Abstract: The locating of a mobile radio-enabled tag, in which a radio network has fixed radio transceivers configured to operate under a first radio protocol (602) to identify the vicinity of a tag. In addition, a portable radio receiver is configured to locate the position of the tag in the identified vicinity using a second radio protocol (603).

Abstract: Data is transmitted over a radio network, in which a fixed transceiver transmits distance data to a network data processor and the fixed transceiver is required to wait after a transmission to maintain network compatibility. Bulk distance data is collected for a plurality of mobile transceivers during a ranging time slot. The bulk distance data is transmitted in a transfer time slot 3201, while maintaining network compatibility. Fixed time of flight is shown and transmission power is controlled to avoid automatic gain control at a receiver. Distance values may be averaged from each pair of distanced derived from each available pair of fixed transceivers when ranging a specific mobile transceiver.

Abstract: Data is transmitted over a radio network, in which a fixed transceiver transmits distance data to a network data processor and the fixed transceiver is required to wait after a transmission to maintain network compatibility. Bulk distance data is collected for a plurality of mobile transceivers during a ranging time slot. The bulk distance data is transmitted in a transfer time slot 3201, while maintaining network compatibility. Fixed time of flight is shown and transmission power is controlled to avoid automatic gain control at a receiver. Distance values may be averaged from each pair of distanced derived from each available pair of fixed transceivers when ranging a specific mobile transceiver.

Abstract: A commercial album of analog audio recordings, having multiple tracks, is identified. An analog recording of the album is played to produce an analog audio input signal. The audio output signal is digitally sampled to produce digitized segments. One or more track-titles are obtained (1902) from a remote audio finger-printing service for each digitized segment to provide track-titles. For each obtained track-title, each album-title is requested (1905) upon which the obtained track-title appears, to provide candidate albums. A score is generated (1905) for each provided candidate album based on the number of obtained track-titles that appear on a provided candidate album in the correct order. An album is identified by comparing (2209) these scores.

Abstract: An analog audio signal derived from a vinyl recording is processed via an input transducer, such as a moving magnet or moving coil device. A phono input stage (209) has an adjustable input impedance. A pre-amplifier (207) with variable gain amplifies an output from the phono stage. A power amplifier (201) amplifies an output from the pre-amplifier. The temperature of the power amplifier is monitored and an output (202) from the power amplifier is supplied to an output transducer. A touch sensitive screen (104) receives input gestures to provide control signals to a control processor (203). The control processor operates first relays to control the input impedance, operates second relays to control the adjustable gain and also operates the second relays in order to attenuate output volume in response to identifying the monitored temperature as being above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An analog audio signal derived from a vinyl recording is processed via an input transducer, such as a moving magnet or moving coil device. A phono input stage (209) has an adjustable input impedance. A pre-amplifier (207) with variable gain amplifies an output from the phono stage. A power amplifier (201) amplifies an output from the pre-amplifier. The temperature of the power amplifier is monitored and an output (202) from the power amplifier is supplied to an output transducer. A touch sensitive screen (104) receives input gestures to provide control signals to a control processor (203). The control processor operates first relays to control the input impedance, operates second relays to control the adjustable gain and also operates the second relays in order to attenuate output volume in response to identifying the monitored temperature as being above a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A commercial album of analog audio recordings, having multiple tracks, is identified. An analog recording of the album is played to produce an analog audio input signal. The audio output signal is digitally sampled to produce digitized segments. One or more track-titles are obtained (1902) from a remote audio finger-printing service for each digitized segment to provide track-titles. For each obtained track-title, each album-title is requested (1905) upon which the obtained track-title appears, to provide candidate albums. A score is generated (1905) for each provided candidate album based on the number of obtained track-titles that appear on a provided candidate album in the correct order. An album is identified by comparing (2209) these scores.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data. The apparatus comprises a support unit having a plurality of connectors for connecting to a plurality of data storage elements, and a plurality of data storage elements. Each data storage element is connected to one of the connectors. The apparatus also comprises a cable having a first end connected to the support unit and a second end connected to a main part. The main part defining a first space containing a portion of the cable, and a second space for containing the support unit. The support unit is movable between (i) a first position providing access to the data storage elements and (ii) a second position in which the data storage elements are located within the second space. The cable is a ribbon cable comprising power wires having a relatively large gauge and signal wires having a relatively small gauge.

