Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A battery pack having a plurality of secondary batteries comprising:
N (N2) serial circuits for connecting to M (M1) secondary batteries in parallel;
a charging path for charging said (MN) secondary batteries in parallel, wherein said charging path are formed by a plurality of switching elements; and
a discharging path for discharging said (M N) secondary batteries by a plurality of switching elements.
2. A battery pack according to claim 1, wherein M (M2) secondary batteries having almost coincident characteristics are serially connected to said charging path.
3. A power source apparatus having a plurality of secondary batteries comprising:
an input terminal for inputting an AC power source;
a battery pack in which N (N2) serial circuits for connecting to M (M1) secondary batteries in parallel;
a charging path for charging said (MN) secondary batteries in parallel, wherein said charging path are formed by a plurality of switching elements;
a discharging path for discharging said (M N) secondary batteries by a plurality of switching elements;
a charging power generating means for charging said battery pack; and
a connecting terminal for connecting a load.
4. A charging and discharging method of charging and discharging a plurality of secondary batteries, comprising the steps of:
connecting N (N2) serial circuits each comprising M (M1) secondary batteries in parallel; and
charging said (MN) secondary batteries in parallel and serially discharging them.

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 image forming apparatus comprising:
an application processing unit that executes an application on an application screen;
a command analyzing unit that analyzes a test command on the application screen received from an external apparatus, converts the test command into a plurality commands in a plurality of executable formats, and generates a command list from the commands;
a command executing unit that retrieves a command from the command list and executes the command on application screen processing data;
a capture processing unit that acquires a capture image of an application screen that is generated by executing the command if the application of the application screen is executed; and
an application screen test executing unit that retrieves a next command from the command list, outputs the next command to the command executing unit, and stores the capture image until all the commands in the command list have been executed.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: a browser processing unit that outputs an execution request of the application to the application processing unit; and
the browser processing unit outputs execution completion information of a web browser to the command executing unit if execution completion information of the application is inputted by the application processing unit and the execution of the web browser is completed.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, if the execution completion information of the web browser is inputted, the command executing unit outputs a capture request of the application screen to the capture processing unit and outputs an input capture image to the application screen test executing unit.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the command executing unit outputs the capture request again after a specified period of time has elapsed.
5. A test system of an application screen comprising a terminal apparatus and an image forming apparatus, each apparatus connected to a network,
the terminal apparatus including:
an application screen test command transmission unit that transmits a test command of the application screen to the image forming apparatus; and
a capture image receiving unit that receives a capture image of the application screen, and
the image forming apparatus including:
an application processing unit that executes an application on the application screen;
a command analyzing unit that analyzes the received test command, converts the test command into a plurality commands in a plurality of executable formats, and generates a command list from the commands;
a command executing unit that retrieves a command from the command list and executes the command on application screen processing data;
a capture processing unit that acquires a capture image of an application screen that is generated by executing the command if the application of the application screen is executed; and
an application screen test executing unit that retrieves a next command from the command list, outputs the next command to the command executing unit, and stores the capture image until all the commands in the command list have been executed.
6. The test system according to claim 5,
wherein the image forming apparatus includes a browser processing unit that outputs an execution request of the application to the application processing unit, and
the browser processing unit outputs execution completion information of a web browser to the command executing unit if execution completion information of the application is inputted by the application processing unit and the execution of the web browser is completed.
7. The test system according to claim 6, wherein, if the execution completion information of the web browser is inputted, the command executing unit outputs a capture request of the application screen to the capture processing unit and outputs an input capture image to the application screen test executing unit.
8. The test system according to claim 7, wherein the command executing unit outputs the capture request again after a specified period of time has elapsed.
9. The test system according to claim 5,
wherein the terminal apparatus includes an operation and display unit that displays the capture image,
the capture image receiving unit receives the capture image transmitted by the application screen test executing unit via the network, and
the operation and display unit displays the capture image by an operation of a user.
