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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
A BALANCE ASSESSMENT DEVICE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2024/030083
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The purpose of the present invention is the machine or device for assessing and analyzing balance for records results in data for a balance analysis database until it becomes a balance health database, easily accessible, and covers functions or other pre-existing measurements or assessments, such as weight measurement, height measurement, health index calculation. This invention has an identification of persons and indicating criteria. It also displays averages and statistical data as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and other information, especially analyzing balance and displaying results of balance analysis as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and additional information for reference and individual statistics in the device or device single, including displaying the calculation of the declination area of the center of gravity of balance the distance of the center of balance from the center of the body of the person and the reference statistics.

Inventors:
PAKAVATSOONTORN CHATCHANEE (TH)
Application Number:
PCT/TH2023/050015
Publication Date:
February 08, 2024
Filing Date:
June 28, 2023
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
PAKAVATSOONTORN CHATCHANEE (TH)
International Classes:
A61B5/00; A63B26/00; G01G19/44; G01G21/28; A61B5/103; G16H50/20
Foreign References:
US20210121120A12021-04-29
US20160305816A12016-10-20
GB2588883A2021-05-19
US20150051514A12015-02-19
US8845556B12014-09-30
US20180132777A12018-05-17
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Claims:
Claims

[Claim 1] The present invention uses an Acrylic sheet or safety glass sheet or plastic sheet (1), footrest or footprint sticker or others (2) as needed, load cells (3), controller and sends signals to an external device(s) (4), signal amplifier (5), USB port for supply and an external signal receiver (6) and is a power source for the equipment in the weighing and balancing platform, frame, or other balance assessment and analysis device (7), shows on Figure 1.

[Claim 2] The present invention displays real-time data of the person. It performs an instant analysis of the person's balance using the Microsoft Excel program developed in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program.

[Claim 3] The results of individual data and reference statistics by displaying personal and general information. It also displays data and analyzes the balance area and position of the balance distance from the center body. The data display is graphed with an area circle or similar circle or oval. It also shows the results of the information that divides the level of balance. It also displays information instantly while testing the display of data that contains both numeric data, points, or another format. These are instantaneous assessments and are divided into balance criteria displayed as numbers, dots, or another format at blue or another color; each number, point, or another format represents a data point or series, entre of stabilization pressure of the subject.

[Claim 4] The small circle or similar circle or oval represents the boundary of the excellent equilibrium level, the medium circle or similar circle or oval represents the boundary of the normal equilibrium level, and the large circle represents the boundary of the problematic balance, as shown in Figure 2.

[Claim 5] There is also a summary of the data in a table, such as sex, age, weight, and height. Calculation of Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat (% BFP), Fat Mass (FM), Water should drink per day (TBW), Movement of body balance area, Position of COP from the center of the body, Health Index Including showing the level of the health index, shows on Figure 3.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 30 November 2023 (30.11 .2023) [Claim 1] The present invention uses a weighting and balance assessment, preventive measure, and analysis device. According to an embodiment, it may be used alone, or the sensing pad (1) may be disposed of and used on the base or with another object (e.g., a chair or the like). In other words, the sensing pad (1) or load cells (3) may detachably form on the base to improve portability and be suitable for various training/assessment situations and preventive measure assessment situations. It is an assessment of plantar pressure. A measurement time and frequency may be set. The device is configured to display real-time data and instant analysis of a person by performing instant analysis using Macros in the Microsoft Excel program. A weight support rate and a pressure distribution may be derived as the result of the assessment, comprising:

A platform or frame or plate may be disposed of and used on the base, or it may be used alone. A lower surface of the first pad or a surface plate may come into contact with a supporting surface (e.g., a base, the ground, or likely); an acrylic sheet, safety glass sheet, plastic sheet, or a high-stiffness material or preferably that is formed of a material with good durabilities, such as chrome, rubber, acrylic, or tempered glass, to bear the load of both the feet (i.e., a load of the human body, sensing pad) (1) can be formed of acrylic or tempered glass;

