Author: claimsbot

1. A correlation confocal microscope, comprising:
a source of a source light beam converging to a point location on a sample;
a modulator applying a spatial pattern of modulation to the source light beam to define spatially correlated photons of the source light beam by equal modulation thereof;
an objective operative to generate an image light beam from modulated light gathered from the point location on the sample;
a filter operative to apply a modulation-selective filter function to the image light beam to generate a filtered light beam of like-modulated photons; and
a coincidence detector operative to detect temporally coincident photon pairs in the filtered light beam to generate a pulse output indicative of a magnitude of a light-detectable property of the sample at the point location.
2. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 1, wherein the modulator is a phase modulator and the spatial pattern is a spatial pattern of phase modulation, and wherein the filter is an interferometer and the modulation-selective filter function selects photon pairs that are phase-coincident and rejects photon pairs that are not phase-coincident.
3. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 2, wherein the phase modulator has a linearly varying characteristic to produce the spatial pattern of phase modulation having a linear transition as a function of distance away from an optical axis of the microscope.
4. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 2, wherein the phase modulator has a non-linearly varying characteristic to produce the spatial pattern of phase modulation having a non-linear transition as a function of distance away from an optical axis of the microscope.
5. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 4, wherein the non-linear transition has a Gaussian characteristic.
6. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 1, wherein the objective includes an objective lens and a pinhole screen having a pinhole at which the modulated light is focused to form the image light beam.
7. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 1, wherein the source includes a source of collimated light and a condenser lens, and wherein the sample is separated from the condenser lens by a focal length of the condenser lens.
8. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 7, wherein the source of collimated light is a laser.
9. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 1, wherein the source includes a point type of light source and a condenser lens, the condenser lens having a focal length f and being located at respective distances z1 and z2 from the point type of light source and the sample, where 1z1+1z2=1f.
10. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 9, wherein the point type of light source includes an incoherent source and a pinhole screen having a pinhole through which light from the incoherent source travels to form the source light beam.
11. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 9, wherein the point type of light source includes a nonlinear optical material in which spontaneous parametric downconversion occurs to emit photon pairs at correlated angles.
12. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 1, further including scanning apparatus and image capture apparatus co-operative to effect a scanning and a collection of pixel values at each of an array of point location over an area of the sample.
13. A correlation confocal microscope according to claim 1, wherein the modulator is a frequency modulator and the spatial pattern is a spatial pattern of frequency modulation, and wherein the filter is a prism and the modulation-selective filter function selects photon pairs that are frequency-coincident and rejects photon pairs that are not frequency-coincident.

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 method for performing an automated test of one or more applications using an application independent GUI map, said method comprising:
changing a physical description of an object of a general class of objects in said GUI map in real time to identify a specific object in a particular application of said one or more applications, wherein said general class of objects comprises a plurality of general objects that are not application dependent, wherein the general objects are mapped to the specific object independently of said particular application;
identifying a location of said specific object in said particular application using said physical description;
associating said specific object with said physical description;
selecting a predefined operation based on a keyword included in said automated test, wherein said predefined operation comprises one or more of said plurality of general objects; and
operating on said specific object during said automated test using said predefined operation, wherein said automated test comprises a plurality of keywords associated with separate predefined operations of said general class of objects.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein changing said physical description comprises changing said physical description at run time of said automated test.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein changing said physical description does not affect a mapping of said plurality of general objects that are associated with an automated test of a different application.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said general class of objects comprise a check button, edit box, link, list box, menu, object, press button, radio button, spin, tab, table and text.
5. An apparatus comprising:
a computer readable memory unit;
a processor coupled to said memory unit and configured to:
change a physical description of an object of a general class of objects in a GUI map in real time, wherein said general class of objects comprises a plurality of general objects that are not application dependent, wherein the general objects are mapped to a specific object independently of said specific object, wherein a single object in the GUI map is to be used in an execution of each operation involving an object of its class in a test case;
identify a location of said specific object in a particular application using said physical description;
associate said specific object with said physical description; and
test said specific object during an automated test according to a predefined operation comprising one or more of said plurality of general objects, wherein said predefined operation is associated with a keyword, and wherein said automated test is generated from a plurality of keywords associated with separate predefined operations of said plurality of general objects.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said processor is configured to change said physical description at run time of said automated test.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said plurality of general objects are independently mapped in said GUI map.
