Chewy confectionery compositions made from fats, optional proteins, carbohydrates comprising reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars having a ratio of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:1, and one or more dietary fibers. The ingredients are present in the compositions in specific amounts and ratios so that the fiber can be easily incorporated into the confectionery compositions without adversely affecting the stability, feel, and taste of the compositions. Preferably, the composition is a xe2x80x9cfiber chewxe2x80x9d in the form of a palatable, good tasting, bite-sized confectionery containing the dietary fiber.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to confectionery compositions and particularly to confectionery compositions containing fiber and to methods for preparing such confectionery compositions.
2. Description of Related Art
The prior art is replete with information about confectionery compositions. For example, Harris et al. (A Formulary of Candy Products, 1991, pg. 69) discloses an economy caramel composition and method for making such composition. This caramel contains typical components for a caramel, e.g., fats, carbohydrates, water, non-fat milk solids, and starch. U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,709, issued to Peters et al. on Apr. 15, 1986, discloses pleasant tasting, soft, chewable mineral supplements based upon caramel or nougat confectionery compositions. Troller (Water Activity and Food) discloses confectioneries protected from microbial spoilage by controlling the water activity. The water activity is controlled to prevent microbial spoilage, particularly due to yeast fermentation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,753,805, issued to Cherukuri et al. on Jun. 28, 1988, discloses the use of encapsulated flavorings for chewing gum. U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,441, issued to Andon et al. on Nov. 5, 1996, discloses vitamin supplements containing bracers and flavanols or green tea solids and possibly carbohydrates. U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,264, issued to Wehling et al. on Jun. 29, 1993, discloses the addition of the mineral magnesium phosphate to products as a dietary supplement. None of these confectionery compositions, however, contain fiber as a dietary supplement.
Medical and nutrition professionals generally agree that dietary fiber is essential for good human health. A low intake of dietary fiber is associated with high incidents of several diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and colon cancer and is often responsible for intestinal irregularity. Proper intake of dietary fiber benefits the human gastrointestinal tract by stimulating bowel movement, slowing down the gastrointestinal transition and digestion process, modifying fat absorption, and increasing bile acids excretion. Additionally, some dietary fibers are known to lower blood cholesterol and benefit the postprandial glycemic response.
The average person in the United States consumes about 15 grams of dietary fiber per day. Most health professionals recommend a dietary fiber intake of 25 grams for people with a diet of 2,000 calories per day and 30 grams for people with a diet of 3,000 calories per day. Thus, an extra 10 to 15 grams of fiber per day is needed to reach the recommended levels. This can be done by increasing the dietary consumption of grains, fruits, and vegetables but would require the consumer to double the dietary intake of such foods. Many, if not most, consumers have been reluctant to adopt a change in lifestyle required to double their intake of fiber from food, particularly given that many food items are highly processed for convenience and easy preparation and therefore contain less fiber than natural foods.
Consumers often look for supplements to complement their diet when a dietary ingredient such as fiber is lacking. Citrucel(copyright) brand of fiber from SmithKline Beecham (http://www.citrucel.com/) contains methylcellulose fiber that is promoted to xe2x80x9chelp you stay regular without excess gas.xe2x80x9d The product is sold in varieties that include various fruit flavoring agents, citric acid, sucrose, and other compounds. A sugar-free product contains an artificial sweetener as well as natural fruit flavors. Metamucil(copyright) brand of fiber from Procter and Gamble (http://www.metamucil.com/) contains psyllium fiber that is promoted as a product that xe2x80x9cmay help reduce heart disease risk by lowering cholesterol when part of a heart healthy diet.xe2x80x9d The product is sold in varieties that include various fruit flavors and other inactives.
The prior art teaches several other methods for supplementing dietary fiber. U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,370, issued to Meer et al. on Dec. 17, 1991, describes a natural fiber laxative containing psyllium husk, apple fiber, fructose, gum arabic, and flavorants. The psyllium husk and the apple fiber comprise at least 75% by weight of the composition. The particle size is controlled to improve palatability. U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,524, issued to Kais et al. on May 14, 1996, claims an ingestible laxative composition comprising specified amounts of dioctyl sulfosuccinate and bulk fiber selected from the group consisting of psyllium, methylcellulose, polycarbophil, calcium polycarbophil, bran, malt soup extract, karaya, guar gum, and mixtures thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 4,321,263 issued to Powell et al. on Mar. 23, 1982, discloses psyllium-based bulk laxatives prepared from powdered husks of psyllium seeds and equal parts of a sugar wetting agent. The compositions are dispersed in water to provide hydrophilic aqueous compositions which adsorb large amounts of water to provide bulk and thus normalize bowel function by improving stool formation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,183, issued to Halow on Jan. 20, 1998, discloses a fiber composition containing polyethylene glycol. Polyethylene glycol is used as a wetting agent to promote dispersion in solvents.
Fiber supplements available to consumers such as those discussed herein have generally consisted of inconvenient and unpalatable fiber compositions that must be dissolved in water and drunk or incorporated into food items and eaten. Preparation of the fiber supplements requires mixing fiber powders in water or other liquids and is often messy and inconvenient. The fiber supplements are viscous and taste bad. Because of lack of availability of alternatives, consumers have been forced to use these forms of fiber in spite of the inconvenience and objectionable tastes and textures. Unfortunately, fiber containing confectionery compositions in convenient and palatable forms are not available to supplement the diet. There is, therefore, a need for convenient and palatable dietary fiber compositions that can provide dietary fiber to a consumer.
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide convenient and palatable confectionery compositions containing dietary fiber.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for making convenient and palatable confectionery compositions containing dietary fiber.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a method for providing supplementary dietary fiber to a consumer by having the customer consume a convenient and palatable confectionery composition containing fiber.
These and other objects are achieved using novel confectionery compositions containing fiber. The compositions contain confectionery ingredients that make the composition palatable and fiber ingredients that supplement fiber in the diet when the compositions are consumed. The compositions are available to the consumer in convenient, preferably bitesize, forms that can be easily consumed as a supplement. The confectionery ingredients are present in the composition in specific amounts and ratios so that the fiber can be easily incorporated into the composition without adversely affecting the stability, texture, feel, taste, and aftertaste of the composition. Such a composition comprises from about 5 to about 40 wt % of a fiber such as psyllium or mixtures of fibers; from about 3 to about 18 wt % of a fat such as hydrogenated vegetable oil; from about 0 to about 10 wt % of a protein such as whey; from about 40 to about 70 wt % of a carbohydrate comprising at least one reducing sugar such as corn syrup and at least one non-reducing sugar such as sucrose. The reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar are present in a ratio of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:1 (reducing sugar: non-reducing sugar).
In one particular embodiment of the present invention, a confectionery composition comprising a dietary fiber or a mixture of dietary fibers in an amount from about 25 to about 40 wt % of the total weight of the composition; a source of fats; and a source of carbohydrates is provided. The carbohydrates may be present in an amount of from about 40 to about 70 wt % of the total weight of the composition and may comprise at least one reducing sugar and at least one non-reducing sugar. The reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar may be present in a ratio of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:1. In certain embodiments, the fiber may comprise from about 25 to about 30 wt % of the total composition weight. The fat source may comprise from about 3 to about 18wt % of the composition and, if present, a protein source may comprise up to about 10 wt % of the total composition and, in some cases, from about 1 to about 6 wt % of the composition.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, a confectionery composition is provided having a source of fats in an amount of from about 5 to about 10 wt % of the composition; a source of carbohydrates in an amount of from about 55 to about 65 wt % of the composition; and at least one dietary fiber comprising from about 25 to about 30 wt % of the total weight of the composition.
In a preferred embodiment, the confectionery composition containing fiber is a xe2x80x9cfiber chewxe2x80x9d in the form of a palatable, good tasting, bite-sized confectionery containing the fiber and other ingredients. Such fiber chews may be individually wrapped and sold in amounts that are convenient for the consumer to purchase and consume as a dietary supplement.
