Patent Application
20150100379
The present invention generally relates to forecasting costs associated with service delivery, and more particularly, to a system, method and computer program product for generating a succinct approximate representation of a time series.
A service provider offers services (e.g., Information Technology services) to customers. A service delivery engagement involves the delivery of services offered. A service delivery engagement may be complex. For example, the delivery of services may span many years (e.g., a multi-year service delivery project). As another example, the delivery of services may involve delivery and/or customer locations in multiple countries (e.g., a multi-country service delivery project). Modeling cost estimations for a service delivery engagement is based on multiple variables, such as socioeconomic conditions of delivery and/or customer locations, demand for services offered, infrastructure needed to support the services offered, etc.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer program product for generating a succinct approximate representation of a time series. A method comprises determining at least one peak data value and at least one trough data value of an input series comprising a sequence of data values over time. Each data value denotes an element or a data point of the time series, wherein the data value has a corresponding position in the time series and a corresponding amount. The input series is partitioned into multiple segments comprising at least one rising segment that rises to a peak data value and at least one falling segment that falls to a trough data value. A sequence of segments that rise and fall alternately is generated based on the segments. A sequence of totals representing a succinct approximate representation of the input series is generated. Each total comprises a sum of data values for a corresponding segment of the sequence of segments.
These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be understood with reference to the drawing figures, and detailed description herein, and will be realized by means of the various elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following brief description of the drawings and detailed description of the invention are exemplary and explanatory of preferred embodiments of the invention, and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The detailed description explains the preferred embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings.
The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed invention. One or more exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below in detail. The disclosed embodiments are intended to be illustrative only since numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Embodiments of the invention relate to forecasting costs associated with service delivery, and more particularly, to a system, method and computer program product for generating a succinct approximate representation of a time series. Embodiments of the invention provide segmentation of an input time series comprising a sequence of data values over time. Specifically, embodiments of the invention partition the input time series into multiple segments based on peak data values and trough data values of the input time series. A sequence of segments that rise and fall alternately is generated based on the segments. Based on the sequence of segments, embodiments of the invention generate a sequence of totals representing a succinct approximate representation of the input series. Each total comprises a sum of data values for a corresponding segment of the sequence of segments.
Referring now to the drawings,
Forecasting long-term costs associated with a service delivery project requires a sizable amount of input data, such as ledger data, meta data related to service contracts, and cost cases. The ledger storage unit 110 maintains ledger data representing actual data, such as actual costs or revenue, for one or more projects. For example, the ledger data maintained may comprise a set of monthly entries of cost or revenue incurred by an ongoing service delivery project. In one embodiment, the ledger storage unit 110 resides on one or more server databases.
The cost cases storage unit 120 maintains one or more cost cases. A cost case is a detailed plan providing cost estimations for a planned project (e.g., a planned service delivery project). A cost case is typically developed by a service provider during engagement with a potential customer and before any contract negotiation or signing. In one embodiment, the cost cases storage unit 120 resides on one or more server databases.
A cost case includes data relating to a potential customer and data describing services offered to the potential customer. For example, a cost case may include multiple line items describing service components for a planned project (e.g., a list of prices for various service components related to Information Technology (IT) services, such as storage management, middleware support, etc.).
The input data may become available at different intervals. For example, the system 100 may acquire/update ledger data, service contract meta data and cost cases for the ledger storage unit 110 and the cost cases storage unit 120 on a monthly basis.
The pre-processing unit 130 is configured to pre-process input data. Pre-processing operations that the pre-processing unit 130 is configured to perform include smoothing input data, identifying terminating service contracts and replacements for the terminating service contracts, generating (i.e., constructing) typical models, extrapolating actual data into the past, and generating estimate models. In one embodiment, the pre-processing unit 130 may perform multiple pre-processing operations in parallel.
The models storage unit 140 maintains one or more estimate models generated by the pre-processing unit 130. In one embodiment, the models storage unit 140 resides on one or more server databases.
The training unit 150 is configured to train each estimate model maintained in the models storage unit 140 to better fit actual data. Each estimate model has a corresponding model parameter that is applicable to only said estimate model. To minimize discrepancies between an aggregate of all estimate models and a corresponding aggregate of all ledger data for corresponding projects, the training unit 150 makes adjustments to values of the model parameters. In one embodiment, the training unit 150 forecasts future cost data for an ongoing project based on the following: either one or more models based on a cost case for the project, or one or more generic models.
The predictions storage unit 160 maintains long range cost estimations for one or more planned or ongoing projects.
