GB2443847A

GB2443847A - Generating recipes and meal plans

Info

Publication number: GB2443847A
Application number: GB0623011A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sophie Marie Pons Escribano; Paul Dennis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-11-17
Filing date: 2006-11-17
Publication date: 2008-05-21
Also published as: GB0623011D0; GB0705550D0

Abstract

The method comprises generating one or more data outputs based on a user input comprising items of information from a user, each item of information relating to a pre-selected user variable at least identifying a plurality of food ingredients and at least one predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, a dietary requirement, a meal request and/or a source suggestion. The method further comprises searching a database for associated data relating to the pre-selected user variables based on the information obtained from the user and generating one or more data outputs relating to the pre-selected user variables. There is also disclosed an apparatus for generating one or more data outputs based on the user input.

Description

A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING ONE OR MORE DATA

OUTPUTS

Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for generating one or more data outputs based on a user input of data identifying a plurality of food ingredients and information relating to a predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, and data identifying a predetermined source.

Background of the Invention

It is well known that, in today's busy lifestyle, numerous problems are experienced by individuals in planning meals and finding the Ume to shop for suitable ingredients from which to make those meals. It is often the case that an individual has neither the time nor the resources to search for possible uses to which the ingredients present in the individual's fridge or store cupboard may be put, and such conventional searching using, for example, cookbooks, may be particularly difficult if the combination of ingredients available is an unusual combination. Furthermore, the need to be creative and improvise with the ingredients available may place a considerable burden on an individual and the individual may not have the knowledge or resources to make use of such ingredients to create a tasty and healthy meal at any given time. Thus, meals may become repetitive and unhealthy options may be resorted to in such circumstances.

There is therefore a need for a method which substantially ameliorates or overcomes the abovementioned disadvantages and enables an individual to obtain one or more options for uses of available ingredients and to tailor the options to the individual's dietary requirements.

Sum man, of the Invention According to a first aspect there is provided a method of generating one or more data outputs based on a user input comprising: a) obtaining items of information from a user, each item of information relating to a pre-selected user variable, wherein at least one pre-selected user variable comprises data identifying a plurality of food ingredients and at least one pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, a dietary requirement, a meal request and/or a source suggestion; b) searching a database for associated data relating to the pre-selected user variables based on the information obtained from the user; and C) generating one or more data outputs relating to the pre-selected user variables.

Preferably, the step of generating one or more data outputs comprises generating data representative of one or more recipes for processing by the user.

Preferably, the step of generating one or more data outputs comprises generating data representative of one or more of a meal planner, one or more additional ingredients and/or a recipe or recipes including said additional ingredients, or a source from which one or more ingredients may be obtained.

In a preferred embodiment, wherein the step of generating one or more data outputs comprises generating data representative of a source from which one or more ingredients may be obtained, wherein the source comprises one or more of a supplier and/or a restaurant.

Preferably, the user interface is connectable to the database through a communications link., such as the Internet.

Preferably, the step of obtaining comprises obtaining the items of information through a website communicatively linking the user interface and the database over a communications network.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises forwarding the generated one or more outputs to the user interface.

Preferably, the method further comprises forwarding the generated one or more outputs to a second user interface.

Preferably, the step of forwarding comprises forwarding the one or more generated outputs over a communications network by e-mail.

Preferably, the step of generating one or more outputs further comprises generating one or more outputs including data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients and a further suggestion for use of the ingredients.

In a preferred embodiment, the step of generating comprises generating the data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients either in response to a request by the user or automatically.

Preferably, the method further comprises forwarding to said user data representative of one or more sources local to the user from the additional ingredients are available.

Preferably, the step of generating one or more outputs further comprises generating one or more outputs comprising data representative of one or more beverages.

Preferably, the step of generating one or more outputs further comprises generating one or more outputs comprising data representative of a promotion by a supplier.

S P

In a preferred embodiment, the dietary requirement comprises one or more of calorie related data, carbohydrate related data, fat content data, salt content data, sugar content data, wheat content data, and/or a type of diet such as one or more of vegan, vegetarian or organic.

In an alternative preferred embodiment, the dietary requirement comprises one or more of a restaurant meal, a meal using seasonal ingredients or a type of cuisine.

Preferably, the step of obtaining items of information from a user comprises information relating to a request for data relating to predetermined occasions.

