U.S. Pat. No. 12,390,726

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to systems and method for generating a control signal for a video game console using a video game controller. Any term or expression not expressly defined herein shall have its commonly accepted definition understood by a person skilled in the art.

Video Game Controller in the Prior Art.

FIGS.1and2show a video game controller10, having conventional actuators. An embodiment of the present invention comprises a controller10are a stick shield40, a trigger stop60, and an adapter100which are removably attached to the controller10.

As used herein, an “actuator” of a controller refers to any mechanism that can be displaced from a neutral position by application of force by a human user, in order to initiate a game function. As used herein, “neutral position” of the actuator refers to the position of the actuator when not subjected to any force applied by a user. Non-limiting example of actuators include a directional control stick, a trigger button, a lever, a directional keypad, and a steering wheel. The actuator may be biased into the neutral position, for example, by a spring which can be overcome by the force applied by the user. Non-limiting examples of game functions initiated by the actuator include directional control of an object or character, or firing a weapon in game play.

As non-limiting examples, the controller10in the prior art may be a controller supplied with a video game console such as PlayStation™ (Sony Interactive Entertainment), Xbox™ (Microsoft Corporation), or Nintendo Switch™ (Nintendo PTD). In the embodiment shown, controller10has an actuator in the form an omni-directional control stick12, having a neutral position corresponding to its idle position, which typically corresponds to no directional input for an object in game play. Controller10has second and third actuators in the form of trigger buttons14a,14b, having neutral positions corresponding to their undepressed positions.

The present invention is premised on controller10being configured to generate a control signal encoding data indicative of a displacement value of an actuator from its neutral position. However, the present invention is not limited by any particular manner in which such control signal is generated. As a non-limiting example, the actuator of controller10may be physically connected to a potentiometer that varies the voltage level of an electric current supplied to a microcontroller of controller10, depending on the displacement of the actuator from its neutral position. Based on the voltage level of the received electric current, the microcontroller of controller10generates the control signal with a bit stream having values that are indicative of the displacement value of the actuator from its neutral position. Ordinarily, controller12transmits this control signal directly to a video game console having an operating system that processes the bit stream to determine the displacement value, which in turn dictates the game function in game play.

System of the Present Invention.

FIGS.1and2show an embodiment of the system of the present invention, including stop members in the form of a stick shield40(FIG.2) and trigger stop60(FIG.1), and adapter100(FIG.1), attached to controller10. Stick shield40is removably attached to control stick12of controller. Trigger stop60is removably attached to the housing18of controller10.

Stop Member.

As used herein, “stop member” refers to any physical device that is attachable to the actuator or another portion of controller10to limit displacement (either linear, or angular) of an actuator from its neutral position to an amount less than its full potential displacement value—i.e., the maximum possible displacement (either linear, or angular) of the actuator in the absence of the stop member. As a non-limiting example, the stop member may permit the actuator to be displaced only to 30 percent of its full potential displacement value.

Stop Member: Stick Shield.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.2, one of the stop members is in the form of stick shield40to limit displacement of control stick12from its neutral position. In this embodiment, stick shield40comprises a collar that removably attaches to the control stick12so as to move in unison with control stick12. In this embodiment, the stick shield40effectively increases the diameter of control stick12. Thus, when control stick12is displaced (e.g., by 30 percent of its full potential angular displacement value), stick shield40engages a surrounding portion of housing18of controller10and thereby prevents further displacement of control stick12. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, stick shield40may be an annular member that attaches to housing18of controller10, so that it surrounds the control stick12and remains stationary relative to the housing18of controller10.

Referring toFIGS.3and4, in this embodiment, the collar of stick shield40comprises a pair of arcuate portions42,44that clamp control stick12between them to attach the collar to control stick12. The arcuate portions42,44are preferably semi-circular, and pivotally connected to each other by a pin connection46to allow for separation of opposing ends the arcuate portions42,44in the open configuration as shown inFIG.3, which allows stick shield40to be placed around control stick12. Arcuate portions42,44may engage each other in a releasable manner, such as by friction fit. For example, portion42may define a tab48, and the other arcuate portion44may define a slot50that releasably receives tab48by friction fit, to retain stick shield40in the closed configuration as shown inFIG.4, which allows stick shield40to be attached to control stick12.