The present invention also relates to processes for making a confectionery composition containing fibers. In one particular embodiment the process comprises preparing a mixture of fats and carbohydrates; heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to cook it and form a cooked confectionery composition; adding dietary fiber to the mixture in an amount from about 25 to about 40 wt % of the total weight of the confectionery composition; and cooling the mixture to form the confectionery composition containing fiber. The carbohydrates may be present in an amount from 40 to about 70 wt % of the total weight of the composition and may comprise at least a reducing sugar and at least a non-reducing sugar. The reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar may be present in a ratio of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:1. The fats may comprise from about 3 to about 18 wt % of the total weight of the composition.
In certain embodiments of the present invention, a source of protein may be added to the mixture of fats and carbohydrates before cooking the mixture. If a source of protein is present, it may comprise up to about 10 wt % of the total weight of the confectionery composition.
Other and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
The term xe2x80x9cweight percentagesxe2x80x9d and the acronym xe2x80x9cwt %xe2x80x9d as used herein refer to weight percentages based on the total weight of the confectionery composition in its final form with all ingredients added.
The term xe2x80x9cfiberxe2x80x9d as used herein, unless indicated otherwise, refers to a single fiber or mixtures of fibers.
The terms xe2x80x9cglucosexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cdextrosexe2x80x9d are used interchangeably herein.
The term xe2x80x9cdextrose equivalentxe2x80x9d and the acronym xe2x80x9cDExe2x80x9d as used herein refer to the percent of reducing sugars on a dry basis calculated as dextrose. Glucose (or corn) syrups are formed by reacting a starch with an acid and/or enzyme. DE is a measurement of the degree of hydrolysis that starches undergo to yield different DE syrups. Standard corn syrups are defined as having about a DE value of approximately 42. Syrup processed to have a xe2x80x9chighxe2x80x9d DE using has a value of approximately 65 DE. The higher the level of DE in a carbohydrate component, the sweeter the ingredient. With the sweetness factor, the high DE carbohydrates may also contribute to negative product characteristics, such as greater tendency to crystallize (could lead to a product defect if there""s too much or too big of a crystal formulation); less viscosity (could lead to a product that is too sticky, inability to hold form); tendency to brown (could lead to flavor problems and coloration problems); tendency to be more hygroscopic (could lead to product that has too much crystallization); and the like as known in the art.
The term xe2x80x9creducing sugarxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a sugar that can chemically react with a special copper reagent known as Fehlings solution (alkaline solution). In the reaction, the xe2x80x9creducingxe2x80x9d sugar will reduce this copper solution to copper oxide (cuprous oxide). Corn syrups, fructose, and milk sugars are examples of reducing sugars.
The term xe2x80x9cnon-reducing sugarxe2x80x9d as used herein refers to a sugar that will not react with the special copper reagent known as Fehlings solution (alkaline solution). Sucrose is a non-reducing sugar.
The term xe2x80x9cwater activityxe2x80x9d and the acronym xe2x80x9cAwxe2x80x9d as used herein refer to and are defined to equal to Equilibrium Relative Humidity (xe2x80x9cERHxe2x80x9d) divided by 100. ERH is the equilibrium state at which the confectionery product neither absorbs nor loses moisture to the environment. In a confectionery, the ERH is influenced by the composition of the syrup phase, particularly the water content thereof, and may be present as free or bound water. The free water influences the storage capabilities of the confectionery which could result in undesired crystallization of the confectionery during storage.
Generally, as known in the art, carbohydrates used to produce caramels, toffees, and other chewy confectioneries have about 1 part reducing sugars and about 1.2 to 1.4 parts non-reducing sugars. However, when these known ratios of carbohydrates are used to produce compositions similar to those of the present invention, the resulting confectionery compositions containing the desired fiber are unexpectedly hard and grainy in texture. Conversely, when high ratios of reducing sugar to non-reducing sugar are used, the resulting compositions are unexpectedly sticky and runny. Accordingly, manufacture of palatable fiber containing confectionery compositions appeared unfeasible using known compositions and techniques when initially tested. However, it was discovered through experimentation that certain ratios of reducing sugars to non-reducing sugars in combination with particular ingredients in selected amounts could be used to produce a palatable confectionery composition containing useful amounts of dietary fiber.
Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention encompasses confectionery compositions comprising from about 5 to about 40 wt % of a fiber or mixtures of fibers; from about 3 to about 18 wt % of a fat; from about 0 to about 10 wt % of a protein; from about 40 to about 70 wt % of a carbohydrate comprising at least one reducing sugar and at least one non-reducing sugar, wherein the reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar are present in a ratio of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:1 (reducing sugar: non-reducing sugar).
The fiber can be any fiber compatible with the confectionery ingredients and beneficial as a dietary fiber. Preferably, the fiber is selected from the group consisting of arabinogalactan, polycarbophil, calcium polycarbophil, fibersol, inulin, methylcellulose, and psyllium. Most preferably, the fiber is psyllium.
Not all fibers are useful for producing the fiber containing confectionery compositions of the present invention. Fibers such as hydrolyzed guar gum, microcrystalline cellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose have been found to produce fiber containing confectionery compositions with unacceptable stability, texture, feel, taste, or aftertaste. Similarly, not all amounts of an otherwise acceptable fiber are useful for producing a palatable confectionery composition containing fiber. Too much of an otherwise acceptable fiber can cause the composition to have unacceptable stability, texture, feel, taste, or aftertaste. Very small amounts of fiber, e.g., 1%, can be easily incorporated into the compositions but too little fiber would make the composition a poor supplement for the consumer.
Preferably, the fiber is present in the composition in amounts of from about 10 to about 40 wt %, most preferably from about 10 to about 30 wt %.
The fat can be any fat useful for making the present confectionery composition and compatible with the fiber. The fat includes any commercial available fat, or mixture of any fat, such as, for example, hardened vegetable fat/oil, cocoa butter, milk fat; butter oil, whole butter or any fraction thereof, butter, hydrogenated soybean oil, and hydrogenated vegetable oils, e.g., any single source vegetable oil or mixed vegetable oils. Preferably, the fat is selected from the group consisting of cocoa butter, coconut oil, and partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.
Preferably, the fat is present in the composition in amounts of from about 3 to about 15 wt %, most preferably about 8 to about 12 wt %.
The optional protein can be any protein useful for making the present confectionery composition and compatible with the fiber. The protein includes any commercial available protein, or mixture of proteins, such as, for example, milk components such as sweetened condensed skim milk (milk solids), condensed whole milk, evaporated milk, reconstituted milk powder, protein hydrolysates, milk protein concentrate, total milk protein, or mixtures thereof. Whey proteins may be used as less expensive substitute for milk solids. Whey proteins include sweet (rennet) whey powder, whey protein concentrates or high calcium fractionated whey products. When whey proteins are selected as a protein, either as the single source or in combinations with other proteins, it should be taken into account that the whey products are more reactive in Maillard reactions than other milk proteins. The Maillard reaction (reaction of the amino groups in the protein and the glycosidic hydroxyl, reducing groups) of the sugars results in a brown condensation pigment that may contribute to flavor and color development of the confectionery particularly for caramel, butterscotch or xe2x80x9cbrownxe2x80x9d flavors, but is generally undesirable for fruit or mild flavors. Other proteins such as soy proteins, fish proteins; egg proteins; or a mixture thereof may also be used. Preferably, the protein is selected from the group consisting of nonfat milk based protein and whey protein.
The protein can be present in the composition in any amount up to about 10 wt %, e.g., from about 0.01 to about 10 wt %. Preferably, the protein when used is present in the composition in amounts of from about 1 to about 6 wt %, most preferably from about 2 to about 5 wt %.
A stabilizer can be added to the composition to prevent excessive protein denaturization and preserve the texture of the composition. Any stabilizer known in the food industry and compatible with the composition may be used, e.g., disodium phosphate and sodium citrate. The stabilizer is added to the composition in amounts required to prevent excessive denaturization and preserve the texture, typically in amounts of up to about 1 wt %, preferably from about 0.01 to about 0.5 wt %, most preferably from about 0.05 to about 0.01 wt %.
The carbohydrate comprises at least one reducing sugar and at least one non-reducing sugar. The reducing sugar and non-reducing sugar can be any carbohydrate of the appropriate type useful for making the present confectionery composition and compatible with the fiber. Such carbohydrates are selected from any source commonly used in the art of preparing confectionery products (See, e.g., Food Technology, March, 1991, pp. 148-149). The carbohydrate can be various corn syrups (starch hydrolysates), polydextrose (polymer of dextrose with sorbitol and an acid), sucrose, trehalose, dextrose, fructose, lactose, maltose, brown sugar, cane sugar, and beet sugar; invert sugar; sugar alcohols (sorbitol, maltitol, mannitol, xylitol), honey; lycasin, and mixtures thereof.
Preferably, the carbohydrate is a mixture comprising at least one reducing sugar selected from corn syrup (24 DE to 65 DE), high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solid, high maltose corn syrup, fructose, invert sugar, and mixtures thereof and at least one non-reducing sugar selected from the group consisting of sucrose and trehalose. Particularly preferred carbohydrates use sucrose as the non-reducing sugar in combination with various reducing sugars shown in Table 1.