A footrest sticker, footprint sticker, or others for placing feet of varying size may be displayed extended in a transverse direction and spaced apart from each other at a certain or specific or particular interval in a longitudinal direction or user. Furthermore, each of the plurality of lines may guide the user to a front and rear location of a foot corresponding to a different length (2);

A sensing device or load cells or detecting units (3) for sending signals to external devices, the controller (4) may receive a training situation from the mounting detecting unit, may execute a balance training program corresponding to the received training situation, and may output the training program screen on the output unit of the sensing device (4) or the external display device. The sensing device, according to the present disclosure, may include a sensing module, a control module, and a display device; a control module can send signals to external devices like a display;

A signal amplifier (5), a pressure measuring unit that be electrically connected to a crossing portion of the line or unit (TX, RX), amplifies (5) the analog pressure signals to be sent to the ADC unit (in the controller) for conversion into digital signals;

A USB cable (6) is a USB cable for supplying power from a power source; the power supply unit may provide or supply power to each sensing component. In an embodiment, the

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) power supply unit may be a wired power connection configuration (e.g., a USB type) capable of connecting an external power source to the sensing pad (1). Furthermore, to upload code and communicate from TX/RX lines in the controller (4) via a USB port with a USB cable (6).

An external signal receiver, the sensing device (3) according to the present disclosure, may include a sensing module, a control module, and a display device; the controller may receive a training situation from the mounting detecting unit and may execute a balance training program corresponding to the received training situation, and may output a training program screen on the output unit of the sensing pad (1) or the external display device, the display device may receive the external signals to have information to display.

The present invention has special characteristics: a weighting and balance assessment and analysis device comprising a platform or frame; at least one of an Acrylic sheet, safety glass sheet, plastic sheet, or a high-stiffness material; at least one of a footrest sticker or a footprint sticker; a controller for sending signals to external devices; a signal amplifier; a USB cable for supplying power from a power source; and an external signal receiver. All of them are placed on a weighing and balancing platform, frame, or other balance assessment and analysis device (7), as shown in Figure 1. The computer may output the extraction data, transmitted in real-time, in real-time as shown in Figure 2. Step procedures are on plate or platform, which check, instant analysis, and assess balance, balance distribution, balance distance, balance sway, balance area, user weight, the center of balance, user movement, stability, USB cable connection, records, and database collections, and predict fall risk in real-time using any device with Microsoft Excel capability without installing any additional software. Moreover, this present invention is a simple tool with simple step procedures, movable, user-friendly for easy use, installation, and setup, without a highly skilled and experienced worker, and lightweight, connecting the device to Microsoft Excel. Furthermore, the present disclosure without the need to attach sensors to the body or wear a special suit.

[Claim 2] The device of claim 1, wherein the device is configured to display real-time data of a person by performing instant analysis, wherein the instant analysis determines a person’s balance using Macros in a Microsoft Excel program. The device shows pressure points related to the person’s balance in real-time; a sensing device has been used that collects sensing data about a variety of information, such as pressure, acceleration, and tilts, about users, transmits the collected sensing data to a computer, and outputs or analyses the sensing data in real-time. As such, a sensing device transmits and outputs the collected sensing data to a computer in real-time, providing a current state of the user, such as left and right balance level, an upper and lower balance level, plantar pressure, or movement of the center of mass, in real-time.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) The present invention device displays the person's real-time data. The device is configured to display personal and general information, analyze a balance position area and a position of a balance distance from a center body, wherein the display shows a circle or oval to divide a level of balance, wherein the display instantly shows balance criteria containing at least one of; numeric data, point, or another format; wherein at least one of; a numeric data, point, or another format is the color blue or another color; and wherein at least one of; numeric data, point, or another format represents a data series of stabilization pressure of the person. It performs an instant analysis of the person's balance using Macros in a Microsoft Excel program developed in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program.