The reporting storage unit 180 maintains read-only, pre-indexed data for the reporting application 170. The data maintained in the reporting storage unit 180 is extracted from the models storage unit 140 and the predictions storage unit 160. The reporting application 170 comprises a reporting application configured to report forecasting results via an interactive user interface. The reporting application 170 allows for data to be aggregated or filtered in various ways. For example, the reporting application 170 allows filtering by domain (e.g., filtering by business domain) or any grouping of dimensions (e.g., grouping by sector and customer).
The data retrieval module 131 is configured to acquire input data from the ledger storage unit 110 and/or the cost cases storage unit 120. As stated above, the pre-processing unit 130 is configured to perform multiple pre-processing operations. Specifically, the data smoothing module 132 is configured to smooth input data to minimize noise. For example, a 3-month simple moving average may be used to smooth input data acquired on a monthly basis. In one embodiment, smoothing of input data may be enabled or disabled.
The typical model construction module 135 is configured to generate (i.e., construct) typical models. The typical model construction module 135 constructs a typical model based on ledger data, such as initial sequences of ledger data experienced during periods where significant changes in accounting practices are minimal. Typical models provide good extrapolations of cost behavior during early volatile cost behavior.
The extrapolation module 136 is configured to extend ledger data into the past and/or into the future. In one example, ledger data are extended into the past in order to enable alignment of the ledger data with a cost case. In another example, a generic model for a project is created by extending ledger data into the future.
The extrapolation module 136 extends ledger data for a project into the past by extending the ledger data to when the project began and before first available ledger data. Specifically, the extrapolation module 136 adds the required number of elements of a scaled version of a typical model to the beginning of the ledger data, wherein a scaling factor that fits the typical model to the ledger data are determined. The extrapolation module 136 extends ledger data for a project into the future by adding a scaled typical model to the end of the ledger data, thereby forming a generic model for the project. If the project is scheduled to run longer than the generic model, the extrapolation module 136 extends the generic model to the scheduled project end date based on a final segment of the generic model.
The re-shaping module 138 is configured to align one or more models based on a cost case to historical ledger data, and reshape cost estimations for the cost case based on actual costs reflected in ledger data.
Some of the pre-processing operations described above may require segmentation of an input time series 50. The segmentation module 133 is configured to generate a segmented model 200 (
The segmentation module 133 further comprises a partitioning module 139 configured for partitioning the input time series 50 into multiple segments based on the peak data values and trough data values determined, wherein each segment represents a contiguous subsequence of data values. For example, each segment may represent a contiguous subsequence of costs. With the possible exception of a last segment for the input time series 50, each segment ends in either a peak data value or a trough data value. The partitioning module 139 is further configured to generate a succinct approximate representation of the input time series 50 based on the segments of the input time series 50.
In this specification, let the term pre-determined length denote the length of a sequence of neighboring data values.
In one embodiment, a peak data value is a data value that satisfies each of the following conditions: (1) the peak data value is greater than a data value immediately preceding (“immediate predecessor”) the peak data value, (2) the peak data value is no less than any data value of a sequence of neighboring data values of a pre-determined length immediately preceding the peak data value, and (3) the peak data value is no less than any data value of a sequence of neighboring data values of a pre-determined length immediately following the peak data value.
In one embodiment, a trough data value is a data value that satisfies each of the following conditions: (1) the trough data value is less than a data value immediately preceding (“immediate predecessor”) the trough data value, (2) the trough data value is no greater than any data value of a sequence of neighboring data values of a pre-determined length immediately preceding the trough data value, and (3) the trough data value is no greater than any data value of a sequence of neighboring data values of a pre-determined length immediately following the trough data value.
If data values of an input time series 50 represents costs, a peak data value represents a peak cost and a trough data value represents a trough cost.
In this specification, let x represent an example input time series comprising n data values, such as data values x[0], x[1], . . . , and x[n−1]. Let p represent an example peak and trough indicator array for the input time series x, wherein the indicator array p comprises n indicators 71, such as indicators p[0], p[1], . . . , p[n−1]. Each indicator p[i] indicates whether a corresponding data value of the input time series x is a peak data value, a trough data value or neither a peak data value nor a trough data value.
In one embodiment, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 sets each indicator p[i] of the indicator array p to 0, 1, or −1. Specifically, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 sets an indicator p[i] to 1 if a corresponding data value is a peak. The segmentation module 133 sets an indicator p[i] to −1 if a corresponding element data value is a trough. The segmentation module 133 sets an indicator p[i] to 0 if a corresponding data value is neither a peak nor a trough. The input time series x is partitioned into segments based on the non-zero indicators 71 of the indicator array p.
Table 1 below provides example pseudo code for determining peak data values and trough data values of an input time series x.