Stick shield40may be used to prevent development of the “drift” or “phantom input” phenomenon described above, over time and with increased usage. By limiting displacement of control stick12, stick shield40may limit stresses on strains on associated components such as potentiometers and biasing springs. This may help to avoid wear, damage, or deformation of these components, which can lead to the “drift” phenomenon.

Stop Member: Trigger Stop.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.1, one of the stop members is in the form of trigger stop60to limit displacement of trigger buttons14a,14bfrom their neutral positions.

In this embodiment, trigger stop60includes a yoke-shaped member62defining an aperture64that slides onto a protuberance formed by housing102of adapter100(described below), and a pivotally attached clasp66that releasably secures trigger stop60to the housing102of adapter100. When either of the trigger buttons14a,14bis depressed to a fraction (e.g., 30 percent) of its full potential displacement value, trigger stop60is engaged by trigger button14aor14b(as the case may be), to prevent further displacement of the trigger button14aor14b(as the case may be).

Trigger stop60may be used to facilitate rapid firing of trigger buttons14a,14b. By limiting travel of trigger buttons14a,14bto a fraction of their full potential pull displacement value, trigger buttons14a,14bcan return more quickly to their neutral positions to be pulled again by a human user.

Adapter.

As will be described below, one use of adapter100is to correct for the “drift” phenomenon of control stick12, in which case adapter100may be useful even in the absence of a stop member (e.g., stick shield40, or trigger stop60). Another use of adapter100is to generate a “scaled control signal” (as described below) encoding data indicative of a displacement value of the actuator (e.g., control stick12, or trigger buttons14a,14b) that is physically prevented by presence of a stop member (e.g., stick shield40, or trigger stop60).

FIG.1shows an embodiment of adapter100attached to controller10.FIG.5shows the embodiment of adapter100in isolation.FIG.6shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of adapter100in relation to controller10and a video game console20in the prior art. As non-limiting examples, the console20may be a PlayStation™ (Sony Interactive Entertainment), Xbox™ (Microsoft Corporation), or Nintendo Switch™ (Nintendo PTD) console.FIG.7shows a functional block diagram of an embodiment of adapter100in isolation. InFIGS.6and7, the elements are shown as being connected by lines that represent operative connections, which may be implemented by wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination of them.

In this embodiment, adapter100includes a housing102(FIG.1) adapted for attachment to controller10, by being partly disposed in a battery compartment on the bottom side of controller10. The housing102also serves to retain other components of adapter100, as described below.

Adapter100includes controller interface104(FIGS.5to7) comprising means for scaling module108(described below) to receive the control signal generated by controller10via an output interface16of controller10. In one embodiment, controller interface104comprises a cable connector, in the form of a male end of a USB connector that interfaces with the female end of a USB connector forming output interface16of controller10.

Adapter100includes console interface106(FIGS.5to7) comprising means for scaling module108(described below) to output the generated scaled control signal to console20via an input interface22of console20. In one embodiment, controller interface106includes a cable connector, in the form of a female end of a USB connector that interfaces with a cable leading to a USB connector forming input interface22of console22.

Adapter100includes a scaling module108comprising a processor110and a memory112. As used herein, “processor” refers to any one or more electronic devices that is/are capable of reading and executing instructions stored on a memory to perform operations on data, which may be stored on a memory or provided in a data signal. Non-limiting examples of processors include devices referred to as microprocessors, microcontrollers, central processing units (CPU), and digital signal processors. The term “processor” includes a plurality of physically discrete, operatively connected devices despite use of the term in the singular.

As used herein, “memory” refers to a non-transitory tangible medium for storing information in a format readable by a processor, and/or instructions readable by a processor to implement an algorithm. Non-limiting types of memory include solid-state, optical, and magnetic computer readable media. The term “memory” includes a plurality of physically discrete, operatively connected devices despite use of the term in the singular.

