VAPE MOD LINK SYSTEM

Abstract

A system including an article housing, a reel housing and a retractable cord is disclosed. The article housing may hold an article. The reel housing may hold a reel. The retractable cord may engage with the reel and the article housing. The retractable cord may extend from and retract into the reel housing. The article housing may include an openable flap at a bottom portion of the article housing. The openable flap may move between a covered position and an uncovered position. In the uncovered position of the openable flap, a portion of the article may get uncovered from the article housing. Further, the openable flap may include a flap length and a flap width. The flap length and the flap width may be less than a bottom portion length and a bottom portion width, respectively.

Claims

1. A system comprising: an article housing configured to hold an article; a reel housing configured to hold a reel; and a retractable cord configured to engage with the reel and the article housing, wherein the retractable cord is configured to extend from and retract into the reel housing, wherein: the article housing comprises an openable flap at a bottom portion of the article housing, the openable flap is configured to move between a covered position and an uncovered position, a portion of the article is uncovered from the article housing when the openable flap is in the uncovered position, the openable flap comprises a flap length and a flap width, and the flap length and the flap width are less than a length of the bottom portion and a width of the bottom portion, respectively.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the article is a vape device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the article housing comprises a cuboidal hollow body with an open top portion.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the article housing comprises one or more ridges in an interior portion of the article housing, wherein the one or more ridges are configured to secure the article in the article housing.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the article housing comprises an air hole located at the bottom portion of the article housing.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the air hole is positioned adjacent to the openable flap, and wherein the air hole is configured to enable air circulation in an interior portion of the article housing.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the article housing comprises: a flashlight located at an exterior surface of the article housing, and a button configured to activate and deactivate the flashlight.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the article housing comprises a pocket at an exterior surface of the article housing, and wherein the pocket is configured to store external items.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the reel comprises a spool, and wherein the retractable cord is at least partially wound around the spool such that the retractable cord is extendable from the reel housing.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the reel comprises a spring configured to rewind the retractable cord on the reel when released.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the retractable cord comprises a first cord end and a second cord end, and wherein the first cord end is engaged with the reel and the second cord end is engaged with the article housing.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the first cord end is fixedly attached to the reel.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the second cord end is removably attached to the article housing.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the second cord end is attached to the bottom portion of the article housing via an attachment mechanism.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the reel housing comprises a reel housing proximal end and a reel housing distal end, and wherein the retractable cord is configured to extend from the reel housing via the reel housing distal end.

16. The system of claim 15 further comprises a connector located at the reel housing proximal end, wherein the connector is configured to removably attach the system to an external entity.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the connector comprises a screw lock carabiner.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the reel housing comprises a tracking device configured to track the system.

19. A system comprising: an article housing configured to hold an article; a reel housing configured to hold a reel; and a retractable cord configured to engage with the reel and the article housing, wherein the retractable cord is configured to extend from and retract into the reel housing, wherein the article housing comprises: a flashlight located at an exterior surface of the article housing, and a button configured to activate and deactivate the flashlight.

20. A system comprising: an article housing configured to hold an article; a reel housing configured to hold a reel; and a retractable cord configured to engage with the reel and the article housing, wherein the retractable cord is configured to extend from and retract into the reel housing, wherein the article housing comprises a pocket at an exterior surface of the article housing, and wherein the pocket is configured to store external items.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.

[0008] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary vape mod link system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary front view of a vape mod link system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary exploded view of a vape mod link system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 depicts a vape holder of a vape mod link system in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 depicts a vape holder of a vape mod link system with a light source in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 6 depicts a vape holder of a vape mod link system with a pocket in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

[0014] The present disclosure is directed to a vape mod link system (system) that may prevent a user from losing a vape. The system may be removably attached to user's belt loop, backpack, etc., via a connector (e.g., a screw lock carabiner). The system may include a retractable cord that keeps the vape securely attached, reducing the risk of misplacing or losing it.

