Author: claimsbot

1. A method of communicating a policy to a non-COPS enabled network device, comprising:
receiving a first set of device data about the non-COPS enabled network device, wherein the first set of device data includes data that identifies one or more appropriate protocols supported by the non-COPS enabled network device;
receiving a set of policy data, wherein the set of policy data is configured using the COPS protocol;
generating the policy by using the set of policy data and a set of role data, wherein the set of role data describes one or more roles of the non-COPS enabled network device;
resolving any conflicts arising from generating the policy using the set of policy data and the set of role data; and
communicating the policy to the non-COPS enabled network device using one of the one or more appropriate protocols.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of device data includes data that identifies the IOS version of the non-COPS enabled network device or interface features of the non-COPS enabled network device.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of generating the policy comprises generating the policy for use with the CLI protocol.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of generating the policy comprises generating the policy for use with the SNMP protocol.
5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first set of device data comprises data that identifies at least one role to which the non-COPS enabled network device has been assigned.
6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the set of policy data comprises receiving data that identifies at least two conflicting COPS policies, and wherein the step of generating the policy comprises the step of resolving the at least two conflicting COPS policies.
7. A computer readable medium containing program instructions for communicating a policy to a non-COPS enabled network device, wherein when the computer readable medium is read by a computer system having a processor and memory, the program instructions are configured to be executed by the processor, the computer readable medium comprising:
program instructions for receiving a first set of device data about the non-COPS enabled network device, wherein the first set of device data includes data that identifies one or more appropriate protocols supported by the non-COPS enabled network device;
program instructions for receiving a set of policy data, wherein the set of policy data is configured using the COPS protocol;
program instructions for generating the policy by using the set of policy data and a set of role data, wherein the set of role data describes one or more roles of the non-COPS enabled network device;
resolving any conflicts arising from generating the policy using the set of policy data and the set of role data; and
program instructions for communicating the policy to the non-COPS enabled network device.
8. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the program instructions for the first set of device data comprises data that identifies the IOS version of the non-COPS enabled network device or interface features of the non-COPS enabled network device.
9. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the program instructions for generating the policy include program instructions for generating the policy for use with the CLI protocol.
10. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the program instructions for generating the policy include program instructions for generating the policy for use with the SNMP protocol.
11. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the first set of device data comprises data that identifies at least one role to which the non-COPS enabled network device has been assigned.
12. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 7, wherein the set of policy data comprises data that identifies at least two conflicting COPS policies, and wherein the program instructions for generating the policy comprises program instructions for resolving the at least two conflicting COPS policies.
13. A system for communicating a policy to a non-COPS enabled network device, comprising:
a communication receiver configured to receive a first set of device data about the non-COPS enabled network device from the non-COPS enabled network device and a set of policy data from a policy server, wherein the set of policy data is configured using the COPS protocol, wherein the communication receiver is configured to receive a set of role data that describes one or more roles of the non-COPS enables network device;
a policy translator configured to translate the set of policy data and the set of role data into the policy, and configured to resolve any conflicts arising from generating the policy using the set of policy data and the set of role data, wherein the policy is receivable and correctly interpretable by the non-COPS enabled network device; and
a communication transmitter configured to transmit the policy to the non-COPS enabled network device, wherein the policy is transmitted using one of the one or more appropriate protocols.
14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the policy translator comprises a mapping database, wherein the mapping database comprises data that identifies predetermined correlations between the policy, the set of policy data, and the first set of device data.
15. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first set of device data comprises data that identifies one or more roles associated with the non-COPS enabled network device.
16. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the first set of device data includes data that identifies the IOS version of the non-COPS enabled network device or interface features of the non-COPS enabled network device.
17. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the policy is translated by policy translator for use with the CLI protocol.
18. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the policy is translated by policy translator for use with the SNMP protocol.
19. A system for communicating a policy to a non-COPS enabled network device, comprising:
means for receiving a first set of device data about the non-COPS enabled network device, wherein the first set of device data includes data that identifies one or more appropriate protocols supported by the non-COPS enabled network device;
means for receiving a set of policy data, wherein the set of policy data is configured using the COPS protocol;
means for generating the policy by using the set of policy data and a set of role data, wherein the set of role data describes one or more roles of the non-COPS enabled network device;
means for resolving any conflicts arising from generating the policy using the set of policy data and the set of role data; and
means for communicating the policy to the non-COPS enabled network device using one of the one or more appropriate protocols.
20. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the first set of device data includes data that identifies the IOS version of the non-COPS enabled network device or interface features of the non-COPS enabled network device.
21. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for generating the policy comprises means for generating the policy for use with the CLI protocol.
22. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for generating the policy comprises means for generating the policy for use with the SNMP protocol.
23. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein receiving the first set of device data comprises data that identifies at least one role to which the non-COPS enabled network device has been assigned.
24. A system as recited in claim 19, wherein the means for receiving the set of policy data comprises means for receiving data that identifies at least two conflicting COPS policies, and wherein the means for generating the policy comprises means for resolving the at least two conflicting COPS policies.

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 multi-band internal antenna comprising:
a top patch defining a first loop that defines a space therein and a first opening;
a stub provided within the space defined by the first loop, the stub being connected to the top patch by a connector, the stub being configured to expand a bandwidth of a high frequency band in an operating frequency of the antenna;
a bottom patch provided below the top patch and having a first section and a second section connected to a feeder part and a shorting part, respectively, the bottom patch defining a second loop and second and third openings, the second and third openings being provided on opposing sides of the second loop so that the first and second sections of the bottom patch are separated from each other; and
a first connecting part and a second connecting part connecting a first portion and a second portion of the top patch, respectively, to the first section and the second section of the bottom patch to transmit a signal from the bottom patch to the top patch,
wherein the feeder part is configured to provide power to the bottom patch, and the shorting part is configured to ground the bottom patch.
2. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 1, wherein the connector and the first opening are provided on opposing sides of the first loop, wherein the top patch is bilaterally symmetrical with respect to the connector.
3. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second sections of the bottom patch are substantially symmetrical.
4. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 3, wherein the top patch, the stub and the bottom patch comprise substantially the same material.
5. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 3, wherein a total length of the antenna is defined by the top patch and the first and second sections of the bottom patch, the total length corresponding to a half wavelength of a low frequency band in the operating frequency of the antenna.
6. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 3, wherein the top patch and the bottom patch are spaced apart vertically by a medium.
7. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 3, wherein the medium is air or dielectric material.
8. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 3, wherein the first opening and the second opening are vertically aligned to each other, and the connector and the third opening are vertically aligned to each other.
9. The multi-band internal antenna as recited in claim 8, wherein the feeder part and the shorting part are spaced apart by the third opening.

1. A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) an open housing comprising a first panel and a second panel;
b) a first bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel to provide an exterior housing wall;
c) a heat collector;
d) a first reflector positioned within said housing to receive solar radiation and concentrate at least a portion of said solar radiation on said heat collector; and
e) a second reflector, a first rib and a second rib, the first rib contacting the first panel and at least a portion of the first reflector and the second rib contacting the second panel and at least a portion of the second reflector, wherein the first rib compresses the first reflector to provide a shape of a first portion of a parabolic trough, and wherein the second rib compresses the second reflector to provide the second reflector a shape of a second portion of said parabolic trough, and wherein the concentrating solar energy collector has no cover over said first and second reflectors, wherein the housing comprises a third panel connected to the first panel by a second bracket and a fourth panel connected to the second panel by a third bracket,
wherein the first bracket has a first slot to receive a portion of said first reflector, and wherein the heat collector is positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector so as to receive solar radiation reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector.
2. The collector of claim 1 wherein the bracket has a first notch to receive a portion of the first panel and a second notch to receive a portion of the second panel.
3. The collector of claim 1 wherein the bracket has a second slot to receive a portion of the second reflector.
4. The collector of claim 3 wherein the first slot and the second slot are opposite one another.
5. The collector of claim 3 wherein the first slot and the second slot are offset from one another.
6. The collector of claim 3 wherein the first slot and the second slot are formed by a removable bracket portion having wings that form at least a part of the first slot and the second slot, such that removing said bracket portion loosens the first reflector and the second reflector enabling removal or replacement of said first reflector and said second reflector.