8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said processor is further configured to associate said plurality of general objects to said predefined operation according to a selection from said general class of objects including a check button, edit box, link, list box, menu, object, press button, radio button, spin, tab, table or text.
9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said processor is configured to select said predefined operation based on said keyword.
10. A system having a processor for performing an automated test of one or more applications using an application independent GUI map, said system comprising:
means for changing a physical description of an object of a general class of objects in said GUI map in real time, wherein said general class of objects comprises a plurality of general objects that are not application dependent, wherein the general objects are mapped to a specific object independently of said one or more applications;
means for identifying a location of said specific object in a particular application using said physical description;
means for associating said specific object with said physical description, wherein said means for associating includes means for requesting information to be used to uniquely identify the specific object in the GUI map of the particular application; and
means for selecting a predefined operation for testing said specific object during said automated test, wherein said predefined operation comprises one or more of said plurality of general objects, wherein said predefined operation is selected based on a keyword, and wherein said automated test comprises a plurality of keywords that define separate predefined operations of said general class of objects.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said means for changing includes means for changing said physical description at run time of said automated test.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein changing said physical description does not affect a mapping of said plurality of general objects that are associated with an automated test of a different application.

1-11. (canceled)
12. A device for a charging cable having a plug to be inserted in an electric vehicle or in a charging station, comprising:
an automatic reeling mechanism to automatically reel the charging cable such that the charging cable can be drawn out of the automatic reeling mechanism by overcoming a retraction force which acts on the plug of the charging cable via the charging cable; and
a control unit to:
detect whether the plug of the charging cable is inserted or is no longer being touched by an operator, and
at least reduce the retraction force as soon as the plug of the charging cable is inserted or is no longer being touched by the operator.
13. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the control unit has a signal input for a tactile detector, which is fitted on the plug, or
the control unit has a signal input for a plug-type connection detector, which is fitted to the plug and generates a signal when the plug is inserted.
14. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the automatic reeling mechanism has a spring, which causes the retraction force and automatically reels the charging cable, and
the device further comprises a clamping apparatus which is driven by the control unit to lock the charging cable and therefore decouple the retraction force from the plug.
15. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the automatic reeling mechanism has an electric motor, which is driven by the control unit.
16. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the control unit decouples the automatic reeling mechanism from the plug to eliminate the retraction as soon as the plug of the charging cable is inserted into the vehicle or is no longer being touched by the operator.
17. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the control unit detects whether the plug of the charging cable is inserted and detects whether the plug of the charging cable is no longer being touched by an operator, and
the control unit at least reduces the retraction force as soon as the plug of the charging cable is inserted and the plug of the charging cable is no longer being touched by the operator.
18. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the control unit detects whether the plug of the charging cable is inserted, and
the control unit at least reduces the retraction force as soon as the plug of the charging cable is inserted.
19. The device as claimed in claim 12, wherein
the control unit detects whether the plug of the charging cable is no longer being touched by an operator, and
the control unit at least reduces the retraction force as soon as the plug of the charging cable is no longer being touched by the operator.
20. A charging station, which has the device as claimed in claim 12.
21. An electric vehicle, which has the device as claimed in claim 12.
22. A charging cable apparatus comprising:
a charging cable having a plug to be inserted in an electric vehicle or in a charging station;
an automatic reeling mechanism to automatically reel the charging cable such that the charging cable can be drawn out of the automatic reeling mechanism by overcoming a retraction force which acts on the plug of the charging cable via the charging cable; and
a control unit to:
detect whether the plug of the charging cable is inserted or is no longer being touched by an operator, and
at least reduce the retraction force as soon as the plug of the charging cable is inserted or is no longer being touched by the operator.
23. The charging cable apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein
a tactile detector is fitted on the plug, and
the control unit has a signal input for the tactile detector.
24. The charging cable apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein
the tactile detector is a pushbutton tactile sensor, a dynamometer tactile sensor, an inductive tactile sensor or a capacitive tactile sensor.
25. The charging cable apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein
a plug-type connection detector is fitted to the plug,
the plug-type connection detector generates a signal when the plug is inserted, and
the control unit has a signal input for the signal generated by the plug-type connection detector when the plug is inserted.
26. The charging cable apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein
the plug-type connection detector is a mechanical contact.