Preferably, the pre-selected user variable comprises a request for a menu planner, the method further comprising selecting on a timetable data representing one or more ingredients to be consumed on a given day or a predetermined category associated with the nature of possible ingredients.

In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined category comprises one or more of low carbohydrate, or a combination of ingredients.

Preferably, the method further comprises forwarding to the user the one or more outputs in the form of a list, a weekly menu and/or a set of recipes for each day selected on the timetable.

Preferably, the pre-selected user variable comprises a request data relating to one or more recommended daily requirements for particular types of nutrients.

In a preferred embodiment, the user interface is locatable in a retail outlet or a restaurant.

Preferably, the user interface comprises a keyboard and/or a touch screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises presenting one or more of the generated outputs as a list of ingredients.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program product comprising a program code stored in memory and when executed on the processing module enables the processing module to carry out the following steps: a) obtaining items of information from a user, each item of information relating to a pre-selected user variable, wherein at least one pre-selected user variable comprises data identifying a plurality of food ingredients and at least one pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, a dietary requirement, a meal request and/or a source suggestion; b) searching a database for associated data relating to the pre-selected user variables based on the information obtained from the user; and c) generating one or more data outputs relating to the pre-selected user variables.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus arranged to implement the method defined above.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for generating one or more data outputs based on a user input comprising: a user interface arranged to receive items of information from a user, each item of information relating to a pre-selected user variable, wherein at least one pre-selected user variable comprises data identifying a plurality of food ingredients and at least one pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, a dietary requirement, a meal request and/or a source suggestion; a searchable database; a searching stage for searching the database for associated data relating to the pre-selected user variables based on the information obtained from the user; and an output generatton stage for generating one or more data outputs relating to the pre-selected user variables.

Preferably, the output generation stage is arranged to generate data representative of one or more recipes for processing by the user.

Preferably, the output generation stage is arranged to generate data representative of one or more of a meal planner, one or more additional ingredients and/or a recipe or recipes including said additional ingredients, or a source from which one or more ingredients my be obtained.

Preferably, the output generation stage is arranged to generate data representative of a source from which one or more ingredients may be obtained, wherein the source comprises one or more of a supplier and/or a restaurant.

Preferably, the user interface is connectable to the database through a communications link such as the Internet.

In a preferred embodiment, the user interface is arranged to receive the items of information from the user through input of data on a website communicatively linking the user interface and the database over a communications network.

Preferably, the output generation stage is arranged to forward the generated one or more outputs to the user interface or a second user interface.

Preferably, the output generation stage is arranged to forward the generated one or more outputs to the user interface over a communications network by e-mail.

In a preferred embodiment, the output generation stage is further arranged to generate one or more outputs including data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients and a further suggestion for use of the ingredients.

Preferably, the output generation stage is further arranged to generate data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients either in response to a request by the user or automatically.

Preferably, the output generation stage is further arranged to forward to said user data representative of one or more sources local to the user from the additional ingredients are available.

Preferably, the output generation stage is further arranged to generate one or more outputs comprising data representative of one or more beverages.

In a preferred embodiment, the output generation stage is further arranged to generate one or more outputs comprising data representative of a promotion by a supplier.

Preferably, the dietary requirement comprises one or more of calorie related data, carbohydrate related data, fat content data, salt content data, sugar content data, wheat content data, and/or a type of diet, such as one or more of vegan, vegetarian or organic.

In a preferred embodiment, the dietary requirement comprises one or more of a restaurant meal, a meal using seasonal ingredients or a type of cuisine.

Preferably, the pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a request for data relating to predetermined occasions.

Preferably, pre-selected user variable comprises a request for a menu planner, the user interface further being arranged to permit selection on a timetable data representing one or more ingredients to be consumed on a given day or a predetermined category associated with the nature of possible ingredients.

Preferably, the predetermined category comprises one or more of low carbohydrate, or a combination of ingredients.

In a preferred embodiment, the output generation stage is further arranged to forward to the user the one or more outputs in the form of a list, a weekly menu and/or a set of recipes for each day selected on the timetable.

In a preferred embodiment, said user interface is locatable in a retail outlet or a restaurant.

Preferably, the user interface comprises a keyboard and/or a touch screen.

In a preferred embodiment, the output generation stage is further arranged to present one or more of the generated outputs as a list of ingredients.

