Summary of the invention
According to embodiments of the present invention, a kind of electronic equipment is provided, comprising:
First processing units, for executing the operation of the first kind；
The second processing unit, for executing the operation of Second Type, wherein the average power consumption of the second processing unit is less thanThe average power consumption of one processing unit；
Shared cell is connected to the first processing units and described the second processing unit, for according to predetermined conditionSelectively with the first processing units or described the second processing unit or both compounding practice；And
Fixed cell, for fix the electronic equipment with and user relative positional relationship.
Preferably, the electronic equipment further include:
Body unit includes at least the first processing units and described the second processing unit,
Wherein, the fixed cell is connected to the body unit, and the fixed cell includes at least a fixing shapeState, under the stationary state, the fixed cell can be as the proximate annular of the first predetermined condition of an annulus or satisfactionAt least part in space, the annulus or the proximate annular space can be centered around the column for meeting the second predetermined conditionBody periphery.
Preferably, the electronic equipment includes the first processing subsystem and second processing subsystem, the first processingSystem includes at least the shared cell and the first processing units, and the second processing subsystem includes at least described sharedUnit and described the second processing unit, the average power consumption of the second processing subsystem are less than the flat of first processing subsystemEqual power consumption.
Preferably, the shared cell includes display unit, the display unit be connected to the first processing units andDescribed the second processing unit, so as to according to the control of the first processing units and/or described the second processing unit, selectivelyShow the content exported from the first processing units or described the second processing unit.
Preferably, first subsystem further comprises the first display, at first display and described firstThe connection of reason unit and the content exported according to the control display of the first processing units from the first processing units, and instituteStating the second subsystem further comprises second display, and the second display connect with described the second processing unit and according to instituteState the content that exports from described the second processing unit of control display of the second processing unit, and first display is averagedPower consumption is greater than the average power consumption of the second display.
Preferably, the second display is also connect with the first processing units, so that working as the first processing unitsProcessing complete when, the second display shows defeated from the first processing units according to the control of the first processing unitsContent out；Or
Described the second processing unit is also connect with the first processing units, so that working as the processing of the first processing unitsWhen completion, described the second processing unit receives the content exported from the first processing units, and controls the second displayIt shows from the received content of the first processing units.
Preferably, first display with the second display radially overlapping in annulus, andWhen first display for the inside radially that annulus is arranged in or the second display are shown, carry outControl is so that be arranged in the second display in the outside radially of annulus or the light transmittance of first displayGreater than predetermined threshold.
Preferably, the shared cell further includes power supply unit, provides electricity for each unit to the electronic equipmentPower, the power supply unit are configured to only supply electrical power to the second processing subsystem when meeting the first predetermined condition.
Preferably, the power supply unit is arranged in the fixed cell.
Preferably, the shared cell includes communication unit, the communication unit be connected to the first processing units andDescribed the second processing unit, and according to predetermined condition, connected according to the control of the first processing units or the second processing unitIt is connected to network.
Preferably, first subsystem includes the first communication unit, and second subsystem includes the second communicationUnit, first communication unit connect with the first processing units and are connected according to the control of the first processing unitsTo network, second communication unit connect with described the second processing unit and is connected according to the control of described the second processing unitIt is connected to network, the communication distance of first communication unit is greater than or equal to predetermined threshold, the communication of second communication unitDistance is less than predetermined threshold, wherein the power of the first communication unit consumption is greater than the second communication unit,
When second communication unit is connectable to network, first communication unit is single according to first processingThe control of member stops operation；And
When second communication unit not can connect to network, second communication unit is according to the second processing listThe control of member stops operation, and first communication unit is connected to network according to the control of the first processing units.
Preferably, first subsystem includes the first communication unit and the second communication unit, first communication unitIt connect with second communication unit with the first processing units and is connected to according to the control of the first processing unitsThe communication distance of network, first communication unit is greater than or equal to predetermined threshold, the communication distance of second communication unitLess than predetermined threshold, wherein the power of the first communication unit consumption is greater than the second communication unit,
When second communication unit is connectable to network, first communication unit is single according to first processingThe control of member stops operation；And
When second communication unit not can connect to network, second communication unit is single according to first processingThe control of member stops operation, and first communication unit is connected to network according to the control of the first processing units.
