Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
TITLE: ELECTRONIC LOCKBOX SYSTEM
INVENTOR: JOHNY MIKHAEL
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to electronic lockboxes, and more
particularly to electronic lockboxes for use in real estate and property
rental.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the profession of real estate sales, it is it has been very
common for
many years to use a lockbox on the door of a home to retain the housekey for
authorized real estate agent(s) to use to obtain entry to the home. The
authorized real
estate agent(s) either have a key that is used to open the lockbox, or are
aware of the
numeric code used to open the lockbox. In the last few years, it has also been
common
to use such lockboxes for rental properties, such as Airbnb.
[0003] There are fundamental problems associated with basic conventional
lockboxes. If a key is used to open the lockbox, the lockbox can be easily
picked. If a
numeric code is used to unlock the lockbox, the numeric code can become no one
to
others.
[0004] More recently, modern electronic technology has been incorporated
into
many types of lockboxes. Such technology includes electronic control
circuitry,
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computer control circuitry, digital displays, near field communication, Wi-Fi,
GPS,
display screens, cameras, impact sensors, optical sensors, and so on.
[0005] One relevant prior art document is United States patent document
RE46,539E, re-issued September 1, 2017 to Fisher et al, and entitled
Electronic
Lockbox Proximity Access Control. This electronic lockbox system includes a
wireless
portable transponder that communicates with an electronic lockbox using a low
power
radio link. The portable transponder includes: a wide area network radio to
communicate to a central clearinghouse computer, a motion sensor to activate
its wide
area network radio, and a connector to communicate with a secure memory
device. The
electronic lockbox sends a hail message that is intercepted by the portable
transponder;
the hail message includes identification information. The portable transponder
responds
with a message that includes a time sensitive encryption key; the lockbox
authenticates
this response message using its own time sensitive encryption key. If the
messages are
authenticated, the lockbox sends an access event record to the portable
transponder,
and this access event record is stored in the secure memory device. If a wide
area
network is available, the portable transponder sends the access event record
to the
central clearinghouse computer.
[0006] Another relevant prior art document is United States published
patent
application 2017/0270726A1, published September 21, 2017 to Fisher et al, and
entitled
Contextual Data Delivery To Other Users At An Electronic Lockbox. This
electronic
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lockbox system allows both sales agents and sales prospects to communicate
either
with the lockbox, or with the central clearinghouse computer. Contextual data
then is
provided to the sales prospect while the prospect is visiting a specific
property that is
the site of a lockbox installation. Both the agent and the prospect use smart
devices,
such as smart phones, that have both wide area network capability and low
power radio
capability. In other situations, contextual data can be sent to a user having
a smart
device, in which that contextual data pertains to at least one human occupant
of the
specific property where that lockbox has been installed, which can be useful
where a
medical caregiver arrives to visit a human occupant of a specific property
that is
protected by the electronic lockbox. A camera or scanner can record the
delivery and
can scan barcodes or other identifying information.
[0007]
Another relevant prior art document is United States patent document
11,158,02262, issued October 26, 2021 to Lee et al, and entitled
Electronically
Operated Lockbox Mailbox Assembly. This electronically operated lockbox
mailbox
assembly provides a customizable lockbox assembly with a smart lock. The
enclosure
can be configured with heating, cooling and humidity functions so the internal
contents
remains at an optimal temperature for storage until the unit is unlocked. The
assembly
can be linked with other home security devices. The smart lock operated with
an
application for tracking, opening and security of the assembly. The assembly
may take
the form of a box, locker, or similar shape that can be either free-standing
or "hard
installed" as part of a new commercial or residential build or retrofitted to
an existing
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commercial or residential build that is powered via hardwire, plug or battery.
A screen
provides instructions and can display visual feedback to a user.
