Author: claimsbot

1. A storage device with a parallel interface connector connectable to a host system suitable for a parallel interface, the parallel interface connector including first pins connected to a parallel interface bus, and second pins which are not used by the parallel interface, the parallel interface bus being connected to a parallel interface circuit for inputting and outputting a parallel interface signal, the storage device comprising:
a mode designation device which designates one of a serial interface mode and a parallel interface mode, the serial interface mode enabling the storage device to operate in accordance with a serial interface, the parallel interface mode enabling the storage device to operate in accordance with the parallel interface;
a serial interface bus used to transfer a serial interface signal, the serial interface bus being connected to several pins included in the second pins of the parallel interface connector; and
a parallelserial bridge circuit connected to the parallel interface bus and the serial interface bus, and configured to convert, into a serial interface signal, a parallel interface signal transferred via the parallel interface bus, and to output the serial interface signal to the serial interface bus, the parallelserial bridge circuit being also configured to convert, into a parallel interface signal, a serial interface signal transferred via the serial interface bus, and to output the parallel interface signal to the parallel interface bus, the parallelserial bridge circuit being operable in the serial interface mode.
2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the mode designation device includes a switch which can be operated by a user.
3. The storage device according to claim 2, further comprising a mode-setting circuit which sets the storage device in one of the serial interface mode and the parallel interface mode in accordance with a state of the switch.
4. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the mode designation device includes a particular second pin included in the second pins of the parallel interface connector and different from the several pins of the second pins, the particular second pin being a pin to which a power supply voltage is applied by a host system suitable for the serial interface, when the storage device is connected to the host system suitable for the serial interface via the parallel interface connector.
5. The storage device according to claim 4, further comprising a mode-setting circuit which sets the storage device in one of the serial interface mode and the parallel interface mode depending upon whether the power supply voltage is applied to the particular second pin of the parallel interface connector.
6. The storage device according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion connector used to connect the parallel interface connector of the storage device to a serial interface connector of a host system suitable for the serial interface, the conversion connector being configured to connect pins of the serial interface connector, which are used to input and output serial interface signals, to the several pins of the second pins of the parallel interface connector.
7. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein:
the parallel interface connector further includes third pins serving as power pins; and
the conversion connector is configured to connect the third pins of the parallel interface connector to power pins of a power connector of the host system suitable for the serial interface.
8. The storage device according to claim 7, wherein:
the mode designation device includes a particular second pin included in the second pins of the parallel interface connector and different from the several pins of the second pins; and
the conversion connector is configured to connect the particular second pin of the parallel interface connector to a particular power pin included in the power pins of the power connector.
9. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein:
the parallel interface connector of the storage device further includes third pins serving as power pins commonly used by the parallel interface and the serial interface;
the parallel interface connector of the storage device is at least connectable to a parallel interface connector of a host system suitable for the serial interface; and
the parallel interface connector of the host system suitable for the serial interface includes pins connectable to the first pins, pins used to transfer serial interface signals and connectable to the second pins, and pins used as power pins for supplying power to the serial interface and connectable to the third pins.
10. A conversion connector to be connected between a parallel interface connector of a storage device suitable for both a parallel interface and a serial interface, and a serial interface connector of a host system suitable for the serial interface, thereby connecting the storage device to the host system, the parallel interface connector of the storage device including first pins connected to a parallel interface bus used to transfer a parallel interface signal, and second pins which are not used by the parallel interface, the storage device being connected to several pins of the second pins, and including a serial interface bus used to transfer a serial interface signal, the conversion connector comprising:
a first connector section connectable to the parallel interface connector of the storage device;
a second connector section connectable to the serial interface connector of the host system; and
internal wires which connect pins of the serial interface connector, which are used to input and output serial interface signals, to the several pins of the second pins of the parallel interface connector, when the first connector section is connected to the parallel interface connector, and the second connector section is connected to the serial interface connector.