One or more embodiments of the methods and apparatus embodying the invention therefore provide a viable and practical technique for use in various situations.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, a user interface 2 such as a computer interface is connected to a database via a communications link such as the Internet. In a first stage 4, the user enters data relating to a plurality of items of information through the user interface 2 by, for example, accessing a dedicated website on which the user's options are accessible and through which the user may enter his data. Each item of information relates to a pre-selected user variable which includes at least data identifying a number of food ingredients and at least one further variable such as information relating to a predetermined desired application to which the food ingredients are to be put. The further variable may include one or more of a request for a recipe, a meal planner request, a request for suggested additional ingredients which may be combined with the user's ingredients which are being submitted, a request for a budgeted suggestion for use of the user's ingredients, and a request for a suggestion of a possible source for additional ingredients or, in the event that the results generated as a result of the search are such that none of the above mentioned requests is able to be satisfied, a restaurant recommendation.

The user's data input is processed and a search is conducted of the database records in a searching stage 6 to determine possible outputs in response to the user's input and the results of the search are generated in a further stage 8. The generated results of the search are then supplied to the user interface 2.

In a preferred embodiment, the searching stage 6 is arranged to search for a number of possible options available to the user. For example, the user may request a search be conducted for a recipe or selection of recipes. The recipe(s) and detailed instructions for implementation of the recipes which make use of a number of the user's specified ingredients may be generated and forwarded to the user interface for review and subsequent use by the user. Also, the searching stage 2 may search automatically or on request for one or more suggestions of additional ingredients which may be combined with the user's specified ingredients and further recipe suggestions for their use may be forwarded to the user.

In a preferred embodiment, details of possible sources local to the user such as supermarkets or other suppliers which stock those additional ingredients may be forwarded to the user. Those suppliers may choose to place advertisements with the searching service and such advertisements may be forwarded to the user in appropriate circumstances.

In a further preferred embodiment, one or more suggestions of suitable beverages which could accompany the meal to be created using the suggested recipes may be requested by the user or automatically provided to the user with the search results. Such details may include promotions by various suppliers which may be local to the user.

The data input stage 4 may provide the user with the option of entering specific dietary requirements of the user, which may include a limited number of calories or carbohydrates which are to be found in the suggested uses of the user's specified ingredients, or the nature of those requirements such as vegan, vegetarian, organic, wheat free, low sugar, low salt, low fat. It may also include the requirements of the user for a specified type of meal such as restaurant meal, one using seasonal ingredients or a particular type of speciality cuisine. Again, third parties such as restaurants, food and drink suppliers and cooking equipment suppliers may advertise in connection with the provision of such results to the user. Chefs or authors promoting particular cookbooks may also be supplied to the user.

In the event that no recipes may be located by the search of the database which utilize the user's specified ingredients, the results generated may include a suggestion that the user considers a meal at a local restaurant and details of possible restaurants local to the user may be provided. Again, the restaurants may pay a fee to be included in these suggestions.

In a further preferred embodiment, the user may submit a request to search for help and suggestions for special occasions, in particular for recipes to be used in the production of food for events such as weddings, first dates, Christmas, and meals for two.

The searching stage may further be arranged to search for budget suggestions in the event that the user has identified that he or she is limited financially.

In a further preferred embodiment, the user may select to create a planner for a given period such as a week. The user may indicate on a timetable, by, for example, clicking and/or dragging on-screen icons into the relevant positions on the timetable, one or more desired ingredients to be consumed on a given day or a predetermined category associated with the nature of possible ingredients, such as low carbohydrate, extravagant, or a combination of ingredients. This data is then processed and the searching stage initiates a search of possible options. These options are then presented to the user interface for review and processing by the user. The options may be presented in the form of a suggested shopping list or lists andfor a weekly menu or set of recipes for each day may be generated. This service may be offered automatically to the user or on a subscription basis.

A children's section may be provided which would enable the user to create healthy meal options for children, for example, by requesting a search be conducted for meals including the recommended daily requirements for particular types of nutrients such as fruit and vegetables.

A subscription service may be provided which forwards to a subscribed user a daily meal plan with detailed instructions for preparation thereof by, for example, e-mail.

