Abstract: Disclosed herein are connection management techniques for wireless docking. According to various such techniques, a wireless docking station may be arranged to implement an auto-connect mode setting that defines whether mobile clients are permitted to automatically connect to the wireless docking station, and may be arranged to implement a persistent pairing setting that defines whether authentication certificates may be reused. In some embodiments, the wireless docking station may be configured to advertise the auto-connect mode setting and the persistent pairing setting in auto-connect capability information elements (IEs) that it includes in probe requests and/or probe responses. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Abstract: A chip architecture for use in processing signals encoded in accordance with any one of a plurality of communication protocols each defined by a series of algorithms is disclosed. The chip architecture comprises a plurality of megafunctions, each in the form of reusable, reconfigurable functional blocks for use in implementing different algorithms necessary for implementing the physical layer of each of the communication protocols; and a plurality of switches configured to respond to select control signals so as to interconnect the necessary megafunctions for processing the signals encoded with each of the protocols. Preferably, at least some of the same megafunctions are used with algorithms of two or more protocols.

Abstract: A technique for operating a radio network node having at least one radio frequency receiver for receiving signals according to a wireless communication standard is described. A method implementation of the technique comprises providing RF receiver capabilities of the radio network node by transmitting a report message comprising report information. The report information pertains to a current RF receiver configuration with one or more current RF characteristics or possible RF receiver configurations with a range of one or more possible RF characteristic. The method also comprises receiving a control message comprising control information, wherein the control information pertain to a control of the current RF receiver configuration. The RF receiver configuration is then adapted based on the control information.

Abstract: Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, systems and/or methods of transitioning a device to a default state. For example, an apparatus may include a first Protocol Adaptation Layer (PAL) communication unit to communicate PAL traffic with a second PAL communication unit over a communication link, the PAL traffic comprising traffic of a PAL connection over a PAL, the PAL is above a layer of the communication link, wherein the first PAL communication unit is to communicate a device reset request and a device reset response with the second PAL communication unit over the communication link, the device reset request indicating transitioning of a peripheral device to a default state, the device reset response in response to the device reset request, the device reset response indicating whether the device reset request is successfully handled.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling an AV device, comprising a web browser receiving a structured document to contain a script from the AV device, and providing the same to a user, and a first program module including a function called by the script and transmitting information on a device control command to the AV device through a protocol previously defined by use of the function, wherein the AV device comprises a web server module transmitting the structured document and a second program module receiving the device control command information from the first program module through the protocol and controlling the AV device in response to the command information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing control information included in a data unit in a mobile communication system are provided. A receiver processes control information of a first type immediately irrespective of reordering of a received data unit, when the received data unit comprises the control information of the first type. The receiver processes control information of a second type after reordering of the received data unit, when the received data unit comprises the control information of the second type.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and techniques are described for determining inter-radio access technology (inter-RAT) coverage for energy saving management (ESM). In some embodiments, a network management (NM) apparatus may determine that a source cell of a network of a first RAT is triggered to activate an energy saving state and that the source cell is partially overlapped by each of a plurality of cells of one or more networks of one or more RATs different from the first RAT. The NM apparatus may instruct the source cell to activate the energy saving state when a combination of the plurality of cells provides coverage of the source cell. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: Method and system for configuring a device that has failed to obtain a network address. In one aspect of the invention, a method for remotely configuring a device includes attempting to obtain a network address from a network server over a network, and receiving a valid network address over the network from a remote device connected to the network in response to failing to obtain the network address from the network server.

Abstract: A data processing assembly includes one or more hosts connected to one or more I/O Expansion Drawers. Assignment state information is stored on the Expansion Drawer to convey the assignment state of Expansion Drawer(s) resources to the hosts. The host retrieves the assignment state and, from it, determines, for each Expansion Buss cable connected to the host, the number of Expansion Cards in the Expansion Drawer to configure. A change in the number of Expansion Cards in the expansion apparatus may necessitate a change in the assignment state, which can be electronically accommodated (as opposed to a manual reconfiguration). Similarly, a failure of an Expansion Buss cable is addressed by electronically reassigning resources to another host or to the same host over a different Expansion Buss cable without the need for further manual intervention. The assembly is capable of verifying correct cable connection between a host and the Expansion Drawer.