11. The conversion connector according to claim 10, further comprising:
a third connector section connectable to a power connector of the host system; and
internal wires which connect a particular pin of the power connector to a particular second pin included in the several pins of the second pins of the parallel interface connector, when the first connector section is connected to the parallel interface connector, the second connector section is connected to the serial interface connector, and the third connector section is connected to the power connector, the particular second pin being used to designate whether the storage device should be operated in a serial interface mode or a parallel interface mode.

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 to provide an audible indicator of a quality of a received digital radio transmission, comprising the steps of:
receiving a digital radio transmission in a digital radio receiver;
determining a plurality of measurement metrics indicating the quality of the received digital radio transmission;
decoding an audible communication from the received digital radio transmission;
dynamically selecting a type of audible indicator based on results of a comparison of values determined for the plurality of measurement metrics;
superimposing an audible indicator onto the audible communication to form a composite audible signal, where the audible indicator is of the type of audible indicator previously dynamically selected; and
dynamically adjusting an amplitude of said audible indicator relative to an amplitude of said audible communication responsive to a quality of said received digital radio transmission.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of measurement metrics comprises a received signal strength indicator of the received digital radio transmission.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of measurement metrics comprises a coded bit error rate of the received digital radio transmission.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of measurement metrics comprises a signal to noise ratio of the received digital radio transmission.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing the quality of the received digital radio transmission to a first predetermined threshold, wherein the audible indicator is superimposed onto the audible communication only if the quality of the received digital radio transmission is below the first predetermined threshold.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of comparing the quality of the received digital radio transmission to a second predetermined threshold, wherein the audible indicator is superimposed onto the audible communication only if the quality of the received digital radio transmission is above the second predetermined threshold.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of detecting whether the received digital radio transmission includes a communication from a remote operator, wherein the audible indicator is suppressed if a communication from the remote operator is detected.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising selectively disabling the audible indicator responsive to a user input to said digital radio receiver.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the audible indicator comprises a broadband noise signal.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the audible indicator comprises a noise signal selected from the group consisting of a simple tone, a complex tone, and a buzz.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
presenting an alert signal to a user of the digital radio receiver, wherein the alert signal is separate from the audible communication.
12. An apparatus to provide an audible indicator of a quality of a received digital radio transmission, comprising:
a detector configured to determine a plurality of measurement metrics indicating the quality of the received digital radio transmission;
a decoder configured to decode an audible communication from the received digital radio transmission;
a signal source configured to dynamically select a type of audible indictor based on results of a comparison of values determined for the plurality of measurement metrics, and to form an audible indicator signal of the type of audible indictor previously dynamically selected that is to be used for indicating said received digital radio transmission has a predetermined signal quality; and
a combiner configured to superimpose the audible indicator onto the audible communication, in order to form a composite audible signal.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of measurement metrics comprises a received signal strength of the received digital radio transmission.
14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of measurement metrics comprises a coded bit error rate of the received digital radio transmission.
15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the plurality of measurement metrics comprises a signal to noise ratio detector of the received digital radio transmission.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a first comparator to compare the quality of the received digital radio transmission to a first predetermined threshold, wherein the audible indicator is superimposed onto the audible communication only if the quality of the received digital radio transmission is below the first predetermined threshold.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a second comparator to compare the quality of the received digital radio transmission to a second predetermined threshold, wherein the audible indicator is superimposed onto the audible communication only if the quality of the received digital radio transmission is above the second predetermined threshold.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising another detector to detect whether the received digital radio transmission includes a communication from a remote operator, wherein the audible indicator is suppressed if a communication from the remote operator is detected.
19. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a user-controllable circuit to disable superimposing the audible indicator onto the audible communication.
20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the audible indicator comprises a broadband noise signal.
21. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the audible indicator comprises a noise signal selected from the group consisting of a simple tone, a complex tone, and a buzz.
