Author: claimsbot

1. A method for managing a storage device having a plurality of non-volatile memory areas in communication with a controller, the method comprising the controller:
receiving a write command from a host, the write command associated with an amount of data greater than a physical page and less than an integer number of physical pages of the non-volatile memory areas of the storage device;
identifying an unaligned portion of the data, the unaligned portion comprising data not aligned with the physical page of the non-volatile memory areas of the memory;
storing the unaligned portion in a first queue in the storage device; and
storing portions of the data aligned with the physical page of the non-volatile portion of the data in a second queue in the storage device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first queue comprises a separate list of unaligned portions of data for each of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas the processor is configured to write to in parallel and storing the unaligned portion comprises storing the unaligned portion in a list of the first queue associated with the non-volatile memory area to which the unaligned portion of data belongs.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising writing unaligned portions of data from the first queue in parallel to at least some of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas when the controller detects a timeout condition.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising writing data from the first queue in parallel to an appropriate one or more of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas, regardless of whether the first queue contains unaligned data for all of the non-volatile memory areas, when an amount of unaligned data in the first queue reaches a predetermined threshold.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the unaligned data in the first queue comprises storing the unaligned data in a RAM cache in the storage device.
6. The method of claim 2, further comprising writing unaligned data from each of the lists, in parallel, to each of the respective plurality of non-volatile memory areas in a first in first out (FIFO) manner.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein the non-volatile memory areas comprise separate banks of flash memory.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the physical page comprises a metapage spanning one of the plurality of banks of flash memory.
9. A storage device comprising:
a memory having plurality of non-volatile memory areas;
a random access memory (RAM); and
a controller in communication with the memory and the RAM, the controller configured to:
receive a write command from a host, the write command associated with an amount of data greater than a physical page and less than an integer number of physical pages of the non-volatile memory areas;
identify an unaligned portion of the data, the unaligned portion comprising data not aligned with the physical page of the non-volatile memory areas of the memory;
store the unaligned portion in a first queue in the RAM of the storage device; and
store portions of the data aligned with the physical page of the non-volatile memory areas in a second queue in the RAM of the storage device.
10. The storage device of claim 9, wherein the first queue comprises a plurality of lists configured to receive unaligned portions of data for a respective one of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas and the controller is configured to store the unaligned portion in a list of the first queue associated with the non-volatile memory area to which the unaligned portion of data is directed.
11. The storage device of claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to write unaligned portions of data from the first queue in parallel to each of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas when the first queue contains a threshold amount of unaligned portions of data.
12. The storage device of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to write data from the first queue in parallel to an appropriate one or more of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas, regardless of whether the first queue contains unaligned data for all of the non-volatile memory areas, when an amount of unaligned data in the first queue reaches a predetermined threshold.
13. The storage device of claim 9, wherein the RAM comprises a RAM cache in the controller.
14. The storage device of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to write unaligned data from each of the lists, in parallel, to each of the respective plurality of non-volatile memory areas in a first in first out (FIFO) manner.
15. The storage device of claim 10, wherein the non-volatile memory areas comprise separate banks of flash memory.
16. The storage device of claim 15, wherein the physical page comprises a metapage spanning one of the plurality of banks of flash memory.
17. The storage device of claim 11, wherein the second queue comprises a plurality of lists configured to receive the aligned portions of data for a respective one of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas and the controller is configured to store the aligned portion in a list of the second queue associated with the non-volatile memory area to which the unaligned portion of data is directed.
18. The storage device of claim 17, wherein the controller is further configured to write aligned portions of data from the second queue in parallel to each of the plurality of non-volatile memory areas when the controller detects a timeout condition.
19. The storage device of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to only write data from one queue at a time for writing data to the plurality of non-volatile memory areas.
20. The storage device of claim 18, wherein the controller is configured to select data from one of the first queue or the second queue to permit parallel writing to each of the plurality of non-volatile storage areas regardless of the order the selected data was received in the first or second queue.

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 controlling a linear compressor having a piston and a valve, comprising:
a voltage detection unit detecting a voltage supplied to the linear compressor;
a current detection unit detecting a current supplied to the linear compressor;
a control unit determining whether a collision of the piston with the valve occurs by comparing output signals of the voltage and current detection units and controlling an amplitude of the piston if the collision of the piston with the valve occurs;
a compressor drive unit controlling the amplitude of the piston under control of the control unit;
a first storage unit storing preset data and a second storage unit storing data reset by the control unit, the second storage unit being a non-volatile memory that allows reading or writing by the control unit to control the amplitude of the piston;
a collision detection unit detecting the collision of the piston with the valve in accordance with the output signals of the voltage detection unit and the current detection unit; and
an amplitude calculation unit calculating the amplitude of the piston using an output signal of the collision detection unit and providing the control unit with the calculated amplitude of the piston.
