Laser Ignition Device

Abstract

A device/system for firing a firearm round by igniting a specialized propellant in a specialized shell/casing/cartridge (hereinafter cartridge) with laser optics. The preferred embodiment and the system disclosed herein is intended for retrofitted use in a bolt action rifle, however, the principle may be applied to embodiments for pistols, shotguns and military munitions with minor changes to the laser's power, the focal lens for the cartridge and the laser ignitable propellant. The munitions cartridge design, its focal lens/window and column of charge constitute a critical element of this laser ignition device.

Claims

1. A laser ignition device for firing munitions from a weapon, comprising: a projectile cartridge mountable in a barrel of said weapon, said projectile cartridge having a laser lens formed therethrough; a column of laser ignitable propellant housed within said cartridge; a projectile frictionally affixed into a proximal end of said cartridge; a firing laser incorporated into said weapon, said firing laser's output light adjacent to said projectile cartridge and residing such that its laser light beam is directly aligned with said laser lens of said projectile cartridge; a firing control module; a trigger mechanism incorporated into said weapon and connected to said firing control module; a power supply connected to said firing laser and to said firing control module; wherein said firing control module initiates a power burst from said power supply to said firing laser upon a fire signal from said trigger mechanism to fire said laser.

2. The laser ignition device of claim 1, wherein said projectile cartridge has a proximal end with a base plate that houses at least one said laser lens.

3. The laser ignition device of claim 2, wherein said laser lens is made from a material selected from the group of materials consisting of a polycarbonate thermoplastic, a borosilicate glass, and a translucent ceramic.

4. The laser ignition device of claim 1, further comprising: a laser bolt, housing said firing laser therein, and engageable in a receiver of said weapon; and wherein said power supply consists of a battery connected to a capacitor.

5. The laser ignition device of claim 4, further comprising a safety module connected to said trigger mechanism, said laser bolt and said firing control module, said safety module preventing said firing control module from initiating said power burst from said power supply to said firing laser unless a trigger is pulled and said laser bolt is locked in said receiver.

6. The laser ignition device of claim 1, further comprising: a power supply status module connected to said power supply and said firing control module, said power supply status module presenting a visual indication of the health of said power supply.

7. The laser ignition device of claim 1 wherein said firing control module is a printed circuit board housing electronic components selected from the group consisting of microprocessors or microcontrollers.

8. A laser ignition device for firing munitions from a weapon, comprising: a firing laser incorporated into said weapon, said firing laser adjacent to a projectile cartridge residing in a barrel of said weapon, and said firing laser residing such that its laser light beam is directly aligned with said laser lens of said projectile cartridge; a firing control module; a trigger mechanism incorporated into said weapon and connected to said firing control module; a power supply connected to said firing laser and to said firing control module; wherein said firing control module initiates a power burst from said power supply to said firing laser upon a fire signal from said trigger mechanism to fire said laser.

9. The laser ignition device of claim 8, further comprising; a cylindrical projectile cartridge mountable in a barrel of said weapon, said projectile cartridge having a base plate on its distal end, said base plate having a laser lens formed therethrough; a column of laser ignitable propellant within said cartridge; and a projectile frictionally affixed into a proximal end of said cartridge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particular embodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a representative drawing of the overall laser ignition device in a centerfire cartridge configuration;

[0017] FIG. 2 is a representative drawing of the overall laser ignition device in a hybrid fire cartridge configuration with a laser beam splitter;

[0018] FIG. 3 is a representative drawing of the overall laser ignition device in a rimfire cartridge configuration with a laser beam diverging lens;

[0019] FIG. 4 is a is a representative drawing of the overall laser ignition device in a rimfire cartridge configuration with a multi laser diode generated beam;

[0020] FIG. 5 is a representative drawing showing an alternate embodiment of the overall laser ignition device in a centerfire cartridge condition with a mechanical safety interlock;

[0021] FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view of a laser ignitable cartridge; and

[0022] FIG. 7 is a representational side cross sectional view of the operational end of a bolt action rifle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0023] While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have been summarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a few exemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice such embodiments. The described examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0024] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to enable a thorough understanding of the inventive concept. It should be understood, however, that persons having ordinary skill in the art may practice the inventive concept without these specific details.

