path 354a but not the second coin path 354b, and rotation of the coin disk 222 in the second direction R2 drives the coins 314 out of the coin input tray 110 via the second coin path 354b but not the first coin path 354a. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that rotation of the coin disk 222 in the first direction R1 may drive the coins 314 out of the coin input tray 110 via the first coin path 354a and the second coin path 354b, and rotation of the coin disk 222 in the second direction R2 may drive the coins 314 out of the coin input tray 110 via the second coin path 354b and the first coin path 354a.
In one aspect of the illustrated embodiment, the coin input tray 110 can include one or more sensors (e.g. proximity sensors, activity sensors, etc.) positioned proximate the entrance to one or both of the coin outlet paths 354 to detect whether coins have stalled or otherwise become jammed at the coin outlet opening 254. In one embodiment, for example, the sensors can be composed of first activity sensors 382a, b positioned on opposite sides of the coin outlet opening 254, which work in combination with a second activity sensor 383 positioned, for example, on the coin deflector 358 (
As described in greater detail below, the coin input tray drive system 140 can be operably connected to a suitable controller having, e.g., configurable software that controls the voltage and/or current provided to the motor 360 to ensure that a high current draw produced by, for example, a coin jam will not damage the DC motor and/or other components of the drive system 140. The system can also include a high limit non-adjustable hardware current threshold. In one embodiment, tripping the threshold will result in the coin input tray control system performing a pre-defined de-jam routine (e.g., by driving the disk 222 in opposite directions) to clear the jam. Moreover, in those embodiments in which the motor 360 includes an electric motor (e.g., a DC motor), the motor can include an encoder 310. If the encoder 310 indicates that the disk 222 is jammed, the encoder 310 can cause the coin transaction to pause, or terminate, until the jam can be cleared (e.g., manually cleared).
As also illustrated in
As shown in
In operation, the input tray controller (described in more detail below) can send one or more signals energizing the actuator 490 and causing the actuator 490 to withdraw the pull rod 492 in direction O. Retracting the pull rod 492 in this manner rotates the first arm 498 downwardly which in turn rotates the coin gate 224 upwardly toward the open position (shown by phantom lines in
In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 502 can receive a start signal from the start button 132a, b described above and shown in, e.g.,
As described above, in one embodiment, the user can depress the start button 132a, b to begin a coin intake process using the coin input tray 110. (Alternatively, the coin input tray can start automatically in response to a signal from the auto-start sensor 532). The controller 502 can respond to the signal by providing power from the power source 504 to the disk motor 360, the gate actuator 490, the cleaner motor 512 and/or the coin processing apparatus motor 514. As a result, the gate actuator can open the gate 224 (see e.g.,
If the controller 502 receives information indicating that there is an excess current draw to, e.g., the disk motor 360, the controller 502 can reverse the voltage from the power source 504 to cause the motor 360 to rotate in the opposite direction in an attempt to clear or unjam the coin disk 222. Similarly, the controller 502 can also reverse the direction of coin disk 222 if, for example, the activity sensor(s) 382/383 indicate that there is a coin jam proximate the coin outlet opening 254 (
Referring first to
Turning next to
If a jam is not detected at decision block 607b, the routine proceeds to decision block 608b to determine if the coin disk 222 has been rotating in one direction for an elapsed time equal to T. In some embodiments, the elapsed time T can be equal to a period of time between 0.5 second and 3 seconds, such as about 2 seconds. In other embodiments, the coin disk 222 can be configured to rotate in one direction for other periods of time. If the coin disk has not been rotating in the particular direction for a period of time equal to T, then the routine returns to decision block 607b and proceeds as described above. Once the coin disk has rotated in the direction for the preset period of time T, the routine proceeds to block 610b and stops (and/or pauses) the coin disk 222. After stopping, the routine proceeds to decision block 612b to determine if all the coins that were deposited in the coin input tray 110 have been transferred out of the coin input tray 110 through the coin outlet opening 254. If not, the routine returns to block 614b and resets the time to T0. From block 614b, the routine proceeds to block 616b and begins rotating the coin disk in the opposite direction as described above. Once all of the coins have been transferred out of the coin input tray 110, the routine ends.
Turning next to
Aspects of the operational routines described herein can be embodied in computer-executable instructions, such as routines executed by the controller 502 or other data processing device associated with the kiosk 100. Those of ordinary skill in the art can create source code, microcode, program logic arrays or otherwise implement technology based on the routines 600a-600c and the detailed description provided herein. All or a portion of the routines 600a-c can be stored in memory (e.g., nonvolatile memory) that forms a portion of the controller 502 (
Aspects of the routines described herein can be embodied in a special purpose computer or data processor (e.g., the controller 502) that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to perform one or more of the computer-executable instructions explained in detail herein. While aspects of the invention, such as certain functions, are described as being performed exclusively on a single device, the invention can also be practiced in distributed environments where functions or modules are shared among disparate processing devices, which are linked through a communications network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), or the Internet. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.
Aspects of the invention may be stored or distributed on tangible computer-readable media, including magnetically or optically readable computer discs, hard-wired or preprogrammed chips (e.g., EEPROM semiconductor chips), nanotechnology memory, biological memory, or other data storage media. Alternatively, computer implemented instructions, data structures, screen displays, and other data under aspects of the invention may be distributed over the Internet or over other networks (including wireless networks), on a propagated signal on a propagation medium (e.g., an electromagnetic wave(s), a sound wave, etc.) over a period of time, or they may be provided on any analog or digital network (packet switched, circuit switched, or other scheme).
In general, display descriptions may be in HTML, XML or WAP format, email format or any other format suitable for displaying information (including character/code-based formats, algorithm-based formats (e.g., vector generated), and bitmapped formats). Also, various communication channels, such as local area networks, wide area networks, or point-to-point dial-up connections, may be used instead of the Internet. The system may be conducted within a single computer environment, rather than a client/server environment. Also, the user computers may comprise any combination of hardware or software that interacts with the server computer, such as television-based systems and various other consumer products through which commercial or noncommercial transactions can be conducted. The various aspects of the invention described herein can be implemented in or for any e-mail environment.
The described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present technology may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present technology can 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 present technology.
Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further implementations of the invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.
The above Detailed Description of examples and embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various examples described above can be combined to provide further implementations of the invention. Some alternative implementations of the invention may include not only additional elements to those implementations noted above, but also may include fewer elements. Further any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.
Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims.
Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application to pursue such additional claim forms, in either this application or in a continuing application.
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