2. An apparatus for controlling a linear compressor having a piston and a valve comprising:
a voltage detection unit detecting a voltage supplied to the linear compressor;
a current detection unit detecting a current supplied to the linear compressor;
a control unit determining whether a collision of the piston with the valve occurs by comparing output signals of the voltage and current detection units and controlling an amplitude of the piston if the collision of the piston with the valve occurs;
a conduction angle setting unit setting a maximum conduction angle of the linear compressor according to the voltage supplied to the linear compressor; and
a conduction angle adjustment unit adjusting a conduction angle set by said conduction angle setting unit according to an operation pattern and a consumed current of the linear compressor.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein if the collision is determined the control unit controls the amplitude of the piston differently than if the collision is not determined.

1. A catheter for use in a tissue treatment site, the catheter comprising:
a. a first conductive member comprising an outer surface, a lumen capable of transporting fluids along a length of the first conductive member, an opening through the first conductive member allowing fluid communication between the lumen and the outer surface of the first conductive member, a proximal insulated portion, and a distal uninsulated portion;
b. a proximal second conductive member section having an exterior surface comprising an uninsulated distal portion forming a portion of an exterior surface of the catheter and surrounding the insulated portion of the first conductive member; and
c. a semi-permeable membrane having an exterior surface attached to the first conductive member and extending across the opening to regulate fluid passage through the first conductive member, wherein the exterior surface of the proximal second conductive member and the exterior surface of the semi-permeable membrane are co-planar;
d. a first conductor in electrical communication with the first conductive member; and
e. a second conductor in electrical communication with the second conductive member;
wherein when the catheter is inserted into a patient tissue treatment site, electrical current supplied to one of the first or second conductive members passes from the uninsulated portion of the first or second conductive member, through the patient tissue, and to the uninsulated portion of the other of the first or second conductive member to electroporate the tissue at the tissue treatment site; and,
wherein the semi-permeable membrane provides the external surface of a fluid collection chamber within the catheter, which in turn permits therapeutic fluid to pass into and through the lumen of the catheter, to the fluid collection chamber, through the semi-permeable membrane, and into the tissue treatment site.
2. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the first conductor and the second conductor are in electrical communication with a power source allowing a controlled electric current to flow between the uninsulated portions of the first conductive member and the second conductive member.
3. The catheter of claim 1 wherein when positive fluid pressure is applied to the lumen of the first conductive member, fluid within the lumen will flow out of the lumen through the semi-permeable membrane.
4. The catheter of claim 1 wherein when neutral or less pressure is applied to the lumen of the first conductive member, fluid external to the catheter is drawn through the semi-permeable membrane and into the lumen.
5. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the catheter is sufficiently rigid and sharp to allow the catheter to be introduced into a patient through a skin of the patient without the use of another device.
6. The catheter of claim 1 wherein the semi-permeable membrane extends distally from the uninsulated distal portion of the proximal second conductive member section, and the uninsulated distal portion of the first conductive member extends distally from the semi-permeable membrane.
7. The catheter of claim 6 further comprising an uninsulated distal second hollow conductive member section surrounding the distal portion of the first conductive member and in electrical communication with the distal portion of the first conductive member.
8. The catheter of claim 7 wherein the proximal second conductive member section is proximal to the semi-permeable membrane and wherein the uninsulated distal second hollow conductive member section is distal to the semi-permeable membrane.
9. The catheter of claim 8 wherein the uninsulated distal portion of the proximal second conductive member section, the semi-permeable membrane, and the uninsulated distal second hollow conductive member section form an exterior surface of the catheter.
10. The catheter of claim 6 wherein when the catheter is inserted into a patient tissue, electrical current supplied to either the uninsulated portion of the first conductive member or the proximal second conductive member section, the electrical current passes through the patient tissue, and to the other or the uninsulated portion of the first conductive member or the proximal second conductive member to electroporate the tissue.
11. The catheter of claim 6 wherein the fluid collection chamber is formed between the outer surface of the first conductive member and the semi-permeable membrane to allow the collection of fluid prior to exiting through the semi-permeable membrane when positive fluid pressure is applied to the lumen.
12. The catheter of claim 6 wherein the fluid collection chamber is formed between the outer surface of the first conductive member and the semi-permeable membrane such that when neutral or less pressure is applied to the lumen, fluid external to the catheter is drawn through the semi-permeable membrane, into the fluid collection chamber, through the opening and into the lumen.
13. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein the catheter is adapted for use in a procedure that comprises first infusing the treatment site with the fluid, followed by then delivering an electric signal in order to electoporate the tissue.
14. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein the catheter is adapted for use in a procedure that comprises simultaneously infusing the treatment site with the fluid and impressing an electric signal in order to electoporate the tissue.
15. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein the therapeutic fluid is delivered to the fluid collection chamber under positive pressure through the catheter lumen.
16. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein an electric signal is impressed upon the tissue having a voltage differential of less than 1 to 2000 mVcm2.
17. A catheter according to claim 1 wherein the catheter further comprises means for permitting the aspiration of fluid from the tissue site.

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 bird feeder comprising:
a seed reservoir having a feed port therein through which birds can access seed held within the reservoir;
a perch positioned adjacent the feed port and extending outwardly from the reservoir wall; and
an adjustable port element rotatable with respect to the reservoir wall, said adjustable port element configured to rotate between a first position in which the port element allows birds to access feed through a feed port only while hanging upside down from the perch, and a second position in which the port element allows birds to access feed while standing in an upright position on the perch.
2. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjustable port element rotates in a plane that is generally parallel with the reservoir wall.
3. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjustable port element is coupled to said perch.
4. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said adjustable port element is movably coupled to said perch.
5. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 3, wherein said coupling between the adjustable port element and the perch is fixed.
6. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 3, wherein said perch is fixed with respect to the reservoir wall.
7. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein said seed reservoir side wall has at least a first feed port and a second feed port therein through which birds can access seed held within the reservoir, said first and second feed ports being spaced apart and in generally vertical alignment with one another.
8. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 7, wherein the perch is fixed and extends outwardly from a perch base supported on the reservoir wall, said perch base being between, vertically aligned with, and generally equally spaced away from said first and second feed ports.
9. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 8, wherein the adjustable port element includes a mounting end rotatable around said perch and a second end distal from said mounting end, said second end having a blocking structure that prevents access to said first feed port or said second feed port as the adjustable port element is rotated around the perch.
10. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 9, wherein the blocking structure includes a covering member positioned over said feed port to be blocked and a locking member associated with said covering member, said locking member configured to be received into the feed port to be blocked and secured to the reservoir side wall, said locking member when secured within said feed port preventing rotation of said adjustable port element.
11. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the perch is positioned above a feed port providing birds with access to seed in the reservoir when the adjustable port element is in the first position, and said perch being positioned below a feed port providing birds with access to seed in the reservoir when the adjustable port element is in the second position.
12. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 11, wherein the feed port providing birds with access to seed in the reservoir when the adjustable port element is in the first position is the same feed port that provides birds with access to seed in the reservoir when the adjustable port element is in the second position.
13. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 11, wherein the feed port providing birds with access to seed in the reservoir when the adjustable port element is in the first position, and a feed port providing birds with access to seed in the reservoir when the adjustable port element is in the second position are two different feed ports.
14. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein rotating the adjustable port element between said first and second positions requires that the adjustable port element be rotated about 180 degrees.
15. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 1, wherein the adjustable port element includes a mounting end rotatable around said perch and a second end having a blocking structure that prevents access to a feed port positioned adjacent the blocking structure.
16. A bird feeder comprising:
a seed reservoir having a side wall with at least two feed ports therein through which birds can access seed held within the reservoir, said two feed ports being spaced apart and in generally vertical alignment with one another;
a perch extending outwardly from a perch base supported on the reservoir wall, said perch base being between, vertically aligned with, and generally equally spaced away from the two feed ports; and
an adjustable port element rotatable with respect to the reservoir wall, said adjustable port element configured to rotate between a first position in which the port element allows birds to access feed through a feed port only while hanging upside down from the perch, and a second position in which the port element allows birds to access feed while standing right side up on the perch.
17. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 16, wherein said two feed ports, said perch and said adjustable port element form a feeding station, said bird feeder having a plurality of feeding stations spaced from one another on the reservoir side wall.
18. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 17, wherein said reservoir is an elongated cylindrical tube having a plurality of feeding stations positioned in spaced relationship from one another along and around said tube, said plurality of feeding stations including a first feeding station on a first side of the reservoir and a second feeding station on a second side of the reservoir, the second side being opposite the first side, said first and second feeding stations being in substantially horizontal alignment with one another.
19. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 18, wherein a single elongated perch member extends across an interior of the reservoir and through opposing apertures formed in the reservoir side wall, said elongated perch member having a first end protruding on the first side and a second end protruding on the second side, said first and second ends forming perches for the first and second feeding stations, respectively.
20. The bird feeder as set forth in claim 18, wherein said plurality of feeding stations includes a third feeding station and a fourth feeding station respectively positioned on opposite sides of the reservoir, said opposite sides being different from said first and second sides of the reservoir, said third and fourth feeding stations being spaced below and around the reservoir tube to be approximately 90\xb0 out from the first and second feeding stations.