[0015] The system may further include a vape housing and a reel housing. The retractable cord may engage with the vape housing and the reel housing to prevent the loss of vape. The vape housing may have a hollow cuboidal body with an open top portion, which may receive and hold the vape. The vape housing may be made of a deformable/flexible and lightweight material such as silicone. Alternatively, the vape housing may be made of plastic. In some aspects, the vape housing may include one or more ridges (or elongated protrusions extending along the width or length of the vape housing sidewalls), which may be located in a vape housing interior portion. In some aspects, the ridges may be located at the side walls in the vape housing interior portion. The ridges may securely hold the vape inside the vape housing.

[0016] The reel housing may hold a reel that may include a spool and side flanges/discs. The retractable cord may be at least partially wrapped on the spool, such that the retractable cord is extendable from the reel housing. The retractable cord may move around the spool between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the retractable cord may be located inside the reel housing and wound around the spool. In the extended position, the retractable cord may partially unwound from the spool, and the partially unwounded retractable cord may be disposed outside the reel housing. The reel may include a spring that may rewind the retractable cord on the reel, and move the retractable cord from the extended position to the retracted position, when released.

[0017] One end of the retractable cord may be attached to the vape housing. When a user pulls the vape housing (having the vape) to use the vape, the spool rotates, unwinding the spring and moving the retractable cord to the extended position. The spring stores potential energy as it is stretched. When the vape housing is released (e.g., when the user may not desire to use the vape), the spring contracts, pulling the retractable cord back to the retracted position. In this manner, the vape stays connected to the system, and hence to the user's body since the system is attached to the user's belt, backpack, etc., even when the user is not using the vape. This ensures that the vape is not lost by the user, even when the vape is not being used.

[0018] The vape housing may have additional features that may provide further convenience to the user. For example, the vape housing may include an openable flap located at the bottom portion of the vape housing. The openable flap may move between a covered position and an uncovered position. The user may move the openable flap to the uncovered position to connect a charger to the vape through the vape housing when the user desires to charge the vape, and the user may move the flap back to the covered position when the charging is complete. In this manner, the user is not required to take the vape out of the vape housing for charging and may connect the charger to the vape while the vape is positioned inside the vape housing, via the openable flap.

[0019] The vape housing may further include an air hole that enables air or vapor to escape outside from the vape housing. The vape housing may further include a flashlight that may be located at an exterior surface of the vape housing. The vape housing may include a button that may activate and deactivate the flashlight. The vape housing may additionally include a pocket that may be located at the exterior surface of the vape housing, which may be used by the user to store external items, e.g., a small flashlight, a key, gum, etc.

[0020] The present disclosure discloses a system that is portable and has a compact design. The system easily attaches to an external entity (e.g., the user's belt loop, bag, etc.). Since the system is clipped to the user's belt, bag, or keychain, the user is less likely to leave it behind in a car, cafe, or friend's place. In addition, the system reduces the risk of dropping the vape, which can prevent damage or malfunction.

[0021] These and other advantages of the present disclosure are provided in detail herein.

Illustrative Embodiments

[0022] The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.

[0023] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary vape mod link system 100 in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 1 will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

[0024] The vape mod link system 100 (or system 100) may be a retractable vape mod link that may be removably attached to an external entity, which may prevent losing of valuable articles including a vape (or a vape device). The system 100 may be removably attached to a user's belt loop (as shown in FIG. 1), a backpack, or any other item/entity.

[0025] The system 100 may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, an article housing 102, a reel housing 104, a retractable cord 106 that engages with the article housing 102 and the reel housing 104. The retractable cord 106 may extend from and retract into the reel housing 104. For example, a user (e.g., a user 154 described below) may pull the retractable cord 106 from the reel housing 104 to move it to an extended position. The retractable cord 106 may automatically move into the reel housing 104 and hence move to a retracted position, when the user releases the retractable cord 106. The details of the reel housing 104 and the retractable cord 106 are provided later in the present disclosure.

[0026] The article housing 102 may receive and hold an article. In an exemplary aspect, the article may be a vape 108 or a vape device (as shown in FIG. 1). In other aspects, the article may be a lighter, a pen, sunglasses, and/or the like.

