BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Field of the Disclosure

Aspects of the disclosure are directed to virtual reality systems and, more particularly, to a virtual reality system and apparatuses associated therewith.

Description of Related Art

Interactive virtual reality experiences often employ and track physical props and other tracked objects, such as the user themselves, to heighten the level of immersion experienced by the user. Because of this tracking requirement, the actual interaction of the user with the VR scene or movement of the user within the VR scene is often constrained to a limited theater stage. Accordingly, many virtual reality experiences can occur at a venue having a limited footprint. However, within that limited footprint, size and configuration requirements for the stage may vary considerably.

Further, in order to provide a more immersive VR experience for the user, the stage may have various equipment attached thereto or otherwise engaged therewith to provide environmental effects during a VR scene. Such effects equipment may include, for example, fans, water dispensers (e.g., misters), scent dispensers, transducers (e.g., shock and vibration transducers), heat and/or cold emitters. The arrangement of the effects equipment may also include for example, solenoid valves, linear actuators, or other devices arranged to actuate or cooperate with any of the effects equipment to produce the desired effect. In addition, the user(s) involvement within the scene often requires movement on or about the stage.

Moreover, in a typical virtual reality installation, a tracking system streams the position and orientation of every tracked object to a simulation process so that the virtual representations of the tracked objects can be correctly rendered as part of the virtual reality environment. In a simple form, such a tracking system follows the position and orientation of a head-mounted display being worn by the user so that the viewpoint of the user in the virtual reality environment can be rendered correctly on the display screens of the head-mounted display. More complex systems include tracking of secondary and tertiary objects, allowing the user or multiple users to experience more complex virtual reality environments. One such method of tracking physical objects in virtual reality systems is the use of optical cameras to track the physical objects. The physical props can be imaged by the cameras arrayed around the physical installation (e.g., stage). The images captured by the cameras facilitate the determination of the position and orientation of each physical object or prop by comparing the view of the object as seen by all cameras having the physical object in view (e.g., by triangulation). However, one important requirement for the tracking method implementing optical cameras to track the physical objects is that, in order to provide optimal tracking, the optical cameras should be as unaffected by shock and vibration as possible.

Thus, it would be desirable to have a virtual reality theater system wherein the tracking device(s), such as optical cameras and/or the like, are isolated from shock/vibrations associated, for example, with users moving on or about the stage and/or effects equipment being actuated or de-actuated during the VR scene. It would also be desirable for the stage/staging supporting the VR scene to be selectively expandable or configurable in size/shape (e.g., modular), in compliance with the requirement for substantially isolating the tracking device(s) from shock/vibration, in order to meet the requirements of different VR scenes, or to be readily customizable and conformable to the space afforded in a physical installation of the VR theater system (i.e., customizable to the footprint of the building housing the VR theater system).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The above and other needs are met by the present disclosure which, in one aspect, provides a virtual reality theater system. Such an arrangement includes a stage defining an experience platform and a tracking support structure having a tracking device mounted thereto. The tracking device is arranged to be vibration- isolated from the stage and to track an object within the experience platform.

The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation, the following embodiments:

Example Embodiment 1: A virtual reality theater system, comprising a stage defining an experience platform; and a tracking support stmcture having a tracking device mounted thereto, the tracking device being arranged to be vibration-isolated from the stage and to track an object within the experience platform.

Example Embodiment 2: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a first vibration isolator operably engaged between the stage and the tracking support stmcture, and arranged to isolate the tracking support stmcture from vibration.

Example Embodiment 3: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a second vibration isolator operably engaged between the tracking device and the tracking support stmcture, and arranged to isolate the tracking device from vibration.

Example Embodiment 4: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the stage includes one or more stage portions, each stage portion comprising a stage panel and a support frame, the support frame being arranged to receive and support the stage panel.

Example Embodiment 5: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a third vibration isolator operably engaged between the support frame and the stage panel, and arranged to isolate the support frame from vibration of the stage panel.

Example Embodiment 6: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the stage panel is a quadrilateral having mitered comers, and wherein the third vibration isolator is operably engaged between the support frame and the stage panel about each of the mitered comers.

Example Embodiment 7: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the support frame includes a plurality of frame members arranged to form a quadrilateral corresponding to the stage panel, any two of the frame members being connected together by a connecting bracket having a bracket portion extending between the two of the frame members in correspondence with the mitered comer of stage panel.

