1. A method, comprising:
receiving a request for a service to be implemented on a network;
determining at least one solution to implement the service utilizing existing network components of the network; and
presenting the at least one solution to a user.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network components are connected to the network using one of a wired connection, a wireless connection, and a combination thereof.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
implementing one of the at least one solution.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
presenting additional information relating to the at least one solution.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the additional information relates to one of a speed, a cost, and a bandwidth of the solution.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
interrogating at least one of network pathways, network components, and network end devices of the network to create network data, the network data including at least one of a network map, existing services, a network path for each of the existing services, at least one functionality for each of the network components, network component configurations, end user components, and end user component configurations.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining includes searching the network data included in a database to determine the at least one solution.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
comparing the at least one solution with a policy application to determine whether the solution is allowed to be implemented in the network.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving a selection of the at least one solution.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one solution includes adding a new network component to implement the requested service.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the presenting includes one of displaying the at least one solution and printing the at least one solution.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one solution requires one of an installation of a new software and an update of an existing software, the new software and the update being retrieved from one of a database and an Internet.
13. A system, comprising:
a database storing network data for a plurality of network components in a network;
an input module receiving an input indicating a requested new service for the network;
a solution module searching the network data and determining at least one solution to implement the new service on the network; and
an output module presenting the at least one solution to a user.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the network data includes one of a network map, existing services, a network path for each of the existing services, at least one functionality for each of the network components, network component configurations, end user components, and end user component configurations.
15. The system of claim 13, further comprising:
an interrogation module interrogating at least one of network pathways, network components, and network end devices of the network to create the network data.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the input module includes a user interface including one of a list of services and a fillable form for entering the new service.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the solution includes only existing network components.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the solution includes additional components to be added to the network to implement the new service.
19. The system of claim 13, wherein the solution includes steps for implementing the new service.
20. The system of claim 13, further comprising:
a selection module receiving a selection of the solution by the user.
21. The system of claim 13, further comprising:
an implementation module providing information for the new service to be implemented on the network.
22. The system of claim 13, wherein the solution module determines additional information relating to the at least one solution and the output module presents the additional information to the user, the additional information relating to one of a speed, a cost, and a bandwidth of the solution.
23. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
a comparing module comparing the at least one solution with a policy application to determine whether the solution is allowed to be implemented in the network.
24. The system of claim 13, further comprising:
an alteration module receiving user alterations to the at least one solution.
25. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one solution requires one of an installation of a new software and an update of an existing software, the new software and the update being retrieved from one of a database and an Internet.
26. A system, comprising:
a storage means for storing network data for a plurality of network components in a network;
an input means for receiving an input indicating a requested new service for the network;
a solution generating means for searching the network data and for determining at least one solution to implement the new service on the network; and
an output means for presenting the at least one solution to a user.
27. A computer readable storage medium including a set of instructions executable by a processor, the set of instructions operable to:
receive a request for a service to be implemented on a network;
determine at least one solution to implement the service utilizing existing network components of the network; and
present the at least one solution to a user.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. An energy absorption device for a steering column for a vehicle, the device including a resilient device having turns that are wound in a clamping manner around an inner component, and means for connecting the inner component to the steering column, said resilient device and said inner component being slidable relatively to each other during collapse of the steering column, thereby to absorb energy, in the event of a vehicle crash,
wherein the inner component is arranged so as to slide through the turns of the resilient device in an axial direction of the turns in response to collapsing movement of the steering column, and
wherein an electronically controlled actuator is provided to adjust the clamping force of the resilient device.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inner component is a cylindrical member about which the turns of the resilient device are wound.
3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the cylindrical member is a rod.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein a coating is applied to at least one contact surface of the resilient device andor said inner component to control the friction effort between the resilient device and component.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inner component forms part of a steering column for a vehicle.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inner component is joined to a steering column for a vehicle as a separate component.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein said inner component and resilient device are arranged so that relative movement between them is parallel to an intended direction of collapse of the steering column.
