Disclosure of Invention
In view of this, the embodiment of the present invention provides a personalized method for monitoring and correcting cervical vertebrae, which has high real-time performance and low cost.
The embodiment of the invention provides an individualized method for monitoring and correcting cervical vertebra, which comprises the following steps:
collecting neck multipoint physical sign information;
constructing a personal neck sign database according to the sign information;
generating an individualized neck correction scheme according to the personal neck sign database;
and determining the correction time and the correction strength according to the personalized neck correction scheme, and then correcting the cervical vertebra.
Further, the step of collecting the information of the multipoint neck signs comprises the following steps:
collecting stress signals of a neck of a user, wherein the stress signals comprise neck bending signals, neck torsion signals, neck pressure signals and neck stretching signals;
according to the collected stress signals, neck characteristic information of the user is determined, wherein the neck characteristic information comprises abnormal neck bending information, neck lateral movement information, neck protrusion information, neck muscle stiffness information and neck strain information.
Further, the step of collecting the neck stress signal of the user comprises the following steps:
collecting a neck stress signal through a sensor;
performing a first comparison on the stress value of the stress signal and a preset stress value range, and performing a second comparison on the stress time of the stress signal and the preset stress time range;
and determining a neck bending signal, a neck torsion signal, a neck pressure signal and a neck stretching signal of the user according to the results of the first comparison and the second comparison.
Further, the step of constructing a personal neck sign database according to the sign information includes the following steps:
carrying out data classification on the physical sign information through a machine learning algorithm;
extracting the characteristics of the classified sign information;
reconstructing neck sign distribution according to the extracted features;
and establishing a neck sign information standard and an evaluation standard according to the reconstruction result, and establishing an individual neck sign database.
Further, the step of constructing a personal neck sign database according to the sign information further comprises the following steps:
and carrying out data preprocessing on the characteristic information, wherein the data preprocessing comprises segmentation processing, interception processing, noise reduction processing and filtering processing.
Further, the step of performing data preprocessing on the feature information includes the following steps:
analyzing the voltage output size and positive and negative change conditions of the characteristic information through a wavelet transform algorithm, and determining wavelet basis, decomposition layer number and threshold value calculation methods of wavelet transform;
and performing interference filtering processing on the characteristic information according to the determined wavelet basis, the decomposition layer number and the threshold value calculation method.
Further, the method also comprises the following steps:
and a power supply management module is used for providing a working power supply and carrying out power supply energy consumption management on the sensor module, the multi-channel acquisition module, the embedded data processing module, the wireless communication module and the correction module.
Further, the method also comprises the following steps:
and displaying the neck sign information and the personalized neck correction scheme of the user in real time.
Further, the method also comprises the following steps:
and according to the neck sign information of the user and the personalized neck correction scheme, real-time reminding and automatic correction are carried out on the user.
The technical scheme in the embodiment of the invention has the following advantages: according to the embodiment of the invention, a personal neck sign database is constructed through collected multi-point neck sign information, then an individualized neck correction scheme is generated, and finally correction time and correction force are determined, and cervical vertebra correction is carried out; the neck posture monitoring system can monitor the neck posture of a user in real time and remind the user of the poor corrected neck posture, is suitable for family popularization, plays a role in real-time effective prevention and treatment of cervical spondylosis, and is high in real-time performance; in addition, the invention does not need to use large-scale image detection equipment, thereby reducing the cost.
Detailed Description
The invention will be further explained and explained with reference to the drawings and the embodiments in the description. The step numbers in the embodiments of the present invention are set for convenience of illustration only, the order between the steps is not limited at all, and the execution order of each step in the embodiments can be adaptively adjusted according to the understanding of those skilled in the art.
Referring to fig. 4, an embodiment of the present invention provides a personalized method for monitoring and correcting cervical vertebrae, including the following steps:
collecting neck multipoint physical sign information;
constructing a personal neck sign database according to the sign information;
generating an individualized neck correction scheme according to the personal neck sign database;
and determining the correction time and the correction strength according to the personalized neck correction scheme, and then correcting the cervical vertebra.
Further, as a preferred embodiment, the step of acquiring the neck multi-point sign information includes the following steps:
collecting stress signals of a neck of a user, wherein the stress signals comprise neck bending signals, neck torsion signals, neck pressure signals and neck stretching signals;
according to the collected stress signals, neck characteristic information of the user is determined, wherein the neck characteristic information comprises abnormal neck bending information, neck lateral movement information, neck protrusion information, neck muscle stiffness information and neck strain information.