[0025] It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

[0026] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being on, coupled to, or connected to another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly coupled to or directly connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly on, directly coupled to, or directly connected to another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0027] The terminology used in the description of the inventive concept herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used in the description of the inventive concept and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term and/or as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms comprises and/or comprising, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0028] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers herein used to express quantities, dimensions, and so forth, should be understood as being modified in all instances by the term about. In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise, and use of the terms and and or means and/or unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term including, as well as other forms, such as includes and included, should be considered non-exclusive. Also, terms such as element or component encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0029] As used herein, the term cartridge refers to a hollow cylindrical casing that has a generally planar base plate at its distal end and has an open proximal end. It may be made of any material sufficient to withstand the expansion force of any ignited propellant contained therein between the base plate and the projectile. This may be a steel, a metal or a polymer. In use, it is filled with a column of laser ignitable propellant.

[0030] As used herein, the term gunpowder refers to any dry chemical mixture used as a deflagrant propellant (subsonic) in firearms, artillery, rocketry, and pyrotechnics, including use as a blasting agent for explosives in quarrying, mining, building pipelines, tunnels, and roads. Generally, it is a mixture of sulfur, carbon (charcoal), and potassium nitrate (saltpeter) or another suitable compound, explosive, or deflagrant. It may be physically conformed as a powder, cylinder or flake or mixture thereof.

[0031] As used herein, the term primer refers to a mixture of chemical components that explosively (supersonic) ignites upon the introduction of impact, friction, or heat. They are typically composed of a mixture of sensitive primary explosives, such as lead styphnate or lead azide, along with other ingredients like barium nitrate, antimony sulfide, and tetrazene.

[0032] As used herein, the term laser ignitable propellant refers to a mixture of chemicals that form a compound that is capable of being ignited in a munitions cartridge by a laser. It may use any or all of the chemicals commonly used in a gunpowder and or primer, including but not limited to sulfur, carbon, potassium nitrate, lead styphnate or lead azide, barium nitrate, antimony sulfide, and tetrazene. The percentages of the various chemicals will be specifically set for the type of munitions it is used with. It may include a propellant ignition compound situated at the distal end of the cartridge adjacent to the cartridge's distal end face, at a specific location in the powder column or uniformly intermixed with the laser ignitable propellant. It may also be a simple as a convdntional gunpowder deflgrant.

[0033] As used herein, the term propellant ignition compound refers to a specialized laser ignitable compound that replaces the traditional primer in munitions cartridges for certain laser ignition devices. This compound is designed to ignite instantly upon exposure to the laser light beam, ensuring reliable and consistent ignition of the propellant. It may not be needed in all applications as the deflagrant may be sufficiently ignited by the laser photon beam alone.

[0034] As used herein, the term sear refers to a device which may be incorporated into the trigger mechanism and exerts a biasing force against the trigger. It holds the firing of the laser back until the correct amount of pressure has been applied to the trigger. After reaching that threshold trigger pull force, the electronic signal is provided to the laser (via the electronic firing means) to fire and ignite the propellant (gunpowder mixture crafted for the type of munitions), to discharge the projectile from the cartridge.

[0035] As used herein, the term firing control module refers to an electronic module that upon receiving a signal from safety module that the sear mechanism's preset threshold trigger force has been exceeded, and that the bolt has been properly engaged in the receiver of the rifle (gun), and from the power status module that the power supply is in a ready state, will send a signal from the fire module to the power supply to have it send an electrical pulse from the to fire the laser. It has a microprocessor/microcontroller that controls these actions as well as the battery power status circuit.

[0036] As used herein, the term power supply refers to a battery that may or may not output its power through a capacitor and/or through an optionally coupled power converter. Such power converters may be selected from any one or combination of any of the set of voltage converters, current converters, frequency converters, DC-DC converters, DC-AC converters or DC-AC inverters.

[0037] It is to be noted that artillery propellants and firearm propellants serve similar purposes and ignite in the cartridge, but they differ in scale, component mixture, and application due to the different types of weaponry they are meant for. The disclosure herein refers to a device and method of igniting a munitions propellant for firearms such as rifles, pistols, shotguns, although it is known that this propellant can easily be adjusted to be utilized with artillery pieces, such as cannons, howitzers, and mortars by one skilled in the art. The larger munitions require larger amounts of propellant to propel their more substantial projectiles and may require a higher power laser or different focal lens.

