CONTROL STRATEGY WITH SAFE BLADE DEPLOYMENT LIMIT

Abstract

A stability control systema dynamic active control system configured for total vessel pitch axis control by fast symmetric deployment of water engagement devices, coupled with engine trim adjustments and total roll and heading control by differentially deploying water engagement devices to counter rolling motions associated with water engagement device delta position. The software module is further configured with a control strategy that limits the bias of the water engagement devices as the marine vessel accelerates or decelerates in order to provide improved stability during marine vessel operation. The control strategy can maintain the bias static within a certain limited configuration (e.g., related to the speed of the marine vessel) until the limited configuration is no longer present.

Claims

1. A dynamic active control system for a marine vessel, the system comprising: a software module, a plurality of sensors and a plurality of water engagement devices, wherein each of the water engagement devices includes an actuator and a blade connected to the actuator and is configured to mount adjacent a transom of the marine vessel, wherein the software module is communicatively and operatively connected to the plurality of sensors and to each water engagement device to iteratively command activation of the actuator and deployment of the blade in response thereto based on data received from the plurality of sensors and a desired setting and wherein the software module includes a control strategy that further iteratively commands activation of the actuators to limit one of a depth of deployment of one of the water engagement devices and a speed of deployment of one of the water engagement devices to a pre-determined threshold as a function of the data received from the plurality of sensors related to a speed of the marine vessel.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein pre-determined threshold of one of a depth of deployment of the one of the water engagement devices and a speed of deployment of the one of the water engagement devices is defined as a bias of the one of the water engagement devices.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the software module comprises at least one embedded microprocessor and the control strategy implemented by a safe blade deployment limit control algorithm comprising at least one set of program instructions and wherein the at least one embedded microprocessor is further configured to run the at least one set of program instructions in order for the software module to iteratively read and interpret any data associated with the operation of the marine vessel.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the bias is a minimum bias associated with a change in speed of the marine vessel.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the safe blade deployment limit control algorithm can iteratively set the bias of the at least one pair of the water engagement devices within a certain pre-determined range of values as a function of the data received from the plurality of sensors related to the speed of the marine vessel.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the set bias is a deployment bias and wherein the deployment bias is static until the speed of the marine vessel reaches a certain pre-determined limit.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the speed of the marine vessel is 5 miles/hour.

8. The system of claim 3, wherein the safe blade deployment limit control algorithm is further configured to automatically identify and prevent triggering an increase in control authority or operator feedback in response to the change of the vessel speed.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein the data comprises information extracted from a dataset of a two-dimensional marine vessel acceleration/deceleration and blade deployment curve plot embedded within the at least one set of program instructions of the safe blade deployment limit control algorithm.

10. The system of claim 3, wherein the safe blade deployment limit control algorithm is a closed loop control system configured and enabled to continuously read, measure and interpret the data and limit the bias of the at least one pair of the water engagement devices at various speeds during operation of the marine vessel.

11. A method of dynamic active control of a marine vessel, the method comprising the steps of: mounting a plurality of water engagement devices adjacent a transom of the marine vessel, wherein each of the water engagement devices includes an actuator and a blade connected to the actuator; connecting a software module having an embedded microprocessor-based control system to (1) a plurality of sensors and (2) each of the water engagement devices; wherein the plurality of sensors comprises at least one inertial sensor; commanding activation of the actuator and deployment of the blade in response thereto based on data received from the plurality of sensors and a desired setting; measuring data received from the at least one inertial sensor that is representative of motion of the vessel; and implementing a safe blade deployment limit control strategy to further limit one of a depth of deployment of one of the water engagement devices and a speed of deployment of one of the water engagement devices to a pre-determined level of bias.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the level of bias is a threshold of one of a depth of deployment of the one of the water engagement devices and a speed of deployment of the one of the water engagement devices as a function of the data received from the plurality of sensors related to a speed of the marine vessel.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the safe blade deployment limit control strategy can iteratively set the level of bias of the at least one pair of the water engagement devices within a certain pre-determined range of values based on the speed of the marine vessel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the set bias is a deployment bias and wherein the deployment bias is static until the speed of the marine vessel reaches a certain pre-determined limit.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the speed of the marine vessel is 5 miles/hour.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the software module comprises at least one embedded microprocessor and the control strategy implemented by a safe blade deployment limit control algorithm comprising at least one set of program instructions and wherein the at least one embedded microprocessor is further configured to run the at least one set of program instructions in order for the software module to iteratively read and interpret any data associated with the operation of the marine vessel.