Further preferably, the step of collecting the neck stress signal of the user comprises the steps of:
collecting a neck stress signal through a sensor;
performing a first comparison on the stress value of the stress signal and a preset stress value range, and performing a second comparison on the stress time of the stress signal and the preset stress time range;
and determining a neck bending signal, a neck torsion signal, a neck pressure signal and a neck stretching signal of the user according to the results of the first comparison and the second comparison.
Further preferably, the step of constructing the personal neck condition database according to the condition information includes the steps of:
carrying out data classification on the physical sign information through a machine learning algorithm;
extracting the characteristics of the classified sign information;
reconstructing neck sign distribution according to the extracted features;
and establishing a neck sign information standard and an evaluation standard according to the reconstruction result, and establishing an individual neck sign database.
Further preferably, the step of constructing the personal neck sign database according to the sign information further includes the steps of:
and carrying out data preprocessing on the characteristic information, wherein the data preprocessing comprises segmentation processing, interception processing, noise reduction processing and filtering processing.
Further, as a preferred embodiment, the step of performing data preprocessing on the feature information includes the following steps:
analyzing the voltage output size and positive and negative change conditions of the characteristic information through a wavelet transform algorithm, and determining wavelet basis, decomposition layer number and threshold value calculation methods of wavelet transform;
and performing interference filtering processing on the characteristic information according to the determined wavelet basis, the decomposition layer number and the threshold value calculation method.
Further as a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:
and a power supply management module is used for providing a working power supply and carrying out power supply energy consumption management on the sensor module, the multi-channel acquisition module, the embedded data processing module, the wireless communication module and the correction module.
Further as a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:
and displaying the neck sign information and the personalized neck correction scheme of the user in real time.
Further as a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps:
and according to the neck sign information of the user and the personalized neck correction scheme, real-time reminding and automatic correction are carried out on the user.
The following describes in detail the specific implementation steps of the personalized method for monitoring and correcting cervical vertebrae according to the present invention, taking the cervical vertebrae correcting apparatus shown in fig. 1 and 3 as an example, with reference to the attached drawings of the specification:
as shown in fig. 1, a wearable intelligent cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting device for monitoring neck sign information in real time, reminding and guiding a user to correct or automatically correct a bad neck posture, the specific implementation manner is as follows:
the personalized wearable intelligent cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting equipment mainly comprises 7 modules, namely a power management module, a sensor module, a multi-channel acquisition module, an embedded data processing module, a wireless communication module, an intelligent terminal module and a correcting module, as shown in figure 1. The sensor module, the multi-channel acquisition module, the embedded data processing module and the wireless communication module are sequentially connected and are respectively connected with the power management module, the intelligent terminal is connected with the wireless communication module, and the correction module is connected with the power management module and is connected with the embedded data processing module;
the power is turned on to supply power and manage the energy consumption of the module, the sensor module collects sign signals of each point of the neck, the sign signals are converted into digital signals through the multi-channel collection module, the embedded processing module sends the digital signals to the intelligent terminal through the wireless communication module on the one hand, the intelligent terminal module stores and analyzes the obtained digital signals of the neck signs, a personal neck sign database is built, bad neck signs are judged, an individualized neck correction scheme is customized and sent to the embedded processing module through the wireless communication module, and meanwhile, the running state of the system is monitored, and the distribution and correction information of the neck sign information are displayed in real time. On the other hand, the embedded processing module customizes an individualized correction scheme according to the acquired neck sign signals and the received intelligent terminal module, calculates action quantity and action time required by the correction module and controls the correction module to correct, and the purposes of monitoring neck sign information in real time and guiding a user to correct or automatically correct a bad neck posture are achieved.
In the specific embodiment of the invention, the sensor module is a flexible sensor and consists of a flexible substrate PDMS, a micro-fluidic channel on the flexible substrate and a conductive liquid metal gallium indium tin alloy in a micro-channel, the size of the sensor is 1-2 cm, the depth of the micro-channel is 100 micrometers, the width of the micro-channel is distributed in the range of 100-500 micrometers, the overall structure of the micro-channel and the conductive liquid metal in the micro-channel can be equivalent to a balanced four-arm bridge, wherein a diagonal line is used as the input of a direct current power supply UFixed, the other diagonal being the DC voltage output U
EThe four-arm resistance, input and output relationship is
When the neck signs remain motionless, R
1R
3=R
2R
4The voltage output is zero; when the neck of a user bends, twists, generates pressure or tension and the like, the flexible substrate of the sensor positioned at the measuring position of the neck deforms, and the conductive liquid in the microfluidic channel flows to change the internal resistance distribution of the sensor. Wherein R is when the neck applies pressure to the sensor
1And R
3Increase of R
2And R
4Decreasing and increasing positively with increasing force; when the neck applies tension to the sensor, R
1And R
3Decrease of R
2And R
4Increases and increases negatively with increasing effect. The direct current voltage output through the sensor changes along with the change of the internal impedance of the sensor, and the corresponding sign information of the neck is reflected.