[0027] It may be appreciated that the vape 108 is an electronic device designed to simulate smoking. In some aspects, the vape 108 may be a rechargeable vape. The vape 108 may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, a battery, a cartridge/pod/tank, a coil, a mouthpiece 110, an airflow system, and/or the like. The battery may be a lithium-ion battery, rechargeable via USB-C, micro-USB or magnetic charging. The cartridge/pod/tank holds e-liquid or vape juice (including nicotine, flavorings, and other chemicals). The coil (or heating element) may be a small metal wire that heats up to vaporize the liquid. The mouthpiece 110 may be a piece from where a user may inhale the vapor. The airflow system may control the amount of air drawn in for a smoother or stronger hit.

[0028] The vape 108 works by using the battery that powers the coil, which heats the liquid in the cartridge/pod/tank. The heat turns the liquid into vapor, which the user inhales from the mouthpiece. Some vapes are draw-activated (work when inhaled), while others require pressing a button. The device can be recharged and refilled, making it reusable.

[0029] The article housing 102 (hereinafter referred to as vape housing 102) may be of any shape, size, and design. The shape, size, and design associated with the vape housing 102 may correspond to the shape and design of the vape 108. In some aspects, the vape housing 102 may have a cuboidal hollow body with an open top portion 112. Alternatively, the vape housing 102 may be shaped as a circular prism, oval prism, cylindrical prism, square prism, polygonal prism, and/or the like, with the open top portion 112. Although the present disclosure describes the vape housing 102 with the open top portion 112, however, such description should not be construed as limiting. In some aspects, the vape housing 102 may include a cover (not shown) that may cover the mouthpiece 110 when not in use. In this case, the cover may be pivotally attached to the top portion 112. In an alternative aspect, the cover may be removably attached to the top portion 112.

[0030] The vape housing 102 may have a housing height H1, a housing length L1, and a housing width W1 (as shown in FIG. 3). The housing height H1, the housing length L1, and the housing width W1 may correspond to a vape height H2, a vape length L2, and a vape width W2 associated with the vape 108. The housing width W1 and the housing length L1 may be equivalent to (or slightly greater than) the vape width W2 and the vape length

[0031] L2, such that the vape 108 may snuggly fit inside the vape housing 102. In some aspects, the housing height H1 may be less than the vape height H2, such that the mouthpiece 110 may not be enclosed by the vape housing 102 and the mouthpiece 110 may project outward from the top of the vape housing 102, may allow a user (e.g., a user 154 described below) to use the vape 108 while it is secured within the vape housing 102. In some aspects, the housing height H1 may be in a range of 1.8-2.1 inches. In an exemplary aspect, the housing height H1 may be around 2 inches (e.g., 1.95 inches). The housing length L1 may be in a range of 1.8-2.1 inches. In an exemplary aspect, the housing length L1 may be around 2 inches (e.g., 1.87 inches). In some aspects, a housing wall thickness may be around 0.10 inches. The housing width W1 may be in a range of 0.8-1.1 inches. In an exemplary aspect, the housing width W1 may be around 1 inch (e.g., 0.92 inches).

[0032] The vape housing 102 may be made of any material. In some aspects, the vape housing 102 may be made of deformable/flexible and lightweight material such as silicone. Alternatively, the vape housing 102 may be made of plastic. In some aspects, the vape housing 102 may include one or more ridges 114 (shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5) or elongated protrusions that may extend along a portion of the housing sidewalls or the housing width W1. The ridges 114 may be located in a vape housing interior portion. In some aspects, the ridges 114 may be located on the sidewalls of the vape housing interior portion. The ridges 114 may securely hold the vape 108 inside the vape housing 102. In some aspects, each ridge 114 may be disposed at a predetermined distance from adjacent ridges. In some aspects, each ridge 114 may be a rounded or curved exterior surface such that the ridges 114 do not damage the vape 108 when the vape 108 may be positioned inside the vape housing 102. In an exemplary aspect, the vape housing 102 may include 5-7 ridges 114, which may be distributed at equivalent distance from adjacent ridges along the housing height H1.