As shown in the Table 1, a non-reducing sugar such as sucrose may be combined with various combinations of reducing sugars selected from the following combinations: (1) a corn syrup having a DE of 62/63 with a high maltose corn syrup having a 42 DE, (enzymatically treated corn syrup resulting in the production of a maltose); (2) a corn syrup (42 DE) and fructose; (3) a high maltose corn syrup (42 DE) with a high fructose corn syrup; (4) a corn syrup (42 DE) and a high fructose corn syrup; (5) a corn syrup (62/63 DE), high maltose corn syrup, and a high fructose corn syrup; (6) a corn syrup (42 DE) and a corn syrup (62/63 DE) and a high fructose corn syrup; and (7) a corn syrup (42 DE) and a corn syrup (62-63 DE).
The ratio of the reducing sugar to non-reducing sugar is preferably from about 1:0.3 to about 1:0.8, most preferably from about 1:0.3 to about 1:0.4.
Preferably, the carbohydrate is present in the composition in amounts of from about 50 to about 70 wt %, most preferably from about 60 to about 70 wt %.
In one embodiment, the carbohydrate comprises from about 10 to about 50 wt % of an oligosaccharide, a polysaccharide, or a mixture thereof and from about 50 to about 90% of a monosaccharide, a disaccharide, or a mixture thereof. Sugars in the category of oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, monosaccharides, and disaccharides are readily ascertainable by one skilled in the art (See, e.g., Food Technology, March, 1991, pp. 148-149).
The confectionery composition optimally has from about 4 to about 10 wt % moisture, preferably from about 6 to about 8 wt %. The water activity (Aw) of the confectionery is below about 0.65, preferable from about 0.40 to about 0.55.
In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises about 30 wt % of psyillum, about 8 wt % of cocoa butter, about 54 wt % of a carbohydrate comprising sucrose as a non-reducing sugar and corn syrup as a reducing sugar, wherein the reducing sugar to non-reducing sugar ratio is about 1:0.3 to 1:0.4, and about 8 wt % water.
The carbohydrate fraction of the confectionery may include other carbohydrate components such as lactose and maltodextrin (to make compositions having fewer calories) and artificial sweeteners useful as sweetening agents. Preferably such sweeteners are selected from the group consisting of aspartame, saccharin, lactitol, sucralose, acesulfame-K, stevia; Neohesperidine DC, and cyclamates.
As known to skilled artisans, any number of miscellaneous ingredients may be included in the composition. For example, any one or a combination of the following may be included: acidulants (citric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid gluconic acid; or a mixture thereof), VELTOL(copyright) flavor enhancer, TALIN(copyright) flavor enhancer/sweetener, SALATRIM(copyright) reduced-calorie fat, sugar ester, gums, gelatin, carrageenan, cellulose, ginseng, active phyto chemicals such as ferulic acid (apples), beta carotene (carrots, sweet potatoes), capsicanoids (peppers), anthocyanidins (berries), bioflavanoids like hesperidin or quercetin (citrus fruits), d-limonene (citrus fruits), isothiocyanates (cruciferous vegetables), s-allyl cysteine and S-methyl cysteine (garlic), 6-gingerol (ginger), ellagic acid (grapes, tea), polyphenol catechins (green tea), allyl sulfides (onion family), phytosterols and isoflavones (soybeans), lycopene (tomatoes), curcumin (tumeric), and the like. Colors that may be included may be artificial or natural. Examples of natural colors are caramel colors which are derived from pure caramelized sugars specific carbohydrates which are heated with accelerators such as ammonia. Also, vitamins such as beta carotene or the B vitamins may impart yellow and orange colors which may be compatible with certain confectionery flavors.
The confectionery composition may also contain various flavoring agents to control the taste or aftertaste of the composition. In a preferred embodiment, the composition contains encapsulated citric acid. Such acid provides a fruit flavored composition. The citric acid is added in amounts of from about 0.1 wt % to about 2 wt % of an encapsulated citric acid. Such encapsulated acid is commercially available or can be prepared as known in the art. When the citric acid is not encapsulated, the processing of the confectionery composition is difficult due to the release of carbonate dioxide and subsequent foaming. The citric acid functions to provide tartness of the fruit flavored confectionery compositions. Further, the encapsulated citric acid substantially prevents the inversion of sucrose when it is employed as one of the carbohydrate components. Inversion is the hydrolysis of sucrose to its component monosaccharides, dextrose and fructose. Increased levels of fructose will result in increased hygroscopicity (defined as tendency to pick up moisture resulting in a sticky or crystallized product), an undesired property of a confectionery, and thus are preferably avoided by formulation adjustments.
The confectionery composition is useful because it provides a method for delivering supplemental fiber to a consumer in a form having the desirable characteristics of a confectionery, e.g., good taste, good texture, and substantially no fiber taste or aftertaste. The compositions are also stable for extended periods when exposed to normal levels of heat and moisture and thus have an extended shelf live.
In another aspect, the present invention provides a process for producing confectionery compositions containing dietary fiber. The process comprises the steps of:
preparing a premix containing from about 3 to about 18 wt % of a fat and from about 40 to about 70 wt % of a carbohydrate comprising at least one reducing sugar and at least one non-reducing sugar present in a ratio of reducing sugar to non-reducing sugar of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:1;
heating the premix to a temperature sufficient to cook the premix and form a cooked confectionery composition;
adding fiber to the cooked confectionery composition in amounts sufficient to comprise from about 5 to about 40 wt % of the cooked confectionery composition; and
cooling the cooked confectionery composition to form a confectionery composition containing fiber.
Various methods known to skilled confectionery making artisans can be used for producing the confectionery compositions of the present invention. Any cooking method compatible with confectionery compositions such as those of the present invention can be used. The temperature used for cooking the premix can be any temperature sufficient to cook the composition depending upon its components but is preferably a temperature of from about 220-270xc2x0 F. (105-132xc2x0 C.). A preferred process comprises forming a premix comprising the carbohydrate, fat, and optional protein mixture along with any ingredients that facilitate mixing the ingredients, heating the premix to a temperature of from about 220-270xc2x0 F. (105-132xc2x0 C.) to form a cooked composition; thoroughly mixing a fiber into the cooked composition while it is still warm enough to permit easy mixing; and cooling the cooked composition containing the fiber to form a fiber containing confectionery composition. Preferably, a hydrocolloid (such as, for example, carrageenan, locust bean gum, furcellaran, agar, gellan, or mixtures thereof, most preferably carrageenan) is used. The hydrocolloid (from about 0.01 to about 0.2 wt %, preferably 0.08 to about 0.09 wt %) is dispersed in an aqueous solution.
A portion of selected carbohydrate (up to about 1 wt % of a monosaccharide or disaccharide, most preferably fructose, sucrose or a mixture thereof) may be present in the aqueous dispersion or alternatively the entire source carbohydrate is added after the initial mixing of the aqueous dispersion containing the hydrocolloid. Once the aqueous dispersion is agitated, the carbohydrate (or remaining portion of carbohydrate); milk product (preferably sweetened condensed skim milk) and fat (optionally in a form contributing to flavor such as cocoa butter) are heated with a food grade emulsifying agent (used in a range of 0 to 5 wt %, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5 wt %), preferably lecithin or glycerol manostearate, to form an emulsion. The resulting carbohydrate-fat-protein (protein is optional) mixture is then heated to a temperature ranging from about 220-270xc2x0 F. (105-132xc2x0 C.), preferably 230-245xc2x0 F. (110-118xc2x0 C.), if processing is by a batch open pan cooking to form a cooked mass. For a continuous manufacture, the carbohydrate-fat-protein mixture is passed through scraped surface evaporators and then transferred to carameliser kettles and cooked at about 220-270xc2x0 F. (104-132xc2x0 C.), preferably 230-245xc2x0 F. (110-118xc2x0 C.), to form a cooked mass. Additional flavors and food grade dyes (such as chocolate liquor, vanilla, food colors, caramel colors, and fruit flavor) may be added to the cooked composition if desirable. The fiber is added to this cooked composition and mixed thoroughly. The resulting fiber containing composition can then be cooled and processed to produce a confectionery composition containing fiber.
The confectionery composition may be produced in any standard confectionery making machinery, either in a batch process using open pan cooking or in a continuous system. In a continuous system, the basic mix is preferably caramelized and other ingredients added thereafter. The cooked composition may then be poured onto a cooling table, cut, and further processed on a standard caramel wrapping machine. The confectionery may be further processed in any acceptable commercial form including bars, rolls, individually wrapped pieces, and the like.
Wrapping materials may be selected from any known, non-reactive material used in the food industry. The composition may be formulated using known flavor technology (natural, artificial, and nature identical) including preparations as a caramel, chocolate or fruit flavored chew. The caramel flavor may be contributed to the confectionery naturally during the cooking process or commercially by adding caramel powders, dairy products (e.g., milk crumb) and/or other flavoring ingredients. Cocoa butter, cocoa, cocoa liquor, chocolate flavor, and mixtures thereof are particularly useful in providing an acceptable tasting chocolate confectionery. For fruit flavored confectionery products, flavor may be provided by encapsulated citric acid and optionally additional fruit juices and/or fruit flavoring commonly used in food technologies.
The invention having been generally described, the following examples are given as particular embodiments of the invention and to demonstrate the practice and advantages thereof. It is understood that the examples are given by way of illustration and are not intended to limit the specification or the claims to follow in any manner.

