All The Claims

1. A method of managing storage resources for a log-structured file system (LFS), the method comprising:
copying write block data from a plurality of used segments of the LFS;
writing the copied write block data to one or more free segments of the LFS;
indexing an unsafe free segments list (UFSL) with indications of the plurality of used segments after copying the write block data; and
preventing reuse of the plurality of used segments while the indications of the plurality of used segments are indexed in the UFSL.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
in response to performing a scheduled synchronization operation, clearing the indications of the plurality of used segments from the UFSL; and
reusing at least one of the plurality of used segments that was previously indexed to the UFSL.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein:
the LFS is a flash storage system; and
the scheduled synchronization operation is a flush track cache operation that is scheduled to occur on a periodic basis to update a block manager of the flash storage system with current storage location information.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein reusing the at least one of the plurality of used segments which was previously indexed to the UFSL comprises:
writing new write block data to the at least one of the plurality of used segments which was previously indexed to the UFSL; and
updating a block manager with a storage location for the new write block data.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein performing the scheduled synchronization operation comprises mapping one or more logical storage addresses associated with the copied write block data to one or more physical storage addresses where the copied write block data is stored after writing the copied write block data to the one or more free segments of the LFS.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving new write block data after indexing the UFSL; and
in response to receiving the new write block data, consulting the UFSL to determine which segments of the LFS are indexed in the UFSL as unavailable segments.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:
identifying one or more free segments of the LFS that are not indexed in the UFSL as unavailable segments; and
writing the received new write block data to the identified one or more free segments of the LFS.
8. A method of writing page data in a non-overwrite storage system, the method comprising:
determining a number of required segments for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system;
consulting an unsafe free segments list (UFSL) to identify which free segments of the non-overwrite storage system should not be written to;
determining whether sufficient free segments are available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system; and
in response to determining that sufficient free segments are available, writing the page data to data blocks of one or more free segments of the non-overwrite storage system.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein determining whether sufficient free segments are available, further comprises:
comparing the number of required segments for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system to a number of available free segments in the non-overwrite storage system, excluding free segments identified in the UFSL; and
determining whether the number of free segments in the non-overwrite storage system, excluding free segments identified in the UFSL, is equal to or exceeds the number of required segments for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system.
10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
in response to determining that sufficient free segments are not available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system, performing a synchronization operation to clear the UFSL; and
determining whether sufficient free segments are available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system after performing the synchronization operation.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein:
the non-overwrite storage system is a flash storage system; and
the synchronization operation is a flush track cache operation that is scheduled to occur on a periodic basis to update a block manager of the flash storage system with current storage location information.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein in response to performing the synchronization operation and determining that sufficient free segments are available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system, writing the page data to data blocks of one or more free segments of the non-overwrite storage system.
13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
in response to performing the synchronization operation and determining that sufficient free segments are available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system,
writing the page data to data blocks of one or more free segments which was previously identified in the UFSL.
14. The method of claim 10, further comprising:
in response to performing the synchronization operation and determining that sufficient free segments are not available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system, performing a garbage collection operation to free up one or more segments of the non-overwrite storage system;
determining whether sufficient free segments are available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system after performing the garbage collection operation; and
in response to performing the garbage collection operation and determining that sufficient free segments are available for writing the page data in the non-overwrite storage system, writing the page data to data blocks of one or more free segments of the non-overwrite storage system.
15. A non-overwrite storage system comprising:
a non-volatile storage component having a plurality of storage segments;
a volatile storage component having an unsafe free segments list (UFSL); and
a controller coupled to the non-volatile storage component and to the volatile storage component, wherein the controller is configured to:
copy page data from one or more used segments of the plurality of storage segments;
write the copied page data to one or more free segments of the plurality of storage segments;
index the UFSL with indications of the one or more used segments after copying the page data; and
prevent reuse of the one or more used segments while the indications of the one or more used segments are indexed in the UFSL.
16. The non-overwrite storage system of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to:
perform a synchronization operation that clears the indications of the one or more used segments from the UFSL; and
reuse at least one of the one or more used segments that was previously indexed to the UFSL.
17. The non-overwrite storage system of claim 16, wherein:
the non-overwrite storage system is a flash storage system; and
the synchronization operation is a flush track cache operation that is scheduled to occur on a periodic basis to update a block manager of the flash storage system with current storage location information.