[0038] The present invention relates to a novel design for firing a firearm round by igniting the specialized propellant in a specialized shell/casing/cartridge (hereinafter cartridge) with laser optics. The preferred embodiment and the system disclosed herein is intended for retrofitted use in a bolt action rifle, however, the principle may be applied to embodiments for pistols, shotguns and military munitions with minor changes to the laser's power, the focal lens for the cartridge and the laser ignitable propellant. The munitions cartridge design, its focal lens/window and column of charge constitute a critical element of this laser ignition device.

[0039] Currently, modern firearms utilize either a centerfire cartridge or a rimfire cartridge. In conventional centerfire cartridges, primer is located in the center of the cartridge base. It consists of a small cup containing the priming compound and an anvil positioned in the center. When the firing pin strikes the center of the primer, it crushes the priming compound between the cup and the anvil, generating a spark to ignite the main gunpowder propellant charge. They are the most common and reliable method of percussion primer ignition and can be reloaded.

[0040] In the first embodiment, a centerfire cartridge will be replaced with a laser centerfire cartridge 18 filled with laser ignitable propellant 20 that has a focal lens 14 (or window) therethrough the center of the distal end face 16 of the cartridge 18. (FIG. 1) This lens/window may be a diverging, converging or colimating lens, or a non focusing pane (window).

[0041] In conventional rimfire cartridges, the primer is located in the rim of the cartridge base. The priming compound is distributed within a thin ring encircling the inside edge of the cartridge rim. The firing pin strikes the outer rim of the cartridge, crushing the priming compound against the inside surface of the cartridge wall to ignite the main propellant charge. Rimfire cartridges are single fire, disposable cartridges.

[0042] In an alternate embodiment, rimfire cartridges will be replaced with one of two types of laser rimfire cartridges 19 or 21. The first type 19 has at least one focal lens/window 14 formed therethrough and adjacent the peripheral edge of the distal end face 16 of the cartridge 19. (FIG. 2) The second type 21 has a peripheral focal ring 22 arranged about the peripheral edge of the distal end face 16. (FIG. 3) The use of rimfire cartridges may require laser beam splitters 23 to divide the laser beam 24 into multiple beams, (FIG. 2), a laser beam diffuser 26 (FIG. 3) to shape the laser beam 24 into a ring or broader beam or a ring of laser diodes 50. (FIG. 4) In alternate embodiments, there may be a ring of laser diodes in the firing laser 28 that need no focusing lens to illuminate the laser rimfire cartridge 21.

[0043] These focal lenses 14 focus the laser beam 24 into the proper depth in the column of laser ignitable propellant 20 in the cartridges 18, 19 or 21 for the best ignition propagation to occur. This could be via diverging or converging lens. It is to be noted that there may be the use of a propellant ignition compound 23 with the ignitable laser propellant 20 or not, and it may be placed at the rear of the cartridge or concentrated in another location of the powder column in the cartridges. The focal lens 14 utilized must be compatible with the frequency and power of the laser. This will preferably be in the 100 to 1600 nm wavelength range and the 500 mW to 5 W range. It is expected that each laser burst pulse will last 10-20 nano seconds. The focal lens 14 will be fabricated from an optically transparent polymer or glass material that will be capable of repeatedly withstanding the high heat and compression forces of the propellant's ignition. It will likely be chosen from the set of low expansion, high strength polymer, glass or translucent porcelain materials including, but not limited to: Lexan (polycarbonate thermoplastic), Pyrex (borosilicate glass), Pyraceram (translucent ceramic). The focal point of these focal lenses 14 will be adjusted for the size, length and diameter of the power column of laser ignitable propellant 20. The location for the initiation of the point of ignition is thus variable for the laser ignition device, and will be adjusted for the best performance. This is a feature for optimization of the powder cartridge burn is not available for present rimfire and centerfire cartridges.