7. The collector of claim 1 wherein the bracket supports a first stanchion supporting said heat collector.
8. The collector of claim 7 wherein the bracket supports a second stanchion supporting said heat collector.
9. The collector of claim 8 wherein the first stanchion and the second stanchion hold a first heat collector support supporting the heat collector.
10. The collector of claim 9 wherein the bracket additionally supports a third stanchion and a fourth stanchion, wherein the third stanchion and the fourth stanchion hold a second heat collector support supporting the heat collector at a point distant from the first heat collector support.
11. A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) an open housing comprising a first panel and a second panel;
b) a first bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel to provide an exterior housing wall;
c) a heat collector;
d) a first reflector positioned within said housing to receive solar radiation and concentrate at least a portion of said solar radiation on said heat collector; and
e) a second reflector, a first rib and a second rib, the first rib contacting the first panel and at least a portion of the first reflector and the second rib contacting the second panel and at least a portion of the second reflector, wherein the first rib compresses the first reflector to provide a shape of a first portion of a parabolic trough, and wherein the second rib compresses the second reflector to provide the second reflector a shape of a second portion of said parabolic trough, and wherein the concentrating solar energy collector has no cover over said first and second reflectors, wherein the housing comprises a third panel connected to the first panel by a second bracket and a fourth panel connected to the second panel by a third bracket, and
wherein the first panel and the second panel are substantially identical or identical, and wherein the third panel and the fourth panel are substantially identical or identical, and wherein the heat collector is positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector so as to receive solar radiation reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector.
12. The collector of claim 11 wherein the second bracket and the third bracket are substantially identical or identical.
13. A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) an open housing comprising a first panel and a second panel;
b) a first bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel to provide an exterior housing wall;
c) a heat collector;
d) a first reflector positioned within said housing to receive solar radiation and concentrate at least a portion of said solar radiation on said heat collector; and
e) a second reflector, a first rib and a second rib, the first rib contacting the first panel and at least a portion of the first reflector and the second rib contacting the second panel and at least a portion of the second reflector, wherein the first rib compresses the first reflector to provide a shape of a first portion of a parabolic trough, and wherein the second rib compresses the second reflector to provide the second reflector a shape of a second portion of said parabolic trough, and wherein the concentrating solar energy collector has no cover over said first and second reflectors, wherein the housing comprises a third panel connected to the first panel by a second bracket and a fourth panel connected to the second panel by a third bracket, and
wherein the collector further comprises
f) a fourth bracket secured to the third panel and a fifth bracket secured to the fourth panel, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth brackets each having at least one reflector-receiving slot,
g) a third reflector and a fourth reflector, wherein the first reflector is secured in compression by the slots of the first bracket and the second bracket, the second reflector is secured in compression by the slots of the first bracket and the third bracket, the third reflector is secured in compression by the slots of the second bracket and the fourth bracket, and the fourth reflector is secured in compression by the slots of the third bracket and the fifth bracket, and wherein the heat collector is positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector so as to receive solar radiation reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector.
14. The collector of claim 13 wherein the fourth bracket and the fifth bracket each additionally have a slot positioned opposite one another to receive a transparent cover that shields the reflector from ambient dirt.
15. The collector of claim 1 wherein the first rib deforms the first reflector to provide a portion of a shape of a first parabola, and wherein the second rib deforms the second reflector to provide a portion of a shape of a second parabola such that the first reflector has a line of focus different from a line of focus, of the second reflector.
16. A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) an open housing comprising a first panel and a second panel;
b) a first bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel to provide an exterior housing wall;
c) a heat collector;
d) a first reflector positioned within said housing to receive solar radiation and concentrate at least a portion of said solar radiation on said heat collector; and
e) a second reflector, a first rib and a second rib, the first rib contacting the first panel and at least a portion of the first reflector and the second rib contacting the second panel and at least a portion of the second reflector, wherein the first rib compresses the first reflector to provide a shape of a first portion of a parabolic trough, and wherein the second rib compresses the second reflector to provide the second reflector a shape of a second portion of said parabolic trough, and wherein the concentrating solar energy collector has no cover over said first and second reflectors, wherein the collector further comprises a third rib and a fourth rib, the third rib being in contact with the first panel and the first reflector and the fourth rib being in contact with the second panel and the second reflector, and
wherein the collector further comprises a fifth rib and a sixth rib, the fifth rib being in contact with the first panel and the first reflector and the sixth rib being in contact with the second panel and the second reflector, and wherein the heat collector is positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector so as to receive solar radiation reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector.
