Author: claimsbot

1. A method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device, said method comprising the steps of:
providing a data storage device comprising a first interface associated with a read-write head configured to read data from and write data to said data storage device, said data storage device further having a second interface associated with a read-only head configured to only read data from said data storage device, wherein said first interface comprises a hardware selection switch for configuring a first head assembly carrying said read-write head to read data from and write data to said data storage device, and wherein said second interface comprises a second hardware selection switch for configuring a second head assembly carrying said read-only head to only read data from said data storage device;
connecting at least a first computing device to said first interface for exchanging data and transmitting commands to and from said first computing device, wherein said first computing device connected can both read data from and write data to said data storage device; and
connecting at least a second computing device to said second interface for accessing data and transmitting commands to and from said at least second computing device, wherein said second computing device connected can only read data from said data storage device.
2. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
establishing a plurality of parameters for a common drive controller coupled to each of said first interface and said second interface of said data storage device;
determining, using a logical state for one or more of said plurality of parameters, a current state of at least one data storage disk within said data storage device for which a data function is received before executing said data function request in order to avoid a failure associated with said at least one data storage disk; and
transmitting to said common drive controller said data function request that is received, wherein said read-write head associated with said first interface does not use a same data storage disk address argument as said read-only head associated with said second interface.
3. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 2, wherein said first interface associated with said first head assembly carrying said read-write head of said data storage device is configured to determine a respective logical state associated with a first parameter corresponding to whether or not said at least one data storage disk is on or off, and wherein said first interface is configured to determine a respective logical state associated with a second parameter corresponding to whether or not said read-write head is in a secure position before executing a read or write function.
4. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 3, wherein said second interface associated with said second head assembly carrying said read-only head of said data storage device is configured to determine said respective logical state associated with said first parameter corresponding to whether or not said at least one data storage disk is on or off, and wherein said second interface is configured to determine said respective logical state associated with said second parameter corresponding to whether or not said read-only head is in a secure position before executing a read function.
5. The method of storing and accessing data from a data storage device according to claim 4, wherein said first interface is adapted to connect to an administrator server and wherein said second interface is adapted to connect to a network server.

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 apparatus for forming a concrete foundation, comprising:
a generally hollow fixture that is adapted to receive concrete and that is shaped to form at least a portion of the foundation, the fixture including two tapered portions that are removably attached together by use of at least one fastener, effective to allow the fixture to be easily removed from a completed foundation;
at least one vibrating element for selectively vibrating the concrete to reduce air bubbles and defects within the foundation; and
a plurality of legs that are attached to and extend from the fixture, the legs including at least one adjustable leveling mechanism that engages a ground surface, the legs and at least one adjustable leveling mechanism cooperating to allow the form to be supported over a foundation hole and leveled relative to the ground surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one vibrating element comprises an air vibrator.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one vibrating element is removably attached to at least one side of the fixture.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each portion of the fixture includes a pair of flanges, which orthogonally project from opposing corners of the portion, each of the flanges mating with a corresponding flange of the other portion and including at least one hole that receives a fastener, effective to removably attach the portions together to form the fixture.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the foundation includes one or more bolts that extend from the top of the fixture, the apparatus further comprising:
one or more bolt holders attached to and extending over the fixture, the one or more bolt holders including holes for receiving the bolts and allowing the bolts to be attached to the fixture.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the fixture further comprises a plurality of handles extending from sides of the fixture.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one adjustable leveling mechanism comprises a plurality of jacks.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the jacks comprise screw jacks.
9. An apparatus for forming a railroad-crossing signal foundation including a plurality of cantilever bolts that are integrated into the foundation and extend from a top surface of the foundation, the apparatus comprising:
a generally hollow fixture that is adapted to receive concrete for forming an upper portion of the foundation, the fixture including two tapered portions that are removably attached together by use of at least one fastener, effective to allow the fixture to be easily removed from a completed foundation;
at least one bolt holding member that is attached to and extends over the fixture, the at least one bolt holding member being adapted to receive and secure the plurality of cantilever bolts;
at least one vibrating element for vibrating the concrete to reduce air bubbles and defects within the foundation; and
a pair of legs that are removably attached to and extend from the fixture, each of the legs including two leveling mechanisms that are attached to opposing ends of the leg and that engage a ground surface, the legs and leveling mechanisms cooperating to allow the form to be supported over a foundation hole and leveled relative to the ground surface.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one vibrating element is adapted to be removably attached to one or more of the cantilever bolts.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least one side of the fixture includes a projecting portion, and wherein the at least one vibrating element is adapted to be removably attached to the projecting portion.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one vibrating element comprises an air vibrator.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the portions of the fixture includes a pair of flanges, which orthogonally project from opposing corners of the portion, each of the flanges mating with a corresponding flange of the other portion and including at least one hole that receives a fastener, effective to removably attach the portions together to form the fixture.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fixture includes four sides each having a top and a bottom edge.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each top edge is approximately 32 inches in length and each bottom edge is approximately 34 inches in length.