[0044] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the laser cartridge 100 has a lens assembly 102 comprising a lens cup 104 with a lens/window 14 affixed therein (preferably by an adhesive 106) that is press fitted for frictional engagement into a concave lens pocket 108 formed into the distal end of the cartridge 100. The lens cup 104 and the cartridge 100 are preferably made of brass such that a frictional fit can easily be accomplished because of the inelastic deformation of this material. Because of this a strong enough seal to minimize or eliminate ignition blowback can be created. The lens/window 14 is thus placed adjacent to the flash hole 110 in the cartridge 100. The lens/window 14 may or may not be optically adjusted (focused) so as to focus the laser photon beam 112 passing through the flash hole 110 into the deflagrant cavity 114 within the cartridge 100. It is understood that the lens/window 14 is sized and aligned for the flash hole 110 and that the lens/window 14 is selected for its ability to provide a sufficient light intensity beyond the flash hole 110 into the deflagrant.

[0045] With this embodiment, the laser cartridge 100 is visibly indistinguishable from a conventional cartridge except for the small visible front of the lens/window 14 in the center of the back face of the laser cartridge 100. In operation, the lens assembly 102 would be manufactured and installed by ammunition manufacturers or sold to reloders for personal ammunition assembly. With this system, ammunition reloaders would need no new equipment and would assemble their bullet cartridges as they normally do.

[0046] With the cartridges disclosed, the remainder of the present laser ignition device here forth is disclosed in its various embodiments in a bolt action rifle using a centerfire cartridge. (FIG. 1) The first embodiment laser ignition device 2 device includes a laser bolt 4 that replaces the conventional bolt of a rifle. The laser ignition device 2 has a trigger mechanism 5 (with a sear 6 and a trigger 7), a safety module 8, a bolt lock module 38, a firing control module 40 firing module 10, a power supply 12, a firing laser 28, a power supply status module 38 (with an LED indicator 31 and optional energy management circuit), and a cartridge 18 with cartridge focal lens 14, a laser ignitable propellant 20 and a projectile (bullet) 32. The firing control module 40 is an integrated circuit device (PCB) with at least one microprocessor/microcontroller device there on including the safety module 8, the firing module 10, and the power supply status module 38. As can be seen, this device has a relatively small number of components. Various alternate embodiments are seen in FIG. 2-4.

[0047] The trigger mechanism 5 is a curved finger sized lever (trigger) 7 located on the bottom side of the rifle, that has a biasing force to hold it in its fully forward position. The trigger 7 provides a signal 36 to the safety module 8 then the firing module 10 once the trigger 7 is pulled rearward and exceeds a threshold, preset distance by the sear 6. This biasing force gradually increases as the trigger 7 approaches this preset distance. This is caused by the sear 6 which may be as simple as a compression spring means 34.

[0048] The bolt safety device 38 likewise, provides an electronic signal 41 to the safety module 8 when the rifle's laser bolt 4 is in its fully locked configuration in the rifle's receiver (not shown).

[0049] The safety module 8 may be a stand-alone electronic module or preferably, is incorporated into the firing control module 40, as illustrated in FIG. 1-4. or may be as simple as a series circuit between the trigger mechanism 5, the bolt safety device 38 and the firing module 10. The safety module thus 8 allows the fire signal to the firing module 10 to be sent upon fulfillment of three precedent conditions: sufficient trigger pull; a fully locked bolt 4; external safety switch selected to off. Only after the safety switch 99 is turned off, and receiving both the signal from the bolt safety device 38 and the signal from the trigger mechanism 5, ensuring that the laser bolt 4 is locked into place in the rifle's breech and that the operator has pulled the trigger 7 intending to fire the weapon, can the weapon be discharged.

[0050] The power supply 12 is a DC battery 13 that provides operational power to the firing control module 40, the safety module 8, the trigger mechanism 5, the bolt lock module 39, the firing module 10 and the battery status module 38, as well as the power to fire the firing laser 28. This power supply 12 may incorporate a capacitor 46 and or a power convertor 44 to provide an electric pulse of sufficient frequency, voltage and amperage for the duration of the firing pulse to the firing laser 28. The actual design of each power supply 12 will vary with the munitions being fired.