18. The non-overwrite storage system of claim 16, wherein, as part of the reuse, the controller is configured to:
write new page data to the at least one of the one or more used segments which was previously indexed to the UFSL; and
update a block manager with a storage location for the new page data.
19. The non-overwrite storage system of claim 15, wherein the controller is further configured to:
receive new page data after indexing the UFSL; and
in response to receiving the new page data, consult the UFSL to determine which segments of the non-overwrite storage system are indexed in the UFSL as unavailable segments.
20. The non-overwrite storage system of claim 19, wherein the controller is further configured to:
identify one or more free segments of the non-overwrite storage system that are not indexed in the UFSL as unavailable segments; and
write the received new page data to the identified one or more free segments of the non-overwrite storage system.

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 computer-readable medium which stores a program for controlling an image forming apparatus, the program causing a computer to, in a virtual space providing system in which a computer that provides a virtual space and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network:
determine whether a print command to a virtual image forming apparatus defined in the virtual space is a command to create a virtual output product by the virtual image forming apparatus, or a command to print an output product by the image forming apparatus that is linked to the virtual image forming apparatus;
simulate printing of an output product by the image forming apparatus by creating virtual printed matter in the virtual space, when it is determined that the command is to create a virtual output product by the virtual image forming apparatus; and
output the print command to the image forming apparatus, when it is determined that the command is to print an output product by the image forming apparatus that is linked to the virtual image forming apparatus.
2. The medium which stores the program according to claim 1, the program further causing a computer to simulate displaying of the status of the image forming apparatus.
3. The medium which stores the program according to claim 2, wherein the status of the image forming apparatus includes at least one of termination of print processing based on the print command and an error.
4. The medium which stores the program according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the command is to create a virtual output product by a first virtual image forming apparatus that is different from the virtual image forming apparatus, virtual printed matter is created by the first virtual image forming apparatus.
5. The medium which stores the program according to claim 4, wherein when it is determined that the command is to create an output product by a first image forming apparatus that is different from the image forming apparatus that is linked to the virtual image forming apparatus, the print command is output to the first image forming apparatus.
6. The medium which stores the program according to claim 1, wherein the simulated printing by the virtual image forming apparatus is not charged for, whereas the printing by the image forming apparatus based on the print command is charged for.
7. A virtual space providing system in which a computer that provides a virtual space and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network, comprising:
a determination unit configured to determine whether a print command to a virtual image forming apparatus defined in the virtual space is a command to create a virtual output product by the virtual image forming apparatus, or a command to print an output product by the image forming apparatus that is linked to the virtual image forming apparatus;
a simulation unit configured to simulate printing of an output product by the image forming apparatus by creating virtual printed matter in the virtual space, when it is determined that the command is to create a virtual output product by the virtual image forming apparatus as a result of the determination by the determination unit; and
an output unit configured to output the print command to the image forming apparatus, when it is determined that the command is to print an output product by the image forming apparatus that is linked to the virtual image forming apparatus.
8. A method for controlling an image forming apparatus that is executed in a virtual space providing system in which a computer that provides a virtual space and an image forming apparatus are connected via a network, the method comprising:
a determination step of determining whether a print command to a virtual image forming apparatus defined in the virtual space is a command to create a virtual output product by the virtual image forming apparatus, or a command to print an output product by the image forming apparatus that is linked to the virtual image forming apparatus;
a simulation step of simulating, printing of an output product by the image forming apparatus by creating virtual printed matter in the virtual space, when it is determined that the command is to create a virtual output product by the virtual image forming apparatus as a result of the determination in the determination step; and
an output step of outputting the print command to the image forming apparatus, when it is determined that the command is to print an output product by the image forming apparatus that is linked to the virtual image forming apparatus.

1.-11. (canceled)
12. A unison ring assembly for an axial compressor casing, comprising:
a unison ring;
at least three unison ring supports being radial inwardly and equally spaced arranged along a circumference of the unison ring, wherein each unison ring support comprises an unison ring bracket fixed to the unison ring;
a slide bearing to be sliding along a slide face of an outer surface of the compressor casing; and
a resilient member being arranged between and coupled to the slide bearing and the unison ring bracket such that the unison ring is rotatable around the compressor casing by sliding the slide bearing along the slide face and to be centered free of clearance about the compressor casing,
wherein the resilient member is adapted to force the compressor casing and to accommodate radial displacement of the compressor casing.