The multi-channel acquisition module performs analog-to-digital conversion on direct-current voltage output of a plurality of specific neck measurement positions and then transmits the direct-current voltage output to the embedded data processing module in a parallel mode, the embedded data processing module performs segmentation, interception, noise reduction, filtering and other processing on digital signals reflecting neck signs to obtain signals easy to analyze for later use, and the processed information is transmitted to the intelligent terminal through the wireless communication module. The intelligent terminal analyzes the voltage output size and positive and negative changes based on a wavelet transformation algorithm, determines wavelet bases, decomposition layer numbers, threshold calculation methods and the like of the wavelet changes, filters interference, reconstructs physical sign distribution of different positions of the neck, and stores and constructs a large-scale and personal neck physical sign database containing the characteristics of abnormal neck bending, lateral movement, protrusion, muscle stiffness or strain and the like; based on a feature extraction and recognition algorithm and assisted by machine learning data classification, a neck sign information standard and an evaluation standard under the influence of multiple factors (age, gender and the like) are established.
The intelligent terminal module of the embodiment collects information such as neck bending, torsion, pressure and tension in real time and compares the information with a threshold value based on the established neck sign information standard and evaluation standard under the influence of multiple factors and the established personal neck sign database, judges bad neck sign information according to the voltage output of the sensors corresponding to the neck points, the positive and negative of the sensors and the mutual relation among the points, and customizes an individualized neck correction scheme on the basis. The intelligent terminal periodically transmits the updated customized personalized neck correction scheme to the embedded processor module through the wireless communication module, and the embedded processor module judges whether the neck posture is bad or not and controls the correction module to correct according to the personalized correction scheme, the bending, torsion, pressure, tension data and the like acquired by the sensor module in real time and whether the change time of the data is greater than a certain threshold value or not. Meanwhile, the intelligent terminal monitors the running state of the system and displays the distribution and correction information of the neck sign information in real time. Finally, real-time monitoring of the neck posture is achieved, the user is reminded of the bad neck posture, and the user is guided to correct or automatically correct the bad neck posture.
The performance of the personalized wearable intelligent cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting equipment is judged by taking the response time, the curvature measuring range, the pressure measuring range, the sensitivity, the measuring recovery time, the working temperature range, the neck fitting degree and the like of the microfluid pressure sensor as detection performance indexes, and the equipment is obviously superior to the existing cervical vertebra monitoring equipment. In a typical application of the embodiments of the present invention, the microfluidic pressure sensor has a response time of less than 100ms, a bending range of-180 to 180 degrees, a pressure measurement range of 2k to 400kPa, a measurement recovery time of less than 400ms, and an operating temperature of greater than 10 ℃. When the input and output voltage of the sensor is 1.5V and the stress of the sensor at the specific neck measurement position is 0, the voltage output of the sensor is 0, and the normal neck sign is judged; when the stress is pressure and gradually increases, the voltage output of the sensor is a positive value and gradually increases, and the neck sign is determined to be bad; when the stress is tension and gradually increases, the voltage output of the sensor is negative and gradually increases in the negative direction, and the neck sign is determined to be bad.
