METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING DATA BY RADIO SIGNALS

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of transmitting data by radio signals from at least one first entity, wherein the method comprises the steps of: providing data to be transmitted by the first entity which establishes at least one data source; providing information concerning a data transmission rate for the first entity by a data transmission rate manager; adapting the data transmission rate dynamically based on the information of the data transmission rate manager by an encoder of the first entity; and encoding the data to be transmitted by the encoder. Further, a system for transmitting data by radio signals is described.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting data by radio signals from at least one first entity, wherein the method comprises: providing data to be transmitted by the first entity which establishes at least one data source; providing information concerning a data transmission rate for the first entity by a data transmission rate manager; adapting the data transmission rate dynamically based on the information of the data transmission rate manager by an encoder of the first entity; and encoding the data to be transmitted by the encoder.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission rate is adapted when the data to be transmitted is encoded and/or wherein the encoder adapts a quality parameter, a resolution and/or a frame rate, thereby adapting the data transmission rate.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the encoder compresses the data to be transmitted and/or removes data with lower priority from the data to be transmitted and/or delays data for later transmission, thereby adapting the data transmission rate.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission rate manager automatically adapts the data transmission rate for the first entity.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data transmission rate manager automatically adapts the data transmission rate for the first entity based on information obtained concerning a maximum available data transmission rate of a radio channel used by the first entity.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein several first entities are provided which each provide data to be transmitted such that several data sources are provided, and wherein the data transmission rate manager provides information concerning the respective data transmission rates for the several first entities.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first entity comprises a recognition module having circuitry programmed to recognize at least data fractions in the data to be transmitted.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the recognition module includes circuitry that performs an initial analysis of the data to be transmitted with regard to the data transmission rate to be used for the data to be transmitted.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the recognition module includes circuitry that automatically requests from the data transmission rate manager a higher data transmission rate for the first entity in order to transmit data fractions of interest with a higher data transmission rate.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the request is automatically granted if possible due to boundary conditions and/or wherein the request has to be acknowledged by an operator manually.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein a control module having control circuitry is provided via which the data to be transmitted is controllable.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein a quality of the data, a zooming, and/or a switching between data sources is controllable.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein a second entity is provided that comprises the data transmission rate manager and/or receives the data to be transmitted, thereby establishing a data sink.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein an artificial intelligence module is provided which takes upcoming scenarios into account, thereby establishing a predictive adaption of the data transmission rate.

15. A system for transmitting data by radio signals, wherein the system comprises: a first entity configured to transmit data with a data transmission rate by the radio signals, thereby establishing at least one data source, wherein the first entity comprises an encoder that is configured to encode the data to be transmitted; a data transmission rate manager having circuitry configured to provide information concerning the data transmission rate for the first entity, wherein the encoder is configured to adapt the data transmission rate dynamically based on the information of the data transmission rate manager.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein the dynamic adaption of the data transmission rate is based on a statistical multiplexing and/or based on a minimum data transmission rate and/or maximum data transmission rate per data source.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the data transmission rate manager includes circuitry configured to obtain information concerning a maximum available data transmission rate of a radio channel used by the first entity.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the information is obtained by transmission parameter associated with a waveform of radio signals used for transmitting the data.

19. The system according to claim 15, wherein the system comprises at least one second entity that comprises the data transmission rate manager and/or that is configured to receive the data transmitted by the first entity, thereby establishing a data sink.

20. The system according to claim 15, wherein a control module having control circuitry is provided via which the data to be transmitted is controllable.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Further aspects and advantages of the claimed subject matter will become more really appreciated, as they become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0085] FIG. 1 schematically shows an overview of a system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0086] FIG. 2 schematically shows an overview that illustrates the operation of the data transmission rate manager when dynamically adapting the data transmission rate of several first entities; and

[0087] FIG. 3 shows an overview illustrating a method of transmitting data by radio signals according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0088] The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as a description of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter and is not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodiment described in this disclosure is provided merely as an example or illustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter of the precise forms disclosed.

[0089] Similarly, any steps described herein may be interchangeable with other steps, or combinations of steps, in order to achieve the same or substantially similar result. Moreover, some of the method steps can be carried serially or in parallel, or in any order unless specifically expressed or understood in the context of other method steps.

[0090] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system 10 that is used for transmitting data by radio signals. In the shown embodiment, the system 10 comprises several first entities 12 that are configured to transmit data, thereby stablishing data sources 14. In addition to the first entities 12 that establish the data sources 14, the system 10 also comprises second entities 16 as well as a single final entity 18. Alternatively, the system 10 may generally comprise several final entities 18 or only one second entity 16 or even no second entity. Moreover, the final entity 18 may be the second entity 16 simultaneously.