16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein each top edge is approximately 65 inches in length and each bottom edge is approximately 67 inches in length.
17. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the leveling mechanisms comprise screw jacks.
18. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the at least one bolt holding member is formed from box tubing.
19. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fixture includes a plurality of handles that are attached to sides of the fixture.
20. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of the legs is adapted to be attached to the fixture in a plurality of offset positions, thereby allowing the legs to be offset relative to each other.

1. Interchangeable holder for hollow drills, containing a carrier part (4) for end accommodation of the base end (I 1) of the drill rod (10) of the hollow drill, and a holding means (12) for retaining engagement of the carrier part (4) on the assigned recesses (15) which are made in the wall of the drill rod (10) on its base end (11), characterized in that
the carrier part (4) has an end annular contact area (9) for accommodating drill rods (10; 10, 10) with different diameters and that there is a locking means (24) which together with the holding means (12) is active over the width of the annular contact area (9) in order to keep locked in the centered position the drill rod (10; 10; 10) which is held by the holding means (12) and which has been placed against the contact area (9).
2. Interchangeable holder as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holding means has at least two and especially three roughly radially arranged holding pins (12) for bayonet-like retaining engagement in the assigned recesses (15) on the base end (11) of the drill rod (10; 10, 10).
3. Interchangeable holder as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking means for each holding pin contains a movable locking tooth (24), and wherein the locking teeth (24) for locking the drill rod (10; 10, 10) which is held by the holding pins (12) can be extended out into the recesses (15).
4. Interchangeable holder as claimed in claim 3, wherein each locking tooth (24) which extends roughly over the free length of the holding pin (12) can be extended through a slotted opening (22) which has been formed in the contact surface (9) of the carrier part (4) in the axial direction into the position which borders the holding pin (12).
5. Interchangeable holder as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the annular contact area (9) or the annular end contact surface (9) of the carrier part (4) is bordered by an outer boundary (7) and an inner boundary (6), the holding pins (12) are each supported on the outside boundary (7) and the inside boundary (6) and each locking tooth (24) extends in an arrangement which is offset parallel to its holding pin (12) roughly over the free length of the holding pin (12).
6. Interchangeable holder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a locking carrier (23) which is supported to be axially movable on the central shaft (2) of the carrier part (4) contains the locking means or the axially projecting locking teeth (24).
7. Interchangeable holder as claimed in claim 6, wherein the locking carrier (23) is pretensioned elastically against the carrier part (4) in the locked position.
8. Interchangeable holder as claimed in one of claims 3 to 7, wherein each locking tooth (24) is rounded or beveled towards its end face (29).
9. Interchangeable holder as claimed in one of claims 3 to 8, wherein each recess (15) on the drill rod (10) has an entry section (17) for the holding pin (12) and the locking tooth (24) and wherein the entry section (17) has at least one side edge (20) which is tilted towards the direction of motion of the locking tooth (24).
10. Interchangeable holder as claimed in one of claims 2 to 9, wherein each holding pin (12) is held stationary in the carrier part (4) or in the inner boundary (6) and in the outer boundary (7) in the assigned holes (13 and 14).
11. Interchangeable holder as claimed in claim 10, wherein for each holding pin (12), coaxial through holes (13, 14) are formed in the opposite section of the carrier part (4).
12. Interchangeable holder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, wherein there is a catch means (31, 32) for fixing the opened locking carrier on the carrier part (4) in the catch position.
13. Interchangeable holder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the shaft (2) has a connection (38) for a drive means, especially a drilling machine.
14. Interchangeable holder as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the shaft (2) is made hollow and has a suction connection (37).
15. Hollow drill for fixing on an interchangeable holder, the drill rod of the hollow drill having on the base end opposite the drill tip recesses for producing bayonet-like retaining engagement to the holding means of the interchangeable holder and each recess having an entry section for the holding means, wherein the entry section (17) has at least one side edge (20) tilted to the axis (8) of rotation.
16. Hollow drill as claimed in claim 15, wherein the tilted side edge (20) is bevelled andor rounded.
17. Hollow drill as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the entry section (17) contains a locking section (18) and the tilted side edge (20) is opposite the locking section (18).