Using computer software for calculating weight and center of pressure (Abstract) and teaching determine balance using Macros in a Microsoft Excel program. Figure 2 illustrates a user computer for an implementation software program for weight and body balance calculations, such as an integrated assessment analysis tool. Figure 3 illustrates descriptive data. The integrated part assessment analysis tool may be the application of the illustrated Figure 1. The integrated part assessment may be one or more of the following software suites, which includes the functionality for a calculation worksheet program, for example, a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel; macros are programs built into Excel that users can create to perform calculations. Operations of the method described in connection in hardware may be implemented with a software module executed by hardware or implemented by a combination of the hardware and the software module.

[Claim 3] The device of claim 2, wherein the device is configured to display data, display personal and general information, analyze a balance area and a position of a balance distance from a center body, wherein the display shows a circle or similar circle or oval to divide a level of balance and graphed with an area circle or similar circle or oval to divide a level of balance; wherein also shows the results of the information that divides the level of balance; wherein the display shows or display instantly shows or displays information or intake instantly balance criteria containing at least one of numeric data, point, or another format; wherein at least one of a numeric data, point, or another format is the color blue or another color; and wherein at least one of the numeric data, point, or another format represents a data point or data points or data series or data entre of stabilization pressure of the person or subject.

A sensing device transmits and outputs the collected sensing data to a computer in real - time to provide a current state of the user, such as left and right balance level, an upper and lower balance level, plantar pressure, or movement of the center of mass, in real-time.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) A sensing device has been used that collects sensing data about various information, such as pressure, acceleration, and tilts, about users, transmits the collected sensing data to a computer, and outputs or analyzes the sensing data in real time.

The reference line guides the user such that the center of pressure (COP) of the user is located in a target area. The target area may be, but is not limited to, a central area of the second pad, as shown in Figure 2.

For example, for training/ assessment of measuring the movement of the COP of the user or the like using a sensing pad, the reference line for placing the COP of the user on an initial location (a target area) may be displayed. The computer may receive sensor values measured from the plurality of pressure sensors in the sensing pad or the body sensor module and may calculate the COP using pressure values measured from the plurality of pressure sensors to determine a balanced level of the user or may compare a tilt measured from the body sensor module with a tilt value which becomes a criterion to determine the balance level of the user.

The display shows a circle or oval to divide a level of balance, which can show various circles and oval-like shapes that provide pressures related to balance and another use of circles to show tilt related to balance. Figure 2 is an assessment of plantar pressure. A measurement time may be set. A weight support rate and a pressure distribution may be derived from the assessment. Figure 2 can be an assessment of sit pressure. A movement area, a weight support rate, and a pressure distribution of the COP may be derived from the assessment. Figure 2 illustrates the result of assessing the limit of stability (LOS). It may be verified that Figure 2 illustrates a movement area of the COP on a screen in the same form as a sensing pad and illustrates a movement area of the COP in numerical values. Figure 2 is a drawing illustrating the result value of tilt sensor data obtained by a body sensor module. It is verified that Figure 2 illustrates a coordinate location of tilt sensor data on a screen in the same form as a sensing pad and in numerical values.

The display instantly shows balance criteria containing at least one numeric data, point, or format. As such, a sensing device transmits and outputs the collected sensing data to a computer in real-time. In real-time, it provides the user's current state, such as left and right balance level, an upper and lower balance level, plantar pressure, or movement of the center of mass. Referring to Figure 2, on a screen in the same form as a sensing pad, the sensing pad may be divided into four parts to indicate a weight support rate. The pressure distribution may be displayed in color and may indicate that it corresponds to higher pressure as it goes from a blue color to a red color.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) The present invention device displays personal and general information; a control unit (4) transmits and outputs the collected sensing data to the computer in real-time. In real-time, it is important to provide the person or user's current state, such as left and right balance level, an upper and lower balance level, plantar pressure, or movement of the center of mass. While testing the display containing numeric data, points, or another format, the data display is displayed . These instantaneous assessments are divided into balance criteria displayed as numbers, dots, or another format at blue or another color; each number, point, or another format.

