This invention provides, in an easy manner, a film-like moulded article which shows a selective reflection of a wavelength and circularly polarized light. A suitable environment for formation of a liquid crystalline phase is prepared by forming a moulded article (thin film-like moulded article) using a cellulose derivative which can form the liquid crystalline phase (e.g. a water-insoluble cellulose derivative such as ethyl cellulose), and allowing the moulded article to absorb a highly volatile organic solvent by contact with its vapour. After formation of the liquid crystalline phase, removal of the organic solvent provides the object moulded article. The thin film-like moulded article can be employed for an optical element of a circular polarized light-generator or a decoration material.

It has been known that cellulose derivatives inclusive of hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and cellulose triphenylcarbamate form a chiral nematic (cholesteric) liquid crystalline phase by being dissolved in a proper solvent under appropriate conditions, e.g. temperature, concentration. The chiral nematic liquid crystalline phase has a structure where sheet-like nematic liquid crystal phases are piled helicoidally, with each rotating in the direction of orientation. The chiral nematic liquid crystalline phase shows a specific optical properties: the phase selectively reflects circularly-polarized light which corresponds to the orientation direction of a sheet-like nematic liquid crystal. In this selective reflection, the chiral nematic liquid crystal reflects, at the maximum, the wavelength which corresponds to the product of the cycle (pitch) at which the orientation of the sheet-like nematic liquid crystal rotates in 360 degrees and the average refraction index of the liquid crystal phase. It is reported in detail, for example, that such a selective reflection of the chiral nematic liquid crystal is useful for laser systems as a part of a circularly polarized light-generator [see, for instance, Jacobs, Journal of Fusion Energy, 5(1), 65-75 (1986)]. If the wavelength of the selective reflction by the chiral nematic liquid crystal lies within a visible light region, the chiral nematic liquid crystal develops a beautiful colour, thus being useful for applications as decorative materials.
However, formation of the chiral nematic liquid crystal is strictly governed by the conditions such as temperature and concentration. Besides, the chiral nematic liquid crystal has to be enclosed or sealed between glass plates in a liquid state. For these reasons and others, the chiral nematic liquid crystal has limited applications and scarcely used on an industrial basis.
To find a solution to this problem, attempts have been made to give a solid structure to the chiral nematic liquid crystalline phase by solidifying a polymer solution containing the chiral nematic crystalline phase. Charlet and Gray prepared a film which selectively reflects right-circularly polarized light by removing water from an HPC aqueous solution [Macro-molecules, 20, 33-38 (1987)]. However, its reflection intensity is about 0.8 to 1.5 relative to 20 to 30 .mu.m film thickness, in terms of the absolute value of ellipticity of the circular dichroism spectrum as the index. Such a reflection intensity is unsatisfactory in practice. Besides, since HPC is soluble in water, its applications or the manner of its use is limited.
Charlet and Gray reported three process for a film preparation which shows a selectivity in reflection: (i) a method comprising removing a solvent from an isotropic solution of hydroxypropyl cellulose; (ii) a method which comprises putting a liquid crystal solution of hydroxypropyl cellulose between glass plates, forming a liquid crystal phase by sliding or shifting one of the glass plates, keeping the phase under its own vapour pressure for a few minutes to eliminate the orientation by shearing, and thereafter removing the solvent; and (iii) a method which comprises putting the HPC solution between porous materials and removing the solvent.
Nevertheless, the above methods cannot provide a solid film which has reflection selectivity, in the case of the chiral nematic liquid crystal system composed of a number of cellulose derivatives (e.g. halogenated hydrocarbon solutions of ethylcellulose, phenol solutions, or organic acid solutions). This is presumably because of imperfect formation of liquid crystal structure, deviation of the wavelength of the selective reflection from a visible light region, or deformation of the liquid crystal structure due to the shearing forced generated during preparation. Although this report mentions that the pitch of the liquid crystalline phase in the solid product depends on the drying rate of the solvent, no methods are suggested for preparation of a selectively reflective film. As a matter of fact, it is very rare, even counting the report of Charlet et al., that a film with reflection selectivity is prepared from cellulose derivatives by a so-called casting method, i.e., a method of removing a solvent from a polymer solution. In general, it is very hard to achieve a successful preparation of a reflection-selective film by the casting method.
Suto et al. prepared a film which shows positive circular dichroism at 200 to 300 nm by thermal compression moulding ethyl cellulose with degree of substitution (DS) of 2.67, or by removing a solvent from an m-cresol solution of the ethyl cellulose in a normal laboratory atmosphere [J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 61, 1621 (1996)]. However, the product has a short wavelength of the selective reflection, exhibiting no selective reflection in a visible light region. Suto et al. do not state any method for controlling the wavelength of the selective reflection of the products. Further, the selective reflection intensity is unclear, as they fail to indicate the unit of the circular dichroism spectrum.
Watanabe et al. prepared a film which selectively reflects left-circularly polarized light by the casting method from a polyglutamic acid derivative which forms the chiral nematic liquid crystal [Polymer Journal, 9(3), 337-440(1977)]. The intensity of the selective reflection is unknown because of a lack of quantitive descriptions. It should be borne in mind that the polymer (polyglutamic acid derivative) is either hard to obtain or expensive. This literature mentions the influence of a solvent or a solvent mixture on the wavelength of selective reflection of a film. Nevertheless, no methods are disclosed as to the preparation of a selectively reflective film.