27. A method for a charging cable having a plug to be inserted in an electric vehicle or in a charging station, comprising:
automatically reeling the charging cable such that an operator draws the charging cable out of an automatic reeling mechanism by overcoming a retraction force, the retraction force acting on the plug of the charging cable via the charging cable;
using a control unit to detect that the plug of the charging cable is inserted or is no longer being touched by the operator; and
using the control unit to at least reduce the retraction force when the plug of the charging cable is inserted or is no longer being touched by the operator.
28. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein
the control unit detects when the plug of the charging cable is no longer inserted or detects that the plug of the charging cable is being touched again by the operator, and
the control unit increases the retraction force when the plug of the charging cable is no longer inserted or the plug of the charging cable is being touched again by the operator.
29. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein
the control unit detects that the plug of the charging cable is inserted based on an internal resistance measurement between conductors of the charging cable, based on a current measurement or based on a data signal which is transmitted via the charging cable.
30. The method as claimed in claim 27, wherein
the control unit unreels the charging cable by a predefined length as soon as the plug of the charging cable is inserted or is no longer being touched by the operator.

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 method of determining andor sharing spectrum availability, the method comprising automatically sensing and analyzing a spectrum to identify used andor unused portions of the spectrum, and automatically communicating the used andor unused portions of the spectrum to a spectrum owner or a spectrum user.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically identifying current spectrum users and automatically reporting the current spectrum users to a spectrum owner.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
automatically determining signals and holes within the spectrum;
automatically ranking the holes as a function of available bandwidth andor incumbent duty cycles; and
automatically modeling spectrum that us infrequently used for incumbent transmissions.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sensing comprises automatically and repeatedly measuring the spectrum at a predetermined time interval.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the sensing is performed by a spectrum power sensor connected to an antenna.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
ranked unused portions of the spectrum;
prioritizing potential users for the spectrum; and
automatically matching the ranked unused portions of the spectrum to the potential users as a function of the prioritizing.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
automatically modeling measured spectrum data in a two-dimensional matrix, wherein each value within the matrix is a power measurement, and
plotting the matrix via a spectrogram.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:
automatically estimating a noise floor for the spectrum, wherein the noise floor is estimated band by band across the spectrum;
extracting clusters of each of detected signals and spectrum holes within the matrix;
identifying the signals and spectrum holes in the spectrum by extracting start and stop frequencies and bandwidths for each of the signals and spectrum holes; and associating each start frequency with a corresponding stop frequency for the each of the signals and spectrum holes.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
extracting all signals and spectrum holes from spectrum measurement data;
quantifying a spectrum opportunity for at least one of the spectrum holes;
identifying a center frequency for the at least one of the spectrum holes; and
communicating the center frequency in a machine-readable form to a spectrum user.
10. A method of determining andor sharing spectrum availability, the method comprising:
automatically scanning a spectrum to identify unused portions of the spectrum; and
automatically communicating the unused portions of the spectrum to potential users for the spectrum.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving spectrum requests from the potential users and automatically allocating the unused portions to at least one of the potential users as a function of the spectrum requests.
12. The method of claim 10, further comprising subdividing the unused portions of the spectrum into a plurality of sub-channels each for one of the potential users.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein any unused portion is identified as a hole in the spectrum, and further comprising:
automatically analyzing the spectrum to identify hole information; and
automatically communicating the hole information to at least one of the potential users.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising automatically communicating the unused portions of the spectrum to a network of smart radios, wherein the smart radios select channel transmission parameters from the hole information.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the hole information comprises a hole center frequency, a hole bandwidth, a vector of average power spectrum densities across frequency points in the hole, a vector containing a histogram of average power spectrum densities observed in the hole over time, a vector storing a calculated spectrum opportunity fraction versus secondary user bandwidth for the hole, or combinations thereof.
16. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
automatically ranking the unused portions of the spectrum;
prioritizing the potential users for the spectrum; and
automatically matching the ranked unused portions of the spectrum to the potential users as a function of the prioritizing.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising prioritizing the potential users in an N-tiered hierarchical ranking.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising assigning a portion of the spectrum being used by a lower priority spectrum user to a higher priority spectrum user.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising determining a different portion of the spectrum for the lower priority spectrum user and moving the lower priority user to the different portion.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising automatically communicating the unused portions of the spectrum to a transmission controller of a selected user of the prioritized potential users.