A purpose of processor110is to execute a set of instructions stored on memory112, in order to generate the scaled control signal based on the control signal received from controller10, and output the scaled control signal to console interface106, in accordance with a method of the present invention. In one embodiment, processor110and memory112are implemented by a microcontroller unit (MCU) (i.e., one or more integrated circuit chips) on a printed circuit board (PCB), which is operatively connected to controller interface104and console interface106. In such embodiment, memory112may be considered as “firmware”—i.e., software specific to the hardware of adapter100. It will be understood that the MCU is configured to be capable performing any arithmetic, logical, input/output data transfer, digital signal analysis and digital signal generation operations that are necessary to implement the method. The selection of a suitable MCU available in the art, and the programming of its memory112to implement such method, is within the skill of the person of ordinary skill in the art. It will also be understood that the scaling module108may include further components (not shown) such as a power source or an input for a power source, and electronic circuitry necessary for the operation of processor110and memory112, and their interface with controller interface104and console interface106.

Use and Operation, and Method of the Present Invention.

An exemplary use and operation of the above described embodiment of the system of the present invention is now described. To prepare the system, adapter100and trigger stop60are attached to controller10as shown inFIG.1. Stick shield40is attached in it closed configuration to control stick12as shown inFIG.2. USB connector of controller interface104is mated with USB connector of output interface16of controller10, to effect an operative connection for transmission of a control signal from controller10to controller interface104, as shown inFIG.6. A USB cable is connected between console interface106and input interface22of console20to effect an operative connection for transmission of a scaled control signal from console interface106to console20, as shown inFIG.6.

The user uses controller10and console20to play a video game. The user displaces one of the actuators (i.e., control stick12, or either one of trigger buttons14a,14b) from its neutral position, with the extent of such displacement being limited by one of the stop members (i.e., stick shield40, or trigger stop60). When the actuator is displaced, the controller10generates a control signal encoding data indicative of the displacement value of the actuator, in accordance with the ordinary operation of controller10.

Under control of instructions stored in memory112, processor110of scaling module108of adapter100implements a method of the present invention to generate a scaled control signal. It will be understood that the processor110may implement the method in respect to a control signal received either by actuation of control stick12, either of trigger buttons14,14b, or some other actuator of controller10.

FIG.8shows an embodiment of this method200. At step202, processor110receives the control signal from controller10via the controller interface104.

At step204, processor110determines the displacement value of the actuator based on the data encoded by the control signal. For example, processor110may process a bit stream of the control signal to ascertain the displacement value of the actuator. In one embodiment, scaling module108may determine the displacement value by simply “reading” values of the bit stream that directly indicate the displacement value. In another embodiment, scaling module108may determine the displacement value by performing logical and/or arithmetic operations on values of the bit stream to derive the displacement value, in accordance with predetermined relationships between the data and displacement values. The particular manner of determining the displacement value will depend on the nature of the data encoded by the control signal, which will depend on the particular configuration of controller10. Step204may be adapted accordingly.

At step206, scaling module108, determines a scaled displacement value by multiplying the determined displacement value by a scaling factor. As used herein, the “scaling factor” refers to a number.

In one embodiment, the scaling factor may be selected to enable adapter100to correct for any “drift” phenomenon of control stick12. To illustrate,FIG.9shows a chart of a non-limiting embodiment of a relationship between a scaling factor and a displacement value of an actuator of a video game controller from a neutral position of the actuator, which relationship may be stored in memory112of scaling module108. In this embodiment, the scaling factor has a null value if the determined displacement value of the actuator has a value less than a non-null predetermined value. This predetermined value is selected so as to effectively exclude a control signal that is generated by controller10when control stick12is actually in the neutral position. As a non-limiting example, inFIG.9, the predetermined value may be set to 5.0 percent of the full potential displacement value, but it will be understood that other non-null values may be selected. Since the scaling factor has a null value up to 5.0 percent of the full potential displacement value, the scaled displacement value will be determined to be null. Accordingly, as will be apparent when considering subsequent steps208and210, this range of determined displacement values effectively becomes a “dead zone” of control stick12. In embodiments of the method, steps208and210may be performed even though the scaled displacement value is null—i.e., the scaled control signal will encode data indicative of a null scaled displacement value. In other embodiments of the method, performance of steps208and210may be conditional upon the scaled displacement value being non-null, or the scaling factor being non-null.