Selectively reflective polymer moulded article and a process for producing the same


A motorized jigging device that can be used with conventional fishing rods and reels. It has a drive wheel attached to a spool-shaped eccentric unit by a pivotal attachment. The eccentric unit supports the handle of a fishing rod. The eccentric unit can be pivotally offset from the drive wheel to travel in a circular path producing a jigging movement as the rod pivots vertically on a fulcrum support. Speed is adjustable by the variable speed motor, and the amplitude of the jigging movement can be easily adjusted by simply pivoting the eccentric unit attached to the drive wheel. It is very simple and can be easily used by fishermen of all ages and abilities. It can have a remote controller to operate the device, including switching the device on and off, adjusting the speed, and setting the duration of the on and off periods of the repeating jigging cycles.

Fishermen use a wide selection of complex equipment and tactics to simulate the action of live bait with their lures. They frequently choose a method of fishing that involves imparting a continuous or intermittent jigging action to a lure to attract fish. Depending upon the mood of the fish, as well as various other conditions, jigging has often proven to be a successful method of angling. Fishermen typically hold the rod in their hand and move it in various patterns to produce numerous types of movement to the lure. However, over a long period of time, this method can become tedious or boring, or it may be difficult for the elderly or disabled. A fisherman may not want to hold the fishing rod or continue to jiggle the rod constantly. In addition, the fishing regulations may allow more than one fishing line to be used by the angler. It is even more challenging to manipulate two lines simultaneously. It may be desirable to manipulate one line manually while using an automatic jigging device for another fishing rod.
For these reasons, at times, it may be desirable to have an automatic jigging device to provide the jigging motion to the fishing rod or to the fishing line. Various methods have been developed to support a fishing rod and, at the same time, provide vibration or repetitive motion to the fishing rod or directly to the fishing line itself. A number of motorized devices have been devised to automatically jig a fishing rod and/or line. These devices include attaching a vibration unit to the rod, cycling the rod vertically while supported on a rotating cam, or repeatedly deflecting the line with a rotating eccentric wheel. These mechanisms may interfere with extracting the rod from the device, quickly setting the hook, and reeling in the line. It can also be difficult to quickly and easily remove the fishing rod from the rod holder when a fish strikes the lure. They may be cumbersome, complex, and difficult to use. Some of these inventions include loose or interchangeable parts which can easily become lost or misplaced. Additionally, these devices typically do not provide a simple method of adjusting the frequency and the range or amplitude of the jigging motion.
Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, easy to use automatic jigging device that overcomes the limitations of those jigging devices of the prior art.
Examples of these inventions are disclosed in the following patents:
A fishing rod holder and jigging assembly is disclosed by Beeler in U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,650, issued on Apr. 2, 2002. In this device the rear support (35) has an oval-shaped opening (36) through which a rear end (37) of the handle portion (12) of the fishing rod (10) can be inserted. This arrangement would result in some impediment to quickly and easily extract the fishing rod to set the hook and reel in the line when a fish bites. Also, the fishing line is routed through guide member (67). This would slow the removal of the rod. The fishing line striker (61) engages the fishing line with each rotation of drive wheel (60). This repetitive action would cause undue wear on the line at the point where the striker strikes the line. In addition, the method of changing the location of the threaded guide member (67) in order to change the jigging movement would be a cumbersome process.
An automatic jigging device for a fishing rod is disclosed by Knepp in U.S. Pat. No. 6,009,656, issued on Jan. 4, 2000. Knepp provides a holder (16) that is a cylindrical sleeve to hold the handle (18) of the fishing rod (12). This sleeve would prevent quick and easy access to extract the rod when a fish bites. The rod could only be removed by the fisherman by pulling it in a longitudinal direction out of the sleeve. The device also utilizes a plurality of interchangeable elliptical cams (22) of various configurations which must be exchanged whenever the fisherman chooses to change the range of the jigging motion of the rod. Also, the cantilever positioning of the rod would necessitate the base support (14) being very securely anchored which would interfere with frequent relocation of the device. The invention is rather complex with a number of moving parts.
A programmable fish line jiggler is disclosed by Tiede in U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,939, issued on Feb. 24, 1981. The Tilde programmable device includes a supply of interchangeable pins (29) to be arranged on wheel (22) by the fisherman to select the pattern of the various individual jigging movements during each revolution of the wheel. This results in a complex jigging action with many small amplitudes of movement with each revolution of the wheel. The disadvantage is that amplitudes of movement are small with the maximum amplitude of movement at the wheel location limited to the radius dimension of the wheel. So the wheel diameter must be rather large in order to provide for much change in amplitude by changing pin locations. In addition, the number of pins constitutes loose parts which can easily become lost or misplaced. Another disadvantage of the invention is that clamp member (17) extends around the rod handle (14). This arrangement would interfere with the fisherman's ability to readily remove the fishing rod to set the hook when a fish bites.
The present invention mitigates and/or obviates the afore-described disadvantages of existing measures to provide a simple, convenient, effective motorized jigging devise that can be used by fisherman of all ages and abilities.


