Patent Application
20200005686
The present disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for directing light emitted from one or more light sources within a housing through a transmissive display to project one or more images on one or multiple areas of an outer surface of the housing.
Several types of display systems for various electronic devices exist. For example, conventional display systems for power toothbrushes include white or color displays created by laser ablation. Other display systems for electronic devices include projected displays in white or red, for example, on a face of an alarm clock.
However, such display systems are limited in display dynamics and/or use a relatively large “user interface real estate,” and each of the display system elements are limited to being separately projected adjacent to one another. Conventional display systems do not provide the capability to display multiple icons or other designs at the same spot or common area of a (white or color coated/painted) device. This can be problematic, especially in circumstances where one would like to display multiple icons on the surface of a single device with limited “user interface real estate,” such as on certain power hand-held devices.
Typically, foils are used to display static icons on surfaces of devices. However, such display systems using foils are limited in display dynamics since the foils include fixed pre-determined static icons.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for systems and methods for directing light emitted from one or more light sources within a housing to project an unlimited variety of images including dynamic images on one or more areas of an outer surface of the housing.
The present disclosure is directed to inventive systems and methods for directing light emitted from one or more light sources within a housing through chambers (one or more of which may be angled) formed by masks and through a transmissive display to project any number of images on one or more areas of an outer surface of the housing (either simultaneously or sequentially) that can be a white or color painted body. The projection can take place on the “skin” of the outer housing, where the skin is created by a paint or matte texture etc. (as should be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure). For example, a combination of first and second projected images can create a dynamic blended image on the surface. Alternatively, a projected image can change in size. Further, the first image can transition to the second image. Further, the second image can be projected on the surface after the projection of first image has stopped. Stacked images can also be projected in multicolor. The use of multiplexing (or time sharing) facilitates with mixing projections to control multiple images independently projected at a single area or at multiple areas.
An advantage of the projection systems and methods disclosed herein is that the transmissive display provides the ability to project dynamic images as opposed to static icons projected with pre-determined fixed foils.
The housing can be part of any power device (hand-held or non-hand-held) such as health care devices and dental/oral care devices including power toothbrushes. Using the embodiments and implementations herein, brushing behavior and cleaning of teeth, for example, can be substantially improved and a user can stay informed regarding the status of his/her power toothbrush.
In some embodiments, an image can be projected on an outer surface of a housing that at least partially wraps around the curved outer surface of housing (where the housing is at least partially curved). This “wrapping” feature can be accomplished by a mask arrangement that isolates light emitted from the multiple light sources in a diverging manner to separate areas on the curved outer surface of the housing. Stated differently, the masks that surround and form the chambers that house each of the light sources can be angled in a particular manner/configuration within the housing to provide the “wrapping” feature (by, in part, projecting an image corresponding to a defined transparent area of the transmissive display on the curved outer surface of the housing).
Generally in one aspect, a power device is provided. The power device includes: a first light source arranged in a housing having an outer surface; a first mask arranged around the first light source in the housing and including a first chamber corresponding to the first light source; and a transmissive display arranged between the first light source and the outer surface of the housing, light emitted from the first light source reaching the transmissive display before reaching the outer surface of the housing and projecting a plurality of images on a first area on the outer surface of the housing.
According to an embodiment, the first light source is a single color light emitting diode.
According to an embodiment, the first light source is a multi-color light emitting diode.
According to an embodiment, the transmissive display is a transmissive matrix display or a transmissive segment display.
According to an embodiment, the projected images are created on a semitransparent paint system.
According to an embodiment, the power device further includes a second light source arranged proximate to the first light source and within the first chamber.
According to an embodiment, the first and second light sources comprise a respective longitudinal axis, and light emitted from the first light source on the first area of the housing at least partially overlaps with light emitted from the second light source.
According to an embodiment, the power device further includes a second light source arranged in the housing and a second chamber arranged around the second light source in the housing, light emitted from the second light source reaching the transmissive display before reaching the outer surface of the housing and projecting a second plurality of images on a second area on the outer surface of the housing, wherein the first and second chambers are not angled.
Generally in another aspect, a power device is provided. The power device includes: a plurality of light sources arranged in a housing having an outer surface; a mask arranged around each of the plurality of light sources in the housing and including a plurality of chambers corresponding to the plurality of light sources; and a transmissive display arranged between the plurality of light sources and the outer surface of the housing, light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources reaching the transmissive display before reaching the outer surface of the housing and projecting a plurality of images on at least two separate areas on the outer surface of the housing.
According to an embodiment, at least one of the plurality of chambers includes an angled surface and a non-angled surface.