In an additional or alternative embodiment, the scaling factor may be selected to enable adapter100to generate a scaled control signal encoding data indicative of a displacement value of the actuator (e.g., control stick12, or trigger buttons14a,14b) that is physically prevented by the presence of a stop member (e.g., stick shield40, or trigger stop60). For this example, suppose that the stop member limits displacement of the actuator to a maximum of 30 percent of the actuator's potential full displacement value. Further, suppose that when the actuator is displaced by 30 percent, it is desired that the adapter generates a scaled control signal encoding data indicative of the actuator being displaced to its full potential displacement value. Accordingly, the scaling factor is determined as the ratio of 100 to 30, or ˜3.33, as shown inFIG.9. In this embodiment, a constant scaling factor of ˜3.33 is used for substantially the entire range of determined displacement values, excluding the “dead zone”. In other words, the scaling ratio is determined as the ratio of the full potential displacement value of the actuator (i.e., without the stop member attached to controller10), to the maximum possible displacement value of the actuator in the presence of the stop member attached to controller10.FIG.10shows the relationship between the scaled displacement value and the determined displacement value of the actuator, as a result of applying the scaling factor ofFIG.9to the determined displacement value of the actuator from the neutral position. In another embodiment (not shown), the scaling factor may be non-constant over the range of displacement values. This can be used to effectively modify the responsiveness and sensitivity characteristics of the actuator.

At step208, scaling module108generates a scaled control signal encoding data indicative of the scaled displacement value. In one embodiment, scaling module108may generate the scaled control signal to include data that directly indicates the scaled displacement value. In another embodiment, scaling module108may generate the scaled control signal to include data that indirectly indicates the scaled displacement value, but which can be processed by logical and/or arithmetic operations performed by the operating system of console20to derive the scaled displacement value, in accordance with predetermined relationships between the data and displacement values. The particular manner of generating the scaled control signal will depend on the nature of the data required by the configuration of a particular console20. Step208may be adapted accordingly.

At step210, scaling module108, transmits the scaled control signal to console20via console interface106. The operating system of console20receives the scaled control signal, and processes the scaled control signal as if it were a control signal generated by controller10. Accordingly, the present invention does not require any modification to console20. In response to the scaled control signal, console20will initiate a game function as if the actuator had been displaced by the scaled displacement value rather than the displacement value encoded by data of the control signal generated by controller10.

Alternative Method of the Present Invention.

FIG.11shows an alternative embodiment of a method300that can be used to correct for any “drift” phenomenon of control stick12.

Steps300and304are analogous to steps202and204of method200.

At step306, scaling module108evaluates if the determined displacement value is less than a predetermined non-null value (e.g., 5.0 percent of the full potential displacement value of the actuator, or some other pre-selected value).

If this condition evaluates “false”, then the method proceeds to step308. At step308, scaling module108generates the scaled control signal encoding data indicative of some displacement value. For example, step308may be implemented in a manner analogous to steps206and208of method200, or the scaling factor may be set to unity (1.0). Alternatively, step308may be implemented without applying any scaling factor to the determined displacement value.

Conversely, if the condition at step306evaluates “true”, then the method proceeds to step310. At step310, in one embodiment, scaling module108generates a scaled control signal encoding data indicative of a null displacement value. It will be appreciated that this is analogous to cases of step206, in which the scaling factor is set to null. In another embodiment of step310, scaling module108does not generate any scaled control signal at all.

At step312, scaling module108transmits the scaled control signal (if any) to console20via console interface106. The operating system of console20receives the scaled control signal, and processes the scaled control signal as if it were a control signal generated by controller10.

Exemplary Aspects of the Present Invention.

In view of the described devices, systems, and methods and variations thereof, certain more particularly described aspects of the invention are presented below. These particularly recited aspects should not however be interpreted to have any limiting effect on any different claims containing different or more general teachings described herein, or that the “particular” aspects are somehow limited in some way other than the inherent meanings of the language literally used therein.