13. The unison ring assembly according to claim 12, wherein the slide bearing is profiled to match an outer diameter of the compressor casing.
14. The unison ring assembly according to claim 12, wherein the resilient member comprises at least one slide pin with a first end supported at the unison bracket and a second end extending radial towards a centre of the unison ring together with an elastic element, the elastic element being arranged between the second end of the slide pin and the slide bearing.
15. The unison ring assembly according to claim 14, wherein the first end of the slide pin has a smaller diameter than the second end of the slide pin thereby forming a stop, and wherein the first end is fitted into a hole provided in the unison ring bracket such that the stop abuts against the unison rig bracket.
16. The unison ring assembly according to claim 14, wherein the resilient member comprises a first and second slide pin, the first slide pin being arranged together with a first elastic member and the second slide pin being arranged together with a second elastic member, and wherein the slide pins are arranged side by side in axial direction of the unison ring.
17. The unison ring assembly according to claim 15, wherein the resilient member comprises a first and second slide pin, the first slide pin being arranged together with a first elastic member and the second slide pin being arranged together with a second elastic member, and wherein the slide pins are arranged side by side in axial direction of the unison ring.
18. The unison ring assembly according to claim 16, wherein the slide bearing comprises a first collar and a second collar, wherein a second end of the first slide pin and the first elastic element are embedded by the first collar, and a second end of the second slide pin and the second elastic element are embedded by the second collar.
19. The unison ring assembly according to claim 17, wherein the slide bearing comprises a first collar and a second collar, wherein a second end of the first slide pin and the first elastic element are embedded by the first collar, and a second end of the second slide pin and the second elastic element are embedded by the second collar.
20. The unison ring assembly according to claim 16, further comprising:
a raising device adapted to raise the slide bearing towards the unison ring bracket thereby compressing the resilient member.
21. The unison ring assembly according to claim 20, wherein the raising device comprises
a web of the slide bearing being arranged between the first slide pin and the second slide pin, and
a compression screw forming a bolted connection between the unison ring bracket and the slide bearing adapted to fix the slide bearing to the unison ring bracket as well as to lift off the slide bearing from the unison ring bracket.
22. An axial compressor, comprising:
a casing; and
a unison ring assembly, comprising:
a unison ring;
at least three unison ring supports being radial inwardly and equally spaced arranged along a circumference of the unison ring, wherein each unison ring support comprises an unison ring bracket fixed to the unison ring;
a slide bearing to be sliding along a slide face of an outer surface of the compressor casing; and
a resilient member being arranged between and coupled to the slide bearing and the unison ring bracket such that the unison ring is rotatable around the compressor casing by sliding the slide bearing along the slide face and to be centered free of clearance about the compressor casing,
wherein the resilient member is adapted to force the compressor casing and to accommodate radial displacement of the compressor casing.
23. The axial compressor according to claim 22, wherein the slide bearing is profiled to match an outer diameter of the compressor casing.
24. The axial compressor according to claim 22, wherein the resilient member comprises at least one slide pin with a first end supported at the unison bracket and a second end extending radial towards a centre of the unison ring together with an elastic element, the elastic element being arranged between the second end of the slide pin and the slide bearing.
25. The axial compressor according to claim 24, wherein the first end of the slide pin has a smaller diameter than the second end of the slide pin thereby forming a stop, and wherein the first end is fitted into a hole provided in the unison ring bracket such that the stop abuts against the unison rig bracket.
26. The axial compressor according to claim 24, wherein the resilient member comprises a first and second slide pin, the first slide pin being arranged together with a first elastic member and the second slide pin being arranged together with a second elastic member, and wherein the slide pins are arranged side by side in axial direction of the unison ring.
27. The axial compressor according to claim 26, wherein the slide bearing comprises a first collar and a second collar, wherein a second end of the first slide pin and the first elastic element are embedded by the first collar, and a second end of the second slide pin and the second elastic element are embedded by the second collar.
28. The axial compressor according to claim 26, further comprising:
a raising device adapted to raise the slide bearing towards the unison ring bracket thereby compressing the resilient member.