22. An apparatus to provide an audible indicator of a quality of a received digital radio transmission, comprising:
a digital radio receiver configured to receive a digital radio transmission; and
a microprocessor coupled to a memory,
wherein the microprocessor is programmed to provide an audible indicator of a quality of a received digital radio transmission by:
determining a plurality of measurement metrics indicating the quality of the received digital radio transmission;
dynamically selecting a type of audible indicator based on results of a comparison of values determined for the plurality of measurement metrics;
superimposing an audible indicator onto a decoded audible communication obtained from the received digital radio transmission, to form a composite audible signal, where the audible indicator is of the type of audible indicator previously dynamically selected; and
dynamically adjusting an amplitude of said audible indicator relative to an amplitude of said audible communication responsive to a quality of said received digital radio transmission.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to provide an audible indicator of a quality of a received digital radio transmission by comparing the quality of the received digital radio transmission to a first predetermined threshold, wherein the audible indicator is superimposed onto the audible communication only if the quality of the received digital radio transmission is below the first predetermined threshold.
24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to provide an audible indicator of a quality of a received digital radio transmission by comparing the quality of the received digital radio transmission to a second predetermined threshold, wherein the audible indicator is superimposed onto the audible communication only if the quality of the received digital radio transmission is above the second predetermined threshold.
25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to detect whether the received digital radio transmission includes a communication from a remote operator, wherein the audible indicator is suppressed if a communication from the remote operator is detected.
26. A method to provide an audible indicator of a quality of a received digital radio transmission, comprising:
receiving a digital radio transmission in a digital radio receiver;
detecting a received signal strength indicator of the received digital radio transmission;
detecting a coded bit error rate of the received digital radio transmission; and
dynamically selecting a type of audible indicator of a plurality of types of audible indicators based on results of a comparison of values detected for the received signal strength indicator and the coded bit error rate.

1. A trailer apparatus for transporting an elongated utility pole from a loading location to an unloading location, the utility pole having a substantially rigid continuous outer surface extending from a first end to a second end thereof in substantially parallel spaced relation to a pole central axis, the trailer apparatus comprising:
a major frame assembly having a front, the major frame assembly having a rear disposed in opposed relation to the front, the rear being spaced from the front in a rearward direction relative to a trailer frame longitudinal axis, the major frame assembly extending from the front to the rear relative to the trailer frame longitudinal axis, the trailer frame longitudinal axis defining longitudinal extent of a trailer frame longitudinal plane, the trailer frame longitudinal plane extending in a vertical direction, the trailer frame longitudinal plane substantially bisecting the major frame assembly intermediate oppositely disposed lateral halves thereof, the lateral halves including a first half defined on a first side of the trailer frame longitudinal plane in lateral relation thereto, the halves including a second half defined on a second side of the trailer frame longitudinal plane in lateral relation thereto;
a forward trailer hitch component joined to the major frame assembly proximate the front, the forward trailer hitch component being configured for coupling with a compatible drawing hitch component of a truck to enable the trailer apparatus to be drawn by the truck;
the major frame assembly defining an elongated carrying bay, the carrying bay having a carrying bay longitudinal plane extending substantially parallel to the trailer frame longitudinal plane, the carrying bay having a clear span width perpendicular to the carrying bay longitudinal plane, the clear span width being sufficient to permit the utility pole to be received in the carrying bay in a transport position, in the transport position the pole central axis extending in a substantially horizontal orientation, the carrying bay having a clear span height in the vertical direction, the clear span height being sufficient to permit the utility pole to be received in the carrying bay in the transport position with clearance between the utility pole and the ground adequate to permit transport of the utility pole on the trailer apparatus;
the major frame assembly having an upper portion, the upper portion spanning above the carrying bay from the first half to the second half to provide the clear span height thereunder;
