Jump rope

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a jump rope, a system comprising the jump rope, a system comprising a plurality of jump ropes, a jump rope to be used in such a system, and a method of displaying information about a skipping action with the jump rope.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

US2005/0026749 discloses an electric jump rope that comprises a flexible and partially transparent tube and two handles which are rotationally connected to the flexible tube at one end. A blinking light circuit in the handles provides interruptible power to the LEDs that are distributed in the transparent tube. The handles contain batteries for supplying the power. Such a jump rope produces light flashes as soon as the rope is rotating. However, such a jump rope does not provide any information to the user about a parameter of the skipping action during the skipping action when the jump rope is rotating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a jump rope which is able to provide information to its user about the skipping activity.

A first aspect of the invention provides a jump rope as claimed in claim 1. A second aspect of the invention provides a system comprising the jump rope as claimed in claim 15. A third aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a plurality of jump ropes as claimed in claim 16. A fourth aspect of the invention provides a jump rope to be used in a system according to claim 16, as claimed in claim 17. A fifth aspect of the invention provides a method of displaying information about a skipping action with a jump rope as claimed in claim 22. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. A jump rope in accordance with the first aspect of the invention comprises a first handle and a second handle for holding the jump rope. A rope element, which is rotationally connected between the first and the second handle, comprises light emitting devices that are distributed along at least a portion of the rope element. The light emitting devices may be LEDs.

A display parameter unit determines a display parameter which provides information on the skipping activity when the rope element is rotating. Thus, the display parameter is not an indicator that only indicates that the rope element is rotating; in contrast it is an indicator of a parameter of the skipping activity once the rope element is rotating. Embodiments of the skipping parameter are claimed in claim 10.

The jump rope further comprises a driver circuit which drives the light emitting devices to change an appearance of the rope element in response to the display parameter. Consequently, the jump rope provides information to the user about a parameter of the skipping action during the skipping action. This information can be easily displayed to the user when the jump rope is in front of the user.

It has to be noted that it a jump rope of the Czech firm Sport Impag is known which has a display in one of its handles. This display is able to display the number of rotations made. However, such a jump rope has the drawback that the user has to stop his skipping action to be able to read the display. The jump rope in accordance with the present invention is automatically visible by the user when it passes in front of the user.

US2004/0218383 discloses a jump rope in which LEDs extend along the rope. A stepper motor in the handle generates power for the LEDs. The stepper motor has an axis which is connected to the rope. This axis starts rotating once the rope starts rotating with respect to the handle. The rotating axis generates a voltage in the stepper motor which voltage is supplied to the LEDs. Thus, as soon as the jump rope starts rotating, the LEDs start producing light. The light emitted by the LEDs only indicates whether the rope is rotating or not. This light does not give a discernable feedback to the user of a parameter of the skipping action once the rope element is rotating. This prior art does not have the display parameter unit which uses the sensed parameter to provide information on the skipping activity when the rope element is rotating. There is no conversion from the voltage generated by the stepper motor to, for example, the rotational speed, or the number of revolutions.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 2, the driver circuit separately activates the light emitting devices to obtain, in use, a two-dimensional image due to rotation of the rope element. The movement of the line of LEDs is used to produce a two-dimensional image by the correct timing of on and off periods of the LEDs. It has to be noted that US 6,486,858 Bl discloses a method of creating a two-dimensional image with a row of vertically arranged LEDs. However, this prior art does neither disclose nor hint the use of LEDs in a bended and relatively slow rotating jump rope to obtain a two-dimensional image which provides information to the user about the skipping action.