[Claim 4] The device of claim 3, wherein a small circle or similar circle or oval represents a boundary of excellent equilibrium; a medium circle or similar circle or oval represents a boundary of the normal equilibrium; and a large circle or similar circle or oval represents a boundary of problematic balance. However, using circles shows the limits of stability (equilibrium), with the colors and/or diameters changing as the stability and weight change. Figure 2 creates digital balance feedback in an auditory and visual form that can be used separately, in combination, or interchangeably depending on task, environment, and individual. Examples of the present invention display a visual representation of COP and Base of Support (BOS), making it easy for an individual to see which direction to move their body weight in order to improve balance. In addition to audio output, the computational device is able to produce visual feedback on its display. In particular, according to an example, there is 1) Graphical representation of COP within base of support, which is diagram of feet and moving dot representing COP see Figure 2. 2) Threshold of limits of stability visually represented by colored circle within base of support see green circle of figure 2. The color or other properties of the circle may change as the COP approaches the threshold. Other shapes may be used that more or less accurately represent an estimate of the actual COP threshold. 3) Graphical representation of pressure sensors and activity of sensors with weight shift. In the Figure 2 example, the graphical representation is in the form of circles where the circle diameter increases with pressure/weight. Other examples are possible, where other characteristics, such as color, patterning, etc., change to provide an indication of pressure. The graphical elements are reproduced (overlaid) at corresponding locations of the sensors within the representation of the feet/insoles on the base of support. It can be applied to provide visual feedback regarding balance, thereby aiming to improve balance for the person.

As shown in Figure 2, it is easy for an individual to see which direction to move their body weight to improve balancing. In addition to audio and frequency output, the computational device is able to produce visual feedback on its display and show data visualization. The user interface for data visualization is the interface area that displays the variables of the dataset of the

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) person. The motivation for doing so would have been to provide visual feedback that can be used to improve balance.

[Claim 5] The device of claim 3, wherein a summary table includes at least one of a group comprising sex, age, height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat (% BFP), Fat Mass (FM), Total Body Water (TBW), drunk per day, Movement of body balance area, Position of center pressure (COP) from the center of the body, and Health Index. As shown in Figure 3, when the center of mass moves for each user irrespective of the weight of the user (e.g., when the user sits or stands), there is an effect capable of identifying the movement of the center of mass through a change in the color of the plantar pressure output screen.

AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

Description:
A BALANCE ASSESSMENT DEVICE

Technical Field

Engineering

Background Art

The current balance measuring device and weighing device do not indicate the footrest position, measurement area, center body balance movement, and position of body balance distance from the center body. In addition, there is no set measurement results data to analyze a person's balance ability and reference statistics by Microsoft program. Neither is the display of data as the area of shifting of the center of gravity of balance, the position of the center of pressure foot from the center of the body, nor as a graph with area in circles or similar circles or ovals. There is no display of information that divides the level of balance. There is no real-time data display while testing on a computer, device, or appliance. There is also no real-time export of data files from the device to the Microsoft Excel program in a computer or device or appliances through a USB port and display of data or graphs on a computer screen.

Summary of Invention

The present invention is rectangular or can change to other shapes; the size fits and specifies the foot's position. Make the left foot separate from the left side. Spread your right foot to the right side at an appropriate distance, have all the weighers put in this position, and read the weight or measure balance more accurately, leading to analysis and display of the results of balancing ability analysis and reference statistics. And or be analyzed by using data based on actual population data. It is a machine or device for assessing and analyzing balance and weighing. Device weight is less than or equal to 4 kilograms, compact, portable, and easy to move. It is made of complicated and smooth textured material. That is applied to general weighing applications that weigh 15 kilograms or more; the accuracy is less than or equal to 0.01 kilogram and has a function that measures balance that analyzes the ability to balance and refers to statistics. In addition, such information can be extended and applied to various processes and is numerical empirical data or evidence diagnostic service and helping in the treatment. Data from the present invention is sent to the computer immediately.