[0051] The preferred embodiment power supply 12 will include a small profile capacitor 46 or a supercapacitor to act as a buffer storing and discharging device that provides the instantaneous high-power pulse needed for the laser to ignite the propellant. This is particularly useful given the laser's requirement for a brief, intense burst of energy and very high life cycle. This helps prevent the battery from being drained too rapidly by the high current demand of the laser, thereby extending the battery's life and maintaining its performance over time. Capacitors offer better performance across a wide range of temperatures compared to batteries. This characteristic is advantageous for firearms, which may be used in various environmental conditions. Generally, the capacitor will be connected in parallel with the laser's power supply. An energy management circuit may be incorporated into the power supply system to ensure the capacitor is charged efficiently and ready to discharge when the trigger is pulled.

[0052] The firing module 10 is a microprocessor/microcontroller device that upon satisfaction of the two safety module 8 conditions, provides the signal to the power supply 12 to provide firing power 50 to the firing laser 28.

[0053] The power supply status module 38 measures the power left in the power supply 12 or in the power converter 44 or capacitor (FIG. 2). It provides an LED indication 31 of the condition of the power supply 12. There is an integrated charging circuit allowing 60 for USB charging via standard ports (e.g., Micro-USB or USB-C) for convenience. The system should support fast charging to minimize downtime.

[0054] The firing laser 28 is a laser selected that will provide a laser light beam 24 of a sufficient frequency, power and duration to pass through the focal lens/s 14 or focal ring 22 and accomplish the task of igniting the laser ignitable propellant 20. There may be a beam splitter, a diverging focal lens 21 or a ring of laser diodes 50 (FIG. 4) to get the laser pulse to the cartridge, through the lens 14 and focused into the laser ignitable propellant 20.

[0055] In operation, once a charged power supply 10 is connected to the device, the laser bolt 4 is fully engaged into the receiver of the rifle, and a laser centerfire cartridge or a laser rimfire cartridge in inserted, the weapon is ready to fire. When the trigger 7 is squeezed rearward until it reaches preset travel limit of the sear 7 a signal is sent to the safety module 8. With the laser bolt 4 in its locked configuration, a signal is also sent from the lock bolt module 28 to the manual safety switch 99 and if it is off, the signal travels to the safety module 8. With all of these conditions met there will be a fire signal sent by the firing control module 40 via its firing module 10 to the power supply 12. The power supply module 12 will provide a short intense power burst to the firing laser 28 which will fire a laser beam 24 directly or past a laser beam splitter 23 or divergent lens 26 onto a lens 14 which will focus the photon burst of the laser beam at an appropriate distance in the powder column of the laser ignitable propellant 20 in the cartridge.

[0056] Looking at FIG. 5 a second embodiment of the overall laser ignition device can be seen. Here there is a mechanical safety 98 formed between the laser bolt, the trigger mechanism 5 and the tactile operated safety switch 99, that provides a signal 97 to the firing control module 40 that all conditions have indeed been satisfied to fire the weapon. This removes the need for an electronic safety module 8.

[0057] At the same time the laser is used to detonate the cartridge through the focusing lens, the laser may also be programmed to etch a code into the base plate of the cartridge for identification at a later point. This would be of great value in identifying the source of fire after a gunfight.

[0058] FIG. 7 (with reference to FIG. 6) discloses a third embodiment 120 of the of the overall laser ignition device. Here the power supply module 12 and the firing laser 28 are housed in a hollowed section 122 of the rifle's stock 124. The firing laser 28 is optically coupled to the cartridge 100 by a flexible, shielded fiber optic cable 126 that passes from the firing laser 28 through a bore/slot along the linear axis of the laser bolt 4. When the bolt is engaged and locked, the laser photon light point source 128 at the end of the fiber optic cable 126 resides adjacent the lens/window 14 in the lens assembly 102. The lens/window 14 can be spherical, flat, cylindrical, plano-convex, fast axis collimators (FAC), slow axis collimates (SAC), Powell lenses, microlens arrays, monolithic collimators and the like. There may be a separate collimator 130 affixed at the end of the fiber optic cable 126. Operation of all other components such as the firing laser 28, power supply module 12, trigger mechanism 5, the bolt safety device 38 and the firing module 10, laser bolt 4 will essentially mimic that described above in the previous embodiments.