According to an embodiment, the plurality of light sources includes light emitting diodes having limited angle dependent intensity profiles.
According to an embodiment, the plurality of images being projected on the outer surface of the housing wraps around the outer surface.
According to an embodiment, the one or more light sources are arranged on a flat or curved substrate within the housing.
According to an embodiment, multiple images being projected on the curved outer surface of the housing results in a dynamic blended image that wraps around the curved outer surface.
Generally in another aspect, a method of displaying multiple images on one or more areas of a power device is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a housing containing a first light source, a mask arranged around the first light source, and including a first chamber, and a transmissive display arranged between the first light source and the one or more areas of the power device; causing light to be emitted from the first light source, the emitted light reaching the transmissive display before reaching the one or more areas; and selectively obstructing the emitted light by defining one or more transparent areas in the transmissive display to project multiple images on the one or more areas of the power device.
According to an embodiment, the method further comprises projecting two images on the one or more areas of the housing depending on activation of sub-units of the transmissive display in the following sequence and the first light source: projecting a first image; turning off the first image; projecting a second image; and projecting the first image before turning off the second image to create a dynamic blending of the first and second images.
According to an embodiment, the method further comprises projecting two images on the one or more areas of the housing depending on activation of sub-units of the transmissive display in the following sequence and the first light source: projecting a first image; turning off the projection of first image; projecting a second image; and turning off the second image before projecting the first image again to create a dynamic blending of the first and second images.
According to an embodiment, the step of selectively obstructing the emitted light comprises projecting a first image and a second image alternatingly such that they appear to be projected at the same time.
As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “LED” should be understood to include any electroluminescent diode or other type of carrier injection/junction-based system that is capable of generating radiation in response to an electric signal. Thus, the term LED includes, but is not limited to, various semiconductor-based structures that emit light in response to current, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), laser diodes, electroluminescent strips, and the like. It should also be understood that the term LED does not limit the physical and/or electrical package type of an LED.
The term “light source” should be understood to refer to any one or more of a variety of radiation sources, including, but not limited to, LED-based sources (including one or more LEDs as defined above), incandescent sources (e.g., filament lamps, halogen lamps), fluorescent sources, phosphorescent sources, high-intensity discharge sources (e.g., sodium vapor, mercury vapor, and metal halide lamps), lasers, and other types of electroluminescent sources.
As used herein for purposes of the present disclosure, the term “controller” is used generally to describe various apparatus relating to the operation of a stream probe apparatus, system, or method. A controller can be implemented in numerous ways (e.g., such as with dedicated hardware) to perform various functions discussed herein. A “processor” is one example of a controller which employs one or more microprocessors that may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein. A controller may be implemented with or without employing a processor, and also may be implemented as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Examples of controller components that may be employed in various embodiments of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, conventional microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).
In various implementations, a processor or controller may be associated with one or more storage media (generically referred to herein as “memory,” e.g., volatile and non-volatile computer memory). In some implementations, the storage media may be encoded with one or more programs that, when executed on one or more processors and/or controllers, perform at least some of the functions discussed herein. Various storage media may be fixed within a processor or controller or may be transportable, such that the one or more programs stored thereon can be loaded into a processor or controller so as to implement various aspects of the present disclosure discussed herein. The terms “program” or “computer program” are used herein in a generic sense to refer to any type of computer code (e.g., software or microcode) that can be employed to program one or more processors or controllers.
The term “user interface” as used herein refers to an interface between a human user or operator and one or more devices that enables communication between the user and the device(s). Examples of user interfaces that may be employed in various implementations of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, switches, potentiometers, buttons, dials, sliders, track balls, display screens, various types of graphical user interfaces (GUIs), touch screens, microphones and other types of sensors that may receive some form of human-generated stimulus and generate a signal in response thereto.
It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.
In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
The present disclosure is directed to projecting a plurality of images on one or more areas of an outer surface of a housing based on a configuration of one or more light sources within one or more chambers formed by at least one mask within the housing and a transmissive display. Images can be projected to create dynamic blended or stacked images by backlighting a transmissive dynamic matrix display. Instead of projecting fixed pre-determined icons, any number of images can be projected at an individual spot and/or at multiple spots on a body and/or on a painted function knob or separate panel in a body by creating certain individual angular projections with or without an additional lens, and in the same color or different colors. Angular display masks can facilitate the angular projections. Using the various embodiments and implementations herein, projected images on the areas can include brushing information/indications for a user's benefit. Advantageously, the projection systems and methods disclosed herein use a transmissive display within a housing to project dynamic images instead of foils which contain static icons.
