ANTI-CANT INDICATION SYSTEM FOR SHOOTING DEVICES

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to cant detection systems for shooting devices, and more particularly to an audio-based system and method for indicating rifle or weapon tilt to ensure accurate, plumb-aligned aiming without requiring visual attention from the shooter.

BACKGROUND

Accurate shooting with rifles, pistols, bows, crossbows, and other projectile-launching devices requires that the sighting system be maintained in a plumb, non-canted orientation with respect to gravity. Even small angular deviations in cant can cause significant point-of-impact errors, particularly at long ranges. Conventional anti-cant devices primarily utilize bubble levels or inclination-sensor-based light arrays to indicate whether the sighting system is vertically aligned. These visual indicators require the shooter to divert attention away from the target and toward the bubble or lights, which is undesirable in competitive, law-enforcement, and military scenarios where sustained focus on the target is essential.

In practice, shooters often fail to continuously monitor bubble levels and visual indicators due to time pressure, awkward shooting positions, low-light conditions, or obstruction of the visual display. Existing devices therefore provide limited assistance in dynamic shooting environments and cannot deliver real-time cant feedback without visual engagement.

Hence, there is a need for an improved system and method that addresses these deficiencies by generating distinct audio signals corresponding to the tilt of a shooting device. Accordingly, an audio-based anti-cant indication system for shooting devices is disclosed herein.

SUMMARY

The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, example embodiments, and features described, further aspects, example embodiments, and features, will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system for providing audio-based cant indication for a shooting device is disclosed. The system includes an angular motion (inclination) sensor configured to detect an angular tilt of the shooting device relative to gravity, and to generate a left-right tilt signal. A processor operatively coupled to the inclination sensor is configured to determine whether the tilt exceeds a predefined deadband threshold. The system further includes a digital/audio converter (amplifier) and an associated output module (such as a speaker or a transmitter) configured to generate a first, distinct audio signal (tone/frequency) corresponding to a left-tilt condition, a second, distinct audio signal (tone/frequency) corresponding to a right-tilt condition, while producing a null or muted audio output when the angular tilt is within the deadband threshold. The system allows the shooter to receive continuous cant feedback without diverting visual attention from the target.

In certain embodiments, the system further includes a plumb calibration interface for establishing a reference plumb orientation for the inclination sensor. The system includes a Bluetooth transmitter for wireless communication capability for transmitting audio signals to earbuds or headsets. The audio volume or a pitch of the audio signal can be varied based on the magnitude of tilt beyond the deadband threshold. Additional embodiments utilize the declination (front-rear) component to trigger an automatic shut-off of the audio output when the shooting device is tilted significantly above or below a normal shooting orientation. Further embodiments incorporate an automatic idle shutoff timer for deactivating the system after a period of inactivity, and a reactivation mechanism responsive to the inclination sensor when the device is moved back into a shooting alignment. The disclosed system is mountable at any location on the shooting device independent of the sighting system and enables improved accuracy, situational awareness, and usability in dynamic shooting environments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the example embodiments will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 presents a functional block diagram of an audio anti-cant device, illustrating the primary components and their interconnections, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates an example configuration of a shooting device equipped with the anti-cant indication system of FIG. 1, showing left-tilt angular direction and right-tilt angular direction relative to a plumb reference, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3A illustrates an example of an upward front-rear declination tilt of a shooting device relative to a plumb reference, showing an upward tilt angle and an anti-cant indication system mounted on the shooting device, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3B illustrates an example of a downward front-rear declination tilt of a shooting device relative to a plumb reference, showing a downward tilt angle and an anti-cant indication system mounted on the shooting device, according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing audio-based cant indication in a shooting device, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The drawings are to be regarded as being schematic representations and elements illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. Rather, the various elements are represented such that their function and general purpose become apparent to a person skilled in the art. Any connection or coupling between functional blocks, devices, components, or other physical or functional units shown in the drawings or described herein may also be implemented by an indirect connection or coupling. A coupling between components may also be established over a wireless connection. Functional blocks may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof.