Confectionery compositions containing fiber


An bushing for securing machine elements. the two-piece bushing includes a body member having a central bore for receiving a shaft or the like and a flange which is rotatable with respect to the bore. The flange includes a plurality of bores for receiving securing means for securing the bushing to a hub or the like and a ridge portion for engaging at least a portion of the body member such that, when the securing means are tightened, the bushing and hub are drawn together. In the preferred embodiment, the outer surface of the end of the body member and the inner surface of the flange have complementary grooves therein for receiving a plurality of steel balls. When the balls are inserted within the groove, a ridge is formed which locks the flange and body member together in the axial direction. In addition, the bushing may include a ridge portion between the body member and the flange for preventing axial movement in at least one direction. The groove and ball arrangement allows the flange to rotate easily with respect to the body member to facilitae assembly and permits the bushing to be easily removed when necessary.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to rotatable power transmitting devices, and more particularly, to a hub structure for adapting such rotative devices to shafts of different diameters.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Stock sheaves are manufactured in certain standard size both with respect to different sheave diameters for a given shaft diameter and different shaft diameters for a sheave of given diameter. A well-known structure for mounting sheaves, sprockets, couplings, gears and similar machine elements onto shafts consist of a tapered bushing having a longitudinal slit extending the length thereof and a cylindrical bore therethrough for gripping the shaft internally and seating on a corresponding tapered surface in the bore of the hub of the machine element. One such bushing which has been particularly successful is set out in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,452,458 and 2,487,128, issued to Hahn.
The bushing as taught by Hahn consists of a tapered body of the frustroconical shape having a radial annular flange disposed on the large end of the tapered body. The flange usually contains three plain unthreaded holes for receiving screws to extend through the flange into threaded bores at the end of the hub. Screws are inserted through the flange into the corresponding threaded holes in the hub and, as the screws are tightened, the tapered surface of the bushing and hub are drawn together. This, in turn, causes the slit bushing to contract about and securely grip the shaft, thereby securing the assembly together and preventing relative rotation between the shaft, bushing, and hub.
Reverse mounting is also possible where, for example, there is limited space adjacent the flange end of the bushing. In this case, screws are inserted through three plain, unthreaded holes in the hub and into corresponding threaded bores in the flange. As the screws are tightened, the tapered surfaces are drawn together and the bushing contracts around the shaft as described above. A key with a corresponding keyway may be provided between the shaft and the bushing to further guard against relative rotation between the members.
The bushings are normally produced either by machining the bushings from blanks of cast iron or by a powdered metal process which eliminates much of the machining.
Certain disadvantages with the above design become apparent. First, improper alignment of the bores and the flange with the corresponding bores in the hub greatly increase the difficulty in assembly. In fact, some disassembly of the machine itself may be necessary before the hub and flange of the bushing can be properly aligned. Second, bushings are subjected to very high torque especially where frequent reversal rotation occurs. In addition, stresses are concentrated in certain areas of the bushings such as the junction between the flange and the barrel. While a useful and inexpensive material, cast iron is generally not malleable and is subject to fracture. As a result, the prior art cast iron bushings are frequently broken when attempts are made to remove the adapter hub from the hub and shaft assembly.
Several approaches have been taken to overcome the problem of alignment of the flange and the hub. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,441,467, issued to Browning, and 2,556,151, issued to Bremer, both disclose a detachable bushing for joining a wheel to a shaft. These patents teach a two-piece bushing having an outer flange and inner split tapered bore. One end of the tapered bore adjacent to the flange includes a circumferential groove adapted for receiving a bolt having a capped head for mating within the groove. These bolts, once secured to the pulley or the like, serve to draw the bushing into tight gripping arrangement with the shaft when they are threaded in one direction and serve to force the bushing out of gripping or frictional engagement with the shaft when threaded in the opposite direction.
A similar function is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,447,299, issued to Williams, in which a screw collar is combined within a circumferential groove located at one end of a tapered bore. The screw collar is adapted to engage an internal thread in the wheel bushing bore so when it is turned in one direction the sleeve will be shifted into binding engagement with the shaft surface in the bushing bore and, when turned reversibly, will release the sleeve. The screw collar is split longitudinally to reduce the thickness at a point opposite the split in order that the screw sleeve can be opened up for placement onto the groove and afterwards compressed for permanent retention.
Certain disadvantages become apparent with such designs. First, the bushing assemblies as taught by Bremer and Browning both localize the application of force on the bushing by means of the screw heads along three or at most four locations. In addition, because part of the screw cap forms the abutment, a bending moment is applied to the screw body which may result in premature failure. Finally, the rotation of the cap with respect to the bushing abutment surface makes accurate measurements of torque difficult or impossible and may damage the surfaces of the bushing in the caps.
Likewise, the fastening means taught by Williams, makes accurate measurement of the torque applied impossible. In addition, Williams requires a special bushing to receive the screw collar. Finally, because the screw collar is split, this presents a safety hazard when used in high-speed rotating machinery since the collar may become separated or broken during operation.
It has thus become desirable to develop a bushing for securing pulleys, sprockets, couplings and the like to rotatable shafts which is easy to align and remove while, at the same time, eliminating the prior art problems of localized stresses or limited use to specific hubs, and which is inherently safe for use with high-speed rotating equipment.


The present disclosure relates to a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) including a gradient interfacial layer between a thermally stable diamond (TSP) table and a base, such as a substrate or an earth-boring drill bit body. The gradient interfacial layer has a gradient of coefficients of thermal expansion between that of the diamond and the base. The disclosure also relates to methods of forming a gradient interfacial layer and a PDC containing such a layer.

Components of various industrial devices are often subjected to extreme conditions, such as high-temperatures and high-impact contact with hard and/or abrasive surfaces. For example, extreme temperatures and pressures are commonly encountered during drilling for oil extraction or mining purposes. Diamond, with its unsurpassed mechanical properties, can be the most effective material when properly used in a cutting element or abrasion-resistant contact element for use in drilling. Diamond is exceptionally hard, conducts heat away from the point of contact with the abrasive surface, and may provide other benefits in such conditions.
Diamond in a polycrystalline form has added toughness as compared to single-crystal diamond due to the random distribution of the diamond crystals, which avoids the particular planes of cleavage found in single-crystal diamond. Therefore, polycrystalline diamond is frequently the preferred form of diamond in many drilling applications. A drill bit cutting element that utilizes polycrystalline diamond is commonly referred to as a polycrystalline diamond cutter or compact (PDC). Accordingly, a drill bit incorporating PDC may be referred to as a PDC bit.
PDCs can be manufactured in a press by subjecting small grains of diamond and other starting materials to ultrahigh pressure and temperature conditions. One PDC manufacturing process involves forming a polycrystalline diamond table directly onto a substrate, such as a tungsten carbide substrate. The process involves placing a substrate, along with loose diamond grains mixed with a catalyst, into a container of a press, and subjecting the contents of the press to a high-temperature high-pressure (HTHP) press cycle. The high temperature and pressure cause the small diamond grains to form into an integral polycrystalline diamond table intimately bonded to the substrate, with cobalt in tungsten carbide substrate acting as a catalyst. A polycrystalline diamond table thus formed may then be leached to remove the catalyst from all or part of the polycrystalline diamond. Leaching out large portions of the catalyst results in a TSP table. At a certain temperature, typically at least 750° C. at normal atmospheric pressure, the TSP will not crack or graphitize. The TSP may then be reattached to a new substrate (the original one on which the polycrystalline diamond was formed often being removed prior to or destroyed in the leaching process) to PDC.

Polycrystalline diamond compact with gradient interfacial layer


Disclosed is a compound of formula (I)

Aryl- and heteroarylcarbonyl derivatives of hexahydroindenopyridines are reportedly useful as inhibitors of 11-β-hydroxysteroid hydrogenase type 1 ("11-β-HSD1") and for treatment of disorders associated with 11β-HSD1 activity including, for example, diabetes mellitus (e.g., type II diabetes), obesity, symptoms of metabolic syndrome, glucose intolerance, hyperglycemica (see, e.g., WO 2011/057054).
The aryl- and heteroarylcarbonyl derivatives of hexahydroindenopyridines can be prepared, for example, from nitrile-substituted hexahydroindenopyridines as described in WO 2011/057054. In one method described in WO 2011/057054, the intermediate (4aR,9aS)-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-indeno[2,1-b]pyridine-6-carbonitrile (A) is allowed to react with 1H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (B) followed by reaction with hydrogen chloride to provide the 11-β-HSD1 inhibitor (4a-R,9a-S)-1-(1H-benzoimidazole-5-carbonyl)-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-indeno[2,1-b]pyridine-6-carbonitrile (C) as depicted below:

Methods of preparing the compound of formula (A) described in WO 2011/057054 include a 13-step synthesis and a low overall yield (˜2.9%). In addition, some of the described methods utilize corrosive and/or toxic reagents (e.g., trifluoromethanesulfonic acid anhydride (Tf2O), boron tribromide (BBr3) and Zinc cyanide (Zn(CN)2), which produce a problematic by-product stream. Thus, there is a need, for improved processes for making compounds of formula (A). Such improvements in making intermediate (A) will allow for more efficient preparation of aryl- and heteroarylcarbonyl derivatives of hexahydroindenopyridines inhibitors, particularly for large-scale production.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound of formula (I)

Abstract: and salts thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making the compound of formula (I) and the use of the compound as an intermediate for making pharmaceutically active compounds such as 11-β-hydroxysteroid hydrogenase type 1 (11-β-HSD1) inhibitors.


A portable medical apparatus comprising a digital radiographic image detector assembly having at least one access opening extending through an enclosure of the assembly for troubleshooting, repairing and/or replacing field replaceable components within the assembly or components that are external to the assembly but attach internally within the assembly, without exposing the rest of the assembly to the outside environment. The portable medical apparatus includes a housing, a radiographic imaging device enclosed within the housing, at least one access opening extending through the housing for accessing components of the radiographic imaging device, and an access cover removably attached to the at least one access opening.

The present invention relates generally to digital radiography systems, and more particularly to, a digital radiographic image detector assembly having at least one access opening for troubleshooting, repairing and/or replacing field replaceable components within the detector or components that are external to the detector but attach internally within the detector.
Digital radiography systems, including portable digital radiography systems, have grown in popularity and use over the past number of years. These digital radiography systems facilitate the production of direct, digital X-ray information captured by a flat panel image detector and sent to an image processor or control computer for processing and display.
The portable digital radiography systems typically include a portable X-ray unit with a portable flat panel image detector tethered to the portable X-ray unit with a flexible cable. The tether typically includes cables and/or wiring for transferring power from a power supply or other power source on the X-ray unit to the detector and cables and/or wiring for transferring communications between the X-ray unit and the detector. The tether cable enters the enclosure of the detector for attachment to internal components within the detector. Because of its portable design, the flat panel image detector can be freely positioned in relation to a patient's anatomy when taking X-rays of the patient's anatomy. The portability and flexibility of the tether cable, which is preferred by users, often creates tension and stress on the tether, thereby causing damage to the tether after a period of use, requiring it to be replaced. The only way to replace the tether cable on prior art detectors is to open the entire enclosure, thereby exposing all of the internal components of the detector to the potentially harmful environment of a hospital or clinic.
Having to remove the entire enclosure of the detector creates a risk of potential failure of the detector, because it exposes sensitive electronic components within the detector to moisture, fluids, bodily fluids, cleaning fluids, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, dirt, dust, electrostatic discharge, and other contaminants found in hospitals and clinics. Therefore, exposure of the detector to physical abuse and environmental containments is likely to cause failures in the detector. Thus, it is likely that the tether and other internal components of the detector will need to be repaired and/or replaced periodically over time.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a digital radiography detector having at least one access opening for troubleshooting, repairing, removing and replacing field replaceable components within the detector or components that are external to the detector but attach internally within the detector, without having to open the entire enclosure and exposing all of the detector's components to physical damage or contamination, and to reduce the risks associated with field repair, removal, replacement and re-assembly.