Fig. 2 is a schematic circuit structure diagram of a personalized wearable intelligent cervical spine monitoring and correcting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, which only shows a part related to the embodiment of the present invention for convenience of description, and the specific implementation manner is as follows:
the power management module 17 is implemented to supply power to the sensor module 11, the multi-channel acquisition module 12, the embedded processing module 13, the wireless communication module 14 and the rectification module 15 of the whole device. The power management module supplies power, the circuit starts to work, when the neck sign changes, the resistance values RV1-RV12 of the variable resistors in the sensor module 11 of the neck measuring position change to cause the voltage output change, the multiple same-channel acquisition modules 12 acquire the output voltage of the sensor module 11, the output voltage is processed by the filter circuit of the multiple same-channel acquisition modules 12 and is transmitted to the embedded data processing module 13 in a parallel mode after analog-to-digital conversion, the embedded processor module 13 divides, intercepts, reduces the noise of the received digital signal, filters and the like to obtain signals easy to analyze, and then the embedded processor module 13 transmits the processed information to the correction module 15 and transmits the processed information to the intelligent terminal 16 through the wireless communication module 14. The intelligent terminal 16 transmits the customized personalized neck correction scheme to the embedded processor module 13 through the wireless communication module 14. The correction management module controls the correction module according to the personalized neck correction scheme transmitted to the embedded processor module 13 by the intelligent terminal 16 and the acquired real-time signal through the on-off of the transistor Q1 and the resistance change of the variable resistor RV 13.
The power management chip U1 of the power management module 17 has an input pin connected to the dc power BT, a GND pin connected to ground, and an output pin 171 outputting a voltage to the sensor module voltage input 111, the multi-channel acquisition module voltage input 121, the embedded processing module voltage input 131, the wireless communication module voltage input 141, and the correction module voltage input 151.
The sensor module 11 is composed of variable resistors RV1-RV12 and inputs and outputs thereof, wherein an input end of each variable resistor is connected with a power supply, an input end of each variable resistor is grounded, and an output end of each variable resistor is connected with the multi-channel acquisition module 12.
The multi-channel acquisition module 12 is sequentially composed of a filter circuit and an analog-to-digital conversion module ADC0817, wherein one end of the filter circuit is connected to the output end of the sensor module, the other end is grounded, and the other end is connected to the input channel IN of the analog-to-digital conversion module ADC 0817. The analog-to-digital conversion module ADC0817 has one end connected to the filter circuit, the other end grounded, the other end connected to the embedded processing module, and the other end connected to the power supply.
The VCC pin of the analog-to-digital conversion module ADC0817 and the anode REF (+) of the reference signal are connected with a power supply, the cathode REF (-) of the reference signal is grounded after passing through a capacitor, the ground pin GND is grounded, the address pins ADD A-ADD D and the latch signal pin ALE thereof are connected with a bus of the embedded chip STM32F103C6, and the OUTPUT ENABLE end OUTPUT ENABLE is connected into the bus.
One end of the embedded processing module 13 is connected with the output end of the multi-channel acquisition module, the other end is connected with the correction module 15, the other end is connected with the wireless communication module 14, and the other end is connected with the power supply 17. The embedded chip STM32F103C6 pin PA0-PA15 is connected to a bus, the PB12-PB13 pin is connected to a wireless management chip NR24L01 of the wireless communication module 14, the NRST pin is grounded through a capacitor, the PC14 pin and the VBAT pin are connected with a power supply, the PC15 output pin controls the on-off of the transistor Q1, and the PD0 and the PD1 pin are connected with a crystal oscillator circuit and the capacitor and then grounded.
One end of the wireless communication module is connected with the PB pin of the embedded processing module 13, and the other end of the wireless communication module is connected with the power management module 17.
One end of the correction control module 15 is connected with the embedded processing module output end PC15, one end is connected with the power supply, and the other end is connected with the correction module. The pin PC15 of the embedded processing module is connected with the base of a transistor Q1 of the correction control module 15, the collector of a transistor Q1 is connected with the power management module 17, the emitter of the transistor Q1 is connected with a variable resistor RV13, and the variable resistor RV13 is connected with the correction module.