Aspect 1: A system for generating a scaled control signal for a video game console using a video game controller comprising an actuator, wherein the controller is configured to generate a control signal encoding data indicative of a displacement value of the actuator from a neutral position of the actuator, the system comprising:a controller interface for receiving the control signal from the controller;a console interface for transmitting the scaled control signal to the console;a processor operatively connected to the controller interface to receive the control signal from the controller interface, and operatively connected to the console interface to transmit the scaled control signal to the console interface; anda memory comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium operatively connected to the processor, and storing instructions executable by the processor to implement a method comprising the steps of:(a) receiving the control signal from the controller interface;(b) determining the displacement value of the actuator based on the data encoded by the control signal;(c) determining a scaled displacement value by multiplying the determined displacement value by a scaling factor;(d) generating the scaled control signal encoding data indicative of the scaled displacement value; and(e) transmitting the scaled control signal to the console interface.

Aspect 2: The system of Aspect 1, wherein the system further comprises a housing retaining the controller interface, the console interface, the processor, and the memory, and adapted for attachment to the controller.

Aspect 3: The system of any one of Aspects 1 to 2, wherein the controller interface comprises a first cable connector.

Aspect 4: The system of any one of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the console interface comprises a second cable connector.

Aspect 5: The system of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the scaling factor is null if the determined displacement value is less than a predetermined non-null value.

Aspect 6: The system of Aspect 5, wherein performance of steps (d) and (e) are conditional on either the determined scaled displacement value being a non-null value, or the scaling factor being a non-null value.

Aspect 7: The system of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein performance of steps (c), (d), and (e) are conditional on the determined displacement value being less than a predetermined non-null value.

Aspect 8: The system of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the scaling factor is constant for different determined displacement values.

Aspect 9: The system of any one of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein the scaling factor is non-constant for different determined displacement values.

Aspect 10: The system of any one of Aspects 1 to 9, further comprising a stop member attachable to the controller to permit limited displacement of the actuator from the neutral position.

Aspect 11: The system of Aspect 10, wherein the actuator comprises a directional control stick.

Aspect 12: The system of Aspect 11, wherein the stop member comprises a collar that surrounds the control stick when attached to the controller.

Aspect 13: The system of Aspect 12, wherein the stop member attaches to the control stick to move in unison with the control stick, and wherein the stop member engages a portion of the controller, other than the control stick, to limit displacement of the control stick from the neutral position.

Aspect 14: The system of Aspect 13, wherein the collar comprises a pair of arcuate portions that clamp the control stick between them to attach the collar to the control stick.

Aspect 15: The system of Aspect 14, wherein the arcuate portions are pivotally connected to each other to allow for separation of opposing ends the arcuate portions from each other.

Aspect 16: The system of any one of Aspects 14 to 15, wherein one of the arcuate portions defines a tab, and the other one of the arcuate portions defines a slot that releasably receives the tab by friction fit.

Aspect 17: The system of Aspect 10, wherein the actuator comprises a trigger button.

Aspect 18: The system of Aspect 17, wherein the stop member attaches to a portion of the controller, other than the trigger button, and is engaged by the trigger button to limit displacement of the trigger button from the neutral position.

Aspect 19: The system of any one of Aspects 10 to 18, wherein the scaling factor is a ratio of a maximum possible displacement of the actuator from the neutral position when the stop member is not attached to the controller, to a maximum possible displacement of the actuator from the neutral position when the stop member is attached to the controller.

Aspect 20: A method for generating a scaled control signal for a video game console using a video game controller comprising an actuator, wherein the controller is configured to generate a control signal encoding data indicative of on a displacement value of an actuator from a neutral position of the actuator, the method comprising the steps of:using a processor:(a) receiving the control signal from the controller;(b) determining the displacement value of the actuator based on the data encoded by the control signal;(c) determining a scaled displacement value by multiplying the determined displacement value by a scaling factor;(d) generating a scaled control signal encoding data indicative of the scaled displacement value; and(e) transmitting the scaled control signal to the console.

Aspect 21: The method of Aspect 20, further comprising the step of attaching a housing to the controller, wherein the housing retains the processor.

Aspect 22: The method of any one of Aspects 20 to 21, wherein the processor receives the control signal from the controller via a first cable connector.