A control system for canceling load unbalance of a three-phase circuit includes phase current detectors for detecting phase currents caused to flow through a secondary circuit of a current transformer provided in high voltage distribution lines, respectively, phase change-over switches through which phases of the high voltage distribution lines, and primary sides of distribution transformers provided across high and low voltage distribution lines are connected to each other, a control center for, when a magnitude of a zero-phase current detected by the zero-phase current detector is larger than a predetermined value, on the basis of the phase currents, respectively, out putting a control signal so that the load of the phase having a maximum current appearing therein is changed over to the phase having a minimum current recognized therein, and a phase change-over slave station for controlling the phase change-over for the phase change-over switches in accordance with the control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a control system for canceling load unbalance of a three-phase circuit which is capable of preventing malfunction of an over-current grounding relay (OCGR) due to load unbalance in multiple direct grounding series distribution lines.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional closed circuit protector for a secondary side circuit of a current transformer receives as its input a secondary current of the current transformer to compare the secondary current thus inputted thereto with a predetermined current value within the closed circuit protector to thereby detect that a secondary circuit of the current transformer has been disconnected or opened, to form a closed circuit in the form of a short-circuit (refer to a page 1 and FIG. 1 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-205998, for example).
The conventional device as described above has no function of comparing loads of phases A, B and C with one another to line these loads up in the order of decreasing load to thereby change a part of the load of the phase having a maximum current over to the load of the phase having a minimum current. Hence, there is a problem in that an over-current grounding relay (OCGR) undergoes malfunction due to load unbalance.

Control system for canceling load unbalance of three-phase circuit


Brown stock washing of wood pulp is improved by adding a water-soluble cationic polymer to the wash water. The cationic polymer reacts with lignin solution present in the larger channels in the pulp mat to give a precipitate which lowers the flow rate of wash water through the larger channels. A more efficient wash water usage is obtained.