[0059] Although directed at rifles the laser ignition device may be used in shotguns as well. Here, primer area of each shotshell is replaced with a clear polymer plug insert having a shape analogous to a conventional primer cup. Upon pulling the trigger, laser diodes in the barrel emit high-intensity laser pulses that are transmitted through firing pin holes and focused through transparent polymer plug inserts at the end of the shotgun shells.

[0060] The laser energy passing through the plug insert is absorbed by the shotshell propellant powder, causing rapid and controlled ignition. This laser ignition entirely replaces the conventional primer and circumvents any potential environmental contamination from heavy metals or explosive sensitizers.

[0061] The polymer plug insert acts as an optically transparent window allowing laser transmission to the powder column. Its shape mimics a standard primer cup to be compatible with existing shotshell hulls and ammunition loading equipment with minimal modifications. The plug material is selected to withstand the high temperatures and pressures involved in igniting the shotshell propellant charge.

[0062] Within the shotgun firing mechanism, the laser diode, focusing optics, and associated electronics are located to emit the laser pulses in precise alignment with the polymer plug inserts when the gun is fired. This rugged laser ignition module can be integrated into newly manufactured sporting shotguns or serving as a retrofit replacement for existing brake-action models.

[0063] Although all embodiments disclosed have their laser lens in the distal end of the cartridge, in alternate embodiments the lenses may be moved forward along the cartridge between the projectile and the base plate so as to reside on the tubular side of the cartridge and the laser also be relocated to a different location in line of sight with the laser lenses.

[0064] The disclosed system, method and devices herein provide a plethora of advantages including: [0065] Eliminating explosive components by replacing traditional primers with non-explosive lens materials, the forthcoming ATF regulations on shipping and handling explosives, are avoided, ensuring uninterrupted ammunition supply and access for civilian shooters. [0066] Providing enhanced safety and reliability because the light-based ignition system minimizes mechanical failure points and eliminates the risk associated with handling and storing impact-sensitive primers, resulting in safer and more reliable ammunition. [0067] Simplifying retrofit and compatibility because the firing mechanism is designed to be compatible with current bolt action rifles and other platforms, making it an attractive option for both new and existing firearms owners rather than mandating an entirely new firearm. [0068] Providing enhanced performance by the laser system by reducing lock time and ensuring consistent ignition across varying environmental conditions. [0069] Offering a sustainable solution ahead of regulatory compliance, that aligns with legal requirements while preserving the integrity and accessibility of shooting sports.

[0070] While certain features and aspects have been described with respect to exemplary embodiments, one skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications are possible. This invention covers new munition cartridges, new firing mechanisms new methods of making munition cartridges and new methods of firing a munitions cartridge. Moreover, while the procedures of the methods and processes for building, assembling and using the devices described herein are described in a particular order for ease of description, unless the context dictates otherwise, various procedures may be reordered, added, and/or omitted in accordance with various embodiments.

[0071] Embodiments are described herein, and illustrated in the drawings, in terms of functional blocks and/or modules. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that these blocks, and/or modules can be physically implemented by electronic (or optical) circuits such as logic circuits, discrete components, microprocessors, hard-wired circuits, memory elements, wiring connections, and the like, which may be formed using semiconductor-based fabrication techniques or other manufacturing technologies. In the case of the blocks, and/or modules being implemented by microprocessors or similar, they may be programmed using software (e.g., microcode) to perform various functions discussed herein and may optionally be driven by firmware and/or software. Alternatively, each block, and/or module may be implemented by dedicated hardware, or as a combination of dedicated hardware to perform some functions and a processor (e.g., one or more programmed microprocessors/microcontrollers and associated circuitry) to perform other functions. Also, each block and/or module of the embodiments may be physically separated into two or more interacting and discrete blocks and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

[0072] Further, the blocks and/or modules of the embodiments may be physically combined into more complex blocks and/or modules without departing from the scope of the inventive concepts.

[0073] Having described and illustrated the principles of the inventive concept with reference to illustrated embodiments, it will be recognized that the illustrated embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles and can be combined in any desired manner. And although the foregoing discussion has focused on particular embodiments, other configurations are contemplated.

[0074] Consequently, in view of the wide variety of permutations to the embodiments described herein, this detailed description and accompanying material is intended to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the inventive concept. What is claimed as the invention, therefore, is all such modifications as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.