Digital radiography detector assembly with access opening


A coupling system for securing a sink to a drain pipe. The coupling system of the present invention can include a support member and a flange connector. The flange connector can be coupled to the support member about opposite surfaces of a sink. The support member can include both a shoulder and a support surface opposite to the shoulder. The shoulder can be configured to support a sink and a gasket can be positioned thereon or within a recess therein to provide enhanced communication between a sink and the shoulder. The support surface, by comparison, can be configured to rest upon a support surface able to support the sink when coupled to the support surface.

1. Statement of the Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to sink drainage systems, and more particularly to securing a sink to a drain pipe.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, plumbers secure sinks to drain pipes by way of a variety of coupling systems. A typical coupling system includes threaded fittings which are secured to the sink from a position below the sink. Given the placement of the threaded fittings and the ordinary weight of a sink, significant time and effort can be required to install or replace a sink. Recently, sinks having different ornamental designs which have been manufactured from different materials have become popular. In this regard, glass and ceramic sinks have become quite popular recently.
Yet, it is well know that glass and ceramic sinks are prone to chipping, scratching and breakage. When a sink has become chipped, scratched, or plain broken, the sink typically must be replaced. Even where a sink has not become damaged, many consumers often replace a sink merely for aesthetic purposes. Unfortunately, replacing a sink can be a difficult and error prone process. In particular, to support a sink while removing the drain coupling from below the sink often can invite disaster. Moreover, once the drain device of a sink has been removed, the drain pipe can fall away from the sink leaving the sink completely inoperable.
The present invention is a coupling system for securing a sink to a drain pipe. The present invention can overcome the limitations of conventional sink coupling systems by providing a novel and non-obvious system and method for securing a sink so that the sink can be removed without compromising the stability of the sink during the removal process. Moreover, through the use of the coupling system of the present invention, the sink can be removed without requiring the prerequisite decoupling of a drain pipe from the drain mechanism. Rather, a sink which has been configured with the coupling system of the present invention can be removed merely through the prerequisite removal of the drain mechanism from an intermediate sink support member which in turn can be coupled to the drain pipe.
In more particular illustration, a sink support member can be coupled to a drain pipe about opposite sides of a support surface such as a table or other surface able to support the sink and coupling system. The sink support member can include a drainage channel through which fluid can flow from the sink to the drain pipe. In this regard, the drainage channel within the sink support member can substantially align with a drainage channel within the drain pipe. An exterior surface of the sink can be positioned on a shoulder of the sink support member so that a drain opening within the sink substantially aligns with the drainage channel within the sink support member. In this configuration, the sink support member in conjunction with the support surface can support the sink in both an operable and stable manner even without securing the sink to the support member with a drain mechanism.
To secure the sink to the support member, a flange connector can be coupled to an interior surface of the sink and connected to the sink support member so that a drainage channel within the flange connector substantially aligns with the drainage channel of the sink support member through the drain opening. The flange connector further can include a flange for cleanly mating the flange connector to the interior of the sink without leaving gaps between the structure defining the drainage channel and the drain opening. Finally, a drain device, such as a drain hat can be attached to the top portion of the flange connector to complete the sink drainage system. Notably, gaskets can be applied at communicative joints between the sink and support member so as to provide an enhanced seal and to prevent leakage.
As it will be apparent from the foregoing, the coupling system of the present invention principally can include a support member and a flange connector. The flange connector can be coupled to the support member about opposite surfaces of a sink. The support member can include both a shoulder and a support surface opposite to the shoulder. The shoulder can be configured to support a sink and a gasket can be positioned thereon or within a recess therein to provide enhanced communication between a sink and the shoulder. The support surface, by comparison, can be configured to rest upon a support surface able to support the sink when coupled to the support surface. Notably, an engagement structure can be provided in which the flange connector can be firmly secured to the support surface. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the engagement structure can be a mounting ring. In this regard, the mounting ring can be affixed to a threaded portion of the support member.


A brake booster wherein second and third pistons are separated within a bore of a master cylinder to define second and third chambers. Compensation valves control the flow fluid from a reservoir to the bore while a passage in the second piston connects the second chamber with the third chamber that is connected to the reservoir through an tilt valve that is held opened by pressurized fluid acting on a fourth piston. A control valve responds to a resiliently applied force from an input rod carried by the third piston to supply pressurized fluid to the brake system. In an event pressurized fluid is unavailable, a spring moves the fourth piston and a sixth spring to moves the tilt valve against a seat to seal the third chamber and create a hydraulic lock. Further movement of the third piston correspondingly moves the second piston to effect a manual brake application.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a blended brake booster having a hydraulic lock during a manual brake application.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention is of a type hydraulic brake boosters referred to as a "full-power" brake booster, of which the following U.S. Pat. Nos. are considered to be typical: 4,441,319; 4,490,977; 4,514,981; 4,665,701; 4,685,297; 4,704,867; 4,724,674; 5,526,731, 5,927,074, 6,606,859 and 7,354,116. In such brake boosters, an accumulator is charged with fluid pressure and selectively activated through movement of a control valve by an input member to present pressurized fluid to an actuation chamber that acts on an actuation piston and is directly supplied to a first set of wheel brakes. The pressurized fluid acts on the actuation piston in to develop a force for moving a power piston in a master cylinder that pressurizes operational fluid that is presented to a second set of wheel brakes to effect a brake application. The operational pressure that is developed in the master cylinder is proportional to the force applied to the actuation piston and inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the power piston in the master cylinder for a given force applied to an input member by an operator to move the control valve. The resulting travel of the input member and brake pedal is proportional to the travel of the actuation piston in the master cylinder. Conversely, the travel of the power piston in the master cylinder is also proportional to the displacement of the fluid in the brake system at any given pressure and inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the actuation piston. Thus, the travel of the input member and brake pedal is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area of the actuation piston. Given these facts, when brake blending is implemented during a brake application with such prior art structure, a pulsation may be felt by an operator on the input pedal.


A reference voltage circuit having a high power supply rejection ratio, and can operate at low voltage is provided. The reference voltage circuit includes a bias circuit constructed such that a depletion type transistor (3) is connected in series to a power supply voltage supply terminal of a load circuit, an enhancement type MOS transistor (4) for detecting current through the load circuit to operate as a current source is connected to the load circuit, a depletion type MOS transistor (5) is connected in series to the transistor (4), and a gate terminal of the transistor (5) is connected to a source terminal of the transistor (5), in which the gate terminal of the depletion type transistor (3) is connected to the source terminal of the depletion type transistor (5).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a cascode circuit used for the purpose of decreasing output voltage fluctuations in response to power supply voltage fluctuations.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to improve the power supply rejection ratio of an analog circuit, a method of adding a cascode circuit is conventionally widely used. Take as an example a reference voltage circuit, which is used to obtain stable output voltage in response to power supply voltage fluctuations and temperature changes. Conventionally, a circuit as illustrated in FIG. 2 of Semiconductor Device for Reference Voltage (Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. Hei 7-74976) is used. FIG. 2 illustrates an equivalent circuit. In the conventional reference voltage circuit, a source terminal of a depletion type MOS transistor 1 and a drain terminal of an enhancement type MOS transistor 2 are connected in series between a power supply voltage supply terminal 101 and a ground potential 100, and respective nodes and their gate terminals are commonly connected. The node is used as a reference voltage output terminal 102 (the electrical circuit such as shown in FIG. 2 will hereinafter be referred to as "a ED type reference voltage circuit 200"). Insofar as the respective transistors operate in a saturation state, even if the voltage of the power supply voltage supply terminal 101 fluctuates, the reference voltage output terminal 102 is not affected by the voltage fluctuations.
However, actually, the voltage of the reference voltage output terminal 102 fluctuates under the influence of channel length modulation effect of the depletion type MOS transistor 1. Accordingly, it is difficult to construct a reference voltage circuit having a high power supply rejection ratio. In order to suppress the channel length modulation effect and to suppress the fluctuations of the power supply voltage within a short period from affecting the reference voltage, a circuit illustrated in FIG. 3 is also used.
In the reference voltage circuit as illustrated in FIG. 3, a depletion type MOS transistor 3 is provided between the reference voltage circuit and a power supply voltage supply terminal 101. In the depletion type MOS transistor 3, a backgate terminal is used as a ground potential, and a bias voltages supply means 201 is connected to the gate terminal.
The depletion type MOS transistor 3 operates as a so-called cascode circuit, and operates so that voltage supplied to the ED type reference voltage circuit 200 becomes constant against the voltage fluctuations of the power supply voltage supply terminal 101. FIG. 1 of Reference Voltage Circuit and Electronic Device (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-295957) illustrates an actual structure of the bias voltage supply means 201. FIG. 4 illustrates a circuit equivalent to FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2003-295957.
The circuit is a reference voltage circuit having two channel reference voltage outputs. Paying attention to the ED type reference voltage circuit 200, it can be thought that the depletion type MOS transistor 3, which operates as the cascode circuit is connected to the ED type reference voltage circuit 200, and the depletion type MOS transistor 3 is connected to the bias voltage supply means 201 including a depletion type MOS transistor 6, an enhancement type MOS transistor 7, and a depletion type MOS transistor 8. Similarly, it can be estimated that the depletion type MOS transistor 8 is connected to a bias voltage supply means including the depletion type MOS transistor 1, the enhancement type MOS transistor 2, and the depletion type MOS transistor 3.
In recent years, because mobile devices are widely available and for other reasons, the needs for the realization of a lower power consumption circuit, which can operate for a longer time with a battery of the same capacitance, is increasing. Along with the above circumstances, a reference voltage circuit having a comparable or superior performance to that of that conventional one, and still can operate at lower voltage is advantageous.
In the circuit as illustrated in FIG. 4, when backgate terminals of all the transistors are at the ground potential, consider the lowest operating voltage where no deterioration in the power supply rejection ratio is observed. To this end, all the transistors forming a circuit are required to perform the saturated operation.
In this case, gate-source voltages of the depletion type MOS transistors 3 and 8 each become zero when the characteristics of the two ED type reference voltage circuits are equal, and the characteristics of the depletion type transistors 3 and 8 each operate as a cascode circuit are equal, respectively. Therefore, the lowest operating voltage VDD(min) is expressed as the following equation:VDD(min)=Vref+|VT2(VSB2=Vref)|+|VT3(VSB3=Vref+|VT2(VSB2=Vref)|)|,  (Equation 1)where Vref is an output voltage of the reference voltage output terminal 102, VT2(VSB2=Vref) is a threshold voltage of the enhancement type MOS transistor 2 when the source-backgate voltage is Vref, and VT3(VSB3=Vref+|VT2(VSB2=Vref)|) is the threshold voltage of the MOS transistor 3 when the source-backgate voltage is Vref+|VT2(VSB2=Vref)|.
When the power supply voltage becomes lower than VDD(min) expressed in Equation 1, the depletion type MOS transistors 3 and 8, which operate as a cascode circuit operate in an unsaturation state, and thus, the output resistance becomes small and the power supply rejection ratio is considerably deteriorated.