In a further preferred embodiment, one or more user interfaces may be located in shops as an aid to shopping. In such embodiments, the user interfaces may be in the form of computers including a keyboard for input of the user data or may include a touch screen. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as a user may determine quickly and easily the options available for use of particular ingredients being sold nearby which may be unusual or unknown to the user and may also provides the user with the opportunity to search for possible meal options and create an on-site shopping list accordingly. The recipes available to the user may be printed in store or e-mailed to the user, as desired.

Also, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in a restaurant. In such an embodiment, instead of presenting a diner with conventional menu, the diner is able to select from a menu of ingredients those ingredients he or she wishes to eat and, if desired, how they are to be used and a meal may then be created based on those ingredients and instructions.

Thus, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention enable the user to pick and choose from a large selection of dishes and obtain results which provide the user with options for dining which are specially tailored to suit to the user's tastes and requirements.

Various modifications to the embodiments of the present invention described above may be made. For example, other components and method steps can be added or substituted for those above. Thus, although the invention has been described above using particular embodiments, many variations are possible within the scope of the claims, as will be clear to the skilled reader, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims: 1. A method of generating one or more data outputs based on a

user input comprising: a) obtaining items of information from a user, each item of information relating to a pre-selected user variable, wherein at least one pre-selected user variable comprises data identifying a plurality of food ingredients and at least one pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, a dietary requirement, a meal request and/or a source suggestion; b) searching a database for associated data relating to the pre-selected user variables based on the information obtained from the user; and C) generating one or more data outputs relating to the pre-selected user variables.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating one or more data outputs comprises generating data representative of one or more recipes for processing by the user.
3. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the step of generating one or more data outputs comprises generating data representative of one or more of a meal planner, one or more additional ingredients and/or a recipe or recipes including said additional ingredients, or a source from which one or more ingredients may be obtained.
4. A method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the step of generating one or more data outputs comprises generating data representative of a source from which one or more ingredients may be obtained, wherein the source comprises one or more of a supplier and/or a restaurant.
5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface is connectable to the database through a communications link.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said communications link comprises the Internet.
7. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of obtaining comprises obtaining the items of information through a website communicatively linking the user interface and the database over a communications network.
8. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising forwarding the generated one or more outputs to the user interface.
9. A method according to any one of claims I to 7, further comprising forwarding the generated one or more outputs to a second user interface.
10. A method according to any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein the step of forwarding comprises forwarding the one or more generated outputs over a communications network by e-mail.
11. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of generating one or more outputs further comprises generating one or more outputs including data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients and a further suggestion for use of the ingredients.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of generating comprises generating the data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients either in response to a request by the user or automatically.
13. A method according to any one of claims 11 or 12, further comprising forwarding to said user data representative of one or more sources local to the user from the additional ingredients are available.
14. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of generating one or more outputs further comprises generating one or more outputs comprising data representative of one or more beverages.
15. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of generating one or more outputs further comprises generating one or more outputs comprising data representative of a promotion by a supplier.
16. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dietary requirement comprises one or more of calorie related data, carbohydrate related data, fat content data, salt content data, sugar content data, wheat content data, and/or a type of diet.
17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the type of diet comprises one or more of vegan, vegetarian or organic.
18. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the dietary requirement comprises one or more of a restaurant meal, a meal using seasonal ingredients or a type of cuisine.
19. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of obtaining items of information from a user comprises information relating to a request for data relating to predetermined occasions.
20. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-selected user variable comprises a request for a menu planner, the method further comprising selecting on a timetable data representing one or more ingredients to be consumed on a given day or a predetermined category associated with the nature of possible ingredients.
21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the predetermined category comprises one or more of low carbohydrate, or a combination of ingredients.
22. A method according to any one of claims 20 or 21, further comprising forwarding to the user the one or more outputs in the form of a list, a weekly menu and/or a set of recipes for each day selected on the timetable.
23. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pre-selected user variable comprises a request data relating to one or more recommended daily requirements for particular types of nutrients.
24. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said user interface is locatable in a retail outlet.
25. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface comprises a keyboard and/or a touch screen.
26. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising presenting one or more of the generated outputs as a list of ingredients.
27. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the user interface is locatable in a restaurant.
28. A computer program product comprising a program code stored in memory and when executed on the processing module enables the processing module to carry out the following steps: a) obtaining items of information from a user, each item of information relating to a pre-selected user variable, wherein at least one pre-selected user variable comprises data identifying a plurality of food ingredients and at least one pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, a dietary requirement, a meal request andlor a source suggestion; b) searching a database for associated data relating to the pre-selected user variables based on the information obtained from the user: and C) generating one or more data outputs relating to th pre-s&ected user variables.
29. An apparatus arranged to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 27.
30. An apparatus for generating one or more data outputs based on a user input comprising: a user interface arranged to receive items of information from a user, each item of information relating to a pre-selected user variable, wherein at least one pie-selected user variable comprises data identifying a plurality of food ingredients and at least one pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a predetermined application, the predetermined application comprising one or more of a recipe request, a meal planner request, a request for additional ingredients, a budgeted suggestion, a dietary requirement, a meal request and/or a source suggestion; a searchable database; a searching stage for searching the database for associated data relating to the pre-selected user variables based on the information obtained from the user; and an output generation stage for generating one or more data outputs relating to the pre-selected user variables.
31. An apparatus according to claim 30, wherein the output generation stage is arranged to generate data representative of one or more recipes for processing by the user.
32. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 or 31, wherein the output generation stage is arranged to generate data representative of one or more of a meal planner, one or more additional ingredients and/or a recipe or recipes including said additional ingredients, or a source from which one or more ingredients may be obtained.
33. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 or 31, wherein the output generation stage is arranged to generate data representative of a source from which one or more ingredients may be obtained, wherein the source comprises one or more of a supplier and/or a restaurant.
34. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the user interface is connectable to the database through a communications link.
35. An apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said communications link comprises the Internet.
36. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 35, wherein the user interface is arranged to receive the items of information from the user through input of data on a website communicatively linking the user interface and the database over a communications network. a
37. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 36, wherein the output generation stage is arranged to forward the generated one or more outputs to the user interface.
38. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 36, wherein the output generation stage is arranged to forward the generated one or more outputs to a second user interface.
39. An apparatus according to any one of claims 37 or 38, wherein the output generation stage is arranged to forward the generated one or more outputs to the user interface over a communications network by e-mail.
40. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 39, wherein the output generation stage is further arranged to generate one or more outputs including data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients and a further suggestion for use of the ingredients.
41. An apparatus according to claim 40, wherein the output generation stage is further arranged to generate data representative of one or more additional ingredients combinable with the user's specified ingredients either in response to a request by the user or automatically.
42. An apparatus according to any one of claims 40 or 41, wherein the output generation stage is further arranged to forward to said user data representative of one or more sources local to the user from the additional ingredients are available.
43. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 42, wherein the output generation stage is further arranged to generate one or more outputs comprising data representative of one or more beverages.