17. A dynamic active control system, the system comprising: a marine vessel, a software module, a plurality of sensors and a plurality of water engagement devices, wherein the plurality of water engagement devices are connected to the marine vessel adjacent a transom of the marine vessel, wherein each of the water engagement devices includes an actuator and a blade connected to the actuator, wherein the software module is communicatively and operatively connected to the plurality of sensors and to each water engagement device to iteratively command activation of the actuator and deployment of the blade in response thereto based on data received from the plurality of sensors and a desired setting, and wherein the software module includes a safe blade deployment limit control strategy to further limit one of a depth of deployment of one of the water engagement devices and a speed of deployment of one of the water engagement devices to a pre-determined level of bias.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a total pitch axis control strategy including symmetric deployment of a plurality of water engagement devices at a deployment speed of at least 100 mm/s while simultaneously adjusting an engine trim actuator; a total roll and heading control strategy including a differential deployment of the plurality of water engagement devices at a deployment speed of at least 100 mm/s to counter a measured rolling motion while simultaneously adjusting a steering actuator to counter a measured yaw motion resulting from the differential deployment and adjusting the steering actuator to counter the measured yaw motion generated by a gyroscopic stabilization device adapted to be installed within the marine vessel; wherein the software module includes a safe blade deployment limit control strategy to further limit one of a depth of deployment of one of the water engagement devices and a speed of deployment of one of the water engagement devices to a pre-determined level of bias.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a software module including an embedded microprocessor-based control system, a multi-axis rate sensor and a steering position sensor operatively connected to at least one of the water engagement devices and to the software module; wherein the control system determines an asymmetric deployment of the at least one of the water engagement devices in response to a dynamic roll axis motion measured by the rate sensor as a result of a change in an output from the steering position sensor; wherein the control system determines a relationship between the output from the steering position sensor and the asymmetric controller deployment; and wherein the control system automatically commands changes to the asymmetric controller deployment to counter the dynamic roll axis motion resulting from the change in the output from the steering position sensor.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the safe blade deployment limit control strategy can iteratively set the bias of the at least one pair of the water engagement devices within a certain pre-determined range of values as a function of the data received from the plurality of sensors related to the speed of the marine vessel.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the embodiments. In the drawings:

[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the dynamic active control system with engine control comprising at least one pair of water engagement devices, a software module, an engine with engine control module, and a gyroscopic stabilization system connected to each other and various other modules and components according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates a fully deployed water engagement device according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a fully retracted water engagement device according to one aspect of the present disclosure

[0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a symmetrical deployment of at least one pair of water engagement devices according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a differential deployment of at least one pair of water engagement devices according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates a Safe Blade Deployment Limit strategy when a marine vessel accelerates according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates a Safe Blade Deployment Limit strategy when a marine vessel accelerates according to one aspect of the present disclosure

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0035] For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dynamic active control system (DACS) 1000 of the marine vessel 2000 comprises a software module 202 that may be located within an operational console 200 and/or mounted near the helm of the marine vessel 2000. The software module 202 may be communicatively coupled to an engine having an embedded engine-control module 302 via a distribution module 400 located near the transom of the marine vessel 2000 and primarily used for supplying power and communication signals to the various components of the DACS 1000. The operational console 200 functions as a control station for the operator of the marine vessel and can support a steering wheel, control lever or other similar devices to steer and/or maneuver the marine vessel 2000. The software module 202 may be communicatively connected to the engine-control module 302 and configured to run the various operational algorithms for dynamic active control of the marine vessel 2000 provides for adjustable trim, height and/or steering position/direction control of the engine. As further illustrated in FIG. 1, the operational console 200, in addition to the software module 202 can include an optional multifunctional display unit 202 and/or an operation input device 204 (e.g., keypad)the components communicatively and operatively connected to each other via digital communication buses or other communication technology, such as, for example only Bluetooth, wi-fi, or any other wireless communication technology.