[0091] In any case, the first entities 12 that establishes the data sources 14 may be of different kind as illustrated in FIG. 1. For instance, the first entities 12 may correspond to aircrafts, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), landscape vehicles, ships, and/or equipment carried by humans.

[0092] In the shown embodiment, the first entities 12 each comprise at least one capturing device 20, e.g. a (video) camera, which is configured to capture data to be transmitted, for instance image data, video data and/or sound data. Besides the capturing device 12 established by a (video) camera, the first entity 12 may also comprise further devices or storage mediums that provide data that can be transmitted by the first entities 12 via radio signals.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first entities 12 may comprise several different capturing devices 20, e.g. a video camera, a high resolution camera for images, and an infrared camera. All of the different capturing devices 20 may be associated to a dedicated data source 14 such that a single first entity 12 may have several data sources 14 associated with the different capturing devices 20.

[0094] Each of the first entities 12 may communicate with each other or with the other entities, namely the second entities 16 or the final entity 18, by radio signals. For this purpose, the first entities 12 comprise a radio module 22 having circuitry that is configured to establish a radio communication with another entity. In some embodiments, the radio module includes one or more transceivers configured to establish bi-directional radio communication with another entity.

[0095] In some embodiments, each first entity 12 may establish a radio transmission line 23 to the final entity 18, wherein the radio transmission line 23 may encompass at least one additional entity, for instance another first entity 12 and/or at least one second entity. Between the different entities several radio channels 24 are established for transmitting the respective data to be transmitted as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 1, the first entity 12 that is encircled by the dashed line transmits its data via the radio transmission line 23 highlighted that comprises several radio channels 24 to the final entity 18. In some embodiments, the data is transmitted to a neighbored first entity 12 via a first radio channel 24a, which together with its own data transmits the data via the next radio channel 24b to the second entity 16. The second entity 16 transmits the respective data received, e.g., all data received, to the neighbored second entity 16 via the radio channel 24c established between them. This second entity 16 transmits the respective data received via the radio channel 24d to the final entity 18.

[0097] In some embodiments, the respective transmission line 23 comprises four different radio channels 24 established between different entities, namely radio participants of the respective radio network established by the entities of the system 10.

[0098] All of the different radio channels 24 have different properties due to different (environmental) circumstances, for instance landscape conditions, weather conditions, and/or the amount of data (streams) to be transmitted via the same radio channel 24 simultaneously.

[0099] Accordingly, the system 10 also comprises a data transmission rate manager 26 that is located within the second entity 16 that directly communicates with the final entity 18 in the shown embodiment.

[0100] The data transmission rate manager 26 includes circuitry configured to provide information concerning a data transmission rate for the first entities 12 to be used in order to transmit the respective data. The data transmission rate manager 26 may include circuitry for obtaining information concerning a maximum available data transmission rate of the respective radio channel(s) 24 used by the first entities 12. In some embodiments, circuitry of the data transmission rate manager 26 may also gather the respective information concerning the several radio channels 24 involved when transmitting the data from the respective first entity 12 to the final entity.

[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 1, some of the different radio channels 24 established between the radio participants of the radio network correspond to bottlenecks concerning their data transmission capacity due to different reasons. For instance, environmental circumstances like mountains 28 may disturb the data transmission capacity of the respective radio channel 24b. Further, some of the radio channels 24b, 24c of the transmission line 23 are used for transmitting data of several first entities 12 simultaneously such that these radio channels 24b, 24c correspond to bottlenecks for other reasons, as their maximum available data transmission is almost reached or exceeded due to the several different data streams already present.

[0102] In some embodiments, the data transmission rate manager 26 takes the respective information obtained into account in order to dynamically adapt the data transmission rate assigned to the first entities 12 such that no interruptions of the data streams take place.

[0103] In general, the first entities 12 may comprise a recognition module 30 that includes circuitry configured to analyze the data to be transmitted by the respective first entity 12. Thus, the recognition module 30 may recognize at least data fractions in the data to be transmitted, thereby evaluating whether the data to be transmitted requires a higher data transmission rate or not. Put differently, the recognition module 30 may perform an initial analysis of the data to be transmitted with respect to the data transmission rate to be used for transmitting the respective data.