The skipping person or a spectator perceives a two-dimensional image because his or her brain remembers the sequentially displayed data by the moving one-dimensional array if the one-dimensional display moves sufficiently fast. This effect is also referred to as the after image effect. The two-dimensional image may have many forms. The most interesting images indicate to the user a feedback on how good he or she is performing the skipping action. For example, a smiling smiley may be shown as long as the speed of rotation of the jump rope is higher than a particular desired speed, or is within a predetermined range of speed. The color of the smiley may indicate the deviation from the desired speed. In an embodiment as claimed in claim 3, the two-dimensional image created when the jump rope is rotating comprises characters which indicate a value of the display parameter. For example, a number is displayed which indicates the speed of rotation, and/or the number of revolutions made so far.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 4, a sensing unit senses the rotation of the rope element with respect to the first and the second handle to obtain a sensed parameter. Many well known sensing techniques may be used. For example, the sensing unit may comprise a mechanical, optical, magnetic, or capacitive sensor to sense when the rope passes along the sensor. Dependent on the sensor used, the rope element has to be locally adapted to allow the sensor to detect the rope when it passes the sensor. For example, if a magnetic sensor is used, a piece of magnetic material may have to be fitted to the rope element such that this piece of magnetic material passes along the sensor when the rope is rotating.

The display parameter unit generates the display parameter from the sensed parameter. For example, if the number of revolutions so far has to be displayed, the sensed parameter itself may be displayed. In another example, the time between the occurrences of two consecutive pulses of the sensed parameter is determined to calculate the speed of rotation of the jump rope if this speed has to be displayed.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 5, the jump rope comprises a synchronization mechanism to synchronize the position of the image. If the LEDs have a limited on-time, which is especially true if the LEDs are used to present a two-dimensional image, this on-time is synchronized to at least present the information when the jump rope is in front of the user. The synchronization may be obtained by determining a direction of rotation of the rope element (RE) and an instant at which the rope element (RE) passes a predetermined position with respect to the handles (Hl, H2). This is however not essential to the present invention because it is possible to provide several on-time periods such that the

image is created several times. Always one of the images will be in a position in front of the user. The synchronization is essential if a two-dimensional image has to be presented both in front of the user and at the back of user such that other people can also read the information, and if the information provided is orientation sensitive. Now, the image in front of the user should have the opposite top-bottom and left-right orientation of the image at the back of the user.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 6, the synchronization mechanism comprises a rotation detector sensor fixed to the handle to detect the passing of the rope along the rotation detector. Thus, the relative position of the jump rope with respect to the handles is determined which allows to position the image by simple rotating the handles over a particular angle forward or backward.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 7, the synchronization mechanism comprises a rotation detector which is rotationally mounted on the handle and which has a center of gravity at a predetermined distance from a rotation axis around which the rotation detector is rotational. This rotation detector has now a fixed position independent on how the user holds the handle. In this fixed position, a line which connects the center of the rotation axis with the center of gravity is always pointing to the center of the earth. The synchronization of the image position is performed automatically; it is not required to rotate the handles over a particular angle. The synchronization mechanism may comprise both the rotation detector sensor of claim 6 which is fixed to the handle and the rotationally mounted rotation detector sensor of claim 7. Due to the skipping activity, the rotationally mounted rotation detector sensor may fluctuate around the correct average position. The average position may be used as an offset value to correct the actual position of the fixed rotation detector sensor. It is assumed that the actual position of the fixed rotation detector sensor is very stable once the skipping person holds the handles.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 8, the rope element comprises different colored light emitting devices. The driver circuit drives the different colored light emitting devices to obtain a combined light which has a color varying in response to the display parameter. For example, the color may indicate the deviation of the actual rotational speed of the jump rope from the desired speed, or the color may be an indication for the number of turns still to be made. The different colors may be combined with flashing of different one of the colors or all the colors together. For example, a flashing red color which interrupts a white light indicates that the actual rotational speed is too low, but that the average rotational