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 reproducing apparatus, comprising:
a memory adapted for storing at least one audio file and volume level information for controlling a reproduction volume level of the audio file, the volume level information including at least one of offset information and a value of the reproduction volume level;
a control unit adapted to control a reproduction volume of the audio file in accordance with the volume level information recorded corresponding to the audio file when the audio file stored in the memory is reproduced; and
an offset information processing unit adapted for calculating the offset information through an outside volume control input and recording the calculated offset information in the audio file while the audio file is reproduced.
2. The reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the offset information processing unit comprises:
a recognition unit adapted to recognize an input of a predetermined key while the audio file is reproduced;
a calculating unit adapted to calculate the offset information in accordance with an input value recognized by the recognition unit; and
a recording unit adapted to record the offset information calculated by the calculating unit in the memory.
3. The reproducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the offset information processing unit updates the offset information by summing up the offset information recorded in the audio file and offset information calculated from another input of the predetermined key.
4. The reproducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control unit comprises:
a volume control unit for controlling the reproduction volume level of the audio file in accordance with the offset information stored in the memory; and
an output unit for outputting audio data of the audio file at the reproduction volume level controlled by the volume control unit.
5. The reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit further comprises a volume level recording unit for recording the value of the reproduction volume level of the audio file in the memory and outputs an audio data of the audio file in accordance with the recorded value of the reproduction volume level.
6. The reproducing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the volume control unit controls the reproduction volume level by reflecting the offset information of the audio file and a volume level of an operating mode selected from at least one operating mode each, the at least one mode having a set volume level.
7. The reproducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recording unit records the offset information set through the volume control input by a user in a region additionally allocated in the memory.
8. The reproducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recording unit records the offset information set through the volume control input by a user as a history.
9. The reproducing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the control unit controls the reproduction volume level in accordance with offset information selected from the history.
10. The reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the offset information is recorded in a header of the audio file such that the reproduction volume level of audio file can be adjusted in accordance with the offset information while the audio file is reproduced.
11 The reproducing apparatus of claim 10, wherein when a plurality of audio files are stored in the memory a user can reproduce each audio file at a desired reproduction volume level in accordance with the recorded volume level in the plurality of audio files.
12. The reproducing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the recognition unit recognizes the volume level adjusted by a side key or button key provided in the reproducing apparatus.
13. The reproducing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reproducing apparatus is one of a mobile communication terminal, an MP3 player, a home theatre system, a computer system, and a karaoke system.
14. A method of controlling a volume of an apparatus for reproducing at least one audio file, comprising the steps of:
storing at least one audio file in a memory;
determining whether the at least one audio file is requested to be reproduced;
determining whether volume level information for controlling a reproduction volume level of an audio file is recorded in the memory; and
controlling the reproduction volume of the audio file in accordance with recorded volume level information and outputting audio data of the audio file at the controlled reproduction volume when it is determined that the volume level information has been recorded.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the volume level information comprises at least one of offset information and a value of the reproduction volume level.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
an offset information processing step of calculating the offset information through volume control input from the outside and recording calculated offset information in the audio file while the audio file is reproduced.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the offset information processing step comprises:
recognizing an input of a predetermined volume control key while the audio file is reproduced;
calculating the offset information in accordance with an input value recognized by the recognition step; and
recording the offset information calculated by the calculating step in the memory.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the offset information processing step comprises updating the offset information by summing up the offset information recorded in the audio file and offset information calculated from another input of the predetermined key.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the controlling step comprises outputting the audio data of the audio file at a reproduction volume level calculated by summing up a reference volume level and the offset information of the audio file.
20. The method of claim 14, wherein the controlling step comprises outputting the audio data of the audio file at a reference volume level, when it is determined that the volume level information has not been recorded in the memory.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein the controlling step comprises outputting the audio data of the audio file in accordance with the recorded value of the reproduction volume level.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein the controlling step comprises controlling the reproduction volume level by reflecting the offset information of the audio file and a volume level of an operating mode selected from at least one operating mode and outputting the audio data of the audio file at the controlled reproduction volume level.
23. The method of claim 17, wherein the recording step comprises recording the offset information set through the volume control input by a user in a region additionally allocated in the memory.
24. The method of claim 17, wherein the recording step comprises recording the offset information set through the volume control input by a user as a history.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the outputting step comprises controlling the reproduction volume level in accordance with offset information selected from the history.
26. The method of claim 15, wherein the offset information is recorded in a header of the audio file such that the reproduction volume level of audio file can be adjusted in accordance with the offset information while the audio file is reproduced.
27. The method of claim 17, wherein the recognizing step comprises recognizing the volume level adjusted by a side key or button key provided in the reproducing apparatus.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein when the volume level key is not selected it is determined whether a user requests the reproduction of the audio file to be terminated.