10. A test method of an application screen, comprising:
via a terminal apparatus connected with an image forming apparatus via a network,
transmitting a test command of the application screen to an image forming apparatus; and
receiving a capture image of the application screen;
via the image forming apparatus,
executing an application of the application screen;
analyzing the test command of the application screen received from the terminal apparatus;
converting a plurality of commands in a plurality of executable formats;
generating a command list of the commands;
retrieving a command from the command list;
executing the command on an application screen processing data until all the commands in the command list have been executed;
acquiring a capture image of an application screen generated by execution of the command if the application of the application screen is executed;
retrieving a next command from the command list;
outputting the next command; and
storing the capture image until all the commands in the command list are executed.
11. The test method according to claim 10, comprising:
via the terminal apparatus,
receiving the capture image from the image forming apparatus via the network; and
displaying the capture image.

1. In a distributed system for storing data across a network to multiple data storage nodes, a method comprising:
determining a bounded bandwidth available for data repair in the distributed system; and
creating a specific number of stripes on each data storage node of the multiple data storage nodes, the stripes for placement and replication of data objects across respective ones of the data storage nodes, the specific number of stripes on each data storage node being a function of the bounded bandwidth.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the bounded bandwidth is a function of bandwidth of a network and bandwidth of a data storage node of the data storage nodes.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein creating the stripes further comprises:
calculating a target chunk size based on a replication degree such that data reliability of storing data across the multiple computing devices using a random data placement scheme is optimized; and
wherein creating further comprises allocating disk storage space on each node as a function of the target chunk size.
4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the target chunk size is based on bandwidth of a computer-readable medium for storing data on a data storage node of the data storage nodes, storage capacity of the computer-readable medium, and network bandwidth.
5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein calculating the target chunk size further comprises analyzing data reliability of the distributed system in view of the bounded bandwidth, the analyzing comprising:
estimating a mean time to data loss (MTTDL) for an object (MTTDLobj) of multiple objects as a function of a harmonic sum of MTTDL in each state i of multiple states i, the distributed system comprising the multiple objects, each state i representing a state of the distributed system when i data storage nodes fail and lost replicas on the i data storage nodes have not been repaired.
6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein calculating the target chunk size further comprises analyzing data reliability of the distributed system in view of the bounded bandwidth, the analyzing comprising:
estimating a mean time to repair (MTTR) all failed replicas in a state i (MTTR(i)) of multiple states i, each state i representing a state of the distributed system when i data storage nodes fail and lost replicas on the i data storage nodes have not been repaired, the MTTR(i) being a function of an amount of data to be repaired in the state i and available bandwidth for repair in the state i.
7. A method as recited in claim 6, wherein the amount of data to be repaired in the state i is based on an amount of data in a last failed computing device of the i data storage nodes, and an amount of un-repaired data left on the last failed computing device from a previous state i.
8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises randomly placing a single chunk of collected data objects on a randomly selected data storage node, the single chunk having been generated to correspond to the target chunk size, the single chunk being a unit for placement and repair.
9. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:
grouping two or more data objects that are smaller than a target chunk size into a unit for placement and repair, the target chunk size being based on bounded network bandwidth and brick bandwidth such that reliability of storing data across the multiple data storage nodes using a random data placement scheme is optimized; and
randomly placing the unit for placement and repair on a randomly selected data storage node.
10. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
collecting multiple data objects from data storage requests;
determining that collected ones of the multiple data objects meet a collective target chunk size criteria;
responsive to the determining, grouping the multiple data objects into a single chunk;
randomly selecting a data storage node and a corresponding stripe of the stripes for data placement; and
storing the single chunk of collected data objects onto the stripe using a replication data storage scheme.
11. In a distributed system for storing data across a network to multiple data storage nodes, a method comprising:
creating a specific number of stripes on each data storage node of the multiple data storage nodes, the specific number is a function of bandwidth of a network and bandwidth of a data storage node of the data storage nodes, the stripes for placement and replication of data objects across respective ones of the data storage nodes, the specific number being based on the bounded bandwidth; and
wherein each stripe is configured to store a data chunk and a replica of the data chunk, the data chunk representing collected data objects that have been grouped together into a single chunk that meets a criteria associated with a target chunk size, the target chunk size being a function of a determined data storage reliability of the distributed system.