speed is still within the desired range. The red light is obtained by decreasing the luminance (or switching off) the green and blue LEDs. Again by way of example, a continuously red color indicates that both the actual rotational speed and the average rotational speed is lower than a predetermined desired value. In an embodiment as claimed in claim 9, the driver circuit drives the light emitting devices to obtain a blinking frequency of the light emitting devices corresponding to a value of the display parameter. For example, the frequency of the blinking may depend on the difference between the actual rotational speed and the desired rotational speed.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 10, the display parameter unit is at least one out of the group: actual rotation speed of the rope element, average rotation speed of the rope element over a predetermined period of time, number of revolutions of the rope element, number of revolutions until exercise is finished, elapsed time, time until exercise is finished, the actual or average hart-beat of user, used up energy, advised number of revolutions per unit of time, deviation of actual rotational speed with respect to desired rotational speed. For most of these display parameters the number of rotations of the jump rope with respect to the handles has to be counted. For other parameters only the time from starting the rotation of the jump rope has to be determined. For most parameters which indicate an average value both the number of rotations and the time have to be determined. The detection of the number of rotations and the generation of the time are well known in the prior art and are thus not further elucidated. If the parameter indicates a difference between an actual value and a desired value, the jump rope may need an input allowing the user to input the desired value. This desired value may also be generated automatically.

In an embodiment as claimed in claim 11 , the jump rope further comprises a communication circuit to receive input information. The driver circuit changes the appearance of the rope element in response to the input information also. For example, the input information may be provided by a person guiding the rope skipping activity. For example, the guiding person may receive information about the physical state of the person who is rope skipping to change the desired value of the rotation speed if required. The guiding person may just look at the skipping person and see whether he or she gets a red color, or is snapping for air. In a more sophisticated system, the guiding person gets sensed feedback on the physical status of the skipping person. Examples of this feedback are the pulse rate or blood pressure. The sensing may be done by suitable sensors in the handles of the jump rope, but alternatively, separate sensors may be used. In an even more sophisticated system as claimed in claim 15, the guiding person may input information which is used in the

skipping rope for the display of the information to the user. For example, the guiding person may change the desired rotation speed to keep the pulse rate stable. Alternatively, as claimed in claim 12, the sensed value of the pulse rate may, for example, be used to change the desired rotation speed automatically. In an embodiment as claimed in claim 14, the input information is a parameter of another rope skipping activity. This allows competing with another person at the same or a remote location. If the other person is at a remote location, the input information may, for example, be transmitted by internet or by a mobile phone.

The third aspect of the invention provides a system comprising a plurality of jump ropes. The jump ropes comprise a first handle and a second handle for enabling a user performing a skipping action to hold the jump rope. A rope element is rotationally connected between the first handle and the second handle, and the rope element comprises light emitting devices which are distributed along at least a portion of the rope element. The jump ropes comprise means for generating a display parameter providing information on the skipping activity when the rope element is rotating. The jump ropes also comprise means for wireless communication of data between the jump ropes. The data comprises said display parameter providing information on the skipping activity. The system further comprises means for analyzing said communicated data and providing an output in response to said analyzing, which output is distributed to the plurality of jump ropes. The jump ropes further comprise means for driving the light emitting devices to change an appearance of the rope element based on said output.

The present invention thus advantageously enables several jump ropes to be joined in a network of jump ropes, communicating by wireless means. Wireless technologies that may be used as a local wireless protocol include Bluetooth, an 802.11 protocol, Zigbee, UWB (Ultra Wide Band), RF, IR or equivalent wireless technology. Embodiments of the presented invention are however not limited to any specific currently existing or future wireless technologies.

Information on the skipping activity of the users is thus transmitted to the other jump ropes part of the network. The information is analyzed and an output is provided. In this way it is possible to categorize or list the users depending on their skipping activity, i.e. a top list of e.g. the users jumping fastest, jumping longest, jumping the highest amount of jumps without error, etc, may be provided. This top list is then reflected in the jump ropes, in the appearance of the rope elements. E.g., the fastest jump rope shows a "yellow" color and/or a number "1", the second fastest jump rope shows a "red" color and/or a number "2",

and so on. This will create a competitive atmosphere and will advantageously stimulate the users to use their jump ropes. The sense of belonging to a network of users sharing the same hobby or interest (e.g. network computer games or a sports club) has greatly proven to enhance and increase the interest and activity of the users. An extra benefit of the present invention is that it makes people exercise a physical activity which is good for their physical well being.