In the formation of wood pulp from which paper is made, one commonly-employed procedure involves chemical treatment of wood chips to dissolve lignin and free the cellulosic fibres from the wood chips in a digestion operation, such as by the Kraft process. The resulting slurry of wood fibres in spent digestion chemicals, or black liquor, then is passed to a brown stock washing operation wherein the pulp is washed to remove the black liquor, which contains a variety of sodium salts and lignin. The washed pulp then usually is passed to a bleach plant wherein the pulp is bleached and further purified to provide the desired product.
It is desirable to remove the black liquor as efficiently as possible from the pulp in the brown stock washing operation, so as to minimize the chemical requirements of the bleach plant. At the same time, it is desirable to minimize the volume of wash water employed, so as to minimize dilution of the black liquor as it passes to the pulp mill recovery system, which typically involves an initial evaporation operation. The greater the dilution of the black liquor, the greater is the evaporative heat and hence the energy requirement of the evaporation operation.
Brown stock washing generally is carried out by a displacement washing operation wherein a screened drum (typically 15 feet in diameter and 16 feet long) rotates about a horizontal axis through the pulp slurry to pick up a mat of the slurry on its screened surface and then showers of wash water are applied to the outer surface of the mat to displace the black liquor from the pulp mat through the screen into the interior of the drum, usually with the assistance of vacuum applied internally of the drum. The brown stock washing operation generally comprises a plurality, typically three or four, of such displacement washing operations, with wash water flowing countercurrent to the pulp between the individual displacement washing operations and the pulp mat being repulped between the individual pulping operations.
The volume of wash water required to displace a unit volume of liquor entrained in the pulp determines the efficiency of the displacement washing operation. If a single unit volume of wash water is required, then the washing is 100% efficient. However, pulp mill displacement washing operations never attain such efficiency levels, for example, four times the volume of wash water is required to achieve a 75% washing efficiency.
This inefficient use of wash water arises from a phenomenon known as "Channelling", whereby channels for wash water flow are formed through the pulp mat during displacement washing, so that the wash water tends to try to flow through the channels, rather than uniformly through the pulp mat, the channels providing the lesser resistance to wash water flow. As a consequence, some of the liquor trapped inside the fibres is not displaced by wash water during the washing operation.
This phenomenon is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,164 and in an article in Tappi Journal, November 1984, pp. 100 to 103. The solution to the channelling problem which is suggested in this prior art is to alter the rheological properties of the wash water, so that the mobility of the wash water is decreased. In particular, the prior art describes the addition of polymers that affect the permeability of the wash water with respect to the pulp mat, when the wash water begins to penetrate a region of high permeability in the pulp mat (i.e. a channel), the region becomes filled with the wash water which has a lover mobility than the solution to be displaced and, in this way, the channeling penetration in retarded and a reduction in wash water requirements is realized. U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,328 similarly discloses compositions including anionic polymers.


A computer implemented method of a network connected data storage system, the method including receiving, via the network, and storing a data set including a plurality of data items encrypted using an index-based searchable encryption scheme, wherein the searchable encryption scheme has associated a server index and a client index; receiving, via the network, and storing a set of hashed information for each of a plurality of queries of the data set, each item of hashed information including a hash of a query and a hash of an expected result of executing the query using the server index; receiving, via the network, a query from a data requester to retrieve a set of data items from the data store and a hash of an expected result of executing the received query using the server index; generating a result of the received query for the data set based on the server index; and responsive to a comparison of a hash of the generated result, the received hash of the expected result, and the hashes of expected results in the set of hashed information, granting access for the requester to the data set.

Cloud data storage facilities come with associated trust concerns in view of uncertainty over the security and reliability of the security services available to protect data. Accordingly, it is typical for data to be encrypted for storage in the cloud, though this imposes a burden on consuming clients wishing to search the data in that the data must be entirely decrypted before it can be effectively searched. This will be the case whether the encryption is performed on a data, application, database or disk level.
A drawback of data encryption is that it can be necessary to decrypt an entire data store in order to search the data.