the major frame assembly in the first half having a first side portion, the first side portion extending downwardly from the upper portion, the first side portion terminating below the upper portion in spaced relation thereto at a respective first lower portion, the major frame assembly in the second half having a second side portion, the second side portion extending downwardly from the upper portion, the second side portion terminating below the upper portion in spaced relation thereto at a respective second lower portion, the upper portion spanning from the first side portion to the second side portion to join the same in fixed relation, the first side portion being spaced from the second side portion with the carrying bay disposed there between to provide the clear span width there between, the first side portion extending upward from the first lower portion to the upper portion to support the upper portion in the first half at the clear span height, the second side portion extending upward from the second lower portion to the upper portion to support the upper portion in the second half at the clear span height; at least one first rear trailer wheel mounted on a first rear axle at the first lower portion to support the trailer apparatus for rolling movement across the ground, the first rear axle being clear of the carrying bay;
at least one second rear trailer wheel mounted on a second rear axle at the second lower portion to support the trailer apparatus for rolling movement across the ground, the second rear axle being clear of the carrying bay;
the major frame assembly at the rear spanning above the carrying bay to provide a rear opening of the carrying bay, the rear opening permitting clear access from outside the rear to the carrying bay in the direction of the trailer frame longitudinal plane, the rear opening having a respective clear span height sufficient for the major frame assembly to clear the utility pole at rest on the ground in a ground storage position, in the ground storage position the pole longitudinal axis extending in a substantially horizontal direction, such that when the trailer is backed in the longitudinal direction over the utility pole occupying the ground storage position with the trailer frame longitudinal plane substantially coextensive with the pole central axis the rear opening passes around the utility pole as the trailer moves backward for positioning the carrying bay in alignment with a corresponding lengthwise segment of the utility pole, the rear opening having a respective clear span height sufficient for an adjoining second lengthwise segment of the utility pole in the transport position to protrude out of the carrying bay through the rear opening; and
a lifting apparatus supported by the major frame assembly, the lifting apparatus including pole engaging apparatus positionable in the carrying bay, the pole engaging apparatus being configurable to engage the utility pole in lifting relationship therewith, the lifting apparatus being selectively operable for lifting at least the lengthwise segment of the utility pole fitting in the carrying bay from the ground storage position to the transport position, the lifting apparatus being selectively operable for lowering the utility pole from the transport position to the ground storage position,
wherein the lifting apparatus includes at least one hoist and hoist cable combination, the at least one hoist cable cooperating with suitable adjustable rigging to engage the utility pole in a lifting relationship, the at least one hoist being selectively operable to raise the at least one hoist cable to cause the same to lift the utility pole, the at least one hoist including a hoist motor for driving the hoist cable between trained drive gears, the trained drive gears being between the hoist motor and the hoist cable.
2. Trailer apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:
at the front the major frame assembly spanning above the carrying bay to provide a forward opening to the carrying bay, the forward opening providing clearance sufficient for the trailer to clear the utility pole at rest in a ground storage position when the trailer is moved forward in the longitudinal direction over the utility pole with the trailer frame longitudinal plane substantially coextensive with the pole longitudinal axis for positioning the carrying bay in alignment with the utility pole.
3. Trailer apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:
at least one first forward trailer wheel mounted on a first forward axle at the first lower portion to support the trailer apparatus for rolling movement across the ground, the first forward axle being clear of the carrying bay, the first forward axle being spaced forward of the first rear axle in parallel relation thereto;
at least one second forward trailer wheel mounted on a respective second forward axle at the second lower portion to support the trailer apparatus for rolling movement across the ground, the second forward axle being clear of the carrying bay, the second forward axle being spaced forward of the second rear axle in parallel relation thereto.
4. Trailer apparatus according to claim 3 and further comprising:
at least one slave unit first forward trailer wheel substantially identical to the first forward trailer wheel of the trailer apparatus; and
at least one slave unit second forward trailer wheel substantially identical to the second forward trailer wheel of the trailer apparatus.
5. Trailer apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:
primary support apparatus mounted on the major frame assembly, the primary support apparatus being selectively positionable relative to the utility pole in the carrying bay to provide primary support for the utility pole during transport of the same.
6. Trailer apparatus according to claim 5 and further comprising:
the primary support apparatus including a movable support element mounted on the major frame assembly for selective movement relative thereto to a supporting position, the movable support element in the supporting position engaging the utility pole in the carrying bay to provide primary support forces against the utility pole during transport of the same.