Preferably, the communicated data further comprises e.g. a synchronization pulse, a trigger pulse, a user ID, or a text string. In this way it will be possible to see which users are jumping synchronously. This will also greatly stimulate the users to use their jump ropes. It will also be a good tool in a training environment where the trainer and the students very easily with immediate response may see if they are in sync. Also, if a user ID, or a text string is communicated, it is possible to e.g. display the user ID or the name of the person with whom you are in sync. Several users being in sync may of course also display any text in common. In a preferred embodiment, the means for analyzing said communicated data is comprised in at least one of said plurality of jump ropes. At least one of the jump ropes has a "master" or a controlling function analyzing and distributing said communicated data. Of course, this function could be found in several or in all of the jump ropes. In any case there is no need for an extra controlling unit, e.g. a controlling box surveying the jumping, if it is a built in feature in the jump rope.

In another preferred embodiment, the system do comprise a mobile phone, a PDA, a notebook, or another portable communication device, which is arranged to communicate with said plurality of jump ropes. It may be of great interest to e.g. collect the data over time to monitor and display the progress of the user as an individual, or of the group as a whole. Another benefit is that a person surveying the jumpers (there may be a lot of users) may send commands to specific users or to all the users to e.g. increase/decrease the speed by making the jump rope to flash, change color, etc. Actually, the surveying person does not even to be at the place of the jumping, he may use e.g. his mobile phone to control the activities of the group. Another preferred embodiments of course also include the embodiments stated above in connection with the jump rope of the first aspect.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a schematic embodiment of a jump rope in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the signal processing part of the jump rope,

Figure 3 shows a schematic two dimensional display obtained by the moving light emitting devices, and

Figures 4A to 4E show a synchronization signal and drive signals for the light emitting devices to obtain the two dimensional display shown in Figure 3.

It should be noted that items which have the same reference numbers in different Figures, have the same structural features and the same functions, or are the same signals. Where the function and/or structure of such an item have been explained, there is no necessity for repeated explanation thereof in the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a schematic embodiment of a jump rope in accordance with the invention. The rope 1 comprises a first handle Hl and a second handle H2 such that the user who is performing the skipping activity is able to hold the jump rope 1. A rope element RE is rotationally connected between the first handle Hl and the second handle H2. The rope element RE comprises light emitting devices Ll, L2, L3, L4 which are distributed along at least a portion of the rope element RE. The light emitting devices Ll, L2, L3, L4 are further collectively referred to with the reference LE. The light emitting devices LE may be LEDs, or any other light sources of which at least the intensity is controllable. For clarity, only four light emitting devices LE are shown. In a practical embodiment more than four light emitting devices LE may be present. The four light emitting devices Ll to L4 are displaced along the x-axis such that they have the positions xl to x4 respectively. The x-axis extends in parallel with the imaginary rotation axis of the handles Hl and H2. This rotation axis is referred to as an imaginary axis because the rope skipping person may not hold the handles Hl and H2 such that they are exactly in one line and are pointing in exactly the same direction.

The sensing unit 10 senses the rotation of the rope element RE with respect to the first handle Hl, and consequently also with respect to the second handle H2, to obtain a sensed parameter SP (see Figure 2). The sensing unit 10 may comprises a rotation detector 100 which detects when the rope element RE passes. Every time the rope element RE passes

the rotation detector 100, a pulse signal TI (see Figure 3A) is generated which is used as the sensed parameter SP.

Preferably, the rotation detector 100 operates without requiring mechanical contact between the rope element RE and the detector 100. For example, the detector 100 is an optical detector, a magnetic field detector, or a capacitive detector. Dependent on the detector 100 used, it may be required to add detector influencing material 101 in or on the rope element RE which actuates the detector 100 when passing. For example, if a magnetic field detector 100 is used, the detector influencing material 101 is magnetic material or a magnet. The term rotation detector 100 refers to the actual sensor 102 including the mechanical part which connects the sensor 102 to the handle Hl .

The rotation detector 100 may be fixedly connected to the handle Hl. Now, the instant at which the pulse TI is generated depends on the angle of the handle Hl with respect to its rotation axis RA. If this pulse TI is also used to control the instant at which the light emitting devices produce light, it is called the synchronization pulse. The actual position of the two-dimensional image generated can be controlled by the user by changing the angle of the handle Hl.