Cascode circuit and semiconductor device


A photographic printer that uses a plurality of small CRTs to print wide format images. Within the printer, the CRTs are positioned horizontally adjacent one another but vertically displaced so that image segments displayed by adjacent CRTs either abut or overlap one another. The printer decomposes each line of the image into horizontal image segments, buffers the image segments to compensate for the vertical displacement, and displays the image segments on the CRTs such that they are exposed horizontally aligned with one another on the photographic media. The printer stitches the image at the seams between adjacent segments to reduce the discontinuities in the horizontal image rows.

Photographic process printers use a cathode ray tube (CRT) to project an image onto a photosensitive media. After the image is projected onto the media, the media is processed to develop the latent image. In order to transfer the image from the surface of the CRT to the surface of the media while maintaining image focus, an array of optical fibers are adapted to transfer the light from the surface of the CRT to the surface of the media.
A problem exists when applying this technology to create wide format images on wide format photosensitive media. Large CRTs are inherently complex in their design due to factors relating to the wide ranging sweep of the electron beam within the CRT and the difficulty of manufacturing a large glass envelope. Retaining the quality required for the print process of photographic printer devices requires large CRTs representing significant cost and complexity in the resulting photographic printer device. A practical limit on the CRT width in these applications is less than the width desired for wide format photosensitive media.
One apparent option is to divide the image horizontally onto a plurality of smaller CRTs. This option presents problems in that CRTs cannot be physically mounted horizontally adjacent one another so as to create a seamless horizontal image row. All known CRT devices are manufactured with some non-imageable area at their horizontal sweep limits. Additionally, physical thickness of the CRT glass envelope material will preclude precise, horizontal, seamless alignment of the plurality of partial images on the CRTs.
Although optical fibers are used to transfer the image from the projection surface of each CRT onto the surface of the photosensitive media, these fibers must remain short enough to prevent excessive loss of image light intensity. The short length of the optical fibers precludes physical recomposition of the whole image by simply bending the optical fibers so that the fibers at the ends of adjacent partial image segments are abutted.
It is thus apparent that there is a need in the art for an improved method or apparatus which permits efficient transfer of a wide format image onto photosensitive media from a plurality of CRTs.

Staggered multiple CRT's in a photographic process printer


According to various embodiments, the present teachings include an array of nanowire devices. The array of nanowire devices comprises a readout integrated circuit (ROIC). An LED array is disposed on the ROIC. The LED array comprises a plurality of LED core-shell structures, with each LED core-shell structure comprising a layered shell enveloping a nanowire core, wherein the layered shell comprises a multi-quantum-well (MQW) active region. The LED array further comprises a p-side electrode enveloping the layered core-shell structure and electrically connecting the ROIC, wherein each p-side electrode has an average thickness ranging from about 100 nm to about 500 nm. A dielectric layer is disposed on the plurality of LED core-shell structures, with each nanowire core disposed through the dielectric to connect with an n-side semiconductor that is situated on the dielectric.

When a GaN nanowire LED is operated at high current density the light output of the LED will change from spontaneous to stimulated emission. That is, the nanowire LED will become a nanowire laser. Stimulated emission (lasing) in GaN nanowires was reported in an invited paper at ICMOVPE XIV (Fourteenth International Conference on Metalorganic Vapor Phase Epitaxy) Metz, France, 1-6 Jun. 2008, paper Tu-I.1, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Arrays of phase-coupled nanowires have been proposed. Two such examples are discussed in J. J. Pan, et al., Proc. SPIE 1476, 157 (1991) and J. Banerji, et al., Appl. Optics 44, 3364 (2005). However, research into phase-coupled arrays of (non-nanowire) semiconductor lasers has been thus far largely theoretical. One article shows lasers experimentally limited to simple longitudinal-mode control on laser bars with widths on the order of hundreds of microns. E. Kapon et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 44, 157 (1984).
Previous approaches to phase coupling of nanowire lasers have used external (non-integrated) components. This can tend to make the overall system prone to drift and instability.
It would be considered a step forward in the art to provide a phase coupling pathway that is robustly integrated into the laser structure and/or that promotes improved stability of operation. It would further be considered a step forward in the art to provide for integration of components that allow active control of phase changes in light transmitted between laser devices in an array.

Phase-coupled arrays of nanowire laser devices and method of controlling an array of such devices


The present invention relates to a photoresist composition capable of realizing excellent pattern performance during formation of fine patterns, and of preparing a photoresist film that is excellent in chemical stability of a plating solution, and a photoresist film using the same.

Photofabrication has become a mainstream microfabrication technology, and packaging technology continues to change into a process for manufacturing high density packages.
In particular, with the increase of the number of semiconductor input/output terminals, the use of flip chips is expanded and FOWLP (Fan-Out Wafer Level Packaging) technology is being introduced. Further, a TSV (Through Silicon Via) process enabling direct connection between chips is expanding for the purpose of minimizing signal delay. In this regard, the demand for bump technology is increased and the technical development of bump photoresists forming the same is considered to be very important.
In the case of a bump photoresist, (i) the sensitivity and resolution in a thick film ranging from 10 to 100 micrometers should be excellent, (ii) metal bumps should be formed through a plating process, and therefore pattern performance such as straightness, residue, footing, and notching properties should be good, and (iii) resistance to a plating solution should be excellent.
Accordingly, a photoresist is used in order to increase the sensitivity and resolution in a thick film. Generally, the above photoresist composition includes (a) a resin which is dissociated by an acid to increase its solubility in an alkali developing solution, (b) a photosensitive acid generator (photoacid generator), and (c) an acid diffusion control agent.
However, it is common to add a corrosion inhibitor to an existing photoresist composition, but there are problems that productivity in manufacturing the resist composition is lowered, such as solubility of the corrosion inhibitor being poor, the corrosion inhibitor not being dissolved well, or the stirring time being prolonged, and further that the corrosion inhibitor contained in the resist pattern is dissolved in the plating solution in the process of plating after formation of the resist pattern, thereby contaminating the plating solution.
In this regard, there is a demand for developing a novel photoresist composition that is capable of realizing excellent pattern performance during formation of fine patterns, and of preparing a photoresist film that is excellent in chemical stability of a plating solution.

Photoresist composition and photoresist film using the same


A scrap metal crusher includes a tapered chamber having a relatively large inlet at one end and a relatively small outlet at the opposite end of the chamber. A rotary crusher arm is axially mounted for rotation in the tapered chamber. A plurality of vanes are disposed along the inner surface of the tapered chamber, which vanes in cooperation with the rotary crusher arm convey scrap inserted into the inlet of the tapered chamber toward the outlet of the chamber while simultaneously crushing the scrap. A throat disposed adjacent the outlet of the chamber allows passage of crushed scrap therethrough to a discharge chute. The throat is automatically enlarged upon jamming of the crusher to permit any material causing the jamming to pass through the throat to the discharge chute.

This invention relates generally to scrap handling apparatus and more particularly to a crusher for metal turnings and the like.
Various machines, called crushers, are available for reducing metal chips and turnings to reduce the volume of the scrap. Conventional crushers, however, could be improved. Conventional crushers are subject to jamming when a piece of tramp metal such as a metal bar or the like is accidentally fed into the crusher. Heretofore, jamming of such a metal bar has required manual intervention. Access to the jammed article in the machines has heretofore been made from the top of the crusher or through various manually operated and normally secured doors in the crusher itself. Finding and removing the jammed article was a time-consuming process which unnecessarily exposed the crusher operator to the scrap being crushed.