[0037] Referring back to FIG. 1, the software module 202 includes a memory, and an embedded programmable processor configured to read data on a vessel's performance characteristics from the memory and provide data to the processor in order to run various operational algorithms for dynamic active control of the marine vessel 2000. For example, any data related to operational performance of the marine vessel (e.g., data related to critical failure of the system or a component of the marine vessel) can be stored within the memory of the software module 202. A plurality of sensors are communicatively and operatively connected with the software module 202. As shown, the software module 202 is communicatively and operatively coupled to (1) a plurality of sensors (e.g., motion sensors positioned within the marine vessel); (2) at least one pair of actuators mounted adjacent the transom of the vessel 2000 to deploy and retract the WEDs 602, 606; and/or (3) a gyroscopic stabilizer 500. In another embodiment, additional WEDsfor instance, two pairs of WEDs with actuators mounted adjacent the transom of the vessel 2000 configured to deploy and retractwhich can also be referred to as WEDs 602, 604, 606, 608the WEDs 602, 604, 606 and 608 are substantially same in structure and functions in substantially the same manner. In another embodiment, the plurality of sensors may be integrated or embedded within the software module 202. Further, at least one sensor, from the plurality of sensors, is configured to measure data related to the retraction and deployment of each of the WED (602, 606) and to measure and report data on steering angle, trim position, height of the engine during the vessel operation.

[0038] The software module 202communicatively coupled to the engine control module 302 of the engine of the marine vessel 2000is further configured to a provide power, communications and/or data to the actuators for fast deployment of the WEDs 602, 606. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the software module 202 can be connected to other peripheral devices via digital communication busesadditional sensors (e.g., a GPS sensor, voltage sensors, encoders, current sensors, temperature sensor and/or other sensors)the software module 202 primarily responsible for measuring, feeding data to the engine control module 302 and/or the actuators connected to the WEDs 602, 606 and measuring and computing various performance characteristics for dynamic active control of the marine vessel 2000.

[0039] As illustrated in the DACS 1000 disclosed herein, the distribution module 400 is mounted and located in proximity to the transom of the marine vessel 2000 wherein the operational console 200 (including the software module 202) are mounted near the helm and not in proximity to the transom of the marine vessel 2000. The various modules are communicatively coupled to each otherspecifically the engine control module 302, the software module 202, and the actuators for the WEDs (602, 606)via industry standard power and communication cables, The WED actuator mounted on the transom of the marine vesselthe WED actuator configured to provide fast deployment of the WEDs in 100 mm/s or more (mm/s)preferably faster than 250 mm/s. During operation of the marine vessel 2000, the system 1000 is further designed to generate signalsfor example, a wake signalfor the software module 202 to communicate a power on (wake up) status to the various components of the systemnamely, the engine-control module 302 and other components (displays, input devices etc.) of the operational console 200 and the actuators for fast deployment of the WEDs/Controllers 602, 606.

[0040] Referring back to FIG. 1, the software module 202 is further configured to store and display certain information (e.g., route maps, chart plot, etc.) and provide reliable marine navigation and guidance to an operator of the marine vessel 2000. Such navigation and guidance include provisions for connecting to certain OEM-specific Internet Protocol (IP) for network interface identification and location addressing, and to provide easy-to-use User Interface (UI) for vessel operators. For instance, the software module 202 can provide yaw and trim correcting information/commands to the engine and steering system to prevent the marine vessel from deviating from the present course. The software module 202 is primarily an embedded computing device running a certain type of Linux or other operating system providing equivalent functionality. As mentioned above, the system 1000 also includes an additional number of user input devices, such as a keypad, a steering wheel and one or more throttle/shift levers. Each of the devices communicatively connected to the software module 202 are configured to provide commands (input signal) to the processorthe processor in turn, communicates with the actuator associated with the respective WED/Controller (602, 606) via the actuator power and communications cableas shown in FIG. 1and provides instructions to the actuator for fast deployment of the WEDs/Controllers 602, 606.

[0041] The software module 202 further comprises a plurality of multi-axis inertial sensors for measuring rates or acceleration generated along multiple vector axes during the operation of the marine vessel 2000. The software module 202 is configured to be communicatively and operatively connected to the plurality of multi-axis inertial sensorsincluding, for example, the accelerometer sensors for measuring accelerations along the x, y and z axes (longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration and vertical acceleration), sensors to measure the roll rate, pitch rate and yaw rateRoll Rate Sensor (RRS), Pitch Rate Sensor (PRS) and Yaw Rate Sensor (YRS), respectively. Embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art include 6-axis, 9-axis or magnetometer sensors or other similar sensors for various measurementse.g., rates, accelerations, forces, torques etc.generated during the dynamic active control of the vessel. The software module 202 communicatively connected to the WEDs 602, 606 can be programmed to act (make certain iterative decisions) based on information received from an attitude sensor (e.g., pitch and roll) as well as from a global positioning system (GPS) sensor located at a pre-selected fixed position on the marine vessel 2000.