[0104] In some embodiments, the recognition module 30 may forward automatically a respective request to the data transmission rate manager 26 to increase the data transmission rate for the respective first entity 12 such that data fractions of interest can be transmitted with a higher data transmission rate, thereby ensuring that the respective data is obtained by the final entity 18 with a better quality.

[0105] The respective request may be automatically processed by the data transmission rate manager 26. Hence, the data transmission rate manager 26 may automatically acknowledge the respective request provided that boundary conditions allow the higher data transmission rate, e.g. the data transmission capacity unoccupied of the respective radio channel(s) 24. If this cannot be allowed automatically, the respective request may have to be acknowledged by an operator in a manual manner, namely an operator of the data transmission rate manager 26 and/or an operator of the final entity 18.

[0106] In some embodiments, the first entities 12 may also comprise an artificial intelligence module 32 having circuitry that takes upcoming scenarios into account, for example based on the data captured by the capturing device 20 or by data stored in a storage medium 33, e.g. historical data and/or a route of the first entity 12.

[0107] The artificial intelligence module 32 may request adaption of the respective data transmission rate in a predictive manner by taking upcoming scenarios into account, thereby establishing a predictive adaption of the data transmission rate.

[0108] Alternatively, the artificial intelligence module 32 is located in the entity that comprises the data transmission rate manager 26, namely the second entity 16 in the shown embodiment.

[0109] The artificial intelligence module 32 may also be provided by the same entity that comprises the data transmission rate manager 26, e.g., the second entity 16 in the shown embodiment.

[0110] Generally, several of the entities 12, 16, 18 of the system 10 may comprise the respective functionality of the data transmission rate manager 26 in order to dynamically assign the respective functionality to one of the several entities 12, 16, 18 if required. Hence, a redundancy with respect to the dynamic data transmission rate adaption is ensured. In some embodiments, the data transmission rate manager 26 may be distributed among several entities 12, 16, 18 that together decide on the assignment of the respective individual data transmission rates.

[0111] In some embodiments, the first entity 12 comprises an encoder 34 having circuitry that is configured to encode the data to be transmitted by the radio module 24. Therefore, the encoding takes place in the first entity 12, wherein the data transmission rate adaption may also be done by the encoder 34 of the first entity prior to its transmission via the radio module 22. Generally, the encoder 34 may compress the data to be transmitted in order to adapt the data transmission rate.

[0112] In some embodiments, the data to be transmitted may comprise data having different priorities, e.g., low priority, medium priority, and high priority, wherein data with lower priority is removed from the data to be transmitted. Accordingly, only data with high priority or only data with medium and/or high priority is transmitted.

[0113] In some embodiments, the encoder 34 may delay some data, for instance the data with low priority and/or medium priority, for later transmission so as to adapt the actual data transmission rate.

[0114] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 also comprises a control module 36 via which the data to be transmitted can be controlled by an operator, for instance the quality of the data, a zooming and/or a switching between different data sources 14. In some embodiments, the control module 36 includes circuitry for carrying out its functionality described herein. In some embodiments, the operator of the control module 36 may set a quality weighting and/or a prioritization of the different data sources 14 by the control module 36.

[0115] In the shown embodiment, the control module 36 is provided by the final entity 18. Hence, the respective settings done by the control module 36 may be forwarded via the radio channel 24 to the second entity 16 that comprises the data transmission rate manager 26.

[0116] Accordingly, the respective links provided between the different entities may relate to bidirectional links such that data can be forwarded in both directions. Therefore, the respective data transmission rate manager 26 may take the data streams from the first entities 12 towards the final entity 18 into account, but also data streams towards the first entities 12 when determining the individual data transmission rates for the first entities 12 in a dynamic manner.

[0117] Generally, the data transmission rate manager 26 is enabled to perform a statistical multiplexing as shown in FIG. 2 since the several first entities 12 may each be associated with different services as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0118] For instance, each of the several first entities 12 may be assigned to a single service. However, a single first entity 12 may also be assigned to two or more different services, e.g., providing video data, providing infrared images, and/or providing Ultra High Definition (UHD) and/or 8K images.

[0119] In the shown embodiment, the maximum available data transmission rate is 100 Mbit/s, wherein this transmission rate capacity is shared by the different services associated with the first entities 12 using the same radio channel 24 simultaneously.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 2, the data transmission rate manager 26 dynamically adapts the individual data transmission rates associated to the different services while ensuring that the overall transmission rate capacity of the radio channel 24 is used to its maximum.