[0008] Another relevant prior art document is United States patent
document
10,229,550612, issued March 12, 2019 to Tudi, and entitled Scheduled Enabled
Lockbox Access. This lockbox includes a compartment that has a door and a door
locking mechanism controlling operations of the door. The lockbox includes a
memory
storing a time access period. The lockbox includes a transceiver that
automatically
activates and manages a wireless communication mechanism based on the time
access period. The transceiver also detects a user device on the wireless
communication mechanism. The lockbox includes a processor, which is
electrically
coupled to the memory and the transceiver. The processor automatically
authenticates
the user device detected on the wireless communication mechanism and disables
the
door locking mechanism to provide access via the door to the compartment in
response
to a completed authentication.
[0009] Another relevant prior art document is United States patent
document
9,990,79162, issued June 5, 2018 to Firth et al, and entitled Smart Lockbox.
The
lockbox contains a microcomputer used in the processes of validating
preapproved
credentials. One method of obtaining access to the lockbox is by user carrying
only an
identification card, the lockbox scanning the identification card and
transmitting its data
to the lockbox's server for validation via an internal cell phone modem's
connection
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through cell towers. The lockbox is also capable of capturing video and audio
recordings, storing and categorizing the recordings into data such as traffic
or noise
levels over varying periods of time; and such data can be transferred to a
user's cell
phone upon the owner's approval. Additionally, the lockbox is powered by a
solar panel
power source, making it self-sustaining.
[00010]
Another relevant prior art document is United States published patent
application 2020/0308870A1, published October 1, 2020 to Fisher et al, and
entitled
Electronic Lockbox. This electronic lockbox uses a rotary actuator with
multiple
positions to achieve multiple locking states. Multiple positions of the
actuator are
detected, using optical sensors. The locking mechanism includes an outer
sleeve and
an inner cylindrical barrel that are coupled with torsion springs. The lockbox
has a
shackle and a key bin that are retained by the inner barrel when in the locked
state, and
the barrel can be rotated to either release the shackle or to release the key
bin that
typically holds a building's key. There is an electronic control circuit that
includes a
computer processing circuit, a memory circuit including instructions
executable by the
processing circuit, an input/output interface circuit, a motor driver circuit,
at least one
light source driver circuit, and at least one photosensor detection circuit. A
key bin is
either locked in place or is released, which is under the control of the
computer
processing circuit. A shackle is either locked in place or is released, which
is also under
the control of the computer processing circuit.
A movable actuator has a home
position, a key bin release position, and a shackle release position. A
movable indicator
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is in mechanical communication with the movable actuator. A motor that acts as
a
prime mover of the movable indicator. A light source that emits
electromagnetic energy
toward the movable indicator, under the control of the computer processing
circuit. A
photosensor is located proximal to the movable indicator to detect the
electromagnetic
energy that is emitted by the light source. If the movable actuator is
positioned at the
home position as determined by the at least one photosensor, then both the key
bin and
the shackle are locked in place. If the movable actuator is positioned at the
key bin
release position as determined by the at least one photosensor, then the key
bin is in a
released state and its contents become available to a human user. If the
movable
actuator is positioned at the shackle release position as determined by the at
least one
photosensor, then the shackle is in a released state and can be detached from
the
lockbox by a human user.
(00011] One fundamental problem found in known prior art lockboxes is that
there
is no direct and immediate control by an authorized person, such as a realtor
or
someone in a real estate office, or a homeowner who might be registered with
Airbnb, to
permit or deny access to the lockbox once access has been requested.
[00012] It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic
lockbox.
[00013] It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic
lockbox that
permits direct and immediate control by an authorized person, such as a
realtor or
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someone in a real estate office, or a homeowner who might be registered with
Airbnb, to
permit or deny access to the lockbox once access has been requested.