Systems and methods for data access authentication using searchable encryption

British Telecommunications Public Limited Company


A Generalized-Multi-Protocol Label Switching controlled network is described, as is a method for managing services in the network under conditions of disrupted control plane connectivity. Nodes of the network use a Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering extension, RSVP-TE, to allocate and provision resources of the network. Each of the nodes is adapted to evaluate local RSVP Path or Resv state data after having sent at least one signaling message to a receiving neighboring node without receipt of an acknowledgement message from said receiving node within a configurable time to determine an IP address of a node being located after the non-responsive receiving node along a service path of a service in a downstream or upstream direction. Each node is adapted to send the signaling message to the determined IP address of the next node located behind the non-responsive receiving node along the service path.

The invention relates to a Generalized-Multi-Protocol Label Switching, GMPLS, controlled network and in particular to enhancements to the GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol for managing transport services under conditions of disrupted control plane connectivity.
The Generalized-Multi-Protocol Label Switching, GMPLS, is a protocol suite extending MPLS to manage further classes of interfaces for switching technologies other than packet interfaces and switching such as time division multiplex, layer 2 switch, wavelength switch and fiber switch. The Generalized MPLS differs from the traditional MPLS in that it supports multiple types of switching. Generalized-Multi-Protocol Label Switching, GMPLS, can, for example, form a control plane of a wavelength switched optical network. Currently, the GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol is widely deployed in GMPLS control transport networks. The GMPLS is composed of three main protocols comprising the Resource Reservation Protocol with Traffic Engineering extensions RSVP-TE signalling protocol, an Open Shortest Path First with Traffic Engineering extensions OSPF-TE routing protocol and the Link Management Protocol LMP. The Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering RSVP-TE protocol is an extension of the Resource Reservation Protocol RSVP for Traffic Engineering. It supports the reservation of resource across an IP network. The RSVP-TE protocol is detailed in IETF RFC3209 updated by RFC5151 and generally allows the establishment of MPLS Label Switching Paths (LSPs) taking into consideration network constraint parameters such as available bandwidth and explicit path specification. The GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol (RFC3473) is deployed in GMPLS controlled transport networks. The RSVP-TE protocol works well on IP/MPLS networks. However, on transport networks, the RSVP-TE protocol poses some operational disadvantages when used for dynamic service provisioning in the network.
The GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol is a soft state hop-by-hop protocol. When a service controlled by the GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol needs to be manipulated, for example, set up or torn down, a signalling message is initiated on the service ingress node of the service and forwarded hop-by-hop via transit nodes from the service path to the egress node of the respective service. At the service egress node the message flow is reversed and the message is forwarded back also hop-by-hop via the transit nodes to the ingress node as illustrated in FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIG. 1 the signalling message such as the shown Path message is sent from the ingress node of the service to the egress node and then Resv message is sent back from the egress node to the ingress node of the service. The Path message traverses from the ingress node to the egress node whereas the Resv messages traverse from the egress node to the ingress node. The signalling message (Path or Resv) is processed on a node before it is forwarded by the node along the service path to the next neighbouring node. When the signalling message flow completes the loop back to the ingress node and has been processed by the ingress node, the operation is completed and the management plane of the network is notified about the completion status of the service comprising a success status or a failure status.
At times, when the service does not experience any changes or modifications, all nodes involved in the respective service send and receive periodic Path and Resv refreshes as illustrated by FIG. 2. These periodic refreshes comprise a Path message with unmodified content to the downstream neighbouring node towards the egress node or a Resv message which with unmodified content to the upstream neighbouring node towards the ingress node along the service path. These refreshes according to the protocol mean to say that as far as the node having sent the message is concerned, the service is alive, unmodified and functioning.
FIG. 2 illustrates the GMPLS RSVP-TE refreshing process between an upstream node and a downstream node along the signal path of the service. The downstream refresh messages sent by the upstream node to the downstream node refresh the Path state whereas the upstream refresh messages sent by the downstream node to the upstream node refresh the Resv state of the service. The refresh messages are sent regularly, for instance, every 30 seconds.