Various example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which only some example embodiments are shown. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Example embodiments, however, may be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of various modifications and alternative forms, example embodiments are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives thereof. Similarly, like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description of the figures.

Before discussing example embodiments in more detail, it is noted that some example embodiments are described as processes or methods depicted as flowcharts. Although the flowcharts describe the operations as sequential processes, many of the operations may be performed in parallel, concurrently or simultaneously. In addition, the order of operations may be re-arranged. The processes may be terminated when their operations are completed but may also have additional steps not included in the figure. The processes may correspond to methods, functions, procedures, subroutines, subprograms, etc.

Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forth herein.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any, and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The phrase “at least one of” has the same meaning as “and/or”.

Further, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, it should be understood that these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or section from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer, or section without departing from the scope of inventive concepts.

Spatial and functional relationships between elements (for example, between modules) are described using various terms, including “connected,” “engaged,” “interfaced,” and “coupled.” Unless explicitly described as being “direct,” when a relationship between first and second elements is described in the above disclosure, that relationship encompasses a direct relationship where no other intervening elements are present between the first and second elements, and also an indirect relationship where one or more intervening elements are present (either spatially or functionally) between the first and second elements. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly” connected, engaged, interfaced, or coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between,” versus “directly between,” “adjacent,” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. 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. As used herein, the terms “and/or” and “at least one of” include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 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, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in 'addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, term such as “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein are interpreted accordingly.

Portions of the example embodiments and corresponding detailed description may be presented in terms of software, or algorithms and symbolic representations of operation on data bits within a computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the ones by which those of ordinary skill in the art effectively convey the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art. An algorithm, as the term is used here, and as it is used generally, is conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of optical, electrical, or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

The present invention discloses a sensor-driven system and method for providing real-time audio-based cant indication for shooting devices such as rifles, pistols, bows, and crossbows. The system utilizes an angular motion sensor configured to measure lateral tilt and front-rear declination relative to gravity, generating left-right tilt signals and declination signals that are processed to determine whether the shooting device deviates from a predefined plumb orientation. A processor classifies each detected orientation into left-tilt, right-tilt, or in-deadband states, and generates corresponding audio outputs through an audio converter, including distinct tones, frequencies, volumes or voice outputs indicative of the magnitude and direction of cant. The system incorporates modules for plumb calibration, deadband adjustment, audio tone control, audio volume control, wireless transmission, and automatic shutoff when the device is carried in non-shooting positions. Supported by user-controlled thresholds and dynamic signal processing, the invention enables continuous, hands-free cant awareness without requiring visual diversion, improves shot accuracy, and enhances usability in competitive, law-enforcement, and military environments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of an anti-cant indication system (100) configured for providing audio-based cant feedback for a shooting device. As shown in FIG. 1, the anti-cant indication system (100) includes an angular motion sensor (102), a processor (104), an audio converter (108), a speaker (110), and a Bluetooth transmitter (112).

The angular motion sensor (102) is configured to detect an angular tilt of the shooting device relative to gravity, including a lateral component corresponding to left-right cant and a declination component corresponding to front-rear tilt. The angular motion sensor (102) generates an output signal (106) that is provided as an input to the processor (104). The output signal (106) includes at least a left-right tilt signal, which indicates whether the shooting device is in a left-tilt or right-tilt condition, and a front-rear signal, which indicates whether the shooting device is tilted upward or downward relative to a normal shooting orientation. The angular motion sensor (102) may comprise a pendulum-based inclinometer, a strain-based inclinometer, or a single-axis or dual-axis MEMS tilt sensor capable of providing analog or digital outputs.

The processor (104) is operatively coupled to the angular motion sensor (102) and receives the output signal (106). The processor (104) is configured to determine whether the left-right tilt signal included in the output signal (106) exceeds a predefined deadband threshold. The processor (104) further determines whether the front-rear signal included in the output signal (106) indicates an orientation significantly above or below a normal shooting position, such as when the shooting device is being carried. As shown in FIG. 1, the processor (104) may also receive one or more user-adjustable control inputs, including an audio tone control (120), an audio volume control (122), a plumb calibration input (124) for establishing a reference plumb orientation, and a dead bandwidth control (126) for defining the tolerance range in which no audio output is generated.

