1. A method of measuring the receive bit rate available to a client terminal adapted to be connected to a data server via a communications network, which method comprises the steps of:
connecting the client terminal to a bit rate measuring application host server,
downloading a bit rate measuring application from the bit rate measuring application host server to the client terminal,
running the bit rate measuring application, which comprises the steps of:
connecting the client terminal to a test server,
downloading a test file from the test server to the client terminal, and
measuring a downloading bit rate for the test file.
2. An available bit rate measuring method according to claim 1, wherein the test file contains packets of data and the step of measuring the test file downloading bit rate comprises:
measuring a downloading bit rate after the reception of each packet,
performing a measured bit rate stability test, and
halting the downloading of the test file and the measurement if the stability test is satisfied.
3. An available bit rate measuring method according to claim 2, wherein a downloading bit rate is measured after the reception of each packet between a packet of predetermined order in the test file and the latest packet received.
4. An available bit rate measuring method according to claim 2, wherein a downloading bit rate is measured after the reception of each packet between the end of reception of the first packet in the test file and the end of reception of the latest packet received.
5. An available bit rate measuring method according to claim 2, wherein a downloading bit rate is measured after the reception of each packet over a predetermined number of latest packets received.
6. An available bit rate measuring method according to claim 2, wherein the stability criterion is satisfied if the difference between the measured bit rates on the reception of two consecutive packets over a predetermined range of packets is below a predetermined threshold.
7. A method of downloading digital data to a client terminal adapted to be connected to a server via a communications network, which method comprises the available bit rate measuring method according to claim 1, and then a step of connecting the client terminal to the data server with an indication depending on the measured available bit rate.
8. A method of downloading digital data to a client terminal adapted to be connected to a server via a communications network, which method comprises the available bit rate measuring method according to claim 1, a preliminary step of requesting downloading of specific data, and a subsequent step of connecting the client terminal to the data server with an address determined as a function of the measured available bit rate.
9. A system for measuring the receive bit rate available to a client terminal adapted to be connected to a data server via a communications network, which system comprises:
means for connecting the client terminal to a bit rate measuring application host server,
means for downloading a bit rate measuring application from the bit rate measuring application host server to the client terminal,
means for running the bit rate measuring application, for:
connecting the client terminal to a test server,
downloading a test file from the test server to the client terminal, and
measuring a downloading bit rate for the test file.
10. A bit rate measurement application host server adapted to hose a bit rate measurement application comprising the steps of:
connecting the client terminal to a test server,
downloading a test file from the test server to the client terminal, and
measuring a downloading bit rate for the test file,
the server also being adapted to download that application to a client terminal via a communications network.
11. A computer program stored on an information medium and comprising instructions for executing the method according to claim 1.
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. A handheld cleaning appliance comprising a main body which houses a motor and fan unit for drawing air flow along an airflow path between a dirty air inlet and a clean air outlet, a power source arranged to power the motor and fan unit, a handle, and separating apparatus located in an airflow path leading from the dirty air inlet to the clean air outlet for separating dirt and dust from an airflow, the separating apparatus comprising a cyclonic separator having at least one first cyclone, wherein the cyclonic separator further comprises a plurality of second cyclones arranged in parallel with one another and located downstream of the or each first cyclone and wherein the cyclonic separator has a first end and a second end and the dirty air inlet is connected to the cyclonic separator at a location intermediate the first and second ends thereof, and the handle and the dirty air inlet being arranged opposite one another about the cyclonic separator.
2. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein a longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator lies substantially parallel to the handle.
3. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cyclonic separator lies in a generally upright configuration.
4. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1 or 2, wherein a single first cyclone is provided.
5. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 4, wherein the second cyclones are spaced around a longitudinal axis of the first cyclone.
6. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 4, wherein each of the second cyclones has an end which projects into the first cyclone.
7. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 6, wherein the dirty air inlet is connected to the cyclonic separator at a location which is adjacent the ends of the second cyclones which project into the first cyclone.
8. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 6, wherein the cyclonic separator lies in a generally upright configuration.
9. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the dirty air inlet is connected to the cyclonic separator at a location which is adjacent ends of the second cyclones which project into the first cyclone.
10. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the cyclonic separator lies in a generally upright configuration.
11. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises a battery.
12. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the handle and the dirty air inlet are arranged on opposite sides of a longitudinal axis of the cyclonic separator.
13. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein a single first cyclone is provided.
14. The handheld cleaning appliance of claim 13, wherein the second cyclones are spaced around a longitudinal axis of the first cyclone.