[0033] As described above, the system 100 may further include the reel housing 104. The reel housing 104 may hold a reel 116 (shown in FIG. 3). The reel 116 may include a plurality of components including, but not limited to, a spool 118, a first disc 120, and a second disc 122. The spool 118 may be a cylindrical core on which the retractable cord 106 may be at least partially wrapped. The first disc 120 and the second disc 122 may be positioned at the spool edges. The first disc 120 and the second disc 122 may be circular discs that may prevent slippage of the retractable cord 106 from the spool 118. In some aspects, the first disc 120 and the second disc 122 may have circular through-holes at their respective center portions.

[0034] The retractable cord 106 is at least partially wound around the spool 118 such that the retractable cord 106 is extendable from the reel housing 104. The retractable cord 106 may move around the spool 118 between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the retractable cord 106 may be located inside the reel housing 104 and wound around the spool 118. In the extended position, the retractable cord 106 may be partially unwounded from the spool 118, and the partially unwounded retractable cord section may be outside the reel housing 104. The reel 116 may include a spring 124 that may be attached to the spool 118, and located in a hollow circular interior portion of the reel 116 (which may formed via the through-holes of the first disc 120 and the second disc 122, and the spool 118), as shown in FIG. 3. The spring 124 may rewind the retractable cord 106 on the reel 116, and move the retractable cord 106 from the extended position to the retracted position, when the cord is released. The spring 124 may also include an interior latch that may fit onto a spring mount fixedly attached to a first half shell 134 (which is described below).

[0035] In some aspects, the retractable cord 106 may include a first cord end 126 and a second cord end 128. The first cord end 126 may engage with the reel 116 (e.g., the spool 118) and the second cord end 128 may engage with the vape housing 102. The first cord end 126 may be fixedly attached to the reel 116. The second cord end 128 may be removably attached to the vape housing 102. In some aspects, the second cord end 128 may be removably attached to a bottom portion 130 of the vape housing 102. The bottom portion 130 may be located opposite to the top portion 112 (from where the mouthpiece 110 extends outside). The second cord end 128 may be removably attached to the bottom portion 130 via an attachment mechanism 132. In some aspects, the attachment mechanism 132 may include a circlet with a medial hole sized to fit the second cord end 128 therethrough. The second cord end 128 may be knotted once it has been threaded through the medial hole to keep the retractable cord 106 attached to the attachment mechanism 132 and the vape housing 102.

[0036] The reel housing 104 may include a first half shell 134 and a second half shell 136 that may enclose the reel 116. The first half shell 134 and the second half shell 136 may be circular shells, which may be removably connected with each other via one or more fasteners 138. In some aspects, the fasteners 138 may be friction fit fasteners. In other aspects, the fasteners 138 may be a plurality of tunnels structured to fit small screws therethrough. The fasteners 138 may further include, for example, screws, bolts and nuts, rivets, snap fit mechanism or bayonet locks, retaining rings, and/or the like.

[0037] In some aspects, the reel housing 104 may include a reel housing proximal end 140 and a reel housing distal end 142. The reel housing distal end 142 may include a hole from which the retractable cord 106 may extend out from the reel housing 104. In some aspects, the reel housing 104 may further include a cord cap located at the reel housing distal end 142, through which the retractable cord 106 may extend out from the reel housing 104. The cord cap may enable the retractable cord 106 to remain steady when the retractable cord 106 enters/exists into/from the reel housing 104. The reel housing proximal end 140 may be attached to a connector 144 that may enable the user to removably attach the system 100 to an external entity. For example, the user may attach the system 100 to the user's belt loop (as shown in FIG. 1), a backpack, or any other item/entity, via the connector 144.