In an automatic synchronizing system, the rotation detector 100 is rotationally mounted on the handle Hl such that the center of gravity CG of the rotation detector 100 has a distance PD with respect to the (imaginary) rotation axis RA. Consequently, the freely rotational rotation detector 100 points always to the center of the earth. Thus, it is known that the pulse TI is generated when the rope segment RE is in the vertical plane and points towards the center of the earth independent on how the user holds the handles Hl and H2.

Preferably, the synchronization mechanism comprises both the rotation detector 100 which is fixed to the handle Hl and the rotation detector 100 which is rotationally mounted on the handle Hl . Due to the skipping activity, the rotationally mounted rotation detector 100 may fluctuate around the correct average position. The average position is now used as an offset value to correct the actual position of the fixed rotation detector 100. It is assumed that the actual position of the fixed rotation detector 100 is very stable once the skipping person holds the handles Hl, H2. Alternatively, the rope segment RE may comprise an accelero meter, or a shock sensitive element (for example, a switch) in the center of the rope segment to detect when the rope hits the floor or ground. Also this synchronization mechanism may be combined with the rotation detector 100 which is fixed to the handle Hl. Alternatively, the

angle velocity of the rope segment RE may be monitored continuously to detect from the non-uniformity of the angle velocity the position of the rope segment.

Figure 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the signal processing part of the jump rope. The display parameter determining circuit 11 determines a display parameter DP from the sensed parameter SP. The display parameter DP provides information on the skipping activity when the rope element RE is rotating. A driver circuit 12 generates the drive signals DSl to DS4 which determine the luminance of the light emitting devices Ll to L4, respectively, to change the appearance of the rope element RE in response to the display parameter DP. For example, the display parameter determining circuit 11 may use the sense signal SP to count the number of revolutions of the rope element RE so far. The sense signal SP comprises the pulses TI which are generated each time the rope segment RE passes the rotation detector 100. In another example, the time between two pulses TI of the sense signal SP is determined to calculate the actual rotation speed of the rope element RE. The actual rotation speed may be averaged to obtain an average rotation speed.

If the jump rope 1 further comprises a communication circuit 13, the user may enter input data IN which is forwarded to the display parameter determining circuit 11 as the data INI which may be used to determine the display parameter DP. For example, the input data IN may indicate the total number of revolutions to be made and the display parameter DP may indicate the number of revolutions still to be made. Or, the input data IN indicates the total time the skipping exercise should last and the display parameter DP indicates the remaining time for the skipping action.

If the jump rope 1 further comprises a system 14 which supplies a sensed physical parameter SPS representing a physical parameter of the user, this sensed physical parameter SPS may be forwarded to the display parameter determining circuit 11. The display parameter determining circuit 11 may use the sensed physical parameter SPS to generate the display parameter DP. For example, the heartbeat may be sensed and displayed. Or, the heartbeat may be sensed and used to influence the displayed indication of the desired speed of rotation. For example, the indication of the speed of rotation indicates the actual speed of rotation by a number and controls the color of the number to indicate the deviation from the desired speed.

It is possible to display two or more numbers which are vertically displaced. If a sufficient high number of light emitting devices is present, two numbers or more numbers

may be displayed side by side. For example one number is indicating the desired average speed of rotation while the other number is displaying the actual speed of rotation.

The sensed physical parameter SPS may be supplied to the communication circuit 13 to be communicated as the output data signal OUT. Instead of, or on top of, the sensed physical parameter SPS, information of the skipping action may be forwarded to the communication circuit 13 to be communicated as the output data signal OUT.

The jump rope may be used in a system which also comprises a processor 22, a display 20 and an input device 21. The processor 22 provides the input information IN and receives the output information OUT. Both the input information IN and the output information OUT may be communicated by wire connection or by a wireless connection. The input information IN and the output information OUT may be interchanged in a dedicated closed system or via open systems like the internet and by mobile phones. The processor 22 controls the display 20 to display the output information OUT. The input device 21, which for example is a mouse or a keyboard, allows a guiding person to input the input information IN. For example, the output information OUT may be the heartbeat or the blood pressure of the rope skipping person. The guiding person keeps track of the displayed information and provides the input information IN which is displayed by the rope segment RE to the rope skipping person. The information displayed by the rope segment RE to the rope skipping person may be, for example, the average rotation speed, an indication whether this person should change the rotation speed in a particular direction. It has to be noted that the guiding person may be at a remote location from the rope skipping person, and that the guiding person may guide several rope skipping persons which may be present at different remote locations.