Fig. 3 is an appearance structure schematic diagram of an apparatus for monitoring and correcting a personalized wearable intelligent cervical spine, according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the specific implementation manner is as follows:
the personalized wearable intelligent cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting equipment comprises a sensor module 1, a multi-channel acquisition module 2, an embedded data processing module 3, a wireless communication module 4, a correcting module 5, an intelligent terminal module 6, a power management module 7 and a flexible base neck sleeve 8. Wherein sensor module 1, multichannel collection module 2, embedded data processing module 3, wireless communication module 4, correction module 5, power management module 7 are located flexible basement neck cover 8, and flexible basement neck cover 8 is connected at both ends about and is laminated with the neck. The sensor module 1 collects sign signals of each point of the neck; the multi-channel acquisition module 2 acquires neck physical sign information of the sensor module 1 and performs analog-to-digital conversion to obtain neck physical sign digital information; the embedded processing module 3 sends the digital signal to the intelligent terminal 6 through the wireless communication module 4 on one hand, the intelligent terminal module 6 stores and analyzes the acquired neck sign digital signal, a personal neck sign database is established, bad neck signs are judged, an individualized neck correction scheme is customized and sent to the embedded processing module 3 through the wireless communication module, and meanwhile, the running state of the system is monitored, and the distribution and correction information of the neck sign information are displayed in real time. On the other hand, the embedded processing module 3 customizes an individualized correction scheme according to the acquired neck sign signals and the received intelligent terminal module 6, calculates the action amount and action time required by the correction module and controls the correction module 5 to correct, and the purposes of monitoring neck sign information in real time and guiding a user to correct the bad neck posture are achieved. The power management module 7 supplies power to the personalized wearable intelligent cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting equipment and manages the energy consumption of the module. Flexible basement neck cover 8 is used for modules such as protection circuit, chip, prevents to take place physical damage, simultaneously better with the neck laminating make better acquisition neck information of sensor module. The neck sign information includes data such as neck flexion, torsion, pressure, and tension at a plurality of specific neck measurement positions of the user, and time of change thereof. The arrangement mode of a plurality of sensors is as follows: the upper, middle and lower positions of the neck in the front, back, left and right directions are respectively one.
In addition, as shown in fig. 1 and 3, the invention provides a personalized wearable intelligent cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting device, which comprises a power management module, a sensor module, a multi-channel acquisition module, an embedded data processing module, a wireless communication module, an intelligent terminal module and a correcting module.
The sensor module, the multi-channel acquisition module, the embedded data processing module and the wireless communication module are sequentially connected and are respectively connected with the power management module, the intelligent terminal is connected with the wireless communication module, and the correction module is connected with the power management module and is connected with the embedded data processing module.
The power management module supplies power and manages the module energy consumption, the sensor module gathers neck each point sign signal, convert digital signal into through multichannel collection module, embedded processing module sends digital signal for intelligent terminal through wireless communication module on the one hand, the neck sign digital signal that the intelligent terminal module storage and analysis obtained, establish individual neck sign database, judge bad neck sign of using, the personalized neck correction scheme of customization sends it to embedded processing module through wireless communication module, monitored control system running state and real-time display neck sign information distribution and correction information simultaneously. And on the other hand, the embedded processing module customizes an individualized correction scheme according to the acquired neck sign signals and the received intelligent terminal module, calculates the action amount and action time required by the correction module and controls the correction module to correct.
The flexible sensor is a flexible pressure sensor based on micro-fluidic or a flexible sensor made of flexible piezoelectric materials. When the neck of a user bends, twists, presses, stretches and the like, the flexible substrate of the sensor deforms, the internal impedance distribution of the sensor changes, the direct-current voltage of the power supply is used as the input of the sensor, and the direct-current voltage output of the sensor changes along with the internal impedance change of the sensor to reflect the neck sign information such as the corresponding bending, lateral movement, protrusion, muscle stiffness or strain of the neck. The flexible substrate material is independently selected from PDMS or copolyester silicon rubber and the like, the conductive liquid material is independently selected from gallium indium tin alloy or eutectic gallium indium and the like, and the flexible piezoelectric material is independently selected from carbon nano tubes, graphene, conductive polymers, metal Nano Particles (NPs), nanowires and the like.
The embedded data processing module stores an individualized correction scheme customized by the intelligent terminal, and is configured to judge whether the neck posture is bad or not and control the action of the correction module according to the individualized correction scheme, bending, torsion, pressure, stretching data and the like acquired by the sensor module in real time and whether the change time of the data is greater than a certain threshold value.
The intelligent terminal module is configured to store and analyze neck sign information, establish a neck sign standard system, establish a personal neck sign database, judge bad neck signs for use, calculate the action amount and action time required by the correction module, customize a personalized neck correction scheme, periodically update the correction scheme of the embedded data processing module, monitor the running state of the system, and simultaneously send the neck sign information and the correction information to the mobile platform through the wireless communication module for real-time display to remind a user of correcting the bad neck states for use.
If the automatic correction module receives the control instruction of the personalized wearable intelligent cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting device, the bad neck using state is automatically corrected through the correction information and the personalized neck correction scheme.
Referring to fig. 4, the invention further provides a personalized method for cervical vertebra monitoring and correction, which is based on a flexible pressure sensing technology and the like, and senses neck sign information of a user in real time; based on a feature extraction and recognition algorithm and assisted with data classification of machine learning, extracting neck sign information of a user, reconstructing neck sign distribution, establishing a neck sign information standard and an evaluation standard, constructing a personal neck sign database, judging bad neck posture, customizing a personalized neck correction scheme, displaying neck sign information distribution and correction information in real time, and reminding the user of correcting the bad neck state.