Abstract: A method for configuring a router is disclosed. The method comprises providing router configuration information. The router configuration information is sent to the router over a cellular data network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for executing an application by using a communication address may be implemented as terminal that includes a service providing unit that provides an application, and an IP address managing unit that assigns an IP address to the application. The terminal may also have a communication unit configured to operate as a Wi-Fi Host Access Point (AP) unit or as a Wi-Fi client unit. When the communication unit operates as a Wi-Fi Host AP unit, it uses the assigned IP address to carry out its WiFi host AP functions. When the communication unit operates as a Wi-Fi client unit, it searches for an accessible Wi-Fi Host AP, identifies a service set identifier (SSID) and an IP address of a Wi-Fi Host AP, and accesses the Wi-Fi Host AP.

Abstract: A method and system for network interface naming is described.

Abstract: An island-based network flow processor (IB-NFP) integrated circuit includes rectangular islands disposed in rows. In one example, the configurable mesh data bus is configurable to form a command/push/pull data bus over which multiple transactions can occur simultaneously on different parts of the integrated circuit. The rectangular islands of one row are oriented in staggered relation with respect to the rectangular islands of the next row. The left and right edges of islands in a row align with left and right edges of islands two rows down in the row structure. The data bus involves multiple meshes. In each mesh, the island has a centrally located crossbar switch and six radiating half links, and half links down to functional circuitry of the island. The staggered orientation of the islands, and the structure of the half links, allows half links of adjacent islands to align with one another.

Abstract: Control devices in a motor vehicle, having first sequence-controlled control devices being connected to a first data bus and second sequence-controlled control devices being connected to a second data bus, are networked. A first control device sends a first message via the gateway device into the first and second data buses. At least a second control device receives the first message and checks whether the receiving of the first message is required for the corresponding control device. The second control device sends out a response message, which indicates whether the second control device has a corresponding need to receive the first message. In the event of such a need, a routing default is established and/or an existing routing default is changed in a gateway device.

Abstract: A network performance estimating apparatus includes a network-configuration depicting unit configured to generate, from a designed network, network configuration information indicating a connection relation of ports among communication apparatuses and store, as attribute information, apparatus identification information including input peculiar information for each communication apparatus name and apparatus type of the communication apparatuses, a communication-apparatus-attribute-information acquiring unit configured to acquire, communication performance of the communication apparatuses specified by the apparatus identification information from peculiar information in which apparatus model names and communication performance are stored in association with each other, a token-circulation-order determining unit configured to determine, from the network configuration information, token circulation order indicating order in a designed network, and a performance estimating unit configured to calculate communicati

Abstract: In one embodiment, receiving a neighbor solicitation message from a stateless address configuration host; processing the neighbor solicitation message to obtain a device identifier and an internet protocol version six (IPv6) address; storing a mapping between the device identifier and the IPv6 address in a database associated with the network device; and sending the mapping in a new message to a server. In more particular embodiments, the method can include evaluating the database in order to determine whether a particular IPv6 address is a duplicate; and marking an entry associated with the particular IPv6 address in the database for deletion.

Abstract: A broadband multi-drop local network, interface and method for multimedia access. A local network architecture include a wired bus coupleable directly to an external data network terminal and configured for carrying broadband packetized data traffic over a frequency spectrum uninterrupted by other defined data channels or services; and one or a plurality of network transceivers operable individually for coupling an addressable network device processing a defined class of information to the bus wherein each network appliance is configured for and further operable for providing communication interfacing of the class of information of each addressable network appliance with the packetized IP data traffic on the wired bus.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to providing communication services to client devices in a transport system. In some examples, methods of providing communication services to client devices in a transport system are described. The methods can include exchanging, among a multiple number of routers provided in a transport system, status information of each of the multiple number of routers. The methods can also include receiving, at a given router included in the multiple number of routers, a communication addressed to a remote server accessible through a first network. The communication may be received from a client device connected to the given router through a second network different than the first network. The methods can also include, based on the status information, routing the communication to the remote server through at least the given router and the first network.