[00014] Other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the
present
invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related
elements of the
structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will
become
more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the
appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of
which is
briefly described herein below.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00015] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is
disclosed
a novel non-transitory, computer readable medium storing instructions
executable by a
processor of a server to: store identifying information of an authorized
requester;
receive a request from an app to remotely unlock a specified lockbox; store
the request;
compare identifying data in the request to data on file for that authorized
requester to
identify the authorize requester; receive biometric data from the specified
lockbox;
compare the biometric data to data on file for that authorized requester to
identify the
closest match in the main system. In the event that authorize requester
identified by the
request is the same as the authorize requester identified by the closest
match: send a
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unique code to the app of the authorize requester; receive a verification from
the
authorize requester; and, send an unlock signal to the specified lockbox,
subsequent to
receipt of the verification from the authorize requester..
(00016] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is
disclosed
a novel non-transitory, computer readable medium storing instructions
executable by a
processor of a server to: store identifying information of an authorized
requester;
receive a request from an app to remotely unlock a specified lockbox; store
the request;
compare identifying data in the request to data on file for that authorized
requester to
identify the authorize requester; receive proximity information from the
specified
lockbox; compare the proximity information to data on file for specified
lockbox. In the
event that authorized requester identified by the request is the same as the
authorized
requester identified by the proximity information: send a unique code to the
app of the
authorize requester; receive a verification from the authorize requester; and,
send an
unlock signal to the specified lockbox, subsequent to receipt of the
verification from the
authorize requester.
[00017) In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is
disclosed
a novel electronic lockbox comprising a housing having a storage compartment
for
receiving and retaining a housekey therein; an electrically operable mechanism
for
providing selective access to the housekey; an electronic circuit for
controlling the
electrically operable mechanism; a computer circuit comprising at least
computer
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
processing circuitry and computer memory, for controlling the electronic
circuit. The
computer circuit is programmed to: receive from an authorized requester at
least one of
biometric data and proximity information; generate a data file related to the
at least one
of biometric data and proximity information; transmit the data file to the
main system;
receive an unlock signal from the main system; and, use the unlock signal to
control the
electronic circuit to thereby cause the electrically operable mechanism to
provide
selective access to the housekey.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00018] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the
apparatus according to the present invention, as to its structure,
organization, use and
method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof,
will be
better understood from the following drawings in which a presently known
embodiment
of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly
understood,
however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description
only and
are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the
accompanying
drawings:
[00019] Figure 1 is a flow chart of the electronic lockbox system according
to the
present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
[00020] Reference will now be made to Figure 1, which shows the electronic
lockbox system 100 according to the present invention, as indicated by general
reference numeral 100.
[00021] Lockboxes are commonly used to control entrance into a building
such as
a residence or a commercial unit. In the present invention, a physical key to
a door of
the building is safely locked away inside the lockbox, and the person, such as
a real
estate agent or an Airbnb tenant, needs to request permission to have the
lockbox
opened remotely.
[00022] The present invention is used to permit controlled access to a
secured key
114 stored in an electronic lockbox 110, to be used to enter a building, for
persons such
as real estate agents or a temporary tenant in a rental situation, and the
like.
[00023] The electronic lockbox system 100 according to the present
invention
basically comprises an overall main computer system 102 that includes a server
103, an
app 104 operable on devices 105 such as smartphones, tablets or computers, and
the
electronic lockbox 110 typically installed temporarily on the door of a
building.
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[00024]
The person who requires entrance into the building needs to be "on file" in
the main computer system 102 as an authorized requester 108. In other words,
identifying information 140 of an authorized requester 108 needs to be stored
on the
main computer system. More specifically, the authorized requester 108 needs to
have
preregistered at least one unique identifier on the main computer system, such
as a cell
phone number or an email address, and preferably also biometric data such as a
scan
of the person's face or fingerprint(s) or a recording of their voice.
(00025]
In the present invention, in conjunction with the server 103, there is a
computer readable medium 106 storing instructions executable by a processor of
a
server 103 to do the following:
= Store identifying information of an authorized requester 108 on the main
computer system 102, as indicated by arrow 150. The identifying information
might
include the name, cell phone number, email, residential address, business,
business
address, and so on, of the authorized requester 108.