Abstract: Data storage apparatus comprising a main housing containing an electric power supply, a panel supporting a plurality of electric connectors for connecting the power supply to other component parts of the apparatus and a plurality of units. Each of the units comprises a plurality of data storage elements and is mounted to slide from within the main housing to provide access to its data storage elements. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of cable modules each comprising a cable having a first connector at a first end connected to one of the units and a second connector at a second end connected to an electric connector on the panel. The cable modules also include a moveable rigid structure providing a barrier preventing manual access to the panel. The second connector is attached to the rigid structure such that movement of the rigid structure causes the second connector to be disconnected.

Abstract: A method of providing data storage is disclosed that includes writing a plurality of data non-sequentially to at least one first storage drive, the at least one first storage drive having a random first input/output operations per second (IOPS) speed, and writing the plurality of data and an associated plurality of journal metadata sequentially to at least one second storage drive, the at least one second storage drive having a second random IOPS speed that is slower than the first random IOPS speed.

Abstract: A method of providing data storage is disclosed that includes writing a plurality of data non-sequentially to at least one first storage drive, the at least one first storage drive having a random first input/output operations per second (IOPS) speed, and writing the plurality of data and an associated plurality of journal metadata sequentially to at least one second storage drive, the at least one second storage drive having a second random IOPS speed that is slower than the first random IOPS speed.

Abstract: Data storage apparatus comprising a main housing containing an electric power supply, a panel supporting a plurality of electric connectors for connecting the power supply to other component parts of the apparatus and a plurality of units. Each of the units comprises a plurality of data storage elements and is mounted to slide from within the main housing to provide access to its data storage elements. The apparatus also comprises a plurality of cable modules each comprising a cable having a first connector at a first end connected to one of the units and a second connector at a second end connected to an electric connector on the panel. The cable modules also include a moveable rigid structure providing a barrier preventing manual access to the panel. The second connector is attached to the rigid structure such that movement of the rigid structure causes the second connector to be disconnected.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data comprising a main housing containing control circuitry for controlling signals to a plurality of disk drives. The main housing has a plurality of mounting mechanisms each configured to support a unit of a first type. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of cables each having a first connector for connecting to a unit of the first type for providing signals from the control circuitry. The apparatus has a first unit, of a first type, having a plurality of second connectors each connected to a disk drive and a fan providing a flow of air for cooling the disk drives and the control circuitry. The first unit is connected to a first one of the cables and mounted in a first one of the mounting mechanisms such that the first unit is mounted to slide into the main housing. The apparatus also has a second unit, of a second type, supported by a second one of the mounting mechanisms and mounted to slide into the main housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data. The apparatus comprises a support unit having a plurality of connectors for connecting to a plurality of data storage elements, and a plurality of data storage elements. Each data storage element is connected to one of the connectors. The apparatus also comprises a cable having a first end connected to the support unit and a second end connected to a main part. The main part defining a first space containing a portion of the cable, and a second space for containing the support unit. The support unit is movable between (i) a first position providing access to the data storage elements and (ii) a second position in which the data storage elements are located within the second space. The cable is a ribbon cable comprising power wires having a relatively large gauge and signal wires having a relatively small gauge.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data. The apparatus comprises a support unit having a plurality of connectors for connecting to a plurality of data storage elements, and a plurality of data storage elements. Each data storage element is connected to one of the connectors. The apparatus also comprises a cable having a first end connected to the support unit and a second end connected to a main part. The main part defining a first space containing a portion of the cable, and a second space for containing the support unit. The support unit is movable between (i) a first position providing access to the data storage elements and (ii) a second position in which the data storage elements are located within the second space. A guide means is configured to cause the cable to develop at least two loops within the first space while the support unit is moved to the second position.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data comprising a main housing containing control circuitry for controlling signals to a plurality of disk drives. The main housing has a plurality of mounting mechanisms each configured to support a unit of a first type. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of cables each having a first connector for connecting to a unit of the first type for providing signals from the control circuitry. The apparatus has a first unit, of a first type, having a plurality of second connectors each connected to a disk drive and a fan providing a flow of air for cooling the disk drives and the control circuitry. The first unit is connected to a first one of the cables and mounted in a first one of the mounting mechanisms such that the first unit is mounted to slide into the main housing. The apparatus also has a second unit, of a second type, supported by a second one of the mounting mechanisms and mounted to slide into the main housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing data and supplying stored data. The apparatus comprises a support unit having a plurality of connectors for connecting to a plurality of data storage elements, and a plurality of data storage elements. Each data storage element is connected to one of the connectors. The apparatus also comprises a cable having a first end connected to the support unit and a second end connected to a main part. The main part defining a first space containing a portion of the cable, and a second space for containing the support unit. The support unit is movable between (i) a first position providing access to the data storage elements and (ii) a second position in which the data storage elements are located within the second space. A guide means is configured to cause the cable to develop at least two loops within the first space while the support unit is moved to the second position.