Example Embodiment 8: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the bracket portions extend in a plane spaced apart from and parallel to the frame members, the bracket portions being arranged to cooperate with the mitered comers of the stage panel to retain the stage panel laterally with respect to the frame members.

Example Embodiment 9: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the connecting bracket is arranged to extend to an additional frame member disposed externally to the frame members forming the quadrilateral corresponding to the stage panel.

Example Embodiment 10: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein connecting brackets arranged to extend to additional frame members, external to the frame members forming the quadrilateral corresponding to the stage panel, allow selective modular expansion of the stage by adding frame members to accommodate additional stage panels.

Example Embodiment 11: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a railing arrangement surrounding the stage, the railing arrangement being arranged to be vibration-isolated from the tracking support structure.

Example Embodiment 12: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a fourth vibration isolator operably engaged between the railing arrangement and the tracking support structure.

Example Embodiment 13: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the stage panel is a composite comprising a cover layer and a vibration attenuating layer.

Example Embodiment 14: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the cover layer is comprised of rubber or includes a rubber coating.

Example Embodiment 15: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, wherein the vibration-attenuating layer comprises a honeycomb material.

Example Embodiment 16: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a first vibration transducer operably engaged with the stage panel, the first vibration transducer being arranged to selectively direct vibrations directly to the stage panel.

Example Embodiment 17: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a second vibration transducer operably engaged with the railing arrangement, the second vibration transducer being arranged to selectively direct vibrations directly to the railing arrangement to provide a haptic effect. Example Embodiment 18: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising an environmental effects support structure adjacent to the tracking support structure and arranged to be vibration-isolated from the tracking support structure.

Example Embodiment 19: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a fifth vibration isolator operably engaged between the environmental effects support structure and the tracking support structure.

Example Embodiment 20: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising environmental effects arrangements mounted to the environmental effects support structure, the environmental effects arrangements including a fan, a liquid dispenser, a water mister, a gas dispenser, a vapor dispenser, an aerosol dispenser, a smoke dispenser, a scent dispenser, a shock transducer, a vibration transducer, a noise emitter, a heat emitter, a cold emitter, and combinations thereof.

Example Embodiment 21: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising an actuator operably engaged with any of the environmental effects arrangements, the actuator including a switch, a solenoid valve, a linear actuator, and combinations thereof.

Example Embodiment 22: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising an elastomer disposed between a support base and each of the stage and the tracking support structure supported thereby.

Example Embodiment 23: The system of any preceding embodiment, or any combination of preceding embodiments, comprising a sensor device engaged with the tracking device and arranged to detect vibration or motion affecting the tracking device, the sensor device including an inertial sensor, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a rotation sensor, a gyroscope, a magnetic sensor, a magnetometer, a microphone, and combinations thereof.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings, which are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any combination of two, three, four, or more features or elements set forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific embodiment description herein. This disclosure is intended to be read holistically such that any separable features or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and embodiments, should be viewed as intended, namely to be combinable, unless the context of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.

It will be appreciated that the summary herein is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example aspects so as to provide a basic understanding of the disclosure. As such, it will be appreciated that the above described example aspects are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the disclosure in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the disclosure encompasses many potential aspects, some of which will be further described below, in addition to those herein summarized. Further, other aspects and advantages of such aspects disclosed herein will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 - 10 schematically illustrate a virtual reality theater system, according to various aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all aspects of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein; rather, these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a virtual reality theater system, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the system being generally indicated by the numeral 100. Such a virtual reality theater system 100 is configured to facilitate physical aspects of a virtual environment and user experience that is near indistinguishable from the real world. Such a system comprises a stage 200 defining an experience platform, and a tracking support structure 300 having a tracking device 400, such as an optical camera and/or the like, mounted thereto. The tracking device 400 is arranged to be vibration-isolated from the stage 200 and to track an object on the stage 200 and within the experience platform. In some aspects, in order to accomplish the vibration isolation, a first vibration isolator 600 (see, e.g., FIG. 2) is operably engaged between the stage 200 and the tracking support structure 300, and arranged to isolate the tracking support structure 300 from vibration associated with the stage 200. In particular instances, the first vibration isolator 600 may be engaged between the tracking support structure 300 and the support base 350 (e.g., a floor, wall, etc.). For example, the first vibration isolator 600 may be engaged between the tracking support structure 300 and the room floor and/or room wall to which it is mounted. The tracking support structure 300 may comprise, for example, one or more interconnected truss sections. In addition or in the alternative, the first vibration isolator 600 may be engaged between the stage 200 and the room floor and/or room wall to which it is mounted. In some aspects, the first vibration isolator 600 may comprise, for example, an elastomeric shock/vibration absorbing mount. In other aspects, an elastomer (e.g., rubber mat) may be disposed between the support base 350 and each of the stage 200 and the tracking support structure 300 supported thereby.