Abstract: Communication ability between nodes in a cluster-based computer system is tracked to inform applications executing on the nodes of the existence and quality of the endpoint-to-endpoint communications available between the nodes. Communications between a node and other nodes are tracked, and a database records the communication ability between the node and the other nodes for each link between the nodes. The tracking and recording are repeated at the other nodes. A registration by an application executing at a particular one of the nodes to receive notifications of changes in the communication ability with another node over a particular link (or in general) will cause notification of the application when the link status changes.

Abstract: Example implementations described herein are directed to a system on chip (SoC) that can include a plurality of blocks of substantially non-uniform shapes and dimensions, a plurality of routers, and a plurality of links between routers. The plurality of blocks and the plurality of routers are interconnected by the plurality of links using a Network-on-Chip (NoC) architecture with a sparse mesh topology. The sparse mesh topology involves a sparsely populated mesh which is a subset of a full mesh having one or more of the plurality of routers or links removed. The plurality of blocks communicate among each other by routing messages over the remaining ones of the plurality of routers and links of the sparse mesh.

Abstract: A structure and a first panel are operably disposed with respect to the structure. A first plurality of nodes is disposed within the first panel, including a first plurality of power distribution network nodes in a first power distribution network, and wherein the first plurality of nodes further comprises a first group of nodes. A second panel is operably disposed with respect to the structure. A second plurality of nodes is disposed within the second panel, including a second plurality of power distribution network nodes in a second power distribution network isolated from the first power distribution network. The second plurality of nodes further comprises a second group of nodes. A bus guardian, separate from the two panels, electrically connects the first panel and the second panel. The bus guardian is configured to network the first group of nodes and the second group of nodes in a network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and device for label automatic allocation in ring network protection. The method includes: after physical topology configuration of ring network protection is completed, if connectivity detection between a first node and a downstream node of a ring tunnel is UP, receiving, a first label distribution message sent by the downstream node; sending, by the first node according to the identifier indicating that the tail node label is ready, a second label distribution message to the upstream node; so that the upstream node learns that label allocation for all nodes on the ring tunnel between the first node and a tail node is completed. The method solves problems in the prior art that a workload for configuration of a working ring is big and availability of an end-to-end service cannot be ensured.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are described for a central station to allocate virtual IP addresses. A device service manager server (DSM) has a network access module conFigured to cooperate with two or more device service controllers (DSCs). The DSM serves as a central management station for allocating and assigning Virtual IP addresses to network devices to proxy communications for networked devices on a local area network (LAN) where each DSC resides. The DSM is located exterior from the network devices on the LAN where communications associated with the assigned VIP addresses are being routed to. The DSM assigns a Virtual IP Addresses to each DSC and establishes a route from the assigned Virtual IP address to a destination network device on a LAN, based on corresponding DSC and network device information stored in a registry of the DSM.

Abstract: A means for reliable inter-processor communication in a multi-processor system is described. In accordance with one aspect, a specially-configured serial bus is used as a general-purpose data link between a first processor and a second processor. The serial bus may be an Inter-IC Sound (I2S) bus. In accordance with another aspect, a network interface residing on a second processor is made available to a first processor via a data link established over an I2S bus. This allows the second processor to be used as a proxy and to support remote configuration and network address traversal.

Abstract: A method of channel-to-port assignment is described where the distribution of channels is performed in the digital domain of the CATV/QAM upconverter/modulator. This channel distribution allows for the possibility of simple failover, power combining of multiple outputs, and a fine granularity of channel to port mapping, QAM or analog channel, in a multi-port device.

Abstract: There is provided a method for the transmission of data via a bus network to which a plurality of subscribers are connected. The method includes a first step of transmitting data from at least one subscriber, e.g., Master, to at least another subscriber, e.g., TNx or STNx, by employing a data transmission protocol designed for point-to-point transmission. The method includes a second step of defining a broadcast message, within which selected data can be transmitted in a broadcast transmission mode, within the point-to-point transmission protocol. In a supplementary or alternative embodiment, the method includes inserting a safety broadcast message in addition to a standard or general broadcast protocol. There is also provided an apparatus for transmission of data via a bus network.