Therefore, electronic equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention can correspondingly switch inside for different use environmentsComponent is combined to save power consumption, while providing improved user experience.
Specific embodiment
In the following, electronic equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.It is according to an embodiment of the present inventionElectronic equipment is wearable electronic, and the example of such equipment includes but is not limited to watch style electronic equipment, spectacle electricitySub- equipment, sleeve type electronic equipment etc..
As shown in Figure 1, electronic equipment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes at least first processing units 101, secondProcessing unit 102, shared cell 103 and fixed cell 104.
First processing units 101 are used to execute the operation of the first kind.The operation of the first kind for example may include: networkAttended operation (such as 2G/3G/WiFi network connection and bluetooth connection)；The application for running electronic equipment, if electronic equipmentIt is wrist-watch, then runs wrist-watch application, and if electronic equipment is glasses, run eyewear applications；The corresponding display of driving is singleMember, the display for the display effect especially having had, such as TFT-LCD.
The second processing unit 102 is used to execute the operation of Second Type.The operation of Second Type for example may include: networkConnection, for example, low-power consumption bluetooth connects)；The power management of whole system；The time and date of computing system；Driving is correspondingDisplay unit, especially with the display of low-power consumption, such as segment encode LCD.
In the electronic equipment 100, the average power consumption of the second processing unit 102 is less than the average power consumption of first processing units101.It can be seen that the function of first processing units 101 is more powerful than the second processing unit 102.First processing units 101 are usualThe operation for needing complicated calculations and processing is executed, therefore average power consumption is big, and the second processing unit 102 is usually executed and is not needed againThe operation of miscellaneous calculating and processing, therefore average power consumption is small.
Shared cell 103 is connected to the first processing units 101 and described the second processing unit 102.In addition, shared singleMember 103 is grasped for selectively being cooperated with the first processing units or described the second processing unit or both according to predetermined conditionMake so that electronic equipment 100 is during operation, can selectively be made according to predetermined condition the first processing units orDescribed the second processing unit or both compounding practice becomes independent first subsystem and the second subsystem.
For example, whether the remaining capacity that above-mentioned predetermined condition may include: the power supply unit of electronic equipment is lower than predetermined thresholdValue, content to be shown are whether time and date either executes the content exported after application, can be arrived by bluetooth connectionMobile phone or other communication equipments are thus connected to network, whether can be directly connected to network etc. by 2G/3G communication moduleDeng.
Fixed cell 104 be used to fix the electronic equipment 100 with and user relative positional relationship.
In the following, with reference to the structure of Fig. 2A -2E detailed description fixed cell.
It, can be by the electronics from the perspective of physical structure in electronic equipment 100 according to an embodiment of the present inventionEquipment 100 is divided into body unit 105 and fixed cell 104.Body unit 105 includes at least the first processing units 101With described the second processing unit 102.Fixed cell 104 is connected to the body unit 105.Shared cell 103 can be according to notIt is arranged in body unit 105 or in fixed cell 104 with situation.
Specifically, as shown in Figure 2 A, electronic equipment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes body unit 105 and fixesUnit 104.Fixed cell 104 is connect with the body unit 105.The fixed cell 104 includes at least a stationary state,Under the stationary state, the fixed cell 104 can be as the proximate annular sky of the first predetermined condition of an annulus or satisfactionBetween at least part, the annulus or the proximate annular space can be centered around the column for meeting the second predetermined conditionPeriphery.
Specifically, Fig. 2 B and 2C illustrates two kinds that the fixed cell 104 is connect with the body unit 105 admittedly respectivelyDetermine state.Under the first stationary state as shown in Figure 2 B, the fixed cell 104 forms closed loop with the body unit 105Annulus, wherein the fixed cell 104 and the body unit 105 respectively constitute a part of annulus.Such asUnder second stationary state shown in fig. 2 C, the fixed cell 104 is formed with the body unit 105 has the approximate of small openingAnnulus, wherein the fixed cell 104 and the body unit 105 respectively constitute a part of annulus.In this hairIn a bright preferred embodiment, the body unit 105 is the dial plate part of smartwatch, and the fixed cell 104 isThe band portion of smartwatch.The annulus or described formed by the body unit 105 and the fixed cell 104Proximate annular space can be centered around around the wrist of the user of the smartwatch as the column, and the annulusOr the diameter in the proximate annular space be greater than user's wrist diameter and be less than user's fist diameter.