The processor (104) outputs a processed control signal to the audio converter (108). Based on the output of the processor (104), the audio converter (108) generates an audio signal that corresponds to a detected cant condition. When the shooting device exhibits a left-tilt condition, the audio converter (108) produces a first audio signal. When the shooting device exhibits a right-tilt condition, the audio converter (108) produces a second audio signal. When the angular tilt detected by the angular motion sensor (102) is within the deadband threshold—i.e., the shooting device is substantially plumb—the audio converter (108) produces a null or muted audio output.

The audio converter (108) outputs the audio signal either to the speaker (110) or to the Bluetooth transmitter (112). In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the speaker (110) produces an audible output externally, whereas the Bluetooth transmitter (112) wirelessly transmits the first audio signal, second audio signal, or muted signal to earbuds, a headset, or any suitable external receiver. As described in claim 12, in some embodiments the Bluetooth transmitter (112) may be configured to provide a left-ear audio signal corresponding to the left-tilt condition and a right-ear audio signal corresponding to the right-tilt condition.

The processor (104) may additionally implement an automatic shutoff feature based on the front-rear signal included within the output signal (106). When the front-rear signal indicates that the shooting device is tilted upward or downward well outside of a shooting position—as when the device is being carried—the processor (104) causes the audio converter (108) to mute the audio output. The processor (104) may further incorporate an automatic idle shutoff timer that disables the anti-cant indication system (100) after a period of inactivity, and reactivates the system when the angular motion sensor (102) detects a return to a normal shooting orientation.

Together, the angular motion sensor (102), processor (104), and audio converter (108), along with the speaker (110) and Bluetooth transmitter (112), comprise the anti-cant indication system (100) configured to provide real-time, audio-based cant feedback without requiring the shooter to visually monitor a bubble level or light indicator. FIG. 1 therefore schematically illustrates the primary functional components used to implement the claimed system for detecting cant and generating corresponding audio outputs.

Referring now to FIG. 2, an example embodiment of a shooting device (202) incorporating an anti-cant indication system (100) is illustrated. In the depicted arrangement, the shooting device (202) includes a firing assembly having a trigger (210) and a receiver portion on which an optical sight or scope may be mounted. The anti-cant indication system (100) is shown operably coupled to, or mounted on, the shooting device (202). In various embodiments, the anti-cant indication system (100) may be attached to a scope tube, a firearm rail, or any other mounting surface of the shooting device (202), as described elsewhere in this specification.

As shown in FIG. 2, the shooting device (202) may undergo rotational movement about a longitudinal axis relative to gravity. A plumb reference (208) is illustrated as a vertical dashed line representing true vertical alignment relative to gravity. Deviation of the shooting device (202) from this plumb reference (208) results in one of two tilt conditions illustrated by corresponding angular direction indicators.

A left-tilt angular direction (204) is illustrated as a curved arrow indicating rotation of the shooting device (202) toward the left side relative to the plumb reference (208). When the shooting device (202) is rotated in the left-tilt angular direction (204), the anti-cant indication system (100) may identify the tilt condition using the angular motion sensor described in connection with FIG. 1, and may generate a corresponding left-tilt audio signal.

Conversely, a right-tilt angular direction (206) is illustrated as a curved arrow indicating rotation of the shooting device (202) toward the right side relative to the plumb reference (208). Similar to the left-tilt condition, rotation in the right-tilt angular direction (206) is detected by the anti-cant indication system (100), which may then generate an audio signal representing the right-tilt state.

The anti-cant indication system (100) is shown positioned on the shooting device (202) to monitor such angular deviations. In operation, when the shooting device (202) rotates in either of the left-tilt angular direction (204) or right-tilt angular direction (206), the anti-cant indication system (100) receives angular motion data, compares the motion relative to a deadband threshold, and provides corresponding audio feedback to the user, all while allowing the user to maintain visual focus on the shooting device (202) and its sighting optics.