A service region management method and apparatus. The method includes sending, by a network management system, a first message to a network storage network element, the first message including identification information of a network function region and information about a service region corresponding to the network function region, and the first message is used to request to register the network function region, receiving, by the network storage network element, the first message storing, by the network storage network element, the identification information of the network function region and the information about the service region, and sending, by the network storage network element, notification information to the network management system, the notification information notifying that registration of the network function region is completed, receiving, by the network management system, the notification information.

Currently, in a fifth generation (5G) network architecture, a network repository function (NRF) network element stores information about a service region corresponding to a deployed network element, to indicate a network area served by the network element. A 5G network supports network virtualization deployment and on-demand service elasticity. A quantity of to-be-deployed network elements increases, and during network scale-out or scale-in, a to-be-deployed network element is deployed or a network element that has been deployed is undeployed. During network element deployment, information about a corresponding service region can be placed in description information (Network Function profile) of the network element.
A current service region management method based on a granularity of a network element causes network element deployment and management to be complex.

Service region management method and apparatus


The compositions and methods of the present invention are based, in part, on our discovery that an effector function mediated by an Fc-containing polypeptide can be altered by modifying one or more amino acid residues within the polypeptide (by, for example, electrostatic optimization). The polypeptides that can be generated according to the methods of the invention are highly variable, and they can include antibodies and fusion proteins that contain an Fc region or a biologically active portion thereof.

Many biological processes are mediated by the specific interaction of one protein with another. For example, enzymes are proteins that specifically bind their substrates, and substantial information is transmitted from cell to cell when ligands (such as neurotransmitters and hormones) bind their cognate receptors. Among the most fascinating interactions are those that occur in the context of an immune response in which antibodies (also known as immunoglobulins) are produced to defend the body against foreign substances that can cause infection or disease. Antibodies contain distinct domains that specifically interact with antigens and with receptors on "effector" cells, such as phagocytes. While binding the antigen is useful (in that it can prevent the antigen from interacting with its endogenous target), the most effective immune responses destroy antigens. Thus, the most effective antibodies are those with a domain that mediates high affinity antigen-binding and a domain that mediates efficient effector functions.
Naturally occurring antibodies are usually heterotetrameric; they contain two identical light (L) chains and two identical heavy (H) chains, linked together by disulfide bonds. Each heavy chain has a variable domain (VH) followed by a number of constant domains (CH1, CH2, and CH3), while each light chain has a variable domain (VL) followed by a single constant domain. The constant domain of the light chain is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy chain, and VL is aligned with VH. The variable domains are so named because certain amino acids within them differ extensively among antibodies. These variable regions, also called complementarity determining regions (CDRs) are responsible for the binding specificity of each particular antibody for its particular antigen. Each variable domain contains three CDRs separated by highly conserved regions called framework regions (FRs). The CDRs in each chain are held together in close proximity by the FR regions and, with the CDRs from the other chain, contribute to the formation of the antigen binding site of antibodies.
The constant domains are not involved directly in binding an antibody to an antigen, but mediate various effector functions based on their binding to cellular receptor or complement molecules. Depending on the amino acid sequence of the constant region of their heavy chains, antibodies or immunoglobulins can be assigned to different classes (A, D, E, G, and M). The most commonly used therapeutic antibodies are of the "G" class (i.e., they are IgGs). These classes can be further divided. For example, IgG antibodies are further divided into the isotypes IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4. The crystal structure of the human IgG Fc region has been determined (Deisenhofer, Biochemistry 20:2361-2370, 1981; for an illustration of the Fc region see FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,242,195).
The Fc region mediates effector functions that have been divided into two categories. In the first are the functions that occur independently of antigen binding; these functions confer persistence in the circulation and the ability to be transferred across cellular barriers by transcytosis (see Ward and Ghetie, Therapeutic Immunology 2:77-94, 1995). In the second are the functions that operate after an antibody binds an antigen; these functions involve the participation of the complement cascade or Fc receptor (FcR)-bearing cells. FcRs are specialized cell surface receptors on hematopoietic cells that mediate both the removal of antibody-coated pathogens by phagocytosis of immune complexes, and the lysis of erythrocytes and various other cellular targets (e.g. tumor cells) coated with the corresponding antibody. Lysis occurs via antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC; see Van de Winkel and Anderson, J. Leuk. Biol. 49:511-24, 1991). FcRs are defined by their specificity for immunoglobulin isotypes. For example, Fc receptors for IgG antibodies are referred to as FcγR.
Another Fc receptor, FcRn, regulates the serum half-lives of IgGs. Enhancement or diminishment of the half-life of the Fc (or Fc-containing polypeptide) is reflected, respectively, in the increase or decrease of the Fc region affinity for FcRn (neonatal Fc receptor) (Ghetic et al., Nature Biotechnol. 15:637-640, 1997; Kim et. al., Eur. J. Immunol. 24:542-548, 1994; Della'Acqua et al. (J. Immunol. 169:5171-5180, 2002). The correlation of FcRn binding affinity and serum half-life is consistent with its proposed biological role in salvaging an antibody from lysosomal degradation. In addition, FcRn transfers IgGs from mother to fetus.
These apparently diverse roles are mediated by the ability of FcRn to transport bound IgG within and across cells. It is thought that antibodies are normally internalized from circulation by endothelial cells and are targeted to the acidic endosomes and lysosomes of the cells for degradation. FcRn is capable of binding the Fc region of an antibody at the acidic pH of an endosome (<6.5), fusing with the endothelial cell membrane, and releasing the antibody at the neutral pH of the bloodstream (>7.4), thereby salvaging the antibody from destruction. When serum antibody levels decrease, more FcRn molecules are available for IgG binding so that an increased amount of IgG is salvaged. Conversely, if serum IgG levels rise, FcRn becomes saturated, thereby increasing the proportion of antibody that is internalized and degraded (Ghetie and Ward, Annu. Rev. Immunol., (2000), 18: 739-66). Consistent with the above model, an altered polypeptide is predicted to have a longer half-life if its binding affinity for a neonatal Fc receptor is increased. Conversely, the altered polypeptide is predicted to have a shorter half-life it its binding affinity for a neonatal Fc receptor is decreased.
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have now been used to treat disease in human patients (King and Adair, Curr. Opin. Drug Discovery Dev. 2:110-117, 1999; Vaswani and Hamilton, Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. 81:105-119, 1998; and Hollinger and Hoogenboom, Nature Biotechnol. 16:1015-1016, 1998). This is not to say that present antibody-based therapies have been entirely successful; in some instances, the limited circulation time and/or low bioavailability of a therapeutic results in a relatively low percentage of patients that exhibit a complete response to an antibody-based therapeutics, or in other cases toxicity due to prolonged circulatory half-life or exposure of non-target tissue may preclude use of the antibody as a therapy.
Accordingly, there is a need for antibodies (and other Fc-containing polypeptides such as fusion proteins) where the antigen-independent effector functions are tailored for the intended use of the antibody. Similarly, there is a need for methods that would allow for prediction of changes in antibody sequence which will alter the antigen-independent effector functions (thus obviating the need to rely on laborious trial-and-error processes). In some cases, it may be desirable to increase the half-life of the antibody. For example, protein therapeutics with an increased half-life in the blood have the advantage of concurrently decreasing the periodic dosing of the drug or alternatively to decrease the dose of the drug. Such antibodies also have the advantage of increased exposure to a disease site, e.g. a tumor. Conversely, protein therapeutics with a decreased half-life would be expected to have lower toxicity, while maintaining the efficacy that, is observed with a higher and less tolerable dose of the unaltered drug. Such therapeutics and methods or making them would be of great benefit.

Neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-binding polypeptide variants, dimeric Fc binding proteins and methods related thereto


Provided are a graphene wire, a cable to which the graphene wire is applied, and a method of manufacturing the graphene wire. The graphene wire includes a catalytic metal wire and a graphene layer coated on a surface of the catalytic metal wire, and the catalytic metal wire includes a stranded cable in which at least two core wires are twisted around each other.

Graphene is a material in which carbon atoms are arranged two-dimensionally. Graphene has very high electrical conductivity because electric charges act as zero effective mass particles therein, and also has high thermal conductivity and elasticity. Also, it has been reported that graphene is advantageous for transmitting radio frequency signals without the influence of noise, even in a narrow line width.
Graphene may be fabricated in the form of a wire, as well as in a flat plate form, and may be applied to wires of a circuit board that is essentially installed in electric and electronic devices, transparent displays, flexible displays, acoustic devices, etc.