As shown in FIG. 2, In addition or in the alternative to the first vibration isolator 600, a second vibration isolator 700 may be operably engaged between the tracking device 400 and the tracking support structure 300, and arranged to isolate the tracking device 400 from vibration, whether the vibration is associated with the stage 200 or is otherwise communicated to the tracking support structure 300 from the support base 350. For example, the second vibration isolator 700 may comprise an elastomeric shock/vibration absorbing mount or a gyroscopically-stabilized mount for the tracking device 400. In some instances, a sensor device 410 may be engaged with the tracking device 400 and arranged to detect vibration or motion affecting the tracking device 400. For instance, the sensor device 410 may be configured to provide a notification or feedback that excessive motion or vibration may be adversely affecting the efficacy of the tracking device 400 such that certain corrective action may be taken. Such a sensor device 410 may include, for example, an inertial sensor, a motion sensor, an accelerometer, a rotation sensor, a gyroscope, a magnetic sensor, a magnetometer, a microphone, and combinations thereof.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the stage 200 includes one or more stage portions 220 (see, e.g., FIG. 2), wherein each stage portion 220 comprising a stage panel 225 and a support frame 230 (see, e.g., FIG. 10). The support frame 230 is arranged to receive and support the stage panel 225. For example, the stage panel 225 may be in the general form of a quadrilateral (e.g., a rectangle or square) with mitered comers 223 (e.g., a 4 foot by 6 foot panel with 4 inch miters at each corner). In such instances, as shown for example in FIG. 10, the frame members 231, 232 of the support frame 230 may also cooperate to form a quadrilateral corresponding to the stage panel 225 so as to generally support the stage panel 225 about the perimeter thereof. Each frame member 231, 232 may be comprised, for example, of square section steel or aluminum channels wherein, when arranged in the form of the support frame 230, define an upper plane 233 and a lower plane 234 of the support frame 230 (see, e.g., FIG. 8). Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, 8, and 10, when connecting intersecting frame members 231. 232 to form the quadrilateral support frame 230, connecting brackets 235 may extend between and be connected to each of the intersecting frame members 231, 232 at least about the upper plane 233 thereof to secure the frame members 231, 232 together. In some instances, the connecting bracket 235 may include one or more component extending between and connected to each of the intersecting frame members 231, 232 about the lower plane 233 thereof to secure the frame members 231, 232 together, as well as to provide increased stability of the connection.

In some aspects, the support frame 230 may be configured such that the stage panel 225 is supported by the upper plane 233 of the frame members 231, 232 and/or the connecting brackets 235 securing the frame members 231, 232 together (see, e.g., FIGS. 6 and 8). In such instances, as shown for example in FIGS. 6 and 8, the connecting bracket 235 may include a first component 228 configured and arranged to secure the frame members 231, 232 together, and a second component 229 engaged with the first component 228 and configured as a triangle complementary to the mitered comer 223 of the stage panel 225. In some instances, the second component 229 may have a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panel 225. In other instances, the second component 229 of the connecting bracket 235, configured as a triangle complementary to the mitered comer 223 of the stage panel 225, may be spaced apart from the first component 228 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panel 225 and extending in a plane spaced apart from and parallel to the upper plane 233. In either manner, when the stage panel 225 is supported by the support frame 230 and/or the first component 228 of the connecting bracket 235, the uppermost second component 229 of the connecting bracket 235 is substantially flush with the stage panel 225 so as to reduce or eliminate any possible tripping hazard. As such, the connecting bracket 235 and/or at least the second component 229 thereof is arranged to cooperate with the mitered comers 223 of the stage panel 225 to retain the stage panel 225 laterally with respect to the frame members 231, 232.