In addition, the annulus or the proximate annular space can certainly be by the independent shapes of the fixed cell 104At.As shown in figures 2d and 2e, the body unit 105 can be arranged on the fixed cell 104 (that is, the body unit105 are attached to the fixed cell 104 in a manner of face contact), it is formed to only have the fixed cell 104 itself for outerAround the annulus (Fig. 2 D) or the proximate annular space (Fig. 2 E) of the column.The fixed cell 104 is arrangedThere is the fixed mechanism (not shown) of hasp, fastener, zipper etc..
Further, as shown in Fig. 2A to 2E, 101 He of first processing units is at least disposed in the body unit 105The second processing unit 102.
Fig. 3 is the effect picture for showing one embodiment of electronic equipment 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.In the embodimentIn, electronic equipment 100 is embodied as wrist-watch, and fixed cell 104 is embodied as the watchband of wrist-watch, and body unit 105 is realizedFor the main body of wrist-watch, including processing unit and display unit and other functional units.
In one embodiment, the electronic equipment 100 may include the first processing subsystem and second processing subsystem.First processing subsystem includes at least the shared cell 103 and the first processing units 101.In addition, described secondProcessing subsystem includes at least the shared cell 103 and described the second processing unit 102, and the second processing subsystem is put downEqual power consumption is less than the average power consumption of first processing subsystem.That is, shared cell 103 can be by first processing units101 and the second processing unit 102 it is shared, and constitute with first processing units 101 and the second processing unit 103 the together respectivelyOne processing subsystem and second processing subsystem, to be suitable for different use environments.
Specifically, in one embodiment, the shared cell 103 may include display unit, the display unitBe connected to the first processing units 101 and described the second processing unit 102, so as to according to the first processing units 101 and/Or the control of described the second processing unit 102, it selectively shows from the first processing units 101 or the second processing listThe content of 102 output of member.
In this embodiment, display unit is, for example, single LCD display, at it and first processing units 101 and secondBoth reason units 102 all connect.The display unit can operate and export content according to which current processing unit, selectProperty switch over to be connect with the processing unit operated, thus display from operating processing unit output inHold.
In addition, smartwatch common at present is adopted using single display screen or for good display effectSegment encode LCD as similar electronic watch is used with TFT-LCD or in order to save power consumption.Certainly, the example of display is notIt is limited to such example, other display examples can also include OLED display, with high pixel, high-resolution and heightThe characteristics of color contrast, has good display effect.Alternatively, other display examples can also include that e-ink is shownDevice has the characteristics that legibility, flexibility, easily cheap manufacture and low-power consumption.
Using TFT-LCD as display screen, because the power consumption of TFT-LCD is high, LCD is unable to holding pointBright state, and screen can only be lighted by key when needing to check the time, checking information etc..User's bring body is given in this wayTest unlike wrist-watch but mobile phone.
When using segment encode LCD, it is only able to display the icon customized in advance, reminder announced, nothing can only be played the role of to userMethod realizes the push of content, causes user experience poor.
Therefore, in another embodiment, first subsystem can further include the first display, and described first is aobviousShow that device connect with the first processing units and shows according to the control of the first processing units from the first processing unitsThe content of output, and second subsystem can further include second display, the second display and described theThe connection of two processing units and the content exported according to the control display of described the second processing unit from described the second processing unit, andAnd the average power consumption of first display is greater than the average power consumption of the second display.
In this embodiment, display unit includes two displays, for example, the first display can be the display having hadThe TFT-LCD display of effect, second display can be the segment encode LCD display of low-power consumption.At this point, electronic equipment dividesFor two subsystems, each subsystem includes processing unit and display unit, so as to independently be operated and show behaviourMake content.
The electronic equipment can also include input unit, such as microphone, touch unit, key, for carrying out various livesThe input of order.
For example, user can carry out network by the first subsystem if user it is expected to search for his interested restaurantConnection, and run map application.User can be aobvious in TFT-LCD by the TFT-LCD display with touch screen functionShow in the map shown on device input restaurant's title, and start to search for, then, first processing units connect network and receive fromThe map datum that server returns, then shows search result on TFT-LCD display, for example, the place in restaurant, phone,Route etc..At this point, user can pass through the TFT-LCD with good display effect and first with powerful processing capacityProcessing unit executes map search application, to obtain good user experience.