FIG. 3 illustrates a situation where a disrupted control plane connectivity in a network using a conventional GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol has occurred. In the shown example of FIG. 3 a service controlled by the GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol starts at node A, ends at node E and takes a service path via transit nodes B, C and D. Accordingly, node A forms the ingress node and node E forms the egress node of the respective service. Nodes B, C, D are transit nodes along the signal path of the service. In a situation where the service has been established and a transit node such as node C has stopped functioning, RSVP-TE protocol speaking nodes B and D do quickly detect this fact because they stop receiving signalling refreshes Resv and Path respectively from the failing node C. Node C may fail in the shown example because of a software bug, a hardware failure, a configuration error or a maintenance procedure at node C. Since nodes B, D do not receive refreshes from node C both transit nodes B and D realize that neighbouring node C is inaccessible. The missing refreshes from node C indicate a disruption in the control plane connectivity, in particular the RSVP-TE connectivity. In conventional IP/MPLS networks missing refreshes also automatically mean the disruption in the data plane, i.e. that the respective service has stopped transferring user data. This is because IP/MPLS routers send each other RSVP-TE message "in band", this means that they use the same network resources to transfer control plane messages and user data thus having a 100% fate sharing. Therefore, a situation such as shown in FIG. 3 does not present a problem on a conventional IP/MPLS network. In such an IP/MPLS network the neighbouring nodes B and D at the failed node C simply initiate a disfunctional service release in both directions. Node D does tear down the tail of the service by issuing a PathTear message in downstream direction towards the egress node E, while node B does tear down the service head by triggering a PathErr flow in the upstream direction towards the ingress node A. As soon as the PathErr message is processed on the service ingress node A, the management plane and the operator are notified about the service release and the reason as to why this service release was necessary. In contrast, on a transport layer network, such as a WDM network, the situation such as shown in FIG. 3 is problematic. The neighbouring nodes B and D do detect missing refreshes from the failed node C and the control plane connectivity disruption. This detected fact does not mean that the service has stopped delivering user traffic. This is because transport network elements deliver RSVP-TE packets "out of band" via a separate Data Communication Network DCN. In fact, probabilistically there is a good chance that the service is still healthy and transferring the user data normally. Therefore, unlike in the case of a conventional IP/MPLS network, the neighbouring nodes B and D of the failed node C in this case are not allowed to tear down the service. Indeed, nodes of conventional GMPLS RSVP-TE implementations do nothing in such a situation except for logging the fact that they have stopped receiving the signalling refreshes from their neighbouring node such as node C as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the conventional GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol provides currently no way for the neighbouring nodes B or D to notify the service ingress node A about the detected disruption in the control plane connectivity with a consequence that this fact will go unnoticed by the operator of the network.
If in such a situation the operator wants, for example/to tear down the service as illustrated in FIG. 4 this would be problematic. A tear down of the service is done by triggering a PathTear message from the service ingress node A. The PathTear message would be propagated only as far as node B, where, after several attempts to send it to the non-responsive node C, node B would give up and stop, leaving the respective service in a state where the head segment, i.e. nodes A and B, is released while the tail segment, i.e. nodes C-D-E, is strayed. Again, the conventional GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol used in transport networks currently provides no way to notify the service ingress node A about the fact that the service release has not been fully completed, hence this fact will also go unnoticed. If in such a situation the operator of the network tries to set up a new service starting possibly from a different ingress node that relies on some of the strayed resources, i.e. tail segment D-E, this attempt will fail. Even after the non-responsive node C comes up back into service, no automatic release of the strayed resources is performed. Because the service head segment, i.e. nodes A, B has been removed, node C does not receive any Path refreshes for the service from node B. However, node C does not have any information as to why these refreshes are missing. It may be that the service is active but node B is currently down or the Path message is lost because of some DCN problems. Therefore, no automatic release of the service will be attempted.
As shown in FIG. 4 if the control plane connectivity between node B and C and between node C and D is disrupted, modify messages and teardown messages cannot traverse beyond node B as explained above. Accordingly, networks using a conventional GMPLS RSVP-TE protocol can face serious operational problems under conditions of disrupted control plane connectivity. These operational problems are complex and difficult to understand for the operator of the network. Moreover, these operational problems caused by disrupted control plane connectivity are not easy to fix because they require some lengthy in-depth investigation by a highly qualified personnel and a manual cleanup that is also prone to configuration errors.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for a network which overcomes the above-mentioned problems caused by a disrupted control plane connectivity.