The USB port on the present invention connects the device data to the computer, displays data into the Microsoft Excel program developed in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program in real-time, and the data can be advanced to analyze or further data applications.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The step and code of practice are opening the Microsoft Excel program developed in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program. The data from the current device shall be converted to display results as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and other information in real-time, displaying a person's information through a visual summary trend and high-level style. In addition, it leads to more advanced or deeper data analysis of people and references statistics and can inform the level or criteria.

Format display in Microsoft Excel data, numbers, graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and other information makes the overview of the information more precise and easier to understand.

The purpose of the present invention is the machine or device for assessing and analyzing balance for records results in data for a balance analysis database until it becomes a balance health database, easily accessible, and covers functions or other pre-existing measurements or assessments, such as weight measurement, height measurement, health index calculation. This invention has an identification of persons and indicating criteria. It also displays averages and statistical data as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and other information, especially analyzing balance and displaying results of balance analysis as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and additional information for reference and individual statistics in the device or device single, including displaying the calculation of the declination area of the center of gravity of balance the distance of the center of balance from the center of the body of the person and the reference statistics, as well as ways to provide advice on physical therapy or rehabilitation or improvement or training or services and precautions or observations. It should be expected that the method of displaying results will be an evaluation of the style. Individual health data index display and reference statistics will also be a part of improving quality of life.

Technical Problem

The current balance measuring device and weighing device do not indicate the footrest position, measurement area, center body balance movement, and position of body balance distance from the center body. In addition, there is no set measurement results data to analyze a person's balance ability and reference statistics by Microsoft program. Neither is the display of data as the area of shifting of the center of gravity of balance, the position of the center of pressure foot from the center of the body, nor as a graph with area in circles or similar circles or ovals. There is no display of information that divides the level of balance. There is no real-time data display while testing on a computer, device, or appliance. There is also no real-time export of data files from

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the device to the Microsoft Excel program in a computer, device, or appliances through a USB port and display of data or graphs on a computer screen.

Solution to Problem

The present invention relates to assessing and analyzing balance. That uses the principle of measuring the weight pressure of each foot independently each other every 1 second or less and then exporting the data to the computer and into a Microsoft Excel program developed in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program to analyze the weight pressure of each foot. The present invention indicates the feet that have problems by finding the distance of the center of force pressure foot position from the center body, finding area movement of center body balance and pressure foot for measuring stability, or to analyzing balance or to import data for further analysis in a higher level using the Microsoft Excel program that developer in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program.

The present invention is used for a general person that does not need to have an expert or specialized personnel. Suitable for people weighing or general weighing with a weight value of 15 kilograms or more, a resolution greater than or equal to 0.01 kilograms.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

To be a machine or device for evaluating and analyzing balance and such methods and weighing at a rectangular shape or changing shape or other shapes. The size is suitable for the size of the foot or the body of the foot. And specify the position of the foot. Make the left foot separate from the left side. Spread your right foot to the right side. Within a predetermined distance or reasonable distance of a person, the USB port connects the device to a computer or another and sends it to the computer. Ready to display the data immediately into the Microsoft Excel program for advanced data analysis or further data applications. It also measures weight and measures balance more accurately. It leads to analyzing and displaying a person's ability to balance. Lightweight, less than or equal to 4 kilograms, lightweight, compact, easy to carry, easy to move, easy to use by the user of this machine or device as a general person. That can be someone other than an expert or specialized personnel. Suitable for use with people weighing or general weighing at a weight value of 15 kilograms or more, a resolution greater than or equal to 0.01 kilograms, and a low price.

Brief Description of Drawings

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Figure 1. Shows a present balance assessment and analysis apparatus or device. The components, as mentioned earlier, include an Acrylic sheet or safety glass sheet or plastic sheet (1), footrest or footprint sticker or others (2) as needed, load cells (3), controller and sends signals to an external device(s) (4), signal amplifier (5), USB port for supply and an external signal receiver (6) and a weighing and balancing platform, frame, or other balance assessment and analysis device (7).

Figure 2 shows a COP (Center of Pressure) position, weight, SS (cm2), SL (cm), COPx (cm), and COPy (cm).