In other aspects, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the stage 200 may include, for instance, a third vibration isolator 236 operably engaged between the support frame 230 and the stage panel 225, wherein the third vibration isolator 236 is arranged to isolate the support frame 230 from shock and/or vibration of or imparted thereto by way of the stage panel 225. For example, in one instance, the third vibration isolator 236 is operably engaged between the support frame 230 and/or the first component 228 of the connecting bracket 235 and the stage panel 225 about each of the mitered comers. In some aspects, the third vibration isolator 236 may comprise, for example, an elastomeric shock/vibration absorbing mount and/or the third vibration isolator 236 may be engaged, for instance, with the first component 228 of the connecting bracket 235 connected to each of the intersecting frame members 231, 232.

In accordance with the disclosed arrangement of the stage 200 with respect to the support frame 230 (including the individual frame members 231, 232), the stage panel 225, and the connecting brackets 235, other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a stage system that may be extended modularly to meet the requirements of the particular theater venue (e.g., size or footprint constraints) and/or the requirements of a particular VR experience (e.g., user experience constraints). Accordingly, in particular aspects as shown for example in FIG. 10, the connecting brackets 235 may be appropriately configured to allow at least one additional frame member 237, disposed externally to the frame members 231, 232 forming the quadrilateral corresponding to and supporting the stage panel 225. That is, the connecting bracket(s) 235 may be arranged to extend to additional frame member(s) 237, disposed externally to the frame members 231, 232 forming the quadrilateral support frame 230 corresponding to the stage panel 225, so as to allow selective modular expansion of the stage 200 by adding frame members 237 to accommodate additional stage panels 225.

In one example, if the stage 200 is expanded by an additional support frame 230 adjacent to one of the frame members 231, 232 of the initial support frame 230, the connecting bracket 235 may include a second component 229 configured as a triangle complementary to the adjacent mitered corners 223 of the two adjacent stage panels 225. The second component 229 may have a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panels 225 or may be spaced apart from the frame members 231, 232, 237 by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panels 225 and extend in a plane spaced apart from and parallel to the upper plane 233. Likewise, if another support frame 230 is added adjacent to the additional support frame 230, to form an“L” shaped stage 200, the connecting bracket 235 may include a second component 229 configured in a shape complementary to the adjacent mitered corners 223 of the three adjacent stage panels 225. The second component 229 may have a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panels 225 or may be spaced apart from the collective frame members by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panels 225 and extend in a plane spaced apart from and parallel to the upper plane 233.

If yet another support frame 230 is added adjacent to the“L” shaped stage 200 to complete the missing quadrant and to collectively form a larger quadrilateral, the connecting bracket 235 may include a second component 229 configured as a square complementary to the adjacent mitered corners 223 of the four adjacent stage panels 225 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 10). The second component 229 may have a thickness substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panels 225 or may be spaced apart from the collective frame members by a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the stage panels 225 and extend in a plane spaced apart from and parallel to the upper plane 233. Such a variance in configuration of the connecting bracket 235 based upon the configuration of the stage 200 thus allows the stage 200 to be selectively modular, with the various connecting brackets 235 capable of being provided in a kit or collection of supplemental accessories along with the stage panels 225 and the frame members or support frames 230.

In still other aspects, the support frames 230 may include a plurality of legs 240 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5 and 8) engaged therewith for supporting the stage 200 with respect to, for example, the support base 350. In such instances, the first vibration isolator 600 or another separate vibration isolator may be operably engaged between each of the legs 240 and the support base 350. For example, the first vibration isolator 600 or the other separate vibration isolator may comprise an elastomeric shock/vibration absorbing mount. In particular aspects, the first component 228 of the connecting brackets 235 may be configured and arranged to receive and have secured thereto one of the legs 240 such that the support frame(s) 230 may be regularly supported by the legs 240.

In some aspects, as shown for example in FIGS. 1, 4, 9, and 10, a railing arrangement 800 may be configured and arranged to surround the stage 200, with the railing arrangement 800 being arranged to be vibration-isolated from the tracking support structure 300. In some aspects, the railing arrangement 800 may be attached or connected to the stage 200. For example, in some instances, the second component 229 of the connecting brackets 235 may be configured and arranged to receive and have secured thereto a portion of the railing arrangement 800 such that the railing arrangement 800 may be regularly supported by the support frame 230. However, in other aspects, the railing arrangement 800 may be configured to be freestanding, adjacent to but separate from the stage 200. If the railing arrangement 800 is freestanding with respect to the stage 200, the railing arrangement 800 may be mounted, for example, to the support base 350. In such instances, a fourth vibration isolator 850 (see, e.g., FIG. 4) may be operably engaged between the railing arrangement 800 and the support base 350, between the railing arrangement 800 and the stage 200, or at least between the railing arrangement 800 and the tracking support structure 300. For example, the fourth vibration isolator 850 may comprise an elastomeric shock/vibration absorbing mount.