In addition, user can carry out watch function by the second subsystem if the remaining capacity of electronic equipment is fewRealization.At this point, the second processing unit of low-power consumption can be with computing system time and date, and the segment encode LCD of low-power consumption is aobviousShow that device can show the time and date of calculating, to still can guarantee the common wrist-watch time in the case where low batteryThe realization of function.
In another embodiment, second display recited above can also be connect with the first processing units, so thatWhen the first processing units processing complete when, the second display according to the control of the first processing units show fromThe content of the first processing units output.
For example, when user it is expected to search for the phone and Reserved seating in his interested restaurant, user does not need to makeWith the high TFT-LCD display of power consumption.At this point, user can only need for example, by key or the name in microphone input restaurantClaim, then connect network by first processing units and receives the phone from the restaurant that server returns, it is then aobvious in segment encode LCDShow and show search result on device, that is, the phone in restaurant etc..It is somebody's turn to do at this point, user can be shown always by segment encode LCD displayTelephone number, until getting through and being made a reservation for, so that power consumption can also be saved while obtaining good user experience.
In another embodiment, described the second processing unit is also connect with the first processing units, so that when described theWhen the processing of one processing unit is completed, described the second processing unit receives the content exported from the first processing units, and controlsThe second display is made to show from the received content of the first processing units.
In this embodiment, second display does not need to connect with first processing units, and only needs the second processing unitIt is attached with first processing units to receive the data transmitted from first processing units.At this point, first processing units and secondBetween processing unit data communication can be realized by connection types such as simple UART, parallel bus.In this case,One processing unit does not need additional driving circuit to drive second display, so that design is simpler, and atThis is lower.
In this embodiment, when the processing of the first processing units is completed, described the second processing unit is received from instituteThe content of first processing units output is stated, and drives the second display received from the first processing units to showContent.
In addition, when electronic equipment tool is there are two display unit, two display units can be superposed or side by sideSetting.
In another embodiment, first display is with the second display in the radially overlapping of annulusSetting, and when first display for the inside radially that annulus is arranged in or the second display are shownWhen showing, it is controlled such that the second display that the outside radially of annulus is set or first displayLight transmittance be greater than predetermined threshold.
In this embodiment, the first display and second display can be in the annuluses formed by fixed cellRadially overlap.In this case, it in order to see the content for being superimposed upon the display of lower section and showing, can be controlledSystem, so that the light transmittance for being superimposed upon another display of top, which is greater than, to be made a reservation for when the display for being superimposed upon lower section is shownThreshold value, that is, be in pellucidity.It therefore, can also be with even if two display units are in annulus when radially overlappingEasily content is carried out using two display units to show.
In annulus when radially overlapping two displays, can realize dual screen display while,So that the size of electronic equipment is more compact, it is more convenient to use.
In one embodiment, the shared cell 104 can also include power supply unit, for the electronic equipmentEach unit provides electric power.In one embodiment, the power supply unit can be set in the fixed cell.When power supply listWhen member is arranged in a fixation unit, power supply unit flexible is can be used in power supply unit, can be according to the shape of fixed cellIt is bent to conform to the shape of the annulus of fixed cell formation.Alternatively, the power supply unit can be independent by multiple groupsSub- power supply unit grouping setting.At this point, each sub- power supply unit can be evenly distributed on fixed cell, it is solid so as to meetThe shape for the annulus that order member is formed.
When power supply unit is arranged on fixed cell, power supply unit can be removed from body unit, so that ontologyThe size of unit is more compact, this makes the size of electronic equipment more compact again.In addition, being arranged when by power supply unit in fixationWhen on unit, because the size of power supply unit is no longer problem, it can be used that size is relatively large but the more power supplys of electricityUnit, so that electronic equipment is worse using the time.