12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the target chunk size is based on bandwidth of a computer-readable medium for storing data on a data storage node of multiple data storage nodes in the distributed system, storage capacity of the computer-readable medium, and distributed system network bandwidth.
13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises estimating the data storage reliability in view of a mean time to data loss (MTTDL) for an object (MTTDLobj) of multiple objects, the MTTDL being a function of a harmonic sum of MTTDL in each state i of multiple states i, the distributed system comprising the multiple objects, each state i representing a state of the distributed system when i data storage nodes fail and lost replicas on the i data storage nodes have not been repaired.
14. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises estimating the data storage reliability in view of a mean time to repair (MTTR) all failed replicas in a state i (MTTR(i)) of multiple states i, each state i representing a state of the distributed system when i data storage nodes fail and lost replicas on the i data storage nodes have not been repaired, the MTTR(i) being a function of an amount of data to be repaired in the state i and available bandwidth for repair in the state i.
15. A method as recited in claim 14, wherein the amount of data to be repaired in the state i is based on an amount of data in a last failed computing device of the i data storage nodes, and an amount of un-repaired data left on the last failed computing device from a previous state i.
16. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises randomly placing a single chunk of collected data objects on a randomly selected data storage node, the single chunk having been generated to correspond to the target chunk size, the single chunk being a unit for placement and repair.
17. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:
grouping two or more data objects that are smaller than the target chunk size into a unit for placement and repair; and
randomly placing the unit for placement and repair on a randomly selected data storage node.
18. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising restoring the data chunk on a data storage node with a replica of the data chunk stored on a different data storage node.
19. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising:
collecting multiple data objects from data storage requests;
determining that collected ones of the multiple data objects approach a target chunk size; and
responsive to the determining, grouping the multiple data objects into a single data chunk for placement onto a stripe using a replication data storage scheme.
20. A method as recited in claim 19, further comprising:
randomly selecting a data storage node and a corresponding stripe of the stripes for data placement; and
storing the single and data chunk of collected onto the stripe.

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 combination apparatus for weighing an aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
a plurality of weight scales, each scale having an upper surface and adapted to be supported by a support surface in a position for receiving landing gear of an aircraft thereon; and
at least one portable riser for supporting one of the scales, each portable riser having an upper surface and being moveable for selected placement on the support surface;
wherein a height of each riser is selected to position an aircraft on the scales in a level attitude while a weight of the aircraft is being supported by the landing gear on the scales; and
wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive the landing gear such that no portion of the landing gear rests on the upper surface of the portable riser while the aircraft is being weighed.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one scale is at least partially recessed in the support surface.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein an upper surface of the recessed scale is flush with the support surface.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the at least one portable riser is flush with the upper surface of the at least one scale supported thereon, the upper surface of the at least one portable riser being sized for supporting the landing gear so that no portion of the landing gear rests on the upper surface of the corresponding scale while the aircraft is not being weighed.
5. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface;
a portable riser for supporting one of the scales, the portable riser being moveable for selective placement on a support surface; and
a lifting device coupled to the portable riser;
wherein the lifting device is adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and
wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive the landing gear such that no portion of the landing gear rests on the lifting device while the aircraft is being weighed.
6. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface;
a portable riser for supporting one of the scales, the portable riser being moveable for selective placement on a support surface; and
a lifting device coupled to the portable riser;
wherein the lifting device is adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and
wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by a gear mechanism.
7. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface;
a portable riser for supporting one of the scales, the portable riser being moveable for selective placement on a support surface; and
a lifting device coupled to the portable riser;
wherein the lifting device is adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and
wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by hydraulic pressure means.
8. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface; and
a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale;
wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by a roller means; and
wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive the landing gear such that no portion of the landing gear rests on the lifting device while the aircraft is being weighed.
9. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface; and
a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale;
wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by scissor jack means.
10. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lifting device is driven between the loading and weighing positions by lever means.
11. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface;
a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and
a ramp coupled to the lifting device, the ramp having at least two plates that form an angle, a first plate being generally parallel to adjacent the support surface when the lifting device is in the loading position, a second plate being generally parallel to and generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale when the lifting device is in the weighing position.
12. A combination weight scale and lifting apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface;
a lifting device adapted for lifting an object to be weighed on the scale, the lifting device being capable of movement between a loading position, in which the object is located below the upper surface of the scale, to a weighing position, in which the object is located in a position generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale, which allows for the object to be moved generally horizontally from the lifting device and onto the upper surface of the scale; and
a ramp coupled to the lifting device, the ramp having at least two plates that form an angle, a first plate being generally parallel to adjacent the support surface when the lifting device is in the loading position, a second plate being generally parallel to and generally aligned with the upper surface of the scale when the lifting device is in the weighing position;
wherein the ramp rotates between the loading and weighing positions.
13. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale having an upper surface; and
an adjustable portable riser having an upper surface, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the portable riser being configured for supporting the scale;
wherein each portable riser is moveable for selected placement on a support surface; and
wherein the upper surface of each scale is sized to receive an object to be weighed such that no portion of the object rests on the upper surface of the portable riser while the object is being weighed.
14. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale; and
an adjustable riser, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the riser supporting the scale above a support surface;
wherein the height adjusting means comprises rollers bearing on opposing angled surfaces.
15. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale; and
an adjustable riser, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the riser supporting the scale above a support surface;
wherein the height adjusting means comprises at least one rotatable eccentric lobe.
16. A combination weight scale and leveling apparatus, comprising:
a weight scale; and
an adjustable portable riser, the riser having a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means, the portable riser being configured for supporting the scale;
wherein each portable riser is moveable for selected placement on a support surface; and
wherein the height adjusting means comprises at least one airbag.
17. A method for weighing an aircraft, the method comprising:
(a) positioning a plurality of weight scales so that each landing gear of an aircraft will rest on one of the scales when the aircraft is positioned on the scales;
(b) positioning at least one portable riser under at least one of the scales for orienting the aircraft in a level attitude when the aircraft is positioned on the scales; and
(c) positioning an aircraft on the scales and reading the weight measurement from the scales;
wherein the at least one portable riser is configured for supporting the at least one of the scales, the at least one portable riser being moveable for selected placement on a support surface.
18. The method according to claim 17, step (b) further comprising: adjusting a height of the at least one riser using height adjustment means of the at least one riser.
19. A system for weighing an aircraft having a nose landing gear and a main landing gear, the system comprising:
a first scale for receiving the nose landing gear;
a second scale for receiving the main landing gear; and
a portable riser configured for leveling the aircraft such that a zero attitude level is achieved, the portable riser adapted for carrying the second scale;
wherein the portable riser is moveable for selected placement on a support surface; and
wherein the first and second scales are configured for measuring the weight of the aircraft.
20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the first scale is at least partially recessed in the support surface.
21. The system according to claim 20, wherein an upper surface of the first scale is flush with the support surface.
22. A system for weighing an aircraft having a nose landing gear and a main landing gear, the system comprising:
a first scale for receiving the nose landing gear;
a second scale for receiving the main landing gear; and
a portable riser configured for leveling the aircraft such that a zero attitude level is achieved, the portable riser being moveable for selected placement on a support surface;
wherein the first and second scales are configured for measuring the weight of the aircraft; and
wherein the portable riser is configured for carrying the first scale.
23. The system according to claim 19, wherein the portable riser has a height that is adjustable through height adjusting means.
24. The system according to claim 19, further comprising:
a lifting device configured for lifting the main landing gear onto the first scale.
25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the lifting device is coupled to the portable riser.