A particular non-limiting goal of utilization of the embodiments and implementations herein is to provide brushing information/indications to a user of a power toothbrush, e.g., a Philips Sonicare™ toothbrush (manufactured by Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.). Such information can, for example, be related to error or alert messages (e.g., battery due to be changed/charged, change brush head), instruction or indications related to proper use of the power toothbrush, timer, sensory result messages (e.g., fully cleaned teeth, partially cleaned teeth, good brushing behavior, poor brushing behavior, plaque formation). According to other embodiments and implementations, pertinent information/indications can be provided to users of any power medical, dental, shaving, grooming, mother and child care devices (handheld and non-handheld), for example, which can incorporate the configurations and functionalities described herein (as should be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure).
Advantages of embodiments are illustrated by the following description of an exemplary power toothbrush 100 embodiment including a projected display system 200. However, the particular components, uses, functionalities and amounts thereof recited in this description, as well as other conditions and details, are to be interpreted to apply broadly in the art and should not be construed to unduly restrict or limit the invention in any way.
Turning to
The power toothbrush 100 can include one or more sensors 126 located on or within the toothbrush. Sensor 126 is shown on
Many types of sensors can be used with the present disclosure. In some embodiments, for example, a force sensor can be used to detect bristle pressure, load, or force applied against the teeth. Such force sensors can take various forms, including, for example, Hall Effect sensors or other known mechanical or magnetic sensors. In other embodiments, a plaque detection sensor can be used to detect the presence of plaque on the teeth. For example, a pressure sensor can be configured to measure feedback from air applied to a dental surface to characterize the dental surface. In some embodiments, a gum detection sensor can be used to detect whether the bristle set is brushing gums rather than teeth. In further embodiments, a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) gyroscope and an accelerometer can be positioned on the brush head to detect rotational velocity of the brush head and orientation of the brush head during the mouth during operation. In other embodiments, infrared sensors can be used to determine the position of the bristle set in the mouth of the user. The particular form of sensor is not an essential part of the present system, as long as the sensor is accurate.
Referring to
According to a further embodiment, the control components of projected display system 200 can also include, for example, a sensor 126, a power source 144, and display 140. Power source 144 may be the same as power source 122 for the toothbrush 100, or can be a separate power source. Sensor 126 can be any of the sensors described or otherwise envisioned herein, and is programmed and/or configured to obtain sensor data regarding one or more aspects of the user's mouth during a brushing session. For example, the sensor may obtain information/data about the teeth surface, plaque levels, brushing areas, brushing strength, brushing angle, overall brushing effectiveness, and/or a wide variety of other aspects of dental health as described elsewhere herein. The sensor data may also relate to the operating status (on/off condition, normal condition, abnormal condition, battery life, and speed of the motor) of the power toothbrush 100 and other related data.
Controller 142 can receive sensor data from sensor 126 in real-time or periodically. For example, sensor 126 may send a constant stream of sensor data to controller 142 for storage and/or analysis, or may temporarily store and aggregate or process data prior to sending it to controller 142. Once received by the controller, the sensor data from the brushing session can be processed by processor 150. Processor 150 may be the same as processor 130, or can be a separate processor. According to an embodiment, the processing can comprise one or more of the steps of: (i) normalizing or otherwise processing the sensor data for further analysis; (ii) retrieving stored pre-programmed or user-defined brushing standards from memory 132 (which can be inputted into the power toothbrush 100 as should be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure); (iii) comparing the sensor data to the retrieved standards; (iv) determining if there are any sensor data that differ sufficiently (beyond a pre-defined threshold) from the retrieved standards; (v) determining whether the differing sensor data triggers an output to the user based on the stored standards; and (vi) outputting data to the user in the form of a projection to the display 140 regarding the triggering sensor data. In other words, sensor data can be compared to pre-programmed standards to determine if a particular image to be projected on one or more areas of an outer surface of the housing (e.g., display area 140) is warranted. Additionally, the timing of the projection of a particular image on a display area 140 can be in real time, or periodically. As further described herein, multiple images can be blended or stacked on a display area or multiple areas by mixing projections by image multiplexing using single color or multi-color LEDs.