Aspect 23: The method of any one of Aspects 20 to 22, wherein the processor transmits the scaled control signal to the console via a second cable connector.

Aspect 24: The method of any one of Aspects 20 to 23, wherein the scaling factor is null if the determined displacement value is less than a predetermined non-null value.

Aspect 25: The method of Aspect 24, wherein performance of steps (d) and (e) are conditional on either the determined scaled displacement value being a non-null value, or the scaling factor being a non-null value.

Aspect 26: The method of any one of Aspects 20 to 23, wherein performance of steps (c), (d), and (e) are conditional on the determined displacement value being less than a predetermined non-null value.

Aspect 27: The method of any one of Aspects 20 to 23, wherein the scaling factor is constant for different determined displacement values.

Aspect 28: The method of any one of Aspects 20 to 23, wherein the scaling factor is non-constant for different determined displacement values.

Aspect 29: The method of any one of Aspects 20 to 28, further comprising the step of attaching a stop member to the controller to permit limited displacement of the actuator from the neutral position.

Aspect 30: The method of Aspect 29, wherein the actuator comprises a directional control stick.

Aspect 31: The method of Aspect 30, wherein the stop member comprises a collar that surrounds the control stick when attached to the controller.

Aspect 32: The method of Aspect 31, wherein the stop member attaches to the control stick to move in unison with the control stick, and wherein the stop member engages a portion of the controller, other than the control stick, to limit displacement of the control stick from the neutral position.

Aspect 33: The method of Aspect 32, wherein the collar comprises a pair of arcuate portions that clamp the control stick between them to attach the collar to the control stick.

Aspect 34: The method of Aspect 33, wherein the arcuate portions are pivotally connected to each other to allow for separation of opposing ends of the arcuate portions from each other.

Aspect 35: The method of any one of Aspects 33 to 34, wherein one of the arcuate portions defines a tab, and the other one of the arcuate portions defines a slot that releasably receives the tab by friction fit.

Aspect 36: The method of Aspect 29, wherein the actuator comprises a trigger button.

Aspect 37: The method of Aspect 36, wherein the stop member attaches to a portion of the controller other than the trigger button, and is engaged by the trigger button to limit displacement of the trigger button from the neutral position.

Aspect 38: The method of any one of Aspects 29 to 37, wherein the scaling factor is a ratio of a maximum possible displacement of the actuator from the neutral position when the stop member is not attached to the controller, to a maximum possible displacement of the actuator from the neutral position when the stop member is attached to the controller.

Aspect 39: A stop member for permitting limited displacement of a directional control stick of a video game controller from a neutral position of the control stick, the stop member comprising a collar that surrounds the control stick when attached to the controller.

Aspect 40: The stop member of Aspect 39, wherein the stop member attaches to the control stick to move in unison with the control stick, and wherein the stop member engages a portion of the controller, other than the control stick, to limit displacement of the control stick from the neutral position.

Aspect 41: The stop member of Aspect 40, wherein the collar comprises a pair of arcuate portions that clamp the control stick between them to attach the collar to the control stick.

Aspect 42: The stop member of Aspect 41, wherein the arcuate portions are pivotally connected to each other to allow for separation of opposing ends of the arcuate portions from each other.

Aspect 43: The stop member of any one of Aspect 41 to 42, wherein one of the arcuate portions defines a tab, and the other one of the arcuate portions defines a slot that releasably receives the tab by friction fit.

Interpretation.

Aspects of the present invention may be described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the claims appended to this specification are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

References in the specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such module, aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. In other words, any module, element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility, or it is specifically excluded.

It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as “solely,” “only,” and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a “negative” limitation. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,” “prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.

The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “and/or” means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase “one or more” is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.

The term “about” can refer to a variation of ±5%, ±10%, ±20%, or ±25% of the value specified. For example, “about 50” percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent. For integer ranges, the term “about” can include one or two integers greater than and/or less than a recited integer at each end of the range. Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term “about” is intended to include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that are equivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or the embodiment.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.

As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as “up to”, “at least”, “greater than”, “less than”, “more than”, “or more”, and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.