17. The collector of claim 1 having third and fourth panels and first, second, third, and fourth reflectors, and additionally the first rib contacting the third panel and the third reflector and the second rib contacting the fourth panel and the fourth reflector, wherein said first and second ribs provide shape to the third reflector and the fourth reflector.
18. A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) an open housing comprising a first panel and a second panel;
b) a first bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel to provide an exterior housing wall;
c) a heat collector;
d) a first reflector positioned within said housing to receive solar radiation and concentrate at least a portion of said solar radiation on said heat collector; and
e) a second reflector, a first rib and a second rib, the first rib contacting the first panel and at least a portion of the first reflector and the second rib contacting the second panel and at least a portion of the second reflector, wherein the first rib compresses the first reflector to provide a shape of a first portion of a parabolic trough, and wherein the second rib compresses the second reflector to provide the second reflector a shape of a second portion of said parabolic trough, and wherein the concentrating solar energy collector has no cover over said first and second reflectors, wherein the housing comprises a third panel connected to the first panel by a second bracket and a fourth panel connected to the second panel by a third bracket, and
having third and fourth panels and first, second, third, and fourth reflectors, and additionally the first rib contacting the third panel and the third reflector and the second rib contacting the fourth panel and the fourth reflector, wherein said first and second ribs provide shape to the third reflector and the fourth reflector
and further comprising a third rib contacting the third panel and the third reflector and a fourth rib contacting the fourth panel and the fourth reflector, wherein said third and fourth ribs provide shape to the third reflector and the fourth reflector, and wherein the heat collector is positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector so as to receive solar radiation reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector.
19. The collector of claim 18 and further comprising a fifth rib contacting the third panel and the third reflector and a sixth rib contacting the fourth panel and the fourth reflector, wherein said fifth and sixth ribs provide shape to the third reflector and the fourth reflector.
20. A concentrating solar energy collector comprising:
a) an open housing comprising a first panel and a second panel;
b) a first bracket connecting the first panel and the second panel to provide an exterior housing wall;
c) a heat collector;
d) a first reflector positioned within said housing to receive solar radiation and concentrate at least a portion of said solar radiation on said heat collector; and
e) a second reflector, a first rib and a second rib, the first rib contacting the first panel and at least a portion of the first reflector and the second rib contacting the second panel and at least a portion of the second reflector, wherein the first rib compresses the first reflector to provide a shape of a first portion of a parabolic trough, and wherein the second rib compresses the second reflector to provide the second reflector a shape of a second portion of said parabolic trough, and wherein the concentrating solar energy collector has no cover over said first and second reflectors, wherein the housing comprises a third panel connected to the first panel by a second bracket and a fourth panel connected to the second panel by a third bracket
wherein said second bracket and said third bracket each has a length about equal to or equal to a length of the first panel and the second panel, and wherein the heat collector is positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector so as to receive solar radiation reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector.
21. The collector of claim 1 wherein said first bracket is an extruded metal bracket.
22. The collector of claim 20 wherein all of said brackets are extruded metal.
23. A method of assembling a concentrating solar energy collector, the method comprising:
a) coupling a first panel to a second panel with a first bracket having first and second slots to form at least a portion of a bottom section of an open housing;
b) coupling a third panel to said bottom section of said housing with a second bracket to form at least a portion of a first side of said housing;
c) coupling a fourth panel to said bottom section of said housing with a third bracket to form at least a portion of a second side of said housing; and
d) positioning a first and second reflector within said housing in contact with a first rib and a second rib respectively to receive solar radiation and concentrate it on a heat collector; wherein the first rib contacts the first panel and at least a portion of the first reflector and the second rib contacts the second panel and at least a portion of the second reflector, wherein the first rib compresses the first reflector to provide a shape of a first portion of a parabolic trough, and wherein the second rib compresses the second reflector to provide a shape of a second portion of said parabolic trough, coupling the first reflector with the first slot of the first bracket and coupling the second reflector with the second slot of the first bracket, and coupling the heat collector to the first bracket,
wherein the first, second, and third brackets have a length equal or about equal to a length of the housing, and wherein the heat collector is positioned between the first reflector and the second reflector so as to receive solar radiation reflected by the first reflector and the second reflector.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the first reflector is placed within the housing by flexing an elastically deformable reflector and retaining the first reflector in compression within the housing.