The trigger (210) is also shown in FIG. 2 to provide contextual orientation of the shooting device (202) and to illustrate that the anti-cant indication system (100) operates while the user maintains normal handling and aiming posture.

Referring now to FIG. 3A, an example embodiment of a shooting device (202) exhibiting an upward tilt relative to gravity is illustrated. The shooting device (202) includes a receiver portion supporting an optical scope and an anti-cant indication system (100) positioned on the shooting device (202). The anti-cant indication system (100) may be mounted on a scope tube, firearm rail, or any other suitable attachment point.

A plumb reference (208) is shown as a vertical dashed line representing the true vertical orientation with respect to gravity. The plumb reference (208) serves as a baseline for determining whether the shooting device (202) is oriented within a normal shooting position or is tilted significantly above or below such position.

As illustrated, the shooting device (202) is rotated upward relative to the plumb reference (208). This rotation is represented by an upward tilt angle (302). The upward tilt angle (302) corresponds to a front-rear declination component of the angular orientation detected by the angular motion sensor (102) in the anti-cant indication system (100). When the shooting device (202) is tilted significantly upward, the anti-cant indication system (100) identifies this condition through the front-rear signal included within the output of the angular motion sensor (102).

In embodiments consistent with claim 9, the anti-cant indication system (100) may utilize the upward tilt angle (302) to determine that the shooting device (202) is in a non-shooting orientation, such as when being carried or held in a muzzle-up position. In such scenarios, the processor (104) may automatically shut off or mute the audio output, preventing unnecessary audio indications when the shooting device (202) is not in position for firing. This operation ensures that the shooter receives audio feedback only when the shooting device (202) is within a usable orientation.

Accordingly, FIG. 3A illustrates the upward declination behavior of the shooting device (202) relative to the plumb reference (208), and the functional role of the anti-cant indication system (100) in detecting orientation deviating significantly from a shooting position.

Referring now to FIG. 3B, an example embodiment of a shooting device (202) exhibiting a downward front-rear declination tilt is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 3B, the shooting device (202) supports an anti-cant indication system (100) mounted on an upper portion of the shooting device (202), such as on the scope tube or on a firearm mounting rail. The anti-cant indication system (100) receives angular orientation information from the angular motion sensor (102) described earlier with respect to FIG. 1.

A plumb reference (208) is depicted as a vertical dashed line, representing the true gravitational vertical axis. This plumb reference (208) is used to determine deviations of the shooting device (202) from a normal shooting position. In FIG. 3B, the shooting device (202) is shown rotated downward relative to the plumb reference (208). This downward rotation is represented by a downward tilt angle (304).

The downward tilt angle (304) corresponds to a front-rear declination component of the angular orientation detected by the angular motion sensor (102). When the front-rear signal indicates a muzzle-down orientation, the processor (104) of the anti-cant indication system (100) may classify this orientation as a non-shooting position. Consistent with claim 9, such a downward declination condition triggers an automatic shut-off or muting of the audio output generated by the system. This ensures that the user does not receive audio alerts when the shooting device (202) is oriented downward, such as during transport or when repositioning the firearm after a shot.

As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the downward tilt angle (304), in combination with the plumb reference (208) and the position of the anti-cant indication system (100), demonstrates how the system identifies orientations outside the operational range. When the shooting device (202) returns to a normal shooting position, the anti-cant indication system (100) may automatically reactivate the audio output, as described in claim 10.

Accordingly, FIG. 3B illustrates the behavior of the shooting device (202) in a downward declination orientation and the functional response of the anti-cant indication system (100) in suppressing audio output when the firearm is not in a usable shooting configuration.