Abstract: A method for convergence of multicast traffic in response to a topology change. The method includes, in response to a change in a multicast topology, redirecting multicast traffic through a network device of a plurality of network devices in the multicast topology and determining a querier status of the network device. The method also includes flooding the multicast traffic through an interface to the network device to facilitate convergence of the multicast traffic. The interface is a connecting point between the network device and another network device of the plurality of network devices.

Abstract: A method includes generating trace data at a device associated with data communication to and from a computer storage device through an appropriate communication link therefor and transmitting the trace data through the appropriate communication link. The trace data is configured to enable debugging of a set of instructions associated with the device. The method also includes capturing the trace data transmitted through the appropriate communication link through a protocol analyzer, a host system or the protocol analyzer coupled to the host system and analyzing the trace data therein to obtain information associated with the set of instructions associated with the device. The protocol analyzer, the host system or the protocol analyzer coupled to the host system is configured to be external to the device associated with the data communication to and from the computer storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for end-to-end automatic configuration of network elements using a link-level protocol. Network elements can be auto-configured through the propagation of configuration information. Configuration information is propagated using ports that have defined port roles that enable automatic propagation of configuration information.

Abstract: A network device including a media access control (MAC) device, and a physical layer (PHY) device. The physical layer (PHY) device is in communication with the MAC device via (i) a first serializer/deserializer (SERDES) and (ii) a second SERDES, wherein the first SERDES and the second SERDES operate at a fixed data rate. The MAC device comprises a translator configured to, in response to the MAC device operating at a data rate that is less than the fixed data rate, i) append a predetermined number of bits to data in a first data stream to be transmitted to the PHY device, and ii) subsequent to appending the predetermined number of bits to the data in the first data stream, duplicate the data having the appended predetermined number of bits to generate a second data stream at the fixed data rate.

Abstract: Several local IEEE1394 buses are bridged together over a second bus type to create a global bus wherein each local bus node is able to address nodes across the global bus without the local nodes being aware of the bridging operation. A bridging device operates by translating local bus node addresses to a global bus for communication over the second bus type. Alternatively, the local bus node identification process is controlled by the bridging device operating as the root node to cause the local nodes to be identified with a node address that is unique for the global network. The second bus type operates as a backbone for the global network and can be any type of communication bus or network with capability to transport the local bus traffic. The bridging devices that interface the local IEEE1394 buses to the backbone contain portals specific to each bus type that can communicate data between the dissimilar buses.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of an adaptive enterprise service bus (ESB) runtime system and an associated method, which build, at a restart, only the most advantageous path configuration between composable units (e.g., between applications and/or between primitives within a single application). Specifically, during the execution of instantiations of modeled paths and branches thereof, metrics (e.g., the number of times each flow and each branch are activated, the CPU usage associated with building each flow and each branch, etc.) are collected. Then, at a restart of the runtime system, a cost-benefit analysis is performed on the collected metrics and, based on the results of this cost-benefit analysis, only selected ones of the paths and the branches thereof are built (e.g., paths and branches for which operational usefulness outweighs building costs). Other paths and branches are built only as required, during running of the runtime system.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a router for providing isochronous data transfer and asynchronous data transfer on the basis of a predetermined protocol between devices of different network sections connected to the router, when a connection management application executed by the router translates a user request to transfer data from a transmitting device of a first network section to a receiving device of a second network section into commands of the protocol for establishing a first data connection between the transmitting device and the router and a second data connection between the router and the receiving device when the data is transferred from the transmitting device via the established data connections to the receiving device.

Abstract: An island-based network flow processor (IB-NFP) integrated circuit has a high performance processor island. The processor island has a processor and a tightly coupled memory. The integrated circuit also has another memory. The other memory may be internal or external memory. The header of an incoming packet is stored in the tightly coupled memory of the processor island. The payload is stored in the other memory. In one example, if the amount of a processing resource is below a threshold then the header is moved from the first island to the other memory before the header and payload are communicated to an egress island for outputting from the integrated circuit. If, however, the amount of the processing resource is not below the threshold then the header is moved directly from the processor island to the egress island and is combined with the payload there for outputting from the integrated circuit.