[0042] Referring back to FIG. 1, the DACS 1000 may comprise at least one WED, if centrally disposed on the marine vessel, or at least a pair of WEDs mounted on the transom of the marine vessel 2000 and configured for fast deployment of the WEDs 602, 606the system 1000 providing total vessel pitch axis control by fast symmetric deployment of the WEDs 602, 606 coupled with engine trim adjustments. As illustrated, the WEDs 602, 606 mounted on the transom of the vessel 2000 and configured for fast deployment into the water at 100 mm/s or morepreferably faster than 250 mm/s. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a fully deployed and a fully retracted water engagement device according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the DACS 1000 may also be configured to provide total vessel pitch control by symmetric deployment of the WEDs 602, 606 coupled with engine trim adjustment and providing optimum stability control of the vessel. For instance, if the WED 602 is halfway (50 percent) down, a sensor can send a signal to the software module 202 which in turn can command the actuator of the WED 602 to make deployment adjustments both in the up and down directions for the WED 602. The DACS 100 can further optimize the relationship between the WED bias and the engine trim to deliver the best-case dynamic active control for the marine vessel.

[0044] As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the DACS 1000 is configured to provide total roll and heading control by differentially deploying WEDs 602, 606 to counter rolling motions associated with WED delta position. The software module 202 may comprise various algorithms running a proportional-integral-derivative control loop (PID) for continuously capturing data related to the difference between the commanded roll angle and the measured roll anglethe delta angleand applying a responsive and accurate correction on the delta position between the WEDs 602 and 606 on the port and starboard sides of the marine vessel 2000 respectively (as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0045] In another aspect of the present disclosure, during operation of the marine vessel 2000, the system 1000 continuously monitors and measures data/feedback from the sensors and send command signals to instruct the actuator systems for fast deployment of WEDs 602, 606 to counteract certain dynamic active motions of the marine vessel (e.g., motions in the 0-3 Hz frequency spectrum across the roll, yaw and pitch axes) and provide the required dynamic active control of the marine vessel.

[0046] In another aspect of the present disclosure, DACS 1000 as disclosed herein is configured to control the heading of the marine vessel 2000 and counter the resulting heading change resulting from WED delta position. The DACS 1000 can measure a change in steering position and predict the resulting roll motion generated from the steering position change while automatically generating WED delta position to counter the roll motion that will ultimately result from this steering position change.

[0047] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the DACS 1000 is configured to adjust the vessel 2000 trim angle by symmetric deployment (shown in FIG. 4) of the WEDs 602, 606 coupled with engine trim adjustment. Controlling the engine trim adjustment gives the operator and/or the system the opportunity to optimize fuel efficiency or stabilization performance of the marine vessel 2000. The performance of the marine vessel 2000 is further optimized, by the DACS guaranteeing that the WEDs 602, 606 will maintain an average, non-zero position (or bias) and adjusting the engine trim to enable the bias. In addition, the DACS 1000 is configured to optimize the engine trim for fuel efficiency purposes by delivering the commanded trim, even if that action results in less than optimum DACS performance.

[0048] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the software module 202 may include and be configured with a Safe Blade Deployment Limit (SBDL) control strategy that reads and interprets data received from sensors with respect to a marine vessel acceleration/deceleration vs. blade deployment curve, the contents of which are embedded within the proprietary programs of the software module 202. The smart proprietary control software strategy primarily drives the SBDL to continuously read, measure and interpret the data received from all of the sensors of the DACSin a continuous loopand control or limit the depth of deployment and/or speed of deploymentthe biasof the water engagement devices at various speeds during operation of the marine vessel. For instance, the SBDL may decrease the effectiveness of the WEDs to prevent unsafe condition when more control action is employed that would be necessarily helpful during operation of the marine vessel. The novel and unique SBDL can vary deployment bias or magnitude limit if the vessel 2000 is accelerating or decelerating by controlling the deployment bias or magnitude limit as a set function of the speed of the marine vessel 2000, in one embodiment. For example, if the vessel 2000 accelerates while traveling at a speed of 25 mphthe deployment bias or magnitude limit of the water engagement device could be at 1 inch. However, if the vessel 2000 decelerates while traveling at 25 mph, the SBDL could limit the deployment bias or magnitude limit to 0.5 inch (instead of the 1 inch if the vessel were accelerating when at 25 mph).