As shown in Table 1, in one embodiment, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 iterates through each data value of an input time series 50 to determine whether the data value represents a provisional peak, a provisional trough or neither. Specifically, for each data value, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values, such as a first sequence of neighboring data values immediately preceding the data value and a second sequence of neighboring data values immediately following the data value. The first sequence of neighboring data values may have the same number of data values (i.e., the same length) as the second sequence of neighboring data values.
Before the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 iterates through each data value of the input time series 50, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 may initialize parameters/variables for use during segmentation. For example, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 may extend each end of the input time series 50 (i.e., the beginning and the end of the input time series 50) by concatenating a sequence of data values of pre-determined length to each end of the input time series 50.
For example, assume an example initial input time series x comprising an array of data values [1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1]. If the pre-determined length is set to 2, each end of the initial input time series x is concatenated with 2 data values, thereby producing an extended input time series x. For example, a first sequence of data values [1, 0] and a second sequence of data values [1, 1] may be appended to the beginning and the end of the initial input time series x, respectively, to generate the extended input time series x comprising an array of data values [1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1].
An indicator array p for the input time series x is initialized by setting each entry p[i] of the indicator array p to zero. In this specification, let i denote an iteration index for the indicator array p, wherein i is initialized to zero. Let j denote an iteration index for the extended input time series x, wherein j is initialized to the sum of i and the pre-determined length (i.e., j references the first data value of the initial input time series x). Let state denote a variable that identifies the most recent non-zero indicator p[i], wherein state is initialized to ‘begin’.
As the iteration index j is offset by the pre-determined length, an indicator p[i] of the indicator array p corresponds to a data value x[j] of the initial input time series 50. For each iteration of i wherein i is no greater than n−1, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether a corresponding data value x[j] for the indicator p[i] is a provisional peak, a provisional trough or neither. Assuming the pre-determined length is 2, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value x[j] is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values x[j−2], x[j−1], x[j+1] and x[j+2]. The peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines that the data value x[j] is a peak data value if the following conditions are satisfied: (1) x[j] is greater than x[j−1], and (2) x[j] is greater than or equal to x[j−2], x[j+1], and x[j+2]. The peaks and troughs analysis module 134 sets an indicator p[i] for the data value x[j] to 1 if the data value x[j] is a provisional peak.
The peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines that x[j] is a trough cost if the following conditions are satisfied: (1) x[j] is less than x[j−1], and (2) x[j] is less than or equal to x[j−2], x[j+1], and x[j+2]. The peaks and troughs analysis module 134 sets an indicator p[i] for the data value x[j] to −1 if the data value x[j] is a provisional trough. The peaks and troughs analysis module 134 sets an indicator p[i] for the data value x[j] to 0 if the data value x[j] is neither a provisional peak nor a provisional trough.
Assume the peak and troughs analysis module 134 determines peak data values and trough data values of the example input time series x using the example extended input time series x comprising the array of data values [1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1]. When i is equal to 0 and j is equal to 2, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value x[2] is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values x[0], x[1], x[3] and x[4]. x[2] is not a provisional peak because x[2] is less than x[3]. x[2] is also not a provisional trough because x[2] is greater than x[1]. Therefore, a corresponding indicator p[0] is set to 0, indicating that x[2] is neither a peak nor a trough.
When i is equal to 1 and j is equal to 3, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value x[3] is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values x[1], x[2], x[4] and x[5]. x[3] is not a provisional peak because x[3] is less than x[4]. x[3] is also not a provisional trough because x[3] is greater than x[2]. Therefore, a corresponding indicator p[1] is set to 0, indicating that x[3] is neither a peak nor a trough.
When i is equal to 2 and j is equal to 4, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value x[4] is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values x[2], x[3], x[5] and x[6]. x[4] is a provisional peak because x[4] is greater than x[2], x[3], x[5] and x[6]. Therefore, p[2] is set to 1, indicating that x[4] is a provisional peak.
When i is equal to 3 and j is equal to 5, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value x[5] is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values x[3], x[4], x[6] and x[7]. x[5] is less than x[4] but greater than x[6]. Therefore, p[3] is set to 0, indicating that x[5] is neither a peak nor a trough.
When i is equal to 4 and j is equal to 6, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value x[6] is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values x[4], x[5], x[7] and x[8]. x[6] is a provisional trough because x[6] is less than or equal to x[4], x[7] and x[8], and x[6] is less than x[5]. Therefore, p[4] is set to −1, indicating that x[6] is a provisional trough.