Abstract: In a motor vehicle air conditioning installation comprising a central control unit (12), a computer network (14) connected to the central control unit (12) and a plurality of peripherals (101, 102, 103, . . . , 10n) connected to nodes (N1, N2, N3, . . . , Nn) of the computer network, the peripherals are connected in series via a common conductor (18). The installation comprises means (120) for inputting at the level of each peripheral an electric signature on a common conductor, means (130) for detecting an electric signal depending upon the electric signatures of the peripherals situated upstream on the common conductor (18), means for generating a data item representing the relative position of the peripheral on the basis of the electric signal detected, and means for identifying the node of the network to which it is connected on the basis of the relative position data item generated.

Abstract: Delivering multicast data traffic over a communication network includes a first network node delivering multicast data traffic to second network nodes. The first and second network nodes are connected by a transmission network in a ring architecture and implement a point-to-multipoint layer 2 protocol. A method includes at the first network node: collecting alarms signals indicative of a failure along the whole ring and of the second network nodes. Based on a current state of the alarm signals, delivering the multicast data traffic either in a first delivery direction along the ring, or in a second delivery direction along the ring opposite to the first delivery direction, or in both the first and second delivery directions. At each of the second network nodes: collecting alarm signals indicative of a failure of the transmission network locally to the second network node and of the second network node.

Abstract: A method for automatically detecting a control signal configuration of a vehicle component includes making a connection to a channel of the component, performing an electrical measurement on the channel, and identifying a control signal configuration based upon the measurement. A method for sending control signals from one vehicle component to another includes making a connection on a channel of one component, making a connection to a channel of the other component, performing electrical measurements on the channels, identifying control signal configurations based upon the measurements, and configuring a control signal interface. A control signal interface includes an input unit, a signal processing unit, and an output unit. The input and output units each can connect to a channel of a vehicle component and perform an electrical measurement. The signal processing unit can determine control commands based upon control signals.

Abstract: An island-based network flow processor (IB-NFP) integrated circuit includes islands organized in rows. A configurable mesh control bus extends through the islands. The configurable mesh control bus is configurable to have a unidirectional tree structure such that configuration information passes into the integrated circuit, through a root island, through the branches of the tree structure, and to each of the other islands. The functional circuits of the islands, as well as a configurable mesh data bus of the integrated circuit, are all configured with configuration information supplied via the tree structure. In one example, the configurable control mesh bus portion of each island includes a statically configured switch and multiple half links that radiate from the switch. The static configuration is determined by hardwired tie off connections associated with the island.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to providing communication services to client devices in a transport system. In some examples, methods of providing communication services to client devices in a transport system are described. The methods can include exchanging, among a multiple number of routers provided in a transport system, status information of each of the multiple number of routers. The methods can also include receiving, at a given router included in the multiple number of routers, a communication addressed to a remote server accessible through a first network. The communication may be received from a client device connected to the given router through a second network different than the first network. The methods can also include, based on the status information, routing the communication to the remote server through at least the given router and the first network.

Abstract: A network device acts as a controller within a software-defined network. The network device receives a processing definition, which includes a representation of configurable definitions of protocols, configurable flow table definitions, and configurable logic for selecting between flow tables defined by the configurable flow table definitions. The network device translates the processing definition to create a parser configuration package, which is distributed to a plurality of forwarding elements. This distribution causes each forwarding element to create a flow table based on each of the configurable flow table definitions. The flow tables include one or more configurable key columns and a set of one or more action columns to store forwarding decisions. The network device transmits data to populate the configurable key columns and action columns of the flow tables created within each of the plurality of forwarding elements.

Abstract: A Fast Ethernet and HDMI Ethernet channel (HEC) physical layer circuit. The physical layer circuit comprises a Fast Ethernet physical layer module implementing a physical layer specification of a Fast Ethernet communication standard; a hybrid circuit connected to the fast Ethernet physical layer module using a first twisted-pair wire and a second twisted-pair wire and capable of processing transmit and receive HDMI Ethernet channel (HEC) signals concurrently transported over a third twisted-pair wire; a switch for bypassing the hybrid circuit; and a controller for controlling the operation the hybrid circuit and the switch according to the operating mode of the physical layer circuit, wherein the operation mode of the physical layer circuit is any of a fast Ethernet and a HEC.