[0038] In some aspects, the connector 144 may include a screw lock carabiner. The screw lock carabiner may include a carabiner body 146, which may be made of aluminum or steel. The carabiner body 146 may be a ring of any shape including, but not limited to, oval, D-shaped, square-shaped, or HMS (pear-shaped). The screw lock carabiner may further include a screw lock 148 that may be rotated in a first direction (e.g., a clockwise direction) to close an opening of the connector 144 (through which the connector 144 may be attached to the external entity), and rotated in a second direction (e.g., a counter-clockwise) to open the opening. Although the present disclosure describes the screw lock carabiner as the connector 144, however, such description should not be construed as limiting. In other aspects, the connector 144 may be or include a lobster claw, a spring clasp, an O-ring clasp, a hook clasp, or any other connector that can conveniently attach the system 100 to the external entity (e.g., the user's belt loop), which allows for hands-free harness of the system 100. The use of the first half shell 134 and the second half shell 136 enables bifurcation of the cord cap and a holding member for receiving/holding the connector 144. For example, the first half shell 134 and the second half shell 136 may bifurcate the cord cap and the holding member into a cord cap first half 149a and a cord cap second half 149b as well as a holding member first half 149c and a holding member second half 149d.

[0039] In some aspects, the reel housing 104 may further include a tracking mechanism 150 that may assist in tracking the system 100 (e.g., when the system 100 is lost). The tracking mechanism 150 may be located between the first half shell 134 and the second half shell 136, as shown in FIG. 3. In some aspects, the tracking mechanism 150 may use Bluetooth to connect with nearby communication devices, and share its location. When out of range, the tracking mechanism 150 may rely on crowdsourced networks to update its position. In some aspects, ultra-wideband (UWB) helps locate the tracking mechanism 150 with inch-level accuracy.

[0040] The system 100 may include one or more additional features that are described as follows. In some aspects, the vape housing 102 may include an openable flap 152 (as shown in FIG. 4) that may be located at the bottom portion 130 of the vape housing 102. The openable flap 152 may move between a covered position and an uncovered position. In the uncovered position of the flap 152, an article portion (e.g., a portion of the vape 108 through which the vape 108 may be charged) may be uncovered from the vape housing 102. On the other hand, in the flap's covered position, the article portion (or the vape portion) may be fully enclosed or covered by the vape housing 102. A user 154 (shown in FIG. 1) may move the openable flap 152 between the covered position and the uncovered position by simply pulling or pushing the flap 152. In an exemplary aspect, the user 154 may uncover the vape portion by moving the flap 152 to the uncovered position when the user 154 desires to connect a charger to the vape 108 through the vape housing 102. Similarly, the user 154 may cover the vape portion by moving the flap 152 to the covered position when the charging is complete. In this manner, the user 154 may not be required to take the vape 108 out of the vape housing 102 for charging, and may simply connect the charger to the vape 108 when the vape 108 is positioned inside the vape housing 102, via the openable flap 152.

[0041] The openable flap 152 may have a flap length L3 and a flap width W3. The flap length L3 and the flap width W3 may be considerably less than the length and width of the bottom portion 130, respectively. Stated another way, the flap length L3 and the flap width W3 may be less than the housing length L1 and the housing width W1 respectively.

[0042] In some aspects, the openable flap 152 may include a flap proximal end and a flap distal end. The flap distal end may be hinged (or pivotally connected) at a portion of the bottom portion 130. The flap proximal end may be detached from the bottom portion 130, when the user 154 moves the openable flap 152 from the covered position to the uncovered position.

[0043] In further aspects, the vape housing 102 may include an air hole 156 (or an air intake hole or a vent hole), which enables air circulation in an interior portion of the vape housing 102. The air hole 156 may allow air or vapor to escape outside the vape housing 102. Although FIG. 4 depicts a single air hole, in some aspects, the vape housing 102 may include multiple air holes that may be located at predefined positions on the vape housing 102. In the exemplary aspect depicted in FIG. 4, the air hole 156 is located at the bottom portion 130 (e.g., adjacent to the openable flap 152).

[0044] The vape housing 102 may further include a flashlight 158 that may be located at an exterior surface of the vape housing 102 (as shown in FIG. 5). The exterior surface may be located opposite to the interior surface on which the ridges 114 are located. The flashlight 158 may include a light source that may be powered by a battery (that may be located in the vape housing 102). The light source may be a light-emitting component (LED or an incandescent bulb). The vape housing 102 may further include a button 160 that may be used to activate and deactivate the flashlight 158. The button 160 may be a push button or a slider. The user 154 may turn-on and turn-off the flashlight 158 by using the button 160 (e.g., to find a key-hole in the dark).