Graphene wire, cable employing the same, and method of manufacturing the same


An adaptive band-pass filter for a wireless receiver comprises a band-pass filter associated with the receiver, the band-pass filter configured to selectively filter the received signal, and a switch responsive to a control signal, the switch configured to control the band-pass filter based on a level of the received signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to receiver circuit architecture in a wireless portable communication device. More particularly, the invention relates to a selectively switching a band-pass filter in a wireless receiver.
2. Related Art
With the increasing availability of efficient, low cost electronic modules, mobile communication systems are becoming more and more widespread. For example, there are many variations of communication schemes in which various frequencies, transmission schemes, modulation techniques and communication protocols are used to provide two-way voice and data communications in a handheld, telephone-like communication handset. The different modulation and transmission schemes each have advantages and disadvantages.
As these mobile communication systems have been developed and deployed, many different standards, to which these systems must conform, have evolved. For example, in the United States, third generation portable communications systems comply with the IS-136 standard, which requires the use of a particular modulation scheme and access format. In the case of IS-136, the modulation scheme can be 8-quadrature phase shift keying (8QPSK), offset π/4 differential quadrature phase shift keying (π/4-DQPSK) or variations thereof and the access format is TDMA.
In Europe, the global system for mobile communications (GSM) standard requires the use of the gaussian minimum shift keying (GMSK) modulation scheme in a narrow band TDMA access environment, which uses a constant envelope modulation methodology.
Furthermore, in a typical GSM mobile communication system using narrow band TDMA technology, a GMSK modulation scheme supplies a very low noise phase modulated (PM) transmit signal to a non-linear power amplifier directly from an oscillator. In such an arrangement, a non-linear power amplifier, which is highly efficient, can be used thus allowing efficient modulation of the phase-modulated signal and minimizing power consumption. Because the modulated signal is supplied directly from an oscillator, the need for filtering, either before or after the power amplifier, is minimized. Further, the output in a GSM transceiver is a constant envelope (i.e., a non time-varying signal containing only a phase modulated (PM) signal) modulation signal.
One of the advances in portable communication technology is the move toward the implementation of a low intermediate frequency (IF) receiver and a direct conversion receiver (DCR). A low IF receiver converts a radio frequency (RF) signal to an intermediate frequency that is lower than the IF of a convention receiver. A direct conversion receiver downconverts a radio frequency (RF) received signal directly to baseband (DC) without first converting the RF signal to an intermediate frequency (IF). One of the benefits of a direct conversion receiver is the elimination of costly filter components used in systems that employ an intermediate frequency conversion. For example, in a conventional code division multiple access (CDMA) communication system, one or more surface acoustic wave (SAW) filters are implemented to aid in converting the RF signal to an IF signal. To further complicate the circuitry, these SAW filters are typically located on a different device (i.e., "off-chip") than many of the receiver components.
A low IF or a direct conversion receiver allows the filter components to be implemented using electronic circuitry that can be located on the same device (i.e., "on-chip") as many of the receiver components. In a direct conversion receiver implementation, high-order (e.g., fifth-order or higher) active filters are used to convert the received signal from RF to DC. Unfortunately, because the filters are implemented using electronic circuitry on the same chip as the receiver components, the filter adds significant noise to the received signal. The added noise reduces the sensitivity of the receiver, thereby making such an active filter challenging to implement. Furthermore, because a band-pass filter is the first element in the receive chain of a wireless receiver, its loss adds directly to the noise figure of the receiver.
A band-pass filter is desirable for attenuating unwanted "out-of-band" signals that may interfere with the reception of the desired signal. However, the probability of a blocking signal appearing at the desired frequency is rather low. Oftentimes, the band-pass filter is not needed in the receive chain either because there is no blocking signal, or because the receive signal is of sufficient strength to negate the usefulness of the band-pass filter. Unfortunately, the band-pass filter is always present, thus contributing to a degradation of receiver sensitivity, regardless of whether the band-pass filter is needed.
Therefore, it would be desirable to minimize the amount of noise contributed to a received signal by a band-pass filter, while maximizing receiver sensitivity.

System for adaptively filtering a received signal in a wireless receiver


A display device and organic light-emitting display device, the display device including a substrate; a first line on the substrate; a first pad electrically connected to the first line, the first pad being on a same layer as the first line; a second line on another layer different from the layer on which the first line is formed, an insulation layer being interposed between the first line and the second line; a second pad on a same layer as the first pad; and a connection part electrically connecting the second line and the second pad.

1. Field
The embodiments relate to a display device and organic light-emitting display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, display devices have been replaced by portable thin flat panel display devices. Examples of flat panel display devices include a liquid crystal display device, as a light-receiving type display device, and an organic light-emitting display device and a plasma display device, as a light-emitting type display device.

Display device and organic light-emitting display device having connection part for electronically connecting different levels of conductors


A network manager begins to integrate optical crossconnect functionality in an optical packet switching apparatus by transmitting a request to a resource management mechanism for allocation for an output port with respect to an input port in an optical switching matrix. The resource management mechanism then queries a port availability database to determine the availability of the requested output port. If an output port is available, the resource management mechanism then reserves the requested output port. The resource management mechanism then transmits mapping information for an optical path between the input port and the reserved output port to an optical switch control mechanism. The optical switch control mechanism then creates the optical path between the said input port the reserved output port. Finally, the optical switch control mechanism informs the resource management mechanism that the optical path is established.

The present invention relates generally to optical network systems, and more particularly to a system and method for integrating optical crossconnect functionality in an optical packet switching apparatus.
Data traffic over networks, particularly the internet, has increased dramatically over the past several years, and this trend will continue with the introduction of new services which require more bandwidth. Over time and technological advancements the bandwidth bottleneck kept shifting between the transmission and switching. Now transmission technology has advanced to a level that the routers, which essentially switch packets, have become bottlenecks. The advance of Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) has enabled overcome this transmission bottleneck. The enlarged volume of internet traffic requires a network with high transmission capacity and high capacity routers capable of routing data packets at a very high rate. One option is to use all-optical routers.
Advances in optical component technology had made it possible to make optical switching elements such as a Semiconductor Optical Amplifier (SOA) that would be electrically controlled to switch at nano-second response range. So a switching matrix made of a number of SOAs and controlled by routing protocols and a resource management software or hardware will enable all optical routers to act as a synchronous or asynchronous fixed or variable length packet switching apparatus.
One approach called burst switching attempts to make the best use of optical switching and electronic/software router technologies. It becomes feasible to implement an all-optical packet switching apparatus using burst switching technique. It creates a burst switched network with conventional packet switching devices such as routers with a special function at the ingress and egress points (edge) of this burst switched network. The special function to be performed by the edge packet switching devices would be assembly of multiple packets into one payload and send it into the burst switching network as a burst. Similarly they would unassemble packets in an incoming burst payload and send them as conventional packets outside of the burst switched network. When it is in the process of assembling bursts into a payload it would already have sent a header to the appropriate all-optical packet switch through which all the packets assembled into the payload has to pass through. The header would contain information about the contents, the arrival port and the destination port(s), the length of the burst payload etc. The all-optical packet switching device would receive this header and process it electronically and keep the switching matrix ready for an interval of time to allow the corresponding payload that would follow later at a known time instance to switch over to the right exit port.
Optical crossconnects on the other hand are not restricted to packets. They are devices that just make interconnections between an input port and output port to facilitate the establishment of light paths between devices connected to these two ports. They do not examine the packets that pass through them nor do they switch individual packets. Optical crossconnects are primarily used to establish steady optical paths between two circuit switching or packet switching devices. They also use a optical switching matrix to establish this connectivity. Currently, optical packet switching devices and optical crossconnects are two physically separate systems having separate switching hardware and software with possible interoperable ports for interconnection.
The present invention provides an optical network that substantially eliminates or reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed optical networks used for switching data.
More specifically, the present invention provides a method for integrating optical crossconnect functionality in an optical packet switching apparatus. To integrate optical crossconnect functionality in an optical packet switching apparatus, a network manager begins by transmitting a request to a resource management mechanism for allocation for an output port with respect to an input port in an optical switching matrix. The resource management mechanism then queries a port availability database to determine the availability of the requested output port. If an output port is available, the resource management mechanism then reserves the requested output port. The resource management mechanism then transmits mapping information for an optical path between the input port and the reserved output port to an optical switch control mechanism. The optical switch control mechanism then creates the optical path between the said input port the reserved output port. Next, the optical switch control mechanism then informs the resource management mechanism that the optical path is established.
The present invention provides an important technical advantage by providing a method for integrating optical crossconnect and packet switching functionality in a single optical packet switching apparatus, thus reducing the number of components and cost.
The present invention provides another technical advantage by providing an optical packet switching apparatus with optical crossconnect function which works for any fixed length, variable length, synchronous, or asynchronous optical packet.

Integration of all-optical crossconnect functionality in an optical packet switching apparatus


A light emitting diode module includes a metal substrate, a main circuit, an adapter circuit board, an adapter circuit and a plurality of light emitting diodes, and the main circuit is installed on the metal substrate and includes a plurality of first power points, an adapter circuit installed on the adapter circuit board and including a plurality of second power points, each being electrically coupled to each corresponding first power point, and the light emitting diode is installed on a surface of the metal substrate and electrically coupled to the main circuit. A light emitting diode lamp includes a reflection cover, a light emitting diode module and a plurality of power lines.

Heat dissipation is a major issue of light emitting diodes applied in illumination lamps, and aluminum-substrate printed circuits are generally used as a solution to overcome the heat dissipation problem of the light emitting diodes, and thus the aluminum-substrate printed circuits gradually replace the materials of conventional printed circuit boards (such as the FR4 fiberglass boards). However, the application of the aluminum substrates creates another problem. When a power line of the lamps is soldered onto the aluminum substrate, the heat energy provided for the melting and soldering processes will be conducted through the aluminum substrate quickly, thus making the soldering process uneasy. A present solution is to solder a connector onto the aluminum substrate by a surface mount technology (SMT) method, and then insert and connect the power line to the connector. This method incurs an additional cost of the connector, and also forms shadows in the light source since the connector has a larger volume than the light emitting diode.