Abstract: Method and system for configuring a device that has failed to obtain a network address. In one aspect of the invention, a method for remotely configuring a device includes attempting to obtain a network address from a network server over a network, and receiving a valid network address over the network from a remote device connected to the network in response to failing to obtain the network address from the network server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the configuration of substation remote terminals with a central controller are provided. A message identifying a current status of a remote terminal unit (“RTU”) associated with a remote power substation may be received by a central controller associated with a power system. Based upon an analysis of the received message, a request for configuration data associated with the RTU may be communicated by the central controller to the RTU. In response to the request, the configuration data may be received by the central controller from the RTU. Based upon the received configuration data, the central controller may update a configuration database comprising information associated with the configuration of the RTU. In this regard, supervisory control and data acquisitions operations with the RTU by the central controller may be facilitated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine and implement multidimensional network topologies are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises receiving an input parameter for determining a multidimensional network topology for a network interconnecting a plurality of devices, and determining a set of multidimensional network topologies, each multidimensional network topology of the set comprising a respective plurality of nodes to interconnect the plurality of devices, each node in each multidimensional network topology of the set being fully connected with all neighbor nodes in each dimension of the multidimensional network topology, and each multidimensional network topology of the set satisfying a first constraint based on the input parameter.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dynamically reconfigurable network comprising a plurality of nodes having respective transmitters and receivers for transmitting and receiving respective signals to and from one another. In one embodiment, the network is adapted to determine whether a first maximum power can be found at which a first node can transmit a first signal that provides a minimum signal-to-noise ratio at a second node without exceeding a maximum signal-to-noise ratio that a third node requires to simultaneously receive a second signal from a fourth node. If the first maximum power cannot be found, the network is further adapted to cause the first, second, third, and fourth nodes to share a single sub-network. Alternatively, if the first maximum power can be found, the network is adapted to cause the first and second nodes to share a single sub-network that the third node is not permitted to share.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a packet including a packet data fragment and packet information with a transmission device, the method includes determining a concatenated quantity of packets based on size of the packet data fragment, generating a concatenated packet including packet data fragments corresponding to a plurality of first packets, wherein a number of the packet data fragments is determined based on the concatenated quantity, and packet information corresponding to the first packets, and transmitting the concatenated packet in any one of a plurality of communication cycles.

Abstract: A space switch includes a buffer having a plurality of serial inputs, a plurality of de-serializers, each coupled to a respective input, a plurality n of buffers and a media access controller having inputs coupled to the plurality of de-serializers, data outputs coupled to the buffers, and two control outputs coupled to respective buffers for buffering input data at a clock rate one-nth that of the input data and a switch fabric connected to the buffers for matching buffer data throughput with switch data throughput. Preferably the buffer is a bifurcate buffer. This space switch described ensures matching of buffer and switch fabric throughput.

Abstract: An electronic system interconnect. The interconnect comprises a first node and a second node coupled to the first node. The interconnect is initially configured to include the first and second nodes. A third node is added to the interconnect after the interconnect is initially configured, and the first node responds to the addition of the third node by initiating a new connect handshake with the third node. The first node begins by transmitting a first signal to the third node. The first node signals that the third node has been added to the interconnect if the third node responds to the first signal by transmitting a second signal. The first node causes the interconnect to be reconfigured if the third node transmits a third signal in response to receiving the first signal.

Abstract: Technologies for implementing and utilizing a redundant data bus for the reliable transmission of data between communication endpoints are provided. A redundant data bus includes two or more transmitters configured to transmit the same data signal in separate frequency bands over twisted-pair wiring to corresponding receivers. A data signal containing input data received at an input communication endpoint is generated and the data signal is simultaneously transmitted through the two or more transmitters over the twisted-pair wiring to the corresponding receivers. The data contained in the data signals received at the receivers is validated, and output data is extracted from a valid data signal and made available at an output communication endpoint, while any invalid data signals are ignored.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for dynamically determining or learning hostnames. According to embodiments described herein, a solicitation message is received at a first network device. Based on the solicitation message, a hostname is determined for a second network device that sent the solicitation message. A first network address is also determined for the second network device that sent the solicitation message. A mapping between the hostname and the first network address is stored at the first network device.