25. A concentrating solar energy collector according to claim 1, wherein the heat collector extends linearly through the solar energy collector from a first solar energy collector mounting to a second solar energy collector mounting supporting the housing, and the housing is pivotably mounted to said first and second solar energy collector mountings such that the housing is rotatable about the heat collector.
26. A concentrating solar energy collector according to claim 16, wherein the heat collector extends linearly through the solar energy collector from a first solar energy collector mounting to a second solar energy collector mounting supporting the housing, and the housing is pivotably mounted to said first and second solar energy collector mountings such that the housing is rotatable about the heat collector.
27. A method according to claim 23, further comprising extending a heat collector linearly through the solar energy collector from a first solar energy collector mounting to a second solar energy collector mounting supporting the housing, and pivotably mounting said housing to said first and second solar energy collector mountings such that the housing is rotatable about the heat collector.
28. The collector of any of claims 16, 25, or 2 wherein said first bracket has a length about equal to or equal to a length of the first panel and the second panel.
29. A collector assembly comprising a plurality of the collector of any of claim 1, 16, 25, or 26 secured to one another.

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 concentrated solar system, comprising:
a pedestal;
a dish mounted onto the pedestal;
a plurality of tiles mounted onto the dish, each having a reflective upper surface;
a solar converter positioned to receive solar energy reflected from the plurality of tiles;
wherein the dish comprises:
a hub mounted onto the pedestal, the hub comprising an upper crown and a lower crown;
a rim;
a plurality of tensile upper spokes connecting the rim to the upper crown and preloaded in tension and,
a plurality of tensile lower spokes connecting the rim to the lower crown and preloaded in tension.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of coupling nodes spread evenly about the rim, and wherein each of the upper spokes is paired with a corresponding one of the lower spokes, and wherein each pair of upper and lower spokes is coupled to one of the coupling nodes.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein each of the coupling nodes comprises:
a central joint,
an upper tensioner link coupling the upper spoke to the central joint; and,
a lower tensioner link coupling the lower spoke to the central joint.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the rim comprises a plurality of rim segments, and wherein each central joint is held in compression between two rim segments.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the rim comprises a plurality of rim segments, and further comprise a plurality of central joints, wherein each central joint is coupled between two rim segments.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of stiffeners, each attached to one of the lower spokes.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein each of the tiles is coupled to two of the stiffeners.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the stiffeners comprises an elongated guide provided on each side thereof, and wherein each of the tiles is pressed against the guides along its reflective upper surface.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective upper surface of each tile is shaped to approximate a portion of a revolved paraboloid.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective upper surface of each tile is shaped to approximate a portion of an offset revolved paraboloid comprising a generatrix in the shape of a parabola whose optical axis is parallel but radially offset from the axis of revolution.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the reflective upper surface of each tile is shaped so that the plurality of tiles reflect incident light onto a focal area in the shape of a ring.
12. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the tiles comprises a front reflective membrane, a back membrane, and a core provided in between the front reflective membrane and the back membrane.
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the solar converter comprises a plurality of photovoltaic cells arranged in a shape of a ring.
14. The system of claim 13, further comprising a hexapod mounted at its lower side onto the hub, and wherein the solar converter is mounted onto an upper side of the hexapod.
15. The system of claim 14, further comprising actuators coupled to the back side of the hexapod to adjust the position of the solar converter.
16. The system of claim 13, wherein the solar converter further comprises a secondary optical element focusing the light reflected from the tiles onto the photovoltaic cells.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the secondary optical element comprises a two-dimensional compound parabolic concentrator.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the solar converter further comprises a cooling system for cooling the photovoltaic cells.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of solar cells are divided into contiguous zones, each zone having several photovoltaic cells, wherein one cell from each zone is electrically connected in parallel to one cell from each of the other zones.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the hub further comprises a heat exchanger for cooling fluids received from the solar converter.