In one particular aspect, as shown in FIG. 10, the second component 229 of each connecting bracket 235 is configured as a square complementary to the adjacent mitered corners 223 of four adjacent stage panels 225. The first component 228 is likewise configured as a square and rotated 45 degrees with respect to the second component 229 when engaged therewith. In such an instance, each connecting bracket is configured to receive and engage four frame members, and the support frame 230 may be modularly expanded by securing additional frame members, as necessary or desired, to any of the connecting brackets 235 forming an original support frame 230 for a single stage panel 200. Further, in the particular aspect, the first component 228 of the connecting brackets 235 is configured to receive and have secured thereto one of the legs 240, while the second component 229 of the connecting brackets 235 is configured to receive and have secured thereto a portion of the railing arrangement 800. In some instances, where any of the connecting brackets 235 is disposed along an edge or at a comer of the stage 200, edging members 210 may be provided to engage and be secured to and between the exposed and unused portions of the first and second components 228, 229 of any two connecting brackets 235 along an edge of the stage 200.

In yet other aspects of the present disclosure as shown for example in FIGS. 5 and 8, the stage panel 225 may be configured as a composite comprising a cover layer 225 A and a structural layer 225B. The cover layer 225A, in some instances, is comprised of rubber or includes a rubber coating. In particular aspects, the structural layer 225B may comprise a honeycomb material. In some instances, the stage panel 225 may further comprise a vibration-attenuating layer 225C (e.g., Dynamat® insulation as shown, for example, in FIG. 7. A first vibration transducer 245 (see, e.g., FIG. 7) may also be operably engaged with the stage panel 225, wherein the first vibration transducer 245 is arranged to selectively direct vibrations directly to the stage panel 225 (such that the stage panel 225 is configured, e.g., as a haptic device). In other aspects, a second vibration transducer 250 (see, e.g., FIG. 9) may be operably engaged with the railing arrangement 800, wherein the second vibration transducer 250 is arranged to selectively direct vibrations directly to the railing arrangement 800 to also provide a haptic effect.

In some aspects of the disclosure as shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 3, an environmental effects support structure 900 may be adjacent to the tracking support structure 300 and arranged to be vibration- isolated from the tracking support structure 300, for instance, by a fifth vibration isolator 910 operably engaged between the environmental effects support structure 900 and the tracking support structure 300.

For example, the environmental effects support structure 900 may be mounted, for example, to the support base 350. In such instances, the fifth vibration isolator 910 may be operably engaged between the environmental effects support structure 900 and the support base 350, or between the environmental effects support structure 900 and each of the environmental effects arrangements 920 mounted thereto. For example, the fifth vibration isolator 910 may comprise an elastomeric shock/vibration absorbing mount.

The environmental effects arrangements 920 mounted to the environmental effects support structure 900 may include, for example, a fan, a liquid dispenser, a water mister, a gas dispenser, a vapor dispenser, an aerosol dispenser, a smoke dispenser, a scent dispenser, a shock transducer, a vibration transducer, a noise emitter, a heat emitter, a cold emitter, and various combinations thereof. An actuator 930 may be operably engaged with any of the environmental effects arrangements 920 for selective actuation thereof, wherein the actuator 930 may include a switch, a solenoid valve, a linear actuator, and various combinations thereof.

Aspects of the present disclosure thus provide a virtual reality theater system wherein the tracking device(s), such as optical cameras and/or the like, are isolated from shock/vibrations associated, for example, with users moving on or about the stage and/or effects equipment being actuated or de-actuated during the VR scene. Aspects of the present disclosure also provide stage/staging supporting the VR scene that can be selectively expandable or configurable in size/shape (e.g., modular), in compliance with the requirement for substantially isolating the tracking device(s) from shock/vibration, in order to meet the requirements of different VR scenes, or to be readily customizable and conformable to the space afforded in a physical installation of the VR theater system (i.e., customizable to the footprint of the building housing the VR theater system).

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these disclosed embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the disclosure. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one operation or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation may be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step may be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term“and/or” and the“G symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, the singular forms“a”,“an” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises”, “comprising”,“includes”, and/or“including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.