8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the resilient device is a coil spring.
9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the coil spring is provided with two ends which extend outwardly from the turns of the coil spring in a tangential or a radial manner.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein one of said two ends of the coil spring is urged by resilience of the coil spring against a fixed component.
11. A device according to claim 10, wherein said fixed component is a mounting bracket for the steering column.
12. A device according to claim 10, wherein the other end of the two ends of the coil spring is engaged with an adjusting device.
13. A device according to claim 12, wherein said adjusting device is arranged to vary clamping force of turns of the coil spring on said inner component by winding or unwinding the coils of the spring about said inner component, acting through said other end of the coil spring.
14. A device according to claim 1, wherein a device is provided to adjust the clamping force of the resilient device in accordance with predetermined data.
15. A device according to claim 14, wherein said predetermined data includes at least one of stature of the driver, vehicle speed and vehicle attitude.
16. A vehicle steering column incorporating an energy absorption device according to claim 1.
17. A vehicle incorporating a steering column according to claim 16.
18. An energy absorption device for a steering column for a vehicle, the device including a resilient device having turns that are wound in a clamping manner around an inner component, and means for connecting the inner component to the steering column, the inner component being slidable axially through the turns of the resilient device during collapse of the steering column, thereby to absorb energy, in the event of a vehicle crash,
wherein the inner component is arranged so as to slide through the turns of the resilient device in an axial direction of the turns in response to collapsing movement of the steering column, and
wherein an electronically controlled actuator is provided to adjust the clamping force of the resilient device.
19. An energy absorbing steering column assembly, comprising:
a collapsible steering column and an energy absorbing device, the energy absorbing device including a first member and a second member having turns wound around the first member in a clamping manner, the energy absorbing device being coupled to the steering column such that the first and second members are movable relative to each other, to absorb energy by effect of clamping force between the first member and the turns of the second member, during collapse of the steering column,
wherein the first member is arranged so as to slide through the turns of the second member in an axial direction of the turns in response to collapsing movement of the steering column,
wherein the steering column assembly further comprises an intermediate member extending laterally of the steering column and coupling the steering column to the energy absorbing device, and
wherein an electronically controlled actuator is provided to adjust the clamping force of the resilient device.
20. An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 19, wherein said first member is a cylindrical member.
21. An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 19, wherein said second member is a coil spring.
22. An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 21, further comprising an adjusting device operable to adjust a clamping force turns of said spring about said first member.
23. An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 21, wherein said first member is a cylindrical member.
24. An energy absorbing steering column assembly according to claim 23, wherein said cylindrical member is connected to said steering column so as to be drawn axially through the turns of said spring by collapsing movement of said steering column.
25. A vehicle comprising an energy absorbing steering column assembly, said energy absorbing steering column assembly including:
a collapsible steering column and an energy absorbing device, the energy absorbing device including a first member and a second member having turns wound around the first member in a clamping manner, the energy absorbing device being coupled to the steering column such that the first and second members are movable relative to each other, to absorb energy by effect of clamping force between the first member and the turns of the second member, during collapse of the steering column,
wherein the first member is arranged so as to be displaced axially through the turns of the second member by collapsing movement of the steering column, and
wherein an electronically controlled actuator is provided to adjust clamping force of the second member in accordance with predetermined data.
26. An energy absorbing steering column assembly, comprising:
a collapsible steering column and an energy absorbing device, the energy absorbing device including a first member laterally spaced from the steering column, and a second member having turns wound around the first member in a clamping manner such that the turns have an axis laterally spaced from an axis of the steering column, the energy absorbing device being coupled to the steering column such that the first and second members are movable relative to each other, to absorb energy by effect of clamping force between the first member and the turns of the second member, during collapse of the column,
wherein the first member is arranged so as to be displaced axially through the turns of the second member by collapsing movement of the steering column, and
wherein an electronically controlled actuator is provided to adjust clamping force of the second member in accordance with predetermined data.