Method for managing services in a generalized-multi-protocol label switching, GMPLS, controlled network


Two variable frequency, fixed bandwidth bandpass 10, 410 are cascaded to form a bandpass filter with variable center frequency and variable bandpass. Each filter 10, 410 includes first (16, 416) and second (24, 424) mixers separated by a fixed bandpass filter (20, 420). Each mixer includes a control input terminal 30, 32: 430, 432 which receives a control signal (f.sub.LO, f.sub.OFF). The center frequency of the filter arrangement is controlled by the frequency of control signal f.sub.LO, and the bandwidth is controlled by the difference frequency between f.sub.LO and f.sub.OFF. A tracking arrangement 456 allows direct control of the bandpass by control of the frequency of an offset oscillator 458.

This invention relates to electronic filters of the bandpass type, and more particularly to bandpass filters in which the center frequency and the bandpass are controllable.
Electronic signal filters are ubiquitous in modern equipments, taking on innumerable low pass, bandpass and high pass configurations. The physical implementations change with advances in technology. Filters at 455 KHz for AM radios were at one time considered to be at a relatively high frequency, and were implemented using then advanced techniques. At the current state of the art, such filters are well within the "low" frequency range, and may be implemented in a variety of now-conventional manners.
For some purposes, as for example for spectrum analysis, or for system reconfiguration in communication satellites, it may be desirable to have filters in which the cutoff frequency of frequencies are adjustable, and also in which the bandwidth or bandpass is adjustable. At one time, such adjustments could be made only by mechanical tuning, using screw-mounted slugs and the like. Control speed, reliability and simplicity are enhanced by filters which are adjustable in frequency and passband by electronic signals.


A power window system for a four window vehicle has a console module positioned proximate the front seats of the vehicle, which console module has operating switches for the front windows and a mode selection switch thereon. The rear windows are normally operated by a pair of rear window operating switches disposed proximate the rear windows. When the mode selection switch is in the first position, front operating switches operate the front windows and the rear operating switches operate the rear windows. When the mode selection switch is in the second position, the rear operating switches are disabled and the front operating switches operate only the front windows. When the mode selection switch is in the third position, the front operating switches operate only the rear windows. An array of indicator lights is provided on the module to indicate which switches are active and what function they perform.

Most four door vehicles with electrically operated power windows have a control module proximate the driver's seat. The module may be located between two front seats in a five passenger vehicle or on the driver's side door of a six passenger vehicle. In currently used configurations, the module includes a separate rocker or pushbutton switch for each window so that there are four rocker switches thereon. In addition to the rocker switches, the module usually includes a locking switch providing a feature for locking the passenger windows so that children in the back or right front seat cannot operate the windows without the driver unlocking the windows. This results in an array of five switches operable by the driver.
When a driver decides to open or close any window or to lock or unlock the rear windows, it is preferable that this task be as simple as possible.
In addition to the aforedescribed considerations, it is also desirable to decrease the expense of the various systems utilized in an automobile. If the expense of a particular system may be reduced while not compromising desirable qualities of the vehicle, then so much the better. If it is possible to reduce expense while enhancing other qualities of the vehicle, then the reduction in expense is certainly desirable. On way of reducing expense of a system is to reduce the number of components of the system. While this reduction in components may save only a modest amount per vehicle, if thousands of vehicles utilize the improvement, then the savings to the manufacturer and consumer can be significant, especially when combined with other cost reduction measures.

System for controlling power windows of vehicles


A microreactor device (100) comprises a microcircuit (110) defining a reaction microchamber (112) containing a liquid and reaction medium (114), in which a chemical reaction takes place generating the gas (116), and is characterized in that the device (100) is disposed substantially vertically or inclined, defining an upper part (120) and a lower part (130) of the microchamber, and in that means (150) are provided in the upper part (120) of the said microcircuit for the in situ collection and removal of the gas formed during the reaction.