Referring to FIG. 4, an example method (400) for providing audio-based cant indication in a shooting device is illustrated. The method (400) may be implemented by the anti-cant indication system (100) as described with respect to FIG. 1. At step (402), the method begins by detecting, via an angular motion sensor such as the angular motion sensor (102), an angular tilt of the shooting device relative to gravity. As described in claim 1, the angular motion sensor (102) is configured to detect both a lateral component of tilt (left-right cant) and a declination component (front-rear tilt). The angular motion sensor (102) generates a left-right tilt signal indicative of a left-tilt or a right-tilt condition, and a front-rear signal indicative of upward or downward declination of the shooting device.

At step (404), the method (400) includes comparing the angular tilt detected at step (402) with a predefined deadband threshold. The comparison is performed by a processor such as the processor (104). The processor (104) determines whether the left-right tilt signal exceeds the deadband threshold, which corresponds to a substantially plumb alignment of the shooting device. As described in claim 5, the deadband threshold may be adjustable via an analog control element or digital interface, and may be set by the user depending on the required level of sensitivity. The processor (104) also evaluates the front-rear signal to determine whether the shooting device is significantly above or below a normal shooting position, for triggering an automatic shut-off of the audio output when the weapon is being carried or not actively aimed.

At step (406), the processor (104) directs an audio converter, such as the audio converter (108), to generate a corresponding audio output. When the shooting device is in a left-tilt condition, the audio converter (108) generates a first audio signal; when in a right-tilt condition, the audio converter (108) generates a second audio signal; and when the angular tilt is within the predefined deadband threshold, the audio converter (108) generates a null or muted audio output. The first and second audio signals may be frequency-distinct, permitting the user to intuitively distinguish between left-tilt and right-tilt conditions without shifting visual focus from the target. The audio converter (108) may also dynamically vary the pitch or volume of the audio output based on the magnitude of tilt beyond the deadband threshold, thereby providing gradient feedback corresponding to the severity of cant.

In certain embodiments, the audio output produced in step (406) may be provided via an output interface, such as the speaker (110), or transmitted wirelessly using a Bluetooth transmitter (112). In some embodiments, consistent with claim 12, the Bluetooth transmitter (112) generates a left-ear audio signal for a left-tilt condition and a right-ear audio signal for a right-tilt condition, thereby enhancing directional perception for the user.

The method (500) may optionally include, though not explicitly shown in FIG. 4, calibrating a reference plumb orientation using a plumb calibration interface, reactivating the system using motion detection, and disabling audio output when the shooting device is tilted significantly upward or downward. These optional operations may be integrated into steps (402)-(406) or performed as parallel processes within the processor (104).

Accordingly, FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the method (500) for detecting cant, classifying orientation relative to a deadband threshold, and generating corresponding audio feedback using the anti-cant indication system (100), thereby enabling continuous, hands-free correction of cant during operation of the shooting device.

The disclosed audio anti-cant indication system provides several technical advantages over conventional visual anti-cant mechanisms such as bubble levels and light-array indicators. First, the system generates continuous, real-time cant feedback without requiring the shooter to divert visual attention away from the sighting device, thereby improving accuracy, situational awareness, and target acquisition speed in dynamic environments. Second, the integration of an angular motion sensor capable of detecting both lateral tilt and front-rear declination enables the system to differentiate between shooting and non-shooting positions, allowing automatic audio suppression when the firearm is carried or positioned outside of a usable orientation. Third, the system offers user-adjustable deadband thresholds, calibration inputs, tone profiles, and volume levels, which allow fine-tuning of sensitivity and feedback characteristics according to the shooter's preferences, environmental noise levels, and mission requirements.

Additional technical advantages arise from the inclusion of a wireless audio transmission module, such as a Bluetooth transmitter, permitting audio delivery directly to earbuds or headsets and enabling channel-separated left-ear and right-ear cues corresponding to left-tilt and right-tilt conditions. This enhances intuitive directional awareness and supports shooters with single-ear hearing loss or headset misalignment. The system's modular architecture allows the anti-cant unit to be mounted at any position on the firearm, independent of the optical sight. If mounted directly on the optical sight (scope), the scope can be moved between firearms without recalibration. Furthermore, the system's automatic idle-state shutoff and motion-based reactivation reduce power consumption and support extended operational life. Collectively, these advantages provide a superior, hands-free cant-detection capability adaptable to competitive shooting, hunting, law-enforcement, and military applications.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present.

For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

While only certain features of several embodiments have been illustrated, and described herein, many modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of inventive concepts.

The aforementioned description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure may be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this disclosure includes particular examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon a study of the drawings, the specification. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method may be executed in different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the present disclosure. Further, although each of the example embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any example embodiment of the disclosure may be implemented in and/or combined with features of any of the other embodiments, even if that combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described example embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more example embodiments with one another remain within the scope of this disclosure.

The example embodiment or each example embodiment should not be understood as a limiting/restrictive of inventive concepts. Rather, numerous variations and modifications are possible in the context of the present disclosure, in particular those variants and combinations which may be inferred by the person skilled in the art with regard to achieving the object for example by combination or modification of individual features or elements or method steps that are described in connection with the general or specific part of the description and/or the drawings, and, by way of combinable features, lead to a new subject matter or to new method steps or sequences of method steps, including insofar as they concern production, testing and operating methods. Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure.

Still further, any one of the above-described and other examples features of example embodiments may be embodied in the form of an apparatus, method, system, computer program, tangible computer readable medium and tangible computer program product. For example, the aforementioned methods may be embodied in the form of a system or device, including, but not limited to, any of the structures for performing the methodology illustrated in the drawings.

In this application, including the definitions below, the term ‘module’ or the term ‘controller’ may be replaced with the term ‘circuit.’ The term ‘module’ may refer to, be part of, or include processor hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code and memory hardware (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor hardware.

The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing. In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud) module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client module.

Further, at least one example embodiment relates to a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising electronically readable control information (e.g., computer-readable instructions) stored thereon, configured such that when the storage medium is used in a controller of a magnetic resonance device, at least one example embodiment of the method is carried out.

Even further, any of the aforementioned methods may be embodied in the form of a program. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium, such that when run on a computer device (e.g., a processor), the computer-device to perform any one of the aforementioned methods. Thus, the non-transitory, tangible computer readable medium is adapted to store information and is adapted to interact with a data processing facility or computer device to execute the program of any of the above-mentioned embodiments and/or to perform the method of any of the above-mentioned embodiments.

The readable medium or storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside a computer device's main body, or a removable medium arranged so that it may be separated from the computer device's main body. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave), the term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, for example flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memory devices, or a mask read-only memory devices), volatile memory devices (including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamic random access memory devices), magnetic storage media (including, for example an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, include but are not limited to memory cards, and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes, etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.

The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. Shared processor hardware encompasses a single microprocessor that executes some or all code from multiple modules. Group processor hardware encompasses a microprocessor that, in combination with additional microprocessors, executes some or all code from one or more modules. References to multiple microprocessors encompass multiple microprocessors on discrete dies, multiple microprocessors on a single die, multiple cores of a single microprocessor, multiple threads of a single microprocessor, or a combination of the above.

Shared memory hardware encompasses a single memory device that stores some or all code from multiple modules. Group memory hardware encompasses a memory device that, in combination with other memory devices, stores some or all code from one or more modules.

The term memory hardware is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave), the term computer-readable medium is therefore considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of the non-transitory computer-readable medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatile memory devices (including, for example flash memory devices, erasable programmable read-only memory devices, or a mask read-only memory devices), volatile memory devices (including, for example static random access memory devices or a dynamic random access memory devices), magnetic storage media (including, for example an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (including, for example a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). Examples of the media with a built-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, include, but are not limited to memory cards, and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limited to ROM cassettes, etc. Furthermore, various information regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.

The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general-purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks and flowchart elements described above serve as software specifications, which may be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc.

The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML (extensible markup language), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java®, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript®, HTML5, Ada, ASP (active server pages), PHP, Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash®, Visual Basic®, Lua, and Python®.