When i is equal to 5 and j is equal to 7, the peaks and troughs analysis module 134 determines whether the data value x[7] is a provisional peak or a provisional trough in the context of neighboring data values x[5], x[6], x[8] and x[9]. x[7] is equal to x[6] and x[8]. Therefore, p[5] is set to 0, indicating that x[7] is neither a peak nor a trough.
The resulting indicator array p for the example initial input time series x comprises an array of indicators [0, 0, 1, 0, −1, 0].
The peaks and troughs analysis module 134 is further configured to concatenate (i.e., merge) consecutive (i.e., adjacent) segments that rise (i.e., each consecutive segment ends in a peak data value) and concatenate consecutive segments that fall (i.e., each consecutive segment ends in a trough data value). Therefore, the segmentation module 133 produces a sequence of segments of alternating character (i.e., an alternating rise and fall character).
For example, if a first segment ending in a peak data value is consecutively followed by a second segment ending in a peak data value (i.e., the first and second segments are adjacent rising segments), the first and second segments are concatenated into one segment having a peak/rise character. Specifically, a corresponding indicator 71 for the first segment is set to 0, thereby biasing a peak data value towards the right.
As another example, if a first segment ending in a trough data value is consecutively followed by a second segment ending in a trough data value (i.e., the first and second segments are adjacent falling segments), the first and the second segments are concatenated into one segment having a trough/fall character. Specifically, a corresponding indicator 71 for the first segment is set to 0, thereby biasing a trough data value towards the right.
The partitioning module 139 partitions an input time series 50 into segments based on the non-zero indicators 71 of a corresponding indicator array 70. For example, as the resulting indicator array p for the example initial input time series x comprises the array of indicators [0, 0, 1, 0, −1, 0], no concatenation/merging is needed for the indicator array p (i.e., there are no consecutive segments that fall/rise). A segmented model 200 for the example initial input time series x comprises three segments: a first segment comprising the data values x[0], x[1] and x[2] of the example initial input time series x (i.e., 1, 2, 3), a second segment comprising the data values x[3] and x[4] of the example initial input time series x (i.e., 2, 1), and a third segment comprising the data value x[5] of the example initial input time series x (i.e., 1).
The segmentation of an input time series 50 is a fast computation. The segmentation is converted into a sequence of totals, wherein each total corresponds to a segment, and wherein each total represents a sum of data values of a corresponding segment. The sequence of totals provides a succinct approximate representation of the input time series 50 that captures milestones, independent of timing.
The partitioning module 139 is further configured to generate a succinct approximate representation for an input time series 50 based on a corresponding segmented model 200 for the input time series 50. Specifically, for each segment of a corresponding segmented model 200 for an input time series 50, the partitioning module 139 computes a total equal to the sum of data values included in said segment. For example, the totals for the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment of the example initial input time series x are 6, 3, and 1, respectively. Therefore, the sequence of totals 6, 3, 1 represent a succinct approximate representation of the example initial input time series x.
In one embodiment, the partitioning module 139 provides a segment table 75 (
In one embodiment, the peak data values and trough data values identified represent milestones in a service delivery project. Relevant patterns of costs are represented as ratios between total costs of various segments. Even if timing durations vary in unpredictable ways, a ratio of total costs between a trough and peak to total costs between a subsequent trough and peak has small variance among similar projects or parts of projects (i.e., a total cost for a milestone is predictable).
In one embodiment, each peak data value of an input series 50 is no less than at least three other data values of the input series 50. Specifically, each peak data value is greater than a data value immediately preceding the peak data value in the input series 50. Each peak data of the input series 50 further satisfies the following conditions: (1) the peak data value is no less than each data value of a first subsequence of data values, and (2) the peak data value is no less than each data value of a second subsequence of data values. In one example implementation, the first subsequence of data values comprises at least two data values immediately preceding the peak data value in the input series 50, and the second subsequence of data values comprises at least one data value immediately following the peak data value in the input series 50. In another example implementation, the first subsequence of data values comprises at least one data value immediately preceding the peak data value in the input series 50, and the second subsequence of data values comprises at least two data values immediately following the peak data value in the input series 50.
In one embodiment, each trough data value of an input series 50 is no greater than at least three other data values of the input series 50. Specifically, each trough data value is less than a data value immediately preceding the trough data value in the input series 50. Each trough data of the input series 50 further satisfies the following conditions: (1) the trough data value is no greater than each data value of a first subsequence of data values, and (2) the trough data value is no greater than each data value of a second subsequence of data values. In one example implementation, the first subsequence of data values comprises at least two data values immediately preceding the trough data value in the input series 50, and the second subsequence of data values comprises at least one data value immediately following the trough data value in the input series 50. In another example implementation, the first subsequence of data values comprises at least one data value immediately preceding the trough data value in the input series 50, and the second subsequence of data values comprises at least two data values immediately following the trough data value in the input series 50.