= Receive a request, as indicated by arrow 152, from an app 104 controlled
by the authorized requester 108 to remotely unlock the specified electronic
lockbox 110.
The electronic lockbox 110 may be identified by address or geographical co-
ordinate
information, namely longitude and latitude.
It should be noted that the request
comprises a unique code that is randomly generated for each request, and that
a
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subsequent request by the same authorized requestor 108 will not use the same
code
as the previous request.
= Store the request in the main computer system 102, as indicated by arrow
154, for subsequent use so that when authorized requester 108 arrives at the
lockbox
electronic lockbox 110, the main computer system 102 is ready to receive
biometric
data, such as facial recognition data or fingerprint recognition data or a
voice recording,
or proximity information, such as proximity to the lockbox (as determined by
the
establishment of NFC communication, such as Bluetooth) or geographical co-
ordinate
information, such as latitude and longitude as obtained by GPS via the
cellphone, tablet
or portable computer.
= Compare identifying data in the request to data on file for that
authorized
requester 108 to identify the authorized requester 108, as indicated by arrow
156. The
identifying data in the request should readily match the identifying
information 140
stored about one of the authorized requesters 108 in the main computer system
102.
That authorized requester 108 is therefore identified as being about to
require unlocking
of the specified lockbox within a short period of time, once the authorized
requester 108
arrives at the lockbox.
= Receive biometric data or proximity information from the specified
lockbox
via cellular communication channels and/or Wi-Fi and Internet communication
channels,
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or any other suitable communication channels, as indicated by arrow 158.
= Compare the biometric data or the proximity information to data on file
for
that authorized requester 108 to identify the closest match in the main
computer
system, as indicated by arrow 160. The closest match is identified and then
compared
to the authorized requester 108 identified by the request.
= In the event that authorized requester 108 identified by the request is
the
same as the authorized requester 108 identified by the closest match:
= Send a unique code to the app 104 of the authorized requester 108,
typically via cellular communication channels and/or Wi-Fi and Internet
communication
channels, or any other suitable communication channels, as indicated by arrow
162.
This code appears on the screen of the device 105 (smart phone or tablet)
running the
app 104, thereby notifying the authorized requester 108 that the unique code
has been
received. In order to unlock the specified electronic lockbox 110, the
authorized
requester 108 must provide verification by responding to the receipt of the
unique code,
typically by pressing a "box" or "button" on the app 104, as indicated by
arrow 164.
= Receive the verification from the authorized requester 108 subsequent to
the request being sent, typically via cellular communication channels and/or
Wi-Fi and
Internet communication channels, or any other suitable communication channels,
as
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indicated by arrow 166.
= Send an unlock signal to the specified lockbox, as indicated by arrow
168,
subsequent to receipt of the verification from the authorize requester 108.
[00026] The electronic lockbox 110 has a housing 111 with a storage
compartment
112 for receiving and retaining a physical key 114 therein. A shackle 111s is
operatively retained by the housing 111 for locked engagement around a door
handle or
the like, as is well known in the art of lockboxes.
[00027] Figure 1 shows the lockbox in a closed configuration "A" and an
open
configuration "B". In the closed configuration "A", the door 113 is closed
over the
storage compartment 112 and locked in place, to thereby secure the physical
key 114 in
the storage compartment 112. In the open configuration "B", the door 113 is
open to
permit access the storage compartment 112. A display screen 116 may be
provided on
the housing 111 of the specific electronic lockbox 110 to display information
such as the
name and contact information of a realtor, instructions for entry into the
building,
advertisements, and so on. An LED indicator light 117 on the housing 111 may
be used
to indicate various messages or conditions. For instance, the LED indicator
light 117
may start flashing to notify a visitor that the real estate agent is nearby,
as determined
by GPS technology in the device 105 and transmission of the information via
the app
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104 to the main computer system 102. A microphone 118 on the housing 111 may
be
used to capture the voice of the authorized requester 108.