29. The axial compressor according to claim 28, wherein the raising device comprises
a web of the slide bearing being arranged between the first slide pin and the second slide pin, and
a compression screw forming a bolted connection between the unison ring bracket and the slide bearing adapted to fix the slide bearing to the unison ring bracket as well as to lift off the slide bearing from the unison ring bracket.
30. A method for mounting a unison ring assembly on an axial compressor casing, comprising:
providing a unison ring assembly separate from an axial compressor casing with a slide face of an outer surface of the compressor casing, the unison ring assembly including
a unison ring,
at least three unison ring supports being radial inwardly and equally spaced arranged along a circumference of the unison ring, wherein each unison ring support comprises an unison ring bracket fixed to the unison ring,
a slide bearing to be sliding along a slide face of an outer surface of the compressor casing, and
a resilient member being arranged between and coupled to the slide bearing and the unison ring bracket such that the unison ring is rotatable around the compressor casing by sliding the slide bearing along the slide face and to be centered free of clearance about the compressor casing,
wherein the resilient member is adapted to force the compressor casing and to accommodate radial displacement of the compressor casing;

simultaneously compressing the resilient members of each unison ring support such that the slide bearings of every unison ring support define an inner diameter being at least equal or grater than the outer diameter of the slide face;
shifting the unison ring assembly in an axial direction of the compressor casing over the slide face; and
releasing the resilient members of each unison ring support such that the slide bearings abut on the slide face.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for generating a genetically engineered retinal pigment epithelial cell, the method comprising contacting a retinal pigment epithelial cell with a polynucleotide that encodes a glutathione-S-transferase under conditions effective for the uptake of the polynucleotide into the retinal pigment epithelial cell.
2. The method of claim 1 which is carried out in vivo.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the polynucleotide is incorporated into an expression vector.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the expression vector is selected from the group of a retrovirus, an adenovirus, a plasmid, and an adenoassociated virus.
5. A method for inhibiting the degeneration of a retinal pigment epithelial cell, the method comprising incorporating an exogenous polynucleotide into a retinal pigment epithelial cell, wherein the exogenous polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide useful in the inhibition of the degeneration of retinal pigment epithelial cells.
6. The method of claim 5 which is carried out in vivo.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein the polynucleotide is incorporated into an expression vector.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the expression vector is selected from the group of a retrovirus, an adenovirus, a plasmid, and an adenoassociated virus.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein the polypeptide is a glutathione-S-transferase enzyme.
10. The method of claim 5 wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group of a glutathione-S-transferase polynucleotide, a glutathione peroxidase polynucleotide, and a Bcl-2 polynucleotide.
11. A method for treating age-related macular degeneration in a subject, the method comprising incorporating an exogenous polynucleotide into a retinal pigment epithelial cell, wherein the exogenous polynucleotide encodes a polypeptide useful in the treatment of age-related macular degeneration.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the polynucleotide is incorporated into an expression vector.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the expression vector is selected from the group of a retrovirus, an adenovirus, a plasmid, and an adenoassociated virus.
14. The method of claim 11 wherein the polypeptide is a glutathione-S-transferase enzyme.
15. The method of claim 11 wherein the subject is a mammal.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the subject is a human.
17. The method of claim 11 wherein the polynucleotide is selected from the group of a glutathione-S-transferase polynucleotide, a glutathione peroxidase polynucleotide, and a Bcl-2 polynucleotide.
18. The method of claim 11 which is carried out in vivo.
19. A retinal pigment epithelial cell comprising an exogenous polynucleotide that encodes a glutathione-S-transferase.
20. A method of delivering a polynucleotide to a subject’s eye, the method comprising delivering the polynucleotide to the subretinal space of the subject’s eye.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the polynucleotide is delivered by injection of a liquid comprising the polynucleotide.
22. A method of inhibiting damage to a retinal pigment epithelial cell upon exposure to reactive oxygen intermediates, the method comprising incorporating a Bcl-2 gene into a retinal pigment epithelial cell.
23. A method of inhibiting damage to mitochondrial DNA in a retinal pigment epithelial cell upon exposure to reactive oxygen intermediates, the method comprising incorporating a Bcl-2 gene into a retinal pigment epithelial cell.