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the safety feature of the safe blade deployment limit control software disclosed herein is configured to both (a) controlling/limiting the bias as vessel speed accelerates; and (b) controlling/limiting the bias as the vessel speed decelerates. Ideally, an operator would like to have full bias at lower speeds when accelerating and not when decelerating. Similarly, in order to enhance a smooth boating experience, full bias is unwarranted during operation of the marine vessel 2000 at high speeds, irrespective of whether the vessel 2000 is accelerating or decelerating. An exemplary embodiment of the SBDL functionalityfor vessel acceleration (0 to 48 mph) and deceleration (48 mph to 0)is depicted and illustrated in the charts on FIG. 6 shows the relationship between the actuator position, command and the speed curve. As depicted and illustrated in FIGS. 6, as the vessel speed increases the deployment follows the speed curve. Similarly, as depicted in FIG. 7, the deployment follows the speed curve until 25 mph and then the deployment remains limited until the speed falls below 5 mph.

[0050] In still yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the DACS disclosed herein provides for at least two optimization strategies by allowing the DACS to be controlled by the WED average position as well as by the engine trim. The DACS is configured to receive a desired bias from the operator and adjust the average positions of the WEDs as well as the engine trim angle in an effort to achieve the operator's desired bias. As disclosed herein, the DACS is configured to adjust the relationship between engine trim and WED average position, and optimize either the performance of the DACS system or fuel efficiency of the engine.

[0051] In another aspect of the present disclosure, during operation as the marine vessel 2000 moves through the water the system 1000 is configured to counter the yaw moment (by measuring the changing drag force) associated with the WEDs 602, 606 delta deployment. The software module 202 can provide a signal to the engine control module 302 of the engine for adjusting the steering position of the engine.

[0052] Referring back to FIGS. 1-5, the DACS 1000 is configured to measure the relationship between the steering position of the engine and a desired WED delta positionthe difference between starboard WED and port WED and their average positions. For instance, as the WED delta position is increased, the software module 202 sends a signal to the engine control module 302 to adjust the steering position of the engine of the marine vessel 2000. The ability of the system 1000 to counter the steering moment (by measuring the changing drag force) associated with the WED's delta deployment is instrumental in providing optimized total roll and heading control, as disclosed herein.

[0053] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the software module 202 is can receive and process data on the steering position of the engine of the marine vessel 2000. Specifically, the processor is programmed to measure the relationship between the steering position of the engine and the WED 602, 606 delta position. Based on the measured data, the software module 202 can generate and send predictive signals to the actuator to adjust the WEDs 602, 606 by differentially deploying each of the WEDs 602, 606 to counter rolling motions associated with the WED delta position, as shown in FIG. 5. As further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the software module 202 can instruct the actuator mechanism to adjust the deployments of one or more of the WEDsmoving the WEDs 602, 606 (or additional WEDs) together or moving only one of the WEDs 602 or 606, or various patterned combinations of movements thereof. If more than one WED is moved, they may be moved in parallel or opposite to each other, to the deployments of the same magnitude as one another, or at different deployments, as needed simultaneously to counter unnecessary roll and pitch motions and optimize total vessel pitch axis control by fast symmetric deployment of coupled with engine trim adjustments.

[0054] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the DACS 1000 provides the operator with the option to control and change (if necessary) the commanded roll angle of the marine vessel 2000. During operation of the marine vessel 2000, if waves hit a boat on the starboard side the operator has the option to dynamically change the commanded roll angle and/or instruct the operator via the user interfaces of to tilt the boat down to the port side.

[0055] The processing and computing of the dataspecifically the processing of signal by the software module 202 to change the deployment angles of the WEDs/Controllers 602, 606 based on the difference between the commanded and the actual (measured) roll angle, is one of the key innovative features of the improved DACS. An operator can change the commanded roll angle (e.g., 5 to 5 degrees) which triggers the decision loop within the control system and generates the output signal to instruct the actuator system for fast (at 100 mm/s or more) delta deployment of the WEDs 602, 606.