[0121] In some embodiments, quality weighting and prioritization of a certain data source 14 is shown in FIG. 2 as well since one service, e.g., the one of the certain data source 14, is assigned to the highest possible data transmission rate, thereby ensuring video data transmission in Ultra High Definition (UHD), whereas the other services using the same radio channel 24 may be assigned to High Definition (HD). For instance, the video data transmitted in UHD may be assigned to a data transmission rate of 10 to 20 Mbit/s. In addition to the UHD video stream, the respective service may also encompass additional data to be transmitted simultaneously such that the single service may use a data transmission rate up to 40 Mbit/s, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0122] In some embodiments, the respective quality weighting and prioritization may be done automatically by the respective first entities 12 when analyzing the data to be transmitted, e.g. the information/content encompassed with the data to be transmitted.

[0123] Alternatively, the operator may set the respective quality weighting and prioritization via the control module 30 in order to ensure that the selected service of the respective data source 14 is prioritized accordingly.

[0124] However, this is not required in case that only few services are available which may provide information/content of low interest. Hence, data transmission rates may be assigned to these services that together are below the maximum available data transmission rate of the radio channel 24.

[0125] For instance, the system 10 may also comprise a service manager 38 that includes circuitry configured to manage different services, e.g., service requests from the at least one final entity 18 that shall receive the data from the first entities 12.

[0126] Hence, a data link from the at least one final entity 18 is provided to the entity having the service manager 38 via which the respective requests for certain services are obtained, e.g. a video data service and a high resolution image service. The service manager 38 handles the different service requests while interacting with the data transmission rate manager 26 that assigns the individual data transmission rates to the different services.

[0127] In the shown embodiment, the service manager 38 is provided in the same entity as the data transmission rate manager 26, namely within the second entity 16. However, the service manager 38 may also be provided in another entity that communicates with the one having the data transmission rate manager 26.

[0128] The system 10 shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 is generally enabled to perform the representative method as illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0129] Accordingly, the respective first entities 12 may capture data to be transmitted, for instance by their capturing device(s) 20. The data transmission rate manager 26 obtains information concerning the maximum available data transmission rate of the respective radio channel(s) 24 used by the first entities 12 to transmit the data captured to the final entity 18. Among others based on this information, the data transmission rate manager 26 provides information to the first entities 12 with respect to the individual data transmission rates to be used by the first entities 12 to transmit the data.

[0130] Besides the quality of the radio channel(s) 24 involved in the radio transmission, e.g., the information concerning the maximum available data transmission rate of the respective radio channel(s) 24, the data transmission rate manager 26 may also take any upcoming scenarios into account which have been communicated by the artificial intelligence module 32. Moreover, information obtained when analyzing data fractions of the data to be transmitted, which is done by the recognition module 30, may also be taken into account when determining the individual data transmission rates to be used by the first entities 12.

[0131] Then, the individual data transmission rates to be used by the first entities 12 are transmitted to the first entities 12. The data transmission rate manager 26 may directly set the individual data transmission rates or provide respective information that is processed by the first entities 12, thereby setting the individual data transmission rates on their own.

[0132] The adaption may be done by adapting at least one quality parameter, the resolution and/or a frame rate of the data to be transmitted, which inter alia depends on the kind of data to be transmitted. Depending on the kind of data to be transmitted, a different encoding/compression algorithm may be applied by the respective encoder(s) 34, wherein a respective quality parameter of the algorithm may be adapted in order to adapt the data transmission rate accordingly. In other words, the dynamic adaption may also cause the capturing device(s) 20 to apply different settings when capturing the respective data to be transmitted.

[0133] In some embodiments, the data transmission rate adaption that takes place dynamically is done by the data sources 14 themselves, namely the first entities 12, for example their encoders 34.

[0134] In some embodiments, the respective encoded data is forwarded to the radio module 22 that transmits the data by radio signals. Hence, the dynamic data transmission rate adaption may be done when encoding the data to be transmitted. Hence, the coding level and/or a modulation may be adapted by the respective encoders 34.

[0135] Accordingly, the data transmission rate manager 26 adapts the data transmission rate to be used by the first entities 12 automatically and dynamically based on the respective information obtained. This ensures that all requested information/content can be transmitted without interruptions in the desires quality.

[0136] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include components, for example the respective module(s) (e.g., the radio module 24, the recognition module 30, artificial intelligence module 32, the control module 36, etc.), manager(s) (e.g., the data transmission rate manager 26, the service manager 38, etc.), the encoders 34, etc., that utilize circuitry (e.g., one or more circuits) in order to implement standards, protocols, methodologies or technologies disclosed herein, operably couple two or more components, generate information, process information, analyze information, generate signals, encode/decode signals, convert signals, transmit and/or receive signals, control other devices, etc. Circuitry of any type can be used. It will be appreciated that the term information can be use synonymously with the term signals in this paragraph. It will be further appreciated that the terms circuitry, circuit, one or more circuits, etc., can be used synonymously herein.