Alternatively, the output information OUT is supplied to another rope skipping person, and the input information IN is a parameter related to the rope skipping activity of this another person. Such a setup allows a competition even if the two people are in remote locations.

Figure 3 shows a schematic two dimensional display obtained by the moving light emitting devices. The horizontal axis represents the x positions xl to x4 of the light emitting devices Ll to L4, respectively. The vertical axis represents the positions at which the light emitting devices Ll to L4 produce light. Consequently, these positions indicate instants t2, tfm, and t4, at which the associated light emitting devices LE produce light. Thus, at the instants t2 and t4, both the light emitting devices L2 and L3 at the x positions x2 and x3 have to be on for a short period of time. Both the light emitting devices Ll and L4 at the x

positions xl and x4 have to be on for a short period of time at the instant tfm. The timing diagram shown in Figs. 4 A to 4E show the drive signals required for obtaining this two- dimensional image. More complex two-dimensional images can be obtained by changing the instants the light emitting devices LE produce light, and/or by enlarging the number of light emitting devices LE.

Figures 4A to 4E show a synchronization signal and drive signals for the light emitting devices to obtain the two dimensional display shown in Figure 3.

Figure 4A shows the synchronization pulse TI generated by the rotation detector 100. It is assumed that the synchronization pulses TI of two consecutive revolutions are generated at the instants tl and t5 when the rope segment RE passes its lowest point.

Thus, either the rope skipping person holds the handle Hl in the correct position or the freely rotating rotation detector 100 is implemented.

It is further assumed that the rope segment RE has a constant rotational speed and the rope is rotating from the back to the front of the skipping person above his or her head. Then, the rope is above the head of the rope skipping person at the instant tfs which is mid way the period of time required for one full revolution which lasts from the instant tl to the instant t5. Thus, the rope segment RE is exactly in front of the skipping person at the instant tfm mid way the period of time between the instants tfs and t5. If the light emitting devices Ll and L4 should produce light at the instant tfm, the instant t3 shown in Figure 3 should coincide with the instant tfm. In a practical embodiment the on-time Ton of the light emitting devices Ll to L4 has a particular duration. Now, the instant t3 at which the light emitting devices Ll and L4 start producing light during their on-time Ton occurs slightly before the instant tfm. Preferably such that the on-time is centered around the instant tfm, see Figure 4B for the drive signal DSl of the light emitting device Ll, and Figure 4E for the drive signal DS4 of the light emitting device L4. It will now be clear that the image shown in Figure 3 is obtained if further the light emitting devices L2 and L3 are active during the same on-periods Ton at the instants t2 and t4.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Although all embodiments show four light emitting devices LE only, the actual number of light emitting devices LE may depend on the complexity of two- dimensional images to be made. Although most of the embodiments elucidate the generation of a two-dimensional image, this is not essential to the invention. It suffices that the visual

appearance of the rope element RE is varied dependent on a display parameter DP which provides information on the skipping activity when the rope element RE is rotating.

Although almost all embodiments discussed hereinabove are directed to produce an image for the skipping person, it is alternatively possible to also display an image to the audience. Both images may be identical and may be displayed by the same light sources. The same light sources may produce the same or different images, at least one in front of the skipping person for him or her self, and at least one at the back of the skipping person for the audience. Alternatively, different light sources may be present at the inside and outside of the rope segment. The light sources at the inside generate the image for the skipping person, and the light sources at the outside generate the image for the audience.

The position of the rope segment may also be determined with an accelerometer.

All the light emitting devices LE may emit light having the same color. Alternatively, the light emitting devices LE may have different colors, or at least different groups of light emitting devices have different colors.

In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.