As one example, the sensor data can be brushing strength, or information about how hard, how soft, and/or how effectively the user is brushing his/her teeth. The controller 142 can determine, using sensor data, how hard the user is brushing his/her teeth. Processor 150 can pull pre-programmed brushing strength levels from memory 132 and compare that to the obtained sensor data to determine that the user is not brushing his/her teeth sufficiently hard. In other words, the strength levels obtained from the sensor data fall beneath a pre-determined minimum threshold of strength levels for that user and/or that time of day. For example, different users and different times of day or different days of the week may require different brushing strength levels, and each of these can be stored in memory 132 for appropriate recall. Clock 152 may be utilized by controller 142 in order to determine the brushing time, duration, and date, and may be utilized by controller 142 in order to recall the appropriate standards from memory 132. Processor 150 can further determine, based on stored information, what response may be necessary for improper brushing strength levels, and can pull from memory 132 the appropriate image(s) to be projected on display 140. For example, if the brushing strength is too low, the controller 142 can be programmed and/or configured to effectuate the selective projection of an up arrow (to indicate to the user to increase his/her brushing strength) on display 140.
The controller can be programmed and/or configured to effectuate the selective projections of dynamic images (for example, dynamic facial expressions to indicate whether the user is exhibiting healthy or poor brushing behavior and/or plaque formation) on display 140. The face can transition between expressions indicating healthy or poor brushing behavior and/or plaque formation. For example, when the user is not brushing his/her teeth, the projected image can include a face with a neutral expression. When the user is brushing his/her teeth, the projected image of the face can change to a face with a positive expression (to indicate healthy behavior) or a face with a negative expression (to indicate poor behavior). The projected image of the face can also change to indicate varying degrees of healthy or poor behavior. By way of another example, a spotlight can be displayed at one location and then again at another location so quickly such that the spotlight appears to be a single spotlight projection that is displaced on the surface. Alternatively, a white pictogram and a red cross can be displayed in an alternating fashion at a single common area such that they appear to be projected at the same time using a single multi-color LED in a single chamber of a mask.
Projected display system 200 may also include a wireless communicator 148 for transmitting sensor data to a wireless transceiver (not shown). For example, wireless communicator 148 may transmit sensor data via a WiFi connection over the Internet or an Intranet to a dental professional, a database, or other location. Alternatively, wireless communicator 148 may transmit sensor data via a Bluetooth® or other wireless technology to a local device, database, or other transceiver. A wireless communicator 148 allows the user to save sensor data for long-term storage, to transmit sensor data for further analysis, or share data with a dental professional, among other uses. Wireless communicator 148 may also be a transceiver that can receive user input information, including the above referenced standards (as should be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art in conjunction with a review of this disclosure).
Projected display system 200 may also include sensor 158 configured to detect that the user has picked up the toothbrush or removed it from a cradle and is about to use the toothbrush and can then activate the projected display system 200. The sensor 158 can be, for example, a motion sensor that detects that the toothbrush is being picked up and/or positioned for use. For example, the sensor 158 may detect motion using a variety of different motion-detecting sensors, and can send a signal to the processor 150 that the user has picked up the toothbrush and that an appropriate image can be projected on display 140 as may be appropriate during a brushing event (although, information about the power toothbrush 100 itself (such as charging status) can be sensed by either sensor 126 or 158 and projected on display 140 at any time).
According to an embodiment, historically gathered data may be sensed by sensor 126 and/or sensor 158, gathered and stored in memory 132. For example, a toothbrush may contain memory which can store, for example, an average value per day (e.g., brushing strength), week, month, etc. A particular image can be projected on display area 140 indicating to the user that his/her brushing strength has improved or worsened over time.
Referring to
Transmissive display 206 can be any suitable display that is backlit by the one or more LED light sources and provides projected images. For example, transmissive display 206 can be a liquid crystal display including segments forming parts of a number, letter, or any other image. The segments can be dots or pixels and can be arranged in rows and columns. The segments can be turned “on” and “off” individually (or selectively blocked) to either block or allow light to pass through. When the segment is blocked, light does not pass through. When the segment is not blocked, light passes through to project the light in the unobstructed light path on the semitransparent paint system where the image is formed. The transmissive display 206 can be a passive or active matrix liquid crystal display by way of examples. An example transmissive display 206 includes display glass, drive electronics, control electronics, mechanical package, and a power supply. The display glass can be substituted with any suitable alternative. The display glass can include electrodes and contact pads to connect drive electronics to each electrode. The drive electronics can be integrated circuits that supply current to drive the electrodes. Each pixel can be controlled by an intersection of two conductors. When a potential voltage difference is created at an intersection, the liquid crystal fluid can respond by creating an “on” state at that intersection, also commonly referred to as a pixel. An example suitable transmissive display includes red, green, and blue sub-pixels in each pixel. An example transmissive display can be a curved flexible substrate.
An example transmissive display 206 includes transparent electrode patterns made of indium tin oxide using a photolithography or silkscreening process. However, any suitable alternative can be used instead.