[0045] In alternative aspects, the flashlight 158 may be used to indicate a State of Charge (SOC) level of the battery associated with the vape 108. In this case, the flashlight 158 may include LED indicators that indicates the SOC level. For example, when the SOC level is less than a threshold, a red LED indicator may turn-on. In further aspects, the flashlight 158 may provide pulsing or flashing signal to indicate the SOC level. In further aspects, one or more portions of the sidewalls of the vape housing 102 may include touch sensors, which may automatically get activated when the user's hand touches the vape housing 102 (e.g., to use the vape 108). Responsive to the touch sensors getting activated, they may activate the flashlight 158 by drawing power from the battery. In this manner, the flashlight 158 may automatically get activated whenever the user's hand touches the vape housing 102, which may indicate the SOC level.

[0046] In further aspects, the vape housing 102 may include a pocket 162 that may be located at the exterior surface of the vape housing 102. The pocket 162 may be of any size and may be made of any material (including silicone, cloth, etc.). In some aspects, the pocket 162 may be located at the side wall of the vape housing 102. The pocket 162 may be used by the user to store external items including, but not limited to, a small flashlight 164 (as shown in FIG. 6), a key, and/or the like.

[0047] In operation, the user 154 may attach the system 100 to the user's belt loop (as shown in FIG. 1). When the vape 108 is not in use, the retractable cord 106 may be in the retracted position, and the system 100 (including the vape housing 102) may hang downwards and face the ground. In some aspects, the retractable cord 106 may have enough embedded slack to allow the user 154 to keep the vape housing 102 and the resulting vape 108 in a nearby pocket.

[0048] When the user 154 pulls the vape housing 102 (having the vape 108) towards the user's mouth, the spool 118 rotates, unwinding the spring 124 and moving the retractable cord 106 in the extended position. The spring 124 stores the potential energy as it is stretched. When the vape housing 102 is released (e.g., when the user 154 does not desire to use the vape 108), the spring 124 contracts, pulling the retractable cord 106 back to the retracted position. In this manner, the vape 108 stays connected to the user's body even when the user 154 does not desire to use the vape 108, and the vape 108 is not lost.

[0049] The retractable cord 106 may exert a biasing force 166 against the vape housing 102 biasing it toward the reel housing 104. However, when the user 154 pulls the vape housing 102 (with the vape 108), the biasing force 166 may be overcome by the user applying force 168 to move the retractable cord 106 away from the vape housing 102. Once that force 168 has subsided, meaning the user 154 has stopped pulling, the biasing force 166 pulls the loose retractable cord back into the reel housing 104.

[0050] In the above disclosure, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, which illustrate specific implementations in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is understood that other implementations may be utilized, and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. References in the specification to one embodiment, an embodiment, an example embodiment, etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, one skilled in the art will recognize such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0051] It should also be understood that the word example as used herein is intended to be non-exclusionary and non-limiting in nature. More particularly, the word example as used herein indicates one among several examples, and it should be understood that no undue emphasis or preference is being directed to the particular example being described.

[0052] With regard to the processes, systems, methods, heuristics, etc. described herein, it should be understood that, although the steps of such processes, etc. have been described as occurring according to a certain ordered sequence, such processes could be practiced with the described steps performed in an order other than the order described herein. It further should be understood that certain steps could be performed simultaneously, that other steps could be added, or that certain steps described herein could be omitted. In other words, the descriptions of processes herein are provided for the purpose of illustrating various embodiments and should in no way be construed so as to limit the claims.

[0053] Accordingly, it is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many embodiments and applications other than the examples provided would be apparent upon reading the above description. The scope should be determined, not with reference to the above description, but should instead be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is anticipated and intended that future developments will occur in the technologies discussed herein, and that the disclosed systems and methods will be incorporated into such future embodiments. In sum, it should be understood that the application is capable of modification and variation.

[0054] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as a, the, said, etc., should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, can, could, might, or may, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.