7. Trailer apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising:
a rear training connector compatible with a forward training connector of a slave unit trailer apparatus for training the slave unit trailer apparatus with the trailer apparatus according to claim 1;
where the utility pole has a projecting section extending out the rear of the trailer apparatus according to claim 1, the slave unit trailer apparatus having a slave unit carrying bay for receiving therein a portion of the projecting section of the utility pole; the slave unit trailer apparatus comprising:
a slave unit major frame assembly, the slave unit major frame assembly being substantially identical to the major frame assembly of the trailer apparatus according to claim 1;
the forward training connector of the slave unit trailer apparatus joined to the slave unit major frame assembly proximate the front of the same, the forward training component being configured for coupling with the compatible rear training connector of the trailer apparatus preceding the slave unit trailer apparatus to enable the slave unit trailer apparatus to be drawn with the same;
the slave unit carrying bay being substantially identical to the carrying bay of the trailer apparatus according to claim 1; at least one slave unit first rear trailer wheel substantially identical to the first rear trailer wheel of the trailer apparatus according to claim 1;
at least one slave unit second rear trailer wheel substantially identical to the second rear trailer wheel of the trailer apparatus according to claim 1; and
a slave unit lifting apparatus mounted on the slave unit major frame assembly, the slave unit lifting apparatus being substantially identical to the lifting apparatus of the trailer apparatus according to claim 1.
8. Trailer apparatus according to claim 7 and further comprising:
wherein the slave unit trailer apparatus is trained in substantially fixed linear relationship with the preceding trailer apparatus according to claim 1 to enable the slave unit trailer apparatus to be backed in a common direction with the preceding trailer apparatus according to claim 1.
9. A trailer apparatus for transporting an elongated utility pole from a loading location to an unloading location, the utility pole having a substantially rigid continuous outer surface extending from a first end to a second end thereof in substantially parallel spaced relation to a pole central axis, the trailer apparatus comprising:
a major frame assembly having a front, the major frame assembly having a rear disposed in opposed relation to the front, the rear being spaced from the front in a rearward direction relative to a trailer frame longitudinal axis, the major frame assembly extending from the front to the rear;
a forward trailer hitch component joined to the major frame assembly proximate the front, the forward trailer hitch component being configured for coupling with a compatible drawing hitch component of a truck to enable the trailer apparatus to be drawn by the truck;
the major frame assembly defining an elongated carrying bay;
the major frame assembly having an upper portion;
the major frame assembly at the rear spanning above a carrying bay to provide a rear opening of the carrying bay, the rear opening permitting clear access from outside the rear to the carrying bay, the rear opening having a respective clear span height sufficient for the major frame assembly to clear the utility pole at rest on the ground in a ground storage position; and
a lifting apparatus supported by the major frame assembly, the lifting apparatus including pole engaging apparatus positionable in the carrying bay, the pole engaging apparatus being configurable to engage the utility pole in lifting relationship therewith, the lifting apparatus being selectively operable for lifting the utility pole fitting in the carrying bay from the ground storage position to a transport position, the lifting apparatus being selectively operable for lowering the utility pole from the transport position to the ground storage position,
the lifting apparatus including at least one hoist and hoist cable combination, the at least one hoist cable cooperating with suitable adjustable rigging to engage the utility pole in a lifting relationship, the at least one hoist being selectively operable to raise the at least one hoist cable to cause the same to lift the utility pole, the at least one hoist including a hoist motor for driving the hoist cable between trained drive gears, the trained drive gears being between the hoist motor and the hoist cable.
10. The trailer apparatus according to claim 9 and further comprising:
primary support apparatus mounted on the major frame assembly, the primary support apparatus being selectively positionable relative to the utility pole in the carrying bay to provide primary support for the utility pole during transport of the same.
11. The trailer apparatus according to claim 10 and further comprising:
the primary support apparatus including a movable support element mounted on the major frame assembly for selective movement relative thereto to a supporting position, the movable support element in the supporting position engaging the utility pole in the carrying bay to provide primary support forces against the utility pole during transport of the same.