Figure 3 Shows Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat (% BFP), Fat Mass (FM), Water should drink per day (TWB), Movement of body balance area (SS), and the position of COP from the center body (SL).

Description of Embodiments

Figure 1

The acrylic sheet or safety glass sheet or plastic sheet (1) is fastened, can be disassembled, is easy to dismantle, and maintained replaceable to change other sheets or other materials.

The footrest or footprint sticker or others (2) as needed can be cleaned and generally made of re- sealable or other materials by changing the symbol of the foot position as needed.

The load cells (3) are positioned in all four corners. Measure the pressed weight as an independent value which is the weight value of each position as four values.

The controller and sends signals to an external device(s) (4) acts as a central processing unit (CPU), controlling the transmission of data to external devices via a USB port for supply and an external signal receiver (6).

Each signal amplifier (5) serves to amplify the signal from each load cell to the controller and sends signals to an external device(s) (4).

The USB port for supply and an external signal receiver (6) connects the device to a computer. Ready to display data into the Microsoft Excel program that is developed in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program and use the program Microsoft Excel instantly also for advanced data analysis or further data applications.

A weighing and balancing platform, frame, or other balance assessment and analysis device (7) are smooth material, rust-less, and stable.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In addition, the display has a screen and display settings background image icon and select or enter information, namely connector USB, Frequency or data rate or baud rate, connection, restart return to an original, message control system, number of rows of data, control definition, various such as Defining Users, Getting Data, Clearing Data or deleting data, scheduling, clearing columns or deleting columns, messages to communicate with users, general information.

Formatting display available in Microsoft Excel data numbers, such as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and other information, displays numerical data as images, making the overview of the information more precise. Easier to understand the nature of the data. Take the data to create graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and other information that makes the display output on the screen accurate and suitable and can be modified as desired.

Processing is the central pressure value of a person, personal information weight by showing calculation results and input data, including input to the display Microsoft Excel. In addition, the present invention is used for assessing and analyzing balance based on the principle of independently measuring the weight of the feet at all 4 points and importing data into the computer to analyze the data that the different weights of each foot. This invention indicates the problem of the foot, finding the center of gravity of the force to analyze the balance or bring the information to further analysis at a more advanced level and can print out the results on the printer using the Microsoft Excel program that is a developer in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program.

The present invention is invented for estimating and analyzing balance and is based on the principle of changing force or weight acting on the load cells (3) to a voltage which sends an electrical signal to the signal amplifier (5); this signal amplifier (5) amplifies a higher voltage signal, then send the amplified signal to the controller and the signal is sent to an external device by the controller and sends signals to an external device(s) (4) thru USB port for supply and an external signal receiver (6). All of them are placed on the weighing and balancing platform, frame, or other balance assessment and analysis device (7). Controller and sends signals to external devices. (4) send data to other external devices such as a computer, printer, or processing screen to show the value as the weight of 4 -foot forces and take that information to analyze the balance which a machine or device for assessing and analyzing this balance is used to measure the pressure of all foot, get the weight of each position. Then send weight data every 1 second or less to an external device such as a computer, printer, or processing screen through a USB port that connects the device to a computer.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) By receiving the signal and taking the data from the USB port for dispensing and external signals appear on the screen displayed in the adjusted balance test or assessment program window to meet the needs and adapt according to the user's usage adjustable settings and various data settings and open Microsoft Excel program that developer in Macros by the applicant and the inventor's program to display as graphs, tables, charts, diagrams, and other information immediately to display a person's information through a visual summary trend and high-level style, it leads to more advanced or deeper data analysis of people and reference statistics and can tell the level or criteria.

Figure 2 Shows a COP (Center of Pressure) position, weight, SS (cm2), SL (cm), COPx (cm), COPy (cm) for indication of body balance stability.

Figure 3

Shows Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Fat (% BFP), Fat Mass (FM), Water should drink per day (TWB), Movement of body balance area (SS), and position of COP from the center body (SL). Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

As already mentioned in the Description of Embodiments.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)