In one embodiment, the power supply unit is configured to only supply electrical power to institute when meeting the first predetermined conditionState second processing subsystem.In this embodiment, because second processing subsystem is mainly used for realizing watch functionSubsystem, so stability and persistence in order to guarantee watch function, when the second processing unit detects discovery power supply unitWhen remaining capacity is lower than predetermined threshold, power supply unit only supplies electrical power to second processing subsystem, without supplying electrical power to firstProcessing subsystem.Because the average power consumption of second processing subsystem is very low, can guarantee less remaining capacityThe longer of second processing subsystem uses the time, to guarantee that the long-time stable of watch function and informing function uses.
In addition, in another embodiment, the shared cell 104 can also include communication unit, the communication unitThe first processing units and described the second processing unit are connected to, and according to predetermined condition, it is single according to first processingThe control of member or the second processing unit is connected to network.
In this embodiment, shared cell 104 only includes a communication unit, which is connected to the first processing listBoth member 101 and the second processing unit 102.At this point, communication unit is according to predetermined condition, according to the first processing units 101Or the control of the second processing unit 102 is connected to network.For example, if the remaining capacity of power supply unit is lower, communication unitNetwork is connected to according to the control of first processing units 101.Alternatively, communication unit can be according to the control of first processing units 101System, is periodically connected to network, to receive notice.Alternatively, if user wants to communicate using complicated network applicationUnit is connected to network according to the control of first processing units 102.The communication unit for example may include 2G/3G communication module,The various mobile communications network communication modules (e.g., 4G, 5G etc.) in other futures, bluetooth module, low-power consumption bluetooth module etc..
In another embodiment, first subsystem may include the first communication unit, and second subsystemIt may include the second communication unit.First communication unit connect with the first processing units 101 and according to describedThe control of one processing unit 101 is connected to network.Second communication unit is connect with described the second processing unit 102 and rootNetwork is connected to according to the control of described the second processing unit 102.The communication distance of first communication unit is greater than or equal to pre-Determine threshold value, the communication distance of second communication unit is less than predetermined threshold, wherein the power of the first communication unit consumption is greater thanSecond communication unit,
In this embodiment, for example, the first communication unit can be 2G/3G communication module, WiFi communication module etc., secondCommunication unit is bluetooth, low-power consumption bluetooth module etc..At this point, the first subsystem includes the first communication unit, the second subsystem packetInclude the second communication unit.
The communication distance of first communication module be greater than or equal to predetermined threshold, such as from tens meters (such as WiFi communicate mouldsBlock) arrive several kms (2G/3G communication module).At this point, first communication module can be communicated via WiFi communication module or 2G/3GModule directly accesses network, without the help of other electronic equipments (such as mobile phone).
The communication distance of second communication module is less than predetermined threshold, such as ten meters (bluetooth module).At this point, the second communication mouldBlock can be connected to another electronic equipment (such as mobile phone) via bluetooth module, to access network again by mobile phone.
In one embodiment, when second communication unit is connectable to network, the first communication unit primitive rootIt is stopped operation according to the control of the first processing units.In this case, if the electronic equipment discovery of such as smartwatch is logicalThere is the mobile phone that can be matched in the range of communication distance, then after matching with mobile phone, smart phone closes first communication moduleWith power saving, and by second communication module, network is connected via mobile phone.
On the other hand, when second communication unit not can connect to network, second communication unit is according toThe control of the second processing unit stops operation, and first communication unit is connected according to the control of the first processing unitsTo network.
In this case, if there is no can match in the range of the electronic equipment discovery communication distance of such as smartwatchPair mobile phone, then smartwatch closes second communication module with power saving, and by first communication module, connects via mobile phoneNetwork.To realize that smartwatch can access network whenever and wherever possible.
In another embodiment, first subsystem include the first communication unit and the second communication unit, described firstCommunication unit and second communication unit are connect and according to the control of the first processing units with the first processing unitsSystem is connected to network, and the communication distance of first communication unit is greater than or equal to predetermined threshold, second communication unitCommunication distance is less than predetermined threshold, wherein the power of the first communication unit consumption is greater than the second communication unit.
In this embodiment, the first communication unit and the second communication unit belong to the first subsystem.
Therefore, when second communication unit is connectable to network, first communication unit is according to described firstThe control of processing unit stops operation, and when second communication unit not can connect to network, second communication unitMember is stopped operation according to the control of the first processing units, and first communication unit is according to the first processing unitsControl be connected to network.
In this embodiment, network connecting function is by the first subsystem controls, the second subsystem be for example only responsible for the time andThe realization of the watch function on date.