In one embodiment, the segmentation module 133 further comprises a similarity module 141 configured for determining whether a first service delivery project is similar to a second service delivery project. Specifically, the similarity module 141 utilizes the segmentation module 133 to generate a first segmented model 200 (i.e., a first sequence of segments that rise and fall alternately) for a first input series 50 comprising a sequence of costs over time for the first service delivery project. The similarity module 141 further utilizes the segmentation module 133 to generate a second segmented model 200 (i.e., a second sequence of segments that rise and fall alternately) for a second input series 50 comprising a sequence of costs over time for the second service delivery project. For each segmented model 200, the similarity module 141 determines a corresponding length for said segmented model 200. The similarity module 141 further determines a correlation coefficient between the first segmented model 200 and the second segmented model 200. The similarity module 141 determines that the first service delivery project is similar to the second service delivery project when the first segmented model 200 and the second segmented model 200 have the same length, and the correlation coefficient between the first segmented model 200 and the second segmented model 200 exceeds a pre-determined threshold.
With the possible exception of a last segment, each segment of the segmented model 200 ends in either a peak cost or a trough cost. As shown in
For example, as described above, the example initial input time series x comprising the sequence of data values [1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1] has a corresponding indicator array 70 comprising the sequence of indicators [0, 0, 1, 0, −1, 0].
For example, as described above, the example initial input time series x comprising the sequence of data values [1, 2, 3, 2, 1, 1] has a corresponding indicator array 70 comprising the sequence of indicators [0, 0, 1, 0, −1, 0]. Therefore, partitioning of the example initial input time series x into segments of alternating character is based on non-zero indicators p[2] and p[4] of the corresponding indicator array 70.
Specifically, a segmented model 200 for the example initial input time series x comprises three segments: a first segment comprising data values x[0], x[1] and x[2], a second segment comprising data values x[3] and x[4], and a third segment comprising data value x[5].
As shown in
The totals for the first segment, the second segment, and the third segment (i.e., 6, 3, and 1) provide a succinct approximate representation of the example initial input time series x.
In process block 374, determine at least one peak data value and at least one trough data value for the sequence of data values. An embodiment of the function performed by process block 374 is described further above in relation to
The computer system can include a display interface 306 that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the communication infrastructure 304 (or from a frame buffer not shown) for display on a display unit 308. The computer system also includes a main memory 310, preferably random access memory (RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 312. The secondary memory 312 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 314 and/or a removable storage drive 316, representing, for example, a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, or an optical disk drive. The removable storage drive 316 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 318 in a manner well known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Removable storage unit 318 represents, for example, a floppy disk, a compact disc, a magnetic tape, or an optical disk, etc. which is read by and written to by removable storage drive 316. As will be appreciated, the removable storage unit 318 includes a computer readable medium having stored therein computer software and/or data.
In alternative embodiments, the secondary memory 312 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other instructions to be loaded into the computer system. Such means may include, for example, a removable storage unit 320 and an interface 322. Examples of such means may include a program package and package interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and other removable storage units 320 and interfaces 322, which allows software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit 320 to the computer system.
The computer system may also include a communication interface 324. Communication interface 324 allows software and data to be transferred between the computer system and external devices. Examples of communication interface 324 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a communication port, or a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data transferred via communication interface 324 are in the form of signals which may be, for example, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or other signals capable of being received by communication interface 324. These signals are provided to communication interface 324 via a communication path (i.e., channel) 326. This communication path 326 carries signals and may be implemented using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF link, and/or other communication channels.
In this document, the terms “computer program medium,” “computer usable medium,” and “computer readable medium” are used to generally refer to media such as main memory 310 and secondary memory 312, removable storage drive 316, and a hard disk installed in hard disk drive 314.
Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are stored in main memory 310 and/or secondary memory 312. Computer programs may also be received via communication interface 324. Such computer programs, when run, enable the computer system to perform the features of the present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computer programs, when run, enable the processor 302 to perform the features of the computer system. Accordingly, such computer programs represent controllers of the computer system.
From the above description, it can be seen that the present invention provides a system, computer program product, and method for implementing the embodiments of the invention. The present invention further provides a non-transitory computer-useable storage medium. The non-transitory computer-useable storage medium has a computer-readable program, wherein the program upon being processed on a computer causes the computer to implement the steps of the present invention according to the embodiments described herein. Reference in the claims to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described exemplary embodiment that are currently known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. section 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for” or “step for.”
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