Under the normal state of the neck, measuring positions of a plurality of specific necks of a large-scale user group based on a flexible sensing technology, and respectively obtaining normal sign information of the neck;
measuring positions of a plurality of specific necks of a large-scale user group based on a flexible sensing technology under abnormal states such as abnormal bending, lateral movement, protrusion, muscle stiffness or strain of the neck, and respectively obtaining the abnormal part physical sign information;
sequentially positioning the flexible pressure sensor at the plurality of specific neck measurement locations, obtaining the normal or abnormal neck signs information for the flexible sensor module voltage values at each measurement location;
and establishing a neck sign information standard under the influence of multiple factors for the acquisition of large-scale normal neck sign information based on a feature extraction and recognition algorithm and assisted by machine learning data classification.
And training relevant features in the abnormal neck sign information based on a feature extraction and recognition algorithm and assisted by a machine learning algorithm for the collected large-scale abnormal neck sign information, and establishing a neck sign evaluation standard under the influence of multiple factors.
And constructing a personal neck sign database for the neck sign information of the sensing user, judging bad neck postures based on the neck sign information standard and the evaluation standard, and customizing an individualized neck correction scheme.
And the personalized neck correction scheme is automatically updated at regular time, the neck sign information of the user is sensed in real time, and the user is guided and reminded to correct or is used for the external module to automatically correct the bad neck posture.
And displaying the neck sign information and the personalized neck correction scheme of the user in real time.
In conclusion, in the working process of the device, the power management module provides working power, the sensor module acquires physical sign signals of the neck of the user, the physical sign signals are converted into digital signals through the multi-channel acquisition module, the embedded data processing module triggers control signals to the correction module and the wireless communication module, the intelligent terminal module receives communication signals of the wireless communication module to realize remote control, and the correction module corrects the neck of the user through the control signals; the invention has high intelligent degree and is convenient to carry, and the correction cost is also reduced.
An embodiment of the present invention further provides a data processing apparatus, including:
at least one processor;
at least one memory for storing at least one program;
when the at least one program is executed by the at least one processor, the at least one processor is enabled to implement the personalized method for cervical spine monitoring and correction.
The contents in the above method embodiments are all applicable to the present apparatus embodiment, the functions specifically implemented by the present apparatus embodiment are the same as those in the above method embodiments, and the advantageous effects achieved by the present apparatus embodiment are also the same as those achieved by the above method embodiments.
In addition, the embodiment of the present invention also provides a storage medium, in which processor-executable instructions are stored, and the processor-executable instructions are used for executing the personalized method for cervical vertebra monitoring and correcting when being executed by a processor.
In alternative embodiments, the functions/acts noted in the block diagrams may occur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Furthermore, the embodiments presented and described in the flow charts of the present invention are provided by way of example in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the technology. The disclosed methods are not limited to the operations and logic flows presented herein. Alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the order of various operations is changed and in which sub-operations described as part of larger operations are performed independently.
Furthermore, although the present invention is described in the context of functional modules, it should be understood that, unless otherwise stated to the contrary, one or more of the described functions and/or features may be integrated in a single physical device and/or software module, or one or more functions and/or features may be implemented in a separate physical device or software module. It will also be appreciated that a detailed discussion of the actual implementation of each module is not necessary for an understanding of the present invention. Rather, the actual implementation of the various functional modules in the apparatus disclosed herein will be understood within the ordinary skill of an engineer, given the nature, function, and internal relationship of the modules. Accordingly, those skilled in the art can, using ordinary skill, practice the invention as set forth in the claims without undue experimentation. It is also to be understood that the specific concepts disclosed are merely illustrative of and not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and their full scope of equivalents.
It should be understood that portions of the present invention may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. In the above embodiments, the various steps or methods may be implemented in software or firmware stored in memory and executed by a suitable instruction execution system. For example, if implemented in hardware, as in another embodiment, any one or combination of the following techniques, which are known in the art, may be used: a discrete logic circuit having a logic gate circuit for implementing a logic function on a data signal, an application specific integrated circuit having an appropriate combinational logic gate circuit, a Programmable Gate Array (PGA), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or the like.
In the description herein, references to the description of the term "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "an example," "a specific example," or "some examples," etc., mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the terms used above do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.