In
The discussion above applies to
The discussion above applies to
Unlike the example embodiments described above and shown in
In
According to a further embodiment, additional LED light sources within respective additional angled chambers are contemplated, for the purpose of providing the option of additional projected images to the one or more areas or to separate the areas to provide additional indications (e.g., low battery).
In
According to another embodiment, it can be advantageous for the LED light sources to be used with a limited angle dependent intensity profile in two directions so that maximum light intensity/brightness evenness between mixed LED light source projections can be achieved. Referring to
For example, as shown in
The structural configuration and functionality of the power toothbrush projected display system 200 discussed above allows for multiple display configurations and provides for a variety of brushing information/indications to a user of a power toothbrush (as described above).
Turning to
In an example embodiment, as opposed to transitioning between differing images, an image can change in size over time. For example, an arrow can be initially projected at a first size and increase or decrease in size over a period of time.
Referring to
Even though a number of exemplary embodiments of images are shown and described herein, many other images are contemplated that could provide the user of the power device with information/indications about the device or use thereof. Moreover, similarly to the images discussed above, a single color, fading or transitioning colors, and/or merging or blending colors could provide the contemplated information/indications.
A method for displaying multiple images on one or more areas of a power device is disclosed. A housing may be provided and configured to contain (i) a first light source, (ii) a mask arranged around the first light source, and including a first chamber, and (iii) a transmissive display arranged between the first light source and a surface of the power device. Emitted light from the first light source can reach the transmissive display before reaching the surface of the power device and project multiple images on the one or more areas. The emitted light is selectively obstructed by one or more transparent areas defined in the transmissive display.
In an example method for displaying multiple images on one or more areas of the power device, at least two images are projected on the one or more areas depending on an activation of sub-units of the transmissive display and the first light source as follows: (i) a first image is projected; (ii) the first image is turned off; (iii) a second image is projected; and (iv) the first image is projected before the second image is turned off to create a dynamic blending of the first and second images.
In an example method for displaying multiple images on one or more areas of the power device, at least two images are projected on the one or more areas depending on an activation of sub-units of the transmissive display and the first light source as follows: (i) a first image is projected; (ii) the first image is turned off; (iii) a second image is projected; and (iv) the second image is turned off before the first image is projected again to create a dynamic blending of the first and second images.
A method for selectively displaying images on one or more surfaces of a housing in accordance with an embodiment is disclosed. A housing may be provided and configured to contain the following: (i) one or more light sources, (ii) a mask arranged around each of the one or more light sources and including one or more chambers corresponding to the one or more light sources, and (iii) a transmissive display arranged between the one or more light sources and the one or more surfaces. Light from a first of the one or more light sources is emitted. The emitted light from the first of the one or more light sources can reach the transmissive display before reaching the surface, and can project a corresponding first image on one or more areas on the surface.
In an example method for selectively displaying images on one or more surfaces of a housing, light from a second of the one or more light sources is emitted. The emitted light from the second of the one or more light sources can reach the transmissive display before reaching the surface, and can project a corresponding second image on one or more areas on the surface. The combination of the first and second images can create a blended image on the one or more areas on the surface. Alternatively, the first image can transition to the second image, or the combination of the first and second images can create the appearance of a moving image.
The projected images discussed herein can be projected on a planar surface of a power device or a curved surface of a power device. When images are projected on a curved surface, the images are projected to partially wrap around the curved outer surface of the housing 205—providing a large angle display. This “wrapping” feature can be accomplished by a mask arrangement that directs light emitted from the multiple light sources in a diverging manner to separate areas on the curved outer surface of the housing. Alternatively, the outer surfaces of the housing could include at least one flat surface. In other words, the masks that surround and form the chambers that house each of the light sources can be angled in a particular manner/configuration within the housing 205 to provide the “wrapping” feature (by, in part, projecting an image corresponding to the transmissive display in separate areas on the curved outer surface of the housing 205).
The mask 204 of the projected display system 200 can be formed by injection molding. The mask 204 can be injection molded in an open position including two portions hinged together. It can be advantageous to injection mold the mask 204 in the open position, as it is easier to remove the mask from the mold. After removal, the mask 204 can be assembled by folding the open portions of the mask together.
All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the defined terms.
The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
The phrase “and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.”
As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method are recited.
In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitional phrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” “composed of,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.
While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the inventive teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventive embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individual feature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems, articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent, is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. provisional patent application 62/311,982, filed 23 Mar. 2016, the content of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2018/053001 | 2/7/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62459088 | Feb 2017 | US |