[00028]
The electronic lockbox 110 further comprises an electrically operable
mechanism 119 for providing selective access to the physical key 114, an
electronic
circuit 121 for controlling the electrically operable mechanism, and a
computer circuit
120 for controlling the electronic circuit. In the present invention, the
computer circuit
120 comprises at least computer processing circuitry 122 and computer memory
124.
The computer circuit may be programmed to:
= receive from an authorized requester 108 at least one of biometric data
and proximity information, as indicated by arrow 170.
= generate a data file related to the at least one of biometric data and
proximity information, as indicated by arrow 172.
= transmit the data file to the main computer system 102, as indicated by
arrow 174.
= receive an unlock signal from the main computer system 102, as indicated
by arrow 176.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
= use the unlock signal to control the electronic circuit 120 to thereby
cause
the electrically operable mechanism 119 to provide selective access to the
physical key
114, as indicated by arrow 178.
= timestamp the at least one of biometric data and proximity information,
as
indicated by arrow 180.
[00029] In order to use the electronic lockbox system 100 according to the
present
invention, the authorized requester 108 has the app 104 installed on a cell
phone 105,
or even a tablet, and uses the app 104 to request unlocking of the specified
electronic
lockbox 110. The authorized requester 108 uses the app 104 to send the request
to the
main computer system 102. The request includes identifying information for the
specific
electronic lockbox 110. This identifier for the specific electronic lockbox
110 would be
obtained from the owner of the lockbox, and could include possibly a street
address
and/or geographic coordinates (longitude and latitude).
[00030] The request 152 is sent to of the main computer system 102
typically via
the device 105, such as a cell phone network and/or the Internet, and is
received by the
main computer system 102. The main computer system 102 receives the request
152
and records and stores, as indicated by arrow 154, the request 152 as a valid
request
for a period of time. The main computer system 102 is thereby on notice that
within
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some predetermined timeframe the authorized requester 108 will show up at the
specific electronic lockbox 110.
[00031] When the authorized requester 108 is at the specific electronic
lockbox
110, biometric data may be collected (fingerprint or facial recognition or
voice) by the
specific lockbox. In order to do this, the locked box would have a fingerprint
scanner to
receive and collect fingerprint data, camera to collect facial data, and a
microphone to
record a voice, as indicated by arrow 170. A data file is generated related to
the at least
one of biometric data and proximity information, as indicated by arrow 172.
[00032] Additionally or alternatively, when the authorized requester 108
is at the
specific electronic lockbox 110, proximity information may be collected (GPS
or NFC
(such as Bluetooth)) via the phone, as indicated by arrow 170. The specific
electronic
lockbox 110 may recognize the near proximity of the device such as a phone by
the fact
that NFC communications within the device 105 are possible. The device may
transmit
GPS coordinates via NFC to the specific electronic lockbox 110.
[00033] The proximity information is transmitted by the specific lockbox,
as
indicated by arrow 174, via cellular communication channels and/or Wi-Fi and
Internet
communication channels, or any other suitable communication channels. The
biometric
information and/or the proximity information may additionally or alternatively
be
transmitted through the device 105 that has the app 104 thereon.
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[00034] The biometric information and/or the proximity information may be
timestamped in order to set time limits for entry to the specified lockbox. If
the biometric
information matches the information stored on the main computer system, or if
the
proximity information is within a specified distance of the location of the
lockbox, a
unique code is sent out by the main computer system 102 to the user's
registered
phone or tablet and is received by the app 104. The unique code may be
timestamped,
in order to set time limits for entry to the specified lockbox.
[00035] The smart phone or tablet or computer running the app 104 notifies
the
authorized requester 108 that the unique code has been received and that the
authorized requester 108 must respond, typically by pressing a box on the app
104.