S
44. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 43, wherein the output generation stage is further arranged to generate one or more outputs comprising data representative of a promotion by a supplier.
45. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 44, wherein the dietary requirement comprises one or more of calorie related data, carbohydrate related data, fat content data, salt content data, sugar content data, wheat content data, and/or a type of diet.
46. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 44, wherein the type of diet comprises one or more of vegan, vegetarian or organic.
47. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 44, wherein the dietary requirement comprises one or more of a restaurant meal, a meal using seasonal ingredients or a type of cuisine.
48 An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 47, wherein the pre-selected user variable comprises information relating to a request for data relating to predetermined occasions.
49. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 47, wherein the pre-selected user variable comprises a request for a menu planner, the user interface further being arranged to permit selection on a timetable data representing one or more ingredients to be consumed on a given day or a predetermined category associated with the nature of possible ingredients.
50. An apparatus according to claim 49, wherein the predetermined category comprises one or more of low carbohydrate, or a combination of ingredients.
51. An apparatus according to any one of claims 49 or 50, wherein the output generation stage is further arranged to forward to the user the one or more outputs in the form of a list, a weekly menu and/or a set of recipes for each day selected on the timetable.
52. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 51, wherein the pre-selected user variable comprises a request data relating to one or more recommended daily requirements for particular types of nutrients.
53. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 52, wherein said user interface is locatable in a retail outlet.
54. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 53, wherein the user interface comprises a keyboard and/or a touch screen.
55. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 54, wherein the output generation stage is further arranged to present one or more of the generated outputs as a list of ingredients.
56. An apparatus according to any one of claims 30 to 55, wherein the user interface is locatable in a restaurant.
57. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one embodiment as that embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
58. An apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one embodiment as that embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.