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 optical disk device, comprising:
an optical pickup unit to be driven by a supplied write pulse string to record data on an optical disk;
an optical pickup driving unit to generate and supply the write pulse string to the optical pickup unit;
an energy level calculator to calculate an energy level of the write pulse string generated by the optical pickup driving unit; and
a controller to control the generation of the write pulse string of the optical pickup driving unit, so that the calculated energy level is proximate to a predetermined reference energy level.
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the controller controls the optical pickup driving unit to adjust the write pulse string in response to an absolute value of a difference between the calculated energy level and the reference energy level exceeding a predetermined threshold level.
3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the energy level calculator comprises:
a write pulse power measuring part to measure power levels of write pulses forming the write pulse string;
a write pulse width measuring part to measure pulse widths of the write pulses forming the write pulse string;
a multiplier to multiply the power levels provided from the write pulse power measuring part by the write pulse widths provided from the write pulse width measuring part, respectively; and
an adder to add all of the multiplication results to calculate the energy level.
4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the energy level calculator integrates the write pulse string, and outputs the integration result as the energy level.
5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the write pulse string comprises at least one of a multi-type write pulse string, a non-multi type write pulse string, a castle type write pulse string, or a combination thereof.
6. A method of optimizing a write pulse string, the method comprising:
generating a write pulse string to use in recording data on an optical disk;
calculating an energy level of the generated write pulse string; and
controlling the generation of the write pulse string to approximate the calculated energy level to a predetermined reference energy level.
7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the write pulse string is adjusted in response to an absolute value of a difference between the calculated energy level and the reference energy level exceeding a predetermined threshold level.
8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the calculation of the energy level of the generated write pulse string comprises:
measuring power levels of write pulses of the write pulse string;
measuring write pulse widths of write pulses of the write pulse string;
multiplying the measured power levels by the measured write pulse widths, respectively; and
adding all of the multiplication results to calculate the energy level.
9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the energy level is calculated by integrating the write pulse string, and the integrated value is outputted as the energy level.
10. The method according to claim 6, wherein the write pulse string comprises at least one of a multi-type write pulse string, a non-multi type write pulse string, a castle-type write pulse string, or a combination thereof.
11. An optical disk device, comprising:
an energy level measuring unit to measure an energy level of a write pulse string used in recording data on an optical disk; and
a controller to control a generation of the write pulse string so that the energy level is within a predetermined range above or below a reference energy level.
12. The device according to claim 11, further comprising a write pulse string generation unit to generate the write pulse string, wherein the controller controls the write pulse string generation unit to adjust the energy level of the write pulse string to within the predetermined range.
13. The device according to claim 11, wherein the energy level measuring unit measures power levels of write pulses of the write pulse string, measures pulse widths of the write pulses, multiplies the power levels by the respective pulse widths, and sums the multiplication results to measure the energy level.
14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the write pulse string is adjusted in response to an absolute value of a difference between the measured energy level and the reference energy level being larger than a predetermined value.
15. The device according to claim 11, wherein the energy level is adjusted by changing a timing of write pulses of the write pulse string, a width of the write pulses, intervals between the write pulses, or a combination thereof.
16. A method of generating a write pulse string, the method comprising:
measuring an energy level of the write pulse string used in recording data on an optical disk; and
controlling a generation of the write pulse string so that the energy level is within a predetermined range above or below a reference energy level.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the measuring the energy level comprises:
measuring power levels of write pulses of the write pulse string;
measuring pulse widths of the write pulses;
multiplying the power levels by the respective pulse widths; and
summing the multiplication results.
18. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting the write pulse string in response to an absolute value of a difference between the measured energy level and the reference energy level being larger than a predetermined value.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein the energy level is adjusted by changing a timing of write pulses of the write pulse string, a width of the write pulses, intervals between the write pulses, or a combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 16, further comprising finely adjusting the write pulse string through error rate measurement in response to the energy level being within the predetermined range.