In the following, describing a specific embodiment of electronic equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to Fig. 4.
As shown in figure 4, electronic equipment 400 includes two subsystems 401 and 402, subsystem 401 includes first processing units4011, TFT-LCD display 4012,3G transceiver 4013 and bluetooth communication 4014, the second subsystem 402 include at secondManage unit 4021, segment display 4022 and power management module 4023.
In the electronic equipment 400, first processing units 4011 are mainly responsible for: the connection of 1. control 3G and bluetooth；2. fortuneThe application program of row wrist-watch；3. driving TFT-LCD is shown.
The second processing unit 4021 is mainly responsible for: the power management of 1. whole systems；2. calculating time and date；3. drivingSegment encode LCD is shown.
Electronic equipment 400 after charging, guarantees to be able to use when using as electronics table function up to 1 year.
After electronic equipment 400 starts, the second processing unit 402 measures the electricity of battery using voltameter.If electricity is bigIn or equal to total electricity 20%, then by power management module 4023 simultaneously to the first processing subsystem 401 and second processing sonSystem 402 is powered, it is ensured that 3G module and bluetooth module can work normally.If electricity is less than 20%, power management mouldBlock 4023 are powered to the second subsystem 402, at this moment the second processing unit 4021 of subsystem, segment encode LCD4022 and power supply pipeThe total power consumption for managing module 4023 is controlled in 60uW or so.Assuming that there was only second processing in this way using the battery of 400 milliampere hourSystem work, the runing time of system is 400*3.3*0.2/0.06=4400 hour=183 day (assuming that operating voltage is 3.3V).In this way, can allow user using two subsystems if electricity is abundant, allow user to realize has network linking whenever and wherever possibleService；If electricity is few, it is ensured that the function of ordinary electronic table.Unlike present many smartwatch must be everyFill primary electricity within 3 days.And can guarantee that segment encode screen is always on, it is visible to realize that time and notice bow.
When electronic equipment 400 operates, when first processing units 4011 detect whether to examine by bluetooth module 4014Measure mobile phone.After detecting mobile phone and matching by bluetooth and mobile phone, network can be connected by the 3G module of mobile phone, thisWhen for power saving, it is necessary to close the 3G module 4013 of electronic equipment 400；On the other hand, when electronic equipment 400 is examined by bluetoothWhen not detecting mobile phone, the 3G module 4013 for just starting oneself accesses network.In this way, electronic equipment 400 can be used as mobile phoneAttachment has the function of separate network again.
First processing units 4011 and the second processing unit 4012 for example carry out data communication by UART.
Therefore, electronic equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention can correspondingly switch inside for different use environmentsComponent is combined to save power consumption, while providing improved user experience.
It should be noted that in the present specification, the terms "include", "comprise" or its any other variant are intended toNon-exclusive inclusion, so that the process, method, article or equipment including a series of elements is not only wanted including thoseElement, but also including other elements that are not explicitly listed, or further include for this process, method, article or equipmentIntrinsic element.In the absence of more restrictions, the element limited by sentence "including a ...", it is not excluded thatThere is also other identical elements in process, method, article or equipment including the element.
Finally, it is to be noted that, it is above-mentioned it is a series of processing not only include with sequence described here in temporal sequenceThe processing of execution, and the processing including executing parallel or respectively rather than in chronological order.
Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can be understood that the present invention can be bySoftware adds the mode of required hardware platform to realize, naturally it is also possible to all be implemented by hardware.Based on this understanding,Technical solution of the present invention can be embodied in the form of software products in whole or in part to what background technique contributed,The computer software product can store in storage medium, such as ROM/RAM, magnetic disk, CD, including some instructions are to makeIt obtains a computer equipment (can be personal computer, server or the network equipment etc.) and executes each embodiment of the present inventionOr method described in certain parts of embodiment.
The present invention is described in detail above, specific case used herein is to the principle of the present invention and embodiment partyFormula is expounded, and the above description of the embodiment is only used to help understand the method for the present invention and its core ideas；Meanwhile it is rightIn those of ordinary skill in the art, according to the thought of the present invention, change is had in specific embodiments and applicationsPlace, in conclusion the contents of this specification are not to be construed as limiting the invention.