The response is sent by the app 104 back to the main computer system 102 to
verify
that the user has received the code. The response must be received within a
specified
period of time (in other words, there is a "time-out" feature), as at least
partially
determined by the timestamps 160 and 162.
[00036] Upon receipt of the verification from the authorized requester
108, the
main computer system 102 sends an unlock signal to the specified electronic
lockbox
110. The specified electronic lockbox 110 receives an unlock signal from the
main
computer system 102, as indicated by arrow 176. The specified electronic
lockbox 110
can then be opened using the unlock signal sent to the specified electronic
lockbox 110
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by the main computer system 102. The unlock signal is used to control the
electronic
circuit 121 to thereby cause the electrically operable mechanism 119 to
provide
selective access to the physical key 114 in the storage compartment 112 of the
specified electronic lockbox 110, as indicated by arrow 178.
[00037] Further, the main computer system 102 may send an alert to the
homeowner or the real estate agent or brokerage before releasing the physical
key 114
and wait for confirmation from the homeowner or the real estate agent or
brokerage
before releasing the physical key 114.
[00038] For the purposes of security and convenience, portable cameras
within
the building may be connected in data transfer relation to the specified
electronic
lockbox 110 in order to feed video signals through the specified electronic
lockbox 110
and to the main computer system 102 for storage as video files and picture
files, and
subsequent replay of the video files and picture files. Each time an entry
into a building
occurs, the main computer system 102 creates a new account automatically. This
account is used to record in store videos and pictures taken by the connected
cameras
within the building. A message is sent via the app 104, or email or text
messaging, to
the homeowner or the real estate agent or brokerage to inform the homeowner or
the
real estate agent or brokerage that the videos and pictures are available for
review.
For instance, a potential real estate buyer can have a copy of a video virtual
tour or
Date Recue/Date Received 2022-04-01
photos and information about the house with the push notification that gets
added to the
device 105 of the real estate agent.
[00039] In order to ensure that the physical key 114 is returned to the
specific
electronic lockbox 110, the specific electronic lockbox 110 may send a signal
from time
to time to the app 104 to remind the authorized requester 108 to return the
physical key
114 to the specific electronic lockbox 110. Further, the specific electronic
lockbox 110
may have a sensor 115 therein for detecting the presence of the physical key
114. If
the physical key 114 is not in the specific electronic lockbox 110 and the
device 105
with the app 104 is out of range of NEC communication with the specific
electronic
lockbox 110, the specific electronic lockbox 110 may send a signal from time
to time to
the app 104 to remind the authorized requester 108 to return the physical key
114 to the
specific electronic lockbox 110.
[00040] Other variations of the above principles will be apparent to those
who are
knowledgeable in the field of the invention, and such variations are
considered to be
within the scope of the present invention. Further, other modifications and
alterations
may be used in the design and manufacture of the multi-layer mat according to
the
present invention, without departing from the spirit and scope of the
accompanying
claims.
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[00041] Other variations are within the spirit of the present invention.
Thus, while
the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
constructions, a
certain illustrated embodiment thereof is shown in the drawings and has been
described
above in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention
to limit the
invention to the specific form or forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the
intention is to
cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling
within the spirit
and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.
[00042] The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents
in the
context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the
following claims) are
to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise
indicated
herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising", "having",
"including",
and "containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning
"including, but
not limited to,") unless otherwise noted. The term "connected" is to be
construed as
partly or wholly contained within, attached to, or joined together, even if
there is
something intervening. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely
intended to
serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value
falling
within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value
is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
All methods
described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise
indicated
herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all
examples, or
exemplary language (e.g., "such as", "for example") provided herein, is
intended merely
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to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a
limitation on the
scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the
specification
should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the
practice
of the invention.
[00043]
Illustrated embodiments of this invention are described herein. Variations
of those illustrated embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the
art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled
artisans to
employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the
invention to be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this
invention
includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in
the claims
appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of
the
above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by
the
invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted
by context.
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