During many types of chemical reactions in a liquid medium, a gas reaction product may be formed, for example: carbon dioxide (CO2) through chemical reactions such as decarboxylation in a Claisen condensation; and nitrogen in the Sandmeyer reaction of diazo compounds or in the Balz-Schiemann reaction, in the production of arylfluorures, or in reactions of isocyanates and thioisocyanates.
Various methods have been proposed for separating and removing gas from the liquid such as, for example:
a) a method of degassing with a separating film or membrane described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,342,092, U.S. 2009/090215 A1, U.S. 2009/208790 A1, U.S. 2009/0162864 A1, U.S. 2009/0143251 or allowing selective passage of either the gas or the liquid;
b) a degassing method using an adsorbent having an absorption capacity for the gas or the liquid, see for example EP 1080771, U.S. 2006/0,249,020;
c) a method of degassing by decompression, see, e.g., WO 2008/155 175, EP 2089131, U.S. 2009/0159537, U.S. 2009/0145167;
d) a method of degassing by heating, for example see TW 2006/19586;
e) a method of degassing by mechanical or inertial methods such as centrifugal separators or by utilizing a cyclone, for example, WO 2007/94727; WO 2009/929022; U.S. 2009/0242481, EP 1068990, U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,749, U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,227, U.S. Pat. No. 3,849,095, U.S. 2009/0100811, U.S. 2009/0050121; and
f) a trapping method, for example EP 2024052, U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,735.
In EP 1527804 and U.S. 2009/090215 A1, the separation of a byproduct gas is carried out continuously in an outer pipe having a portion with a larger section. The device for gas-liquid separation is installed between the units of a multi-step or multi-unit process, in an intermediate section of straight pipe having sufficient length to complete the immediately previous reaction, and which conveys the liquid reaction mixture from the second unit from the first mixing unit while continuously removing gas by-product generated by immediately previous reaction (see FIG. 2 of this document).
In WO 2009/054176, any inert gases and uncondensed vapors are continuously discharged from a condenser through openings made in a central channel, see FIG. 3.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,604,781 B2 discloses microcircuit reaction apparatus capable of separating liquid and gas phases and a method of using the apparatus in which the reactant stream passes through a separation zone 510 that widens before encountering a coalescing element 508 formed for example by fibers or foam (column 11, lines 6-10 of this document). This separation zone, which may contain a separation plate 515 (column 11, lines 9-11), is positioned at the end of the apparatus, before the exit, which constitutes a different technical solution than that of the invention described herein below.
U.S. 2009/0,282,978 discloses a separator for microfluidic multi-phase separations based on membranes, see in particular FIG. 3.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,463 discloses a microfluidic circuit comprising a plurality of microfluidic flow channels which are subdivided, see FIGS. 1-8. This circuit includes a microfluidic structure for separating gas bubbles from a liquid, comprising an extraction chamber in fluid communication with a drainage chamber, the fluid traveling through the extraction chamber to the drainage chamber in a first direction with a system of upper tanks and lower tanks necessitating a complicated design and manufacturing process.

Microreactor device having an essentially vertical or inclined upper portion comprising means for collection and removal of gas formed in situ during a liquid-medium reaction and method


A multi-functional board-type gliding device, which has two end portions spaced at a distance apart from another in the direction of a longitudinal axis and is designed to be split in its longitudinal extension to form gliding part-devices . Several first and second coupling mechanisms are disposed in the direction of longitudinal extension in order to provide a mutual connection between the two gliding part-devices. The two mutually coupled gliding part-devices constitute a first operating mode and in the position separated from one another constitute a second operating mode. In the first operating mode in the coupled position, the two gliding part-devices form a first end portion which defines a first direction of use. In the second operating mode in the position separated from one another, the or the other end portions define a second direction of use opposite the first direction of use.

1. Field of the invention
The invention relates to a multi-functional board-type gliding device, which has end portions spaced at a distance apart from one another in the direction of a longitudinal axis and is designed so that it can be split into gliding part-devices in its longitudinal extension, with several first and second coupling mechanisms disposed in the direction of the longitudinal extension for mutually connecting the two gliding part-devices, and the two mutually coupled gliding part-devices represent a first operating mode whereas they represent a second operating mode when in a position separated from one another, and having binding mechanisms.
2. Prior art
Patent specification CH 681 509 A5 discloses a separable snowboard which can be split longitudinally to form a pair of skis and is provided with means for releasably connecting the two snowboard parts. Provided on the snowboard as part of these connecting means are detachably mountable binding plates with a high bending strength disposed across and beyond its separating gap substantially transversely to its longitudