Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A haptic controller comprising:
an actuator as a motive power source for supplying force to a manipulation member that is manipulated manually;
a detecting section for detecting a position of the manipulation member; and
computing means for calculating a control value to be used for controlling the actuator on the basis of the position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section, the computing means comprising:
a storing section for storing a force pattern that is preset to supply a prescribed force to the manipulation member in accordance with the position of the manipulation member; and
a computing section for calculating the control value on the basis of the force pattern and the position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section,

wherein the force pattern is formed by particular points in which forces to be supplied to the manipulation member are set for a plurality of particular positions that are within a movement range of the manipulation member and prescribed functions connect each pair of adjoining ones of the particular positions,
wherein regions are defined between the particular positions, and
wherein the computing section determines in which region the position of the manipulation member detected by the detecting section is located, and calculates the control value on the basis of the prescribed function that corresponds to the region.
2. The haptic controller according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the particular points in the movement range of the manipulation member comprises a reversing point to reverse a direction of force to be supplied to the manipulation member.
3. The haptic controller according to claim 1, wherein respective force patterns are set, wherein each of the plurality of force patterns are characterized by a magnitude and a direction, and wherein the haptic controller further comprises a force pattern switching section for switching between force patterns when the manipulation member is located in a prescribed region of the movement range of the manipulation member.
4. The haptic controller according to claim 3, wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when the forces of the force patterns are in the same direction.
5. The haptic controller according to claim 3, wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between the magnitudes of forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.
6. The haptic controller according to claim 2, further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.
7. The haptic controller according to claim 1, wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.
8. The haptic controller according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of force patterns are set, wherein each of the plurality of force patterns are characterized by a magnitude and a direction, and wherein the haptic controller further comprises a force pattern switching section for switching between force patterns wherein the manipulation member is located in a prescribed region of the movement range of the manipulation member.
9. The haptic controller according to claim 8, wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when the forces of the force patterns are in the same direction.
10. The haptic controller according to claim 4, wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between magnitudes of the forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.
11. The haptic controller according to claim 8, wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between magnitudes of the forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.
12. The haptic controller according to claim 9, wherein the force pattern switching section switches between force patterns when a difference between the magnitudes of forces of the respective force patterns is within a prescribed value.
13. The haptic controller according to claim 3, further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.
14. The haptic controller according to claim 4, further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.
15. The haptic controller according to claim 5, further comprising identification marks around the manipulation member to correspond to prescribed regions in the movement range of the manipulation member.
16. The haptic controller according to claim 2, wherein the haptic controller is provided in a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.
17. The haptic controller according to claim 3, wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.
18. The haptic controller according to claim 4, wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.
19. The haptic controller according to claim 5, wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.
20. The haptic controller according to claim 6, wherein the haptic controller comprises a portion of a manipulation device for manipulating a vehicular apparatus.

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 sensor network having a multiplexing reader and one or more sensor pairs, each sensor pair comprising a transponder and a dedicated reader, dedicated to that transponder, each transponder having at least one sensor, each sensor pair having a wireless interface between the transponder and the dedicated reader, and each of the one or more dedicated readers being coupled to the multiplexing reader, to transmit sensing information from its sensor to the multiplexing reader, the wireless interface being arranged such that the transponder sends the sensing information by modulation with an analog signal representing the information, and the dedicated reader being arranged to receive and recover the sensing information without the need to recognize a digital identifier from its transponder.
2. The sensor network according to claim 1, the wireless interface being optimized for each sensors pair.
3. The sensor network according to claim 1, the wireless interface being an inductive link.
4. The sensor network according to claim 1, the coupling between dedicated readers and the multiplexing reader being an RF or wired link.
5. The sensor network according to claim 1, the sensor being either a sensing device or a physical analog memory.
6. The sensor network of claim 5, the sensing information being provided directly by the sensor.
7. The sensor network according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is resistive or capacitive, the sensing information from the sensor being a capacitance, a resistance or a current value.
8. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the sensor is co-integrated with electronic circuitry for processing the sensor sensing information, to generate the analog signal from the sensor, andor with electronic circuitry for providing power to the sensor.
9. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein sensing devices are MEMS sensors.
10. The sensor network of claim 1, the analog signal from the sensor being a frequency shaped one.
11. The sensor network of claim 10, wherein the frequency shaped analog signal is made by an oscillator, the frequency of which is controlled by the sensing information to be sent.
12. The sensor network of claim 11 wherein the oscillator is a ring oscillator.
13. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the modulation is either a phase, an amplitude, or a frequency modulation, or even a combination of those.
14. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the sensing information is recovered in the dedicated reader by demodulation of the received modulated signal containing the analog signal.
15. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the dedicated reader is arranged to send the sensing information to the multiplexing reader in analog or digital form, moreover using an analog or digital ID code.
16. The sensor network of claim 15, the analog ID code being a frequency provided by a free running oscillator.
17. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the transponder is passive and is powered from the dedicated reader through the wireless interface, or active and is powered by a battery or via an energy scavenging system.
18. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the dedicated reader is powered by a battery, via an energy scavenging system, or from the multiplexing reader through an RF or wired interface.
19. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the transponder comprises a rectifier-voltage multiplier, a voltage regulator, a modulation unit and a sensor interface and the one or more sensors or physical analog memories.
20. The sensor network of claim 14, wherein the dedicated reader comprises a demodulation circuit, a capacitance and an input for receiving a signal from the transponder.
21. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the power consumption of the transponder is less than 40 \u03bcW at 13.56 MHz.
22. The sensor network of claim 1, wherein the power consumption of the dedicated reader is lower than 200 \u03bcW at 13.56 Mhz.
23. The sensor network of claim 1, an output of the transponder being a modulated signal, the modulation being realized by directly using an analog frequency shaped signal, the frequency shaping being provided by a controllable oscillator, the frequency of which is controlled by the sensing information from the sensor, the sensing information being a capacitance, a resistance or a current value.

1. A method of displaying program guide information, comprising:
at a computing device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors:
responsive to a user-supplied search term in a search field on a display, wherein
a first grid and a second grid are concurrently displayed on the same display, and
the search field is external to the first grid and the second grid and is concurrently displayed on the same display as the first grid and the second grid:
(A) formatting, for display, program guide data on the first grid, the first grid including (i) a first axis representing units of time and (ii) a second axis, the program guide data comprising information representing a first set of multimedia events wherein a first subset of the first set of multimedia events is related to the search term and wherein the first subset of multimedia events are highlighted relative to multimedia events in the first grid that are not in the first subset of multimedia events; and
(B) formatting the second grid, wherein
the second grid includes information identifying a second set of multimedia events, and
the first set of multimedia events is a subset of the second set of multimedia events.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
(C) formatting for display a user moveable window within the second grid for selecting a portion of the second set of multimedia events displayed in the second grid, wherein user movement of the user moveable window changes an identity of the multimedia events in the a portion of the second set of multimedia events, and
(D) updating the program guide data displayed in the first grid in accordance with a user-specified location of the user moveable window within the second grid so that the first grid displays the identity of the multimedia events in the portion of the second set of multimedia events encompassed by the user moveable window.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein a multimedia event in the first set of multimedia events is a broadcasting event having a predetermined start time and start date and a predetermined end time and end date.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
formatting a set of search results corresponding to the first set of multimedia events for concurrent display with the first grid and the second grid.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein a second subset of the second set of multimedia events is related to the search term and wherein the second subset of multimedia events are highlighted relative to multimedia events in the second grid that are not in the second subset of events.
6. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising displaying a list of multimedia events in the second set of multimedia events that are related to the search term, wherein the list includes, for each respective multimedia event in the list of multimedia events, (i) a corresponding title of the respective multimedia event and (ii) a television channel that hosts the respective multimedia event.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second grid includes a first axis that represents days of the week and a second axis that represents time of day.
8. A system for displaying program guide information, comprising:
memory;
one or more processors; and
one or more programs stored in memory which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform the method of:
responsive to a user-supplied search term in a search field on a display, wherein
a first grid and a second grid are concurrently displayed on the same display, and
the search field is external to the first grid and the second grid and is concurrently displayed on the same display as the first grid and the second grid:
(A) formatting for display program guide data on the first grid, the first grid including (i) a first axis representing units of time and (ii) a second axis, the program guide data comprising information representing a first set of multimedia events wherein a first subset of the first set of multimedia events is related to the search term and wherein the first subset of multimedia events are highlighted relative to multimedia events in the first grid that are not in the first subset of multimedia events; and
(B) formatting the second grid, wherein
the second grid includes information identifying a second set of multimedia events, and
the first set of multimedia events is a subset of the second set of multimedia events.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
(C) formatting for display a user moveable window within the second grid for selecting a portion of the second set of multimedia events displayed in the second grid, wherein user movement of the user moveable window changes an identity of the multimedia events in the a portion of the second set of multimedia events, and
(D) updating the program guide data displayed in the first grid in accordance with a user-specified location of the user moveable window within the second grid so that the first grid displays the identity of the multimedia events in the portion of the second set of multimedia events encompassed by the user moveable window.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein a multimedia event in the first set of multimedia events is a broadcasting event having a predetermined start time and start date and a predetermined end time and end date.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more program further comprise instructions for:
formatting a set of search results corresponding to the first set of multimedia events for concurrent display with the first grid and the second grid.
12. The system of claim 8, wherein a second subset of the second set of multimedia events is related to the search term and wherein the second subset of multimedia events are highlighted relative to multimedia events in the second grid that are not in the second subset of multimedia events.
13. The system of claim 8, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for displaying a list of multimedia events in the second set of multimedia events that are related to the search term, wherein the list includes, for each respective multimedia event in the list of multimedia events, (i) a corresponding title of the respective multimedia event and (ii) a television channel that hosts the respective multimedia event.
14. The system of claim 8, wherein the second grid includes a first axis that represents days of the week and a second axis that represents time of day.
15. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a computer program mechanism for execution by one or more processors of a computing device, the computer program mechanism comprising instructions for:
responsive to a user-supplied search term in a search field on a display, wherein
a first grid and a second grid are concurrently displayed on the same display, and
the search field is external to the first grid and the second grid and is concurrently displayed on the same display as the first grid and the second grid:
(A) formatting, for display program guide data on the first grid, the first grid including (i) a first axis representing units of time and (ii) a second axis, the program guide data comprising information representing a first set of multimedia events; and
(B) formatting the second grid, wherein
the second grid includes information identifying a second set of multimedia events wherein a first subset of the first set of multimedia events is related to the search term and wherein the first subset of multimedia events are highlighted relative to multimedia events in the first grid that are not in the first subset of multimedia events, and
the second set of multimedia events is a subset of the first set of multimedia events.
16. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the one or more programs further comprise instructions for:
(C) formatting for display a user moveable window within the second grid for selecting a portion of the second set of multimedia events displayed in the second grid, wherein user movement of the user moveable window changes an identity of the multimedia events in the a portion of the second set of multimedia events, and
(D) updating the program guide data displayed in the first grid in accordance with a user-specified location of the user moveable window within the second grid so that the first grid displays the identity of the multimedia events in the portion of the second set of multimedia events encompassed by the user moveable window.
17. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein a multimedia event in the first set of multimedia events is a broadcasting event having a predetermined start time and start date and a predetermined end time and end date.
18. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein a second subset of the second set of multimedia events is related to the search term and wherein the second subset of multimedia events are highlighted relative to multimedia events in the second grid that are not in the second subset of multimedia events.
19. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the computer program mechanism further comprises instructions for displaying a list of multimedia events in the second set of multimedia events that are related to the search term, wherein the list includes, for each respective multimedia event in the list of multimedia events, (i) a corresponding title of the respective multimedia event and (ii) a television channel that hosts the respective multimedia event.
20. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the second grid includes a first axis that represents days of the week and a second axis that represents time of day.

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 data storage enclosure management system configured to communicate externally via a pair of FC-AL loops, comprising:
at least one secondary communication link; and
a plurality of service processors, comprising:
a first lead service processor configured to connect to one of said pair of FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and to connect to said at least one secondary communication link;
a second lead service processor configured to connect to the other of said pair of FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and to connect to said at least one secondary communication link; and
at least one subsidiary service processor configured to connect to said at least one secondary communication link;
at least one of said lead service processors additionally configured to employ an identifier unassociated with said FC-AL address to differentiate communications of said lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary service processor, said lead service processor serving as a proxy for said associated subsidiary service processor with respect to said FC-AL address and communicating with said associated subsidiary service processor via said secondary communication link.
2. The data storage enclosure management system of claim 1 configured for a data storage system having a plurality of SBOD virtual enclosures, wherein said at least one of said lead service processors and said associated subsidiary service processor are each in different said virtual enclosures.
3. The data storage enclosure management system of claim 2, wherein said identifier comprises LUN addresses.
4. The data storage enclosure management system of claim 2, wherein said identifier comprises assignments in control fields relating to the respective said lead service processor and subsidiary service processor.
5. The data storage enclosure management system of claim 2, wherein each said service processor is configurable as a lead service processor, with FC-AL address capability and capability to serve as a proxy.
6. A data storage subsystem, comprising:
an enclosure;
a plurality of data storage drives within said enclosure and configured to connect to at least one of a pair of FC-AL loops;
environmental resources within said enclosure;
at least one secondary communication link; and
a plurality of service processors configured to manage said environmental resources, comprising:
a first lead service processor configured to connect to one of said pair of FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and to connect to said at least one secondary communication link;
a second lead service processor configured to connect to the other of said pair of FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and to connect to said at least one secondary communication link; and
at least one subsidiary service processor configured to connect to said at least one secondary communication link;

at least one of said lead service processors additionally configured to employ an identifier unassociated with said FC-AL address to differentiate communications of said lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary service processor, said lead service processor serving as a proxy for said associated subsidiary service processor with respect to said FC-AL address and communicating with said associated subsidiary service processor via said secondary communication link.
7. The data storage subsystem of claim 6 wherein said enclosure comprises a plurality of SBOD virtual enclosures, and wherein said at least one of said lead service processors and said associated subsidiary service processor are each in different said virtual enclosures.
8. The data storage subsystem of claim 7, wherein said identifier comprises LUN addresses.
9. The data storage subsystem of claim 7, wherein said identifier comprises assignments in control fields relating to the respective said lead service processor and subsidiary service processor.
10. The data storage subsystem of claim 7, wherein each said service processor is configurable as a lead service processor, with FC-AL address capability and capability to serve as a proxy.
11. A method for providing communications with respect to a pair of FC-AL loops and a data storage enclosure comprising a plurality of service processors and at least one secondary communication link, comprising the steps of:
defining one of said plurality of service processors as a first lead service processor configured to connect to one of said pair of FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and to connect to said at least one secondary communication link;
defining another of said plurality of service processors as a second lead service processor configured to connect to the other of said pair of FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and to connect to said at least one secondary communication link; and
defining at least one of said lead service processors to employ an identifier unassociated with said FC-AL address to differentiate communications of said lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary of said plurality of service processors, said lead service processor serving as a proxy for said associated subsidiary service processor with respect to said FC-AL address and communicating with said associated subsidiary service processor via said secondary communication link.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said data storage enclosure comprises a plurality of SBOD virtual enclosures, wherein said at least one lead service processor and said associated subsidiary service processor are each in different said virtual enclosures.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said identifier comprises LUN addresses.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said identifier comprises assignments in control fields relating to the respective said lead service processor and subsidiary service processor.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein each said service processor is configurable as a lead service processor, with FC-AL address capability and capability to serve as a proxy, additionally comprising the step of selecting one of said service processors as said at least one lead service processor.
16. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having computer useable program code tangibly embodied therein for operating a service processor for providing communications with respect to one of a pair of FC-AL loops and a data storage enclosure comprising a plurality of service processors and at least one secondary communication link, said computer useable program code configured to, when executed on said service processor, cause said service processor to:
define said service processor as a one of a plurality of lead service processors configured to connect to said one of a pair of FC-AL loops with an FC-AL address, and to connect to said at least one secondary communication link; and
define said lead service processor to employ an identifier unassociated with said FC-AL address to differentiate communications of said lead service processor from communications of an associated subsidiary of said plurality of service processors, said lead service processor serving as a proxy for said associated subsidiary service processor with respect to said FC-AL address and communicating with said associated subsidiary service processor via said secondary communication link.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein said data storage enclosure comprises a plurality of SBOD virtual enclosures, wherein said lead service processor and said associated subsidiary service processor are each in different said virtual enclosures.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said identifier comprises LUN addresses.
19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said identifier comprises assignments in control fields relating to the respective said lead service processor and subsidiary service processor.
20. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein each said service processor is configurable as a lead service processor, with FC-AL address capability and capability to serve as a proxy, wherein said computer useable program code is additionally configured to, when executed on said service processor, cause said service processor to select one of said service processors as said at least one lead service processor.