[0056] It is understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present disclosure, and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments may be made in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure, but to provide sufficient disclosure to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure without undue burden. It is further understood that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0057] Differential and differentially are defined within this document as unequal, off center and/or involving differences in: angle, speed, rate, direction, direction of motion, output, force, moment, inertia, mass, balance, application of comparable things, etc. The terms Dynamic and/or Dynamic Active Control may mean the immediate action that takes place at the moment they are needed. Any use of the term immediate, in this application, means that the control action occurs in a manner that is responsive to the extent that it prevents or mitigates vessel motions and attitudes before they would otherwise occur in the uncontrolled situation. A person of ordinary skilled in the art understands the relationship between sensed motion parameters and required response in terms of the maximum overall delay that can exist while still achieving the control objectives. Dynamic and/or Dynamic Active Control may be used in describing interactive hardware and software systems involving differing forces and may be characterized by continuous change and/or activity. Dynamic may also be used when describing the interaction between a vessel and the environment. As stated above, marine vessels may be subject to various dynamic forces generated by its propulsion system as well as the environment in which it operates. Any reference to vessel attitude may be defined as relative to three rotational axes including pitch attitude or rotation about the Y, transverse or sway axis, roll attitude or rotation about the X, longitudinal or surge axis, and yaw attitude or rotation about the Z, vertical or heave axis.

[0058] Various features of the example embodiments described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more computer systems or other processing systems. However, the manipulations performed in these embodiments were often referred to in terms, such as determining, which are commonly associated with mental operations performed by a human operator. No such capability of a human operator is necessary in any of the operations described herein. Rather, the operations may be completely implemented with machine operations. Useful machines for performing the operation of the exemplary embodiments presented herein include general purpose digital computers or similar devices. With respect to hardware, a CPU typically includes one or more components, such as one or more microprocessors for performing the arithmetic and/or logical operations required for program execution, and storage media, such as one or more disk drives or memory cards (e.g., flash memory) for program and data storage, and a random access memory for temporary data and program instruction storage. With respect to software, a CPU typically includes software resident on a storage media (e.g., a disk drive or memory card), which, when executed, directs the CPU in performing transmission and reception functions.

[0059] The CPU software may run on an operating system stored on the storage media, such as, for example, UNIX or Windows (e.g., NT, XP, Vista), Linux, and the like, and can adhere to various protocols such as the Ethernet, ATM, TCP/IP, CAN, LIN protocols and/or other connection or connectionless protocols. As is known in the art, CPUs can run different operating systems, and can contain different types of software, each type devoted to a different function, such as handling and managing data/information from a particular source, or transforming data/information from one format into another format. It should thus be clear that the embodiments described herein are not to be construed as being limited for use with any particular type of server computer, and that any other suitable type of device for facilitating the exchange and storage of information may be employed instead.

[0060] A CPU may be a single CPU, or may include multiple separate CPUs, wherein each is dedicated to a separate application, such as, for example, a data application, a voice application, and a video application. Software embodiments of the example embodiments presented herein may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include an article of manufacture on a machine-accessible or non-transitory computer-readable medium (i.e., also referred to as machine readable medium) having instructions. The instructions on the machine-accessible or machine-readable medium may be used to program a computer system or other electronic device. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks, USB thumb drives, and SD cards or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing or transmitting electronic instructions. The techniques described herein are not limited to any particular software configuration. They may find applicability in any computing or processing environment. The terms machine-accessible medium, machine-readable medium, and computer-readable medium used herein shall include any non-transitory medium that is capable of storing, encoding, or transmitting a sequence of instructions for execution by the machine (e.g., a CPU or other type of processing device) and that cause the machine to perform any one of the methods described herein. It is to be noted that it is commonas a person skilled in the art can contemplatein the art to speak of software, in one form or another (e.g., program, procedure, process, application, module, unit, logic, and so on) as taking an action or causing a result. Such expressions are merely a shorthand way of stating that the execution of the software by a processing system causes the processor to perform an action to produce a result.

[0061] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

[0062] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. It is understood that the preceding is merely a detailed description of some examples and embodiments of the present disclosure, and that numerous changes to the disclosed embodiments may be made in accordance with the disclosure made herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. The preceding description, therefore, is not meant to limit the scope of the disclosure, but to provide sufficient disclosure to allow one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the disclosure without undue burden.

[0063] It is further understood that the scope of the present disclosure fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art. Features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary constructions.