[0137] In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among other things, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements or electronics, or combinations thereof.

[0138] In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digital circuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof). In an embodiment, circuitry includes combinations of circuits and computer program products having software or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause a device to perform one or more protocols, methodologies or technologies described herein. In an embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example, microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software, firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more processors or portions thereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like.

[0139] In some examples, the functionality described herein can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems or circuits, etc., or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. Each of these special purpose hardware-based computer systems or circuits, etc., or combinations of special purpose hardware circuits and computer instructions form specifically configured circuits, machines, apparatus, devices, etc., capable of implemented the functionality described herein.

[0140] Various embodiments of the present disclosure or the functionality thereof may be implemented in various ways, including as non-transitory computer program products. A computer program product may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing applications, programs, program modules, scripts, source code, program code, object code, byte code, compiled code, interpreted code, machine code, executable instructions, and/or the like (also referred to herein as executable instructions, instructions for execution, program code, computer program instructions, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably). Such non-transitory computer-readable storage media include all computer-readable media (including volatile and non-volatile media).

[0141] Embodiments of the present disclosure may also take the form of an apparatus, system, computing device, computing entity, and/or the like executing instructions stored on computer-readable storage media to perform certain steps or operations. The computer-readable media include cooperating or interconnected computer-readable media, which exist exclusively on a processing or processor system or distributed among multiple interconnected processing or processor systems that may be local to, or remote from, the processing or processor system. However, embodiments of the present disclosure may also take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment performing certain steps or operations.

[0142] Various embodiments are described above with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of apparatuses, methods, systems, and/or computer program instructions or program products. It should be understood that each block of any of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, respectively, or portions thereof, may be implemented in part by computer program instructions, e.g., as logical steps or operations executing on one or more computing devices. These computer program instructions may be loaded onto one or more computer or computing devices, such as special purpose computer(s) or computing device(s) or other programmable data processing apparatus(es) to produce a specifically-configured machine, such that the instructions which execute on one or more computer or computing devices or other programmable data processing apparatus implement the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks and/or carry out the methods described herein.

[0143] These computer program instructions may also be stored in one or more computer-readable memory or portions thereof, such as the computer-readable storage media described above, that can direct one or more computers or computing devices or other programmable data processing apparatus(es) to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including computer-readable instructions for implementing the functionality specified in the flowchart block or blocks.

[0144] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto one or more computers or computing devices or other programmable data processing apparatus(es) to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the one or more computers or computing devices or other programmable data processing apparatus(es) to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions that execute on the one or more computers or computing devices or other programmable data processing apparatus(es) provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart block or blocks and/or carry out the methods described herein.

[0145] It will be appreciated that the term computer or computing device can include, for example, any computing device or processing structure, including but not limited to a processor (e.g., a microprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a graphical processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a system on a chip (SoC), or the like, or any combinations thereof.

[0146] Accordingly, blocks of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations support various combinations for performing the specified functions, combinations of operations for performing the specified functions and program instructions for performing the specified functions. Again, it should also be understood that each block of the block diagrams and flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, or portions thereof, could be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems or circuits, etc., that perform the specified functions or operations, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0147] In some embodiments, one or more of the components referenced above include circuitry programmed to carry out one or more steps of any of the methods disclosed herein. In some embodiments, one or more computer-readable media associated with or accessible by such circuitry contains computer readable instructions embodied thereon that, when executed by such circuitry, cause the component or circuitry to perform one or more steps of any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0148] In the foregoing description, specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of representative embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without embodying all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.

[0149] The present application may reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term plurality to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term plurality is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. The terms about, approximately, near etc., mean plus or minus 5% of the stated value.

[0150] Throughout this specification, terms of art may be used. These terms are to take on their ordinary meaning in the art from which they come, unless specifically defined herein or the context of their use would clearly suggest otherwise.

[0151] The drawings in the FIGURES are not to scale. Similar elements are generally denoted by similar references in the FIGURES. For the purposes of this disclosure, the same or similar elements may bear the same references. Furthermore, the presence of reference numbers or letters in the drawings cannot be considered limiting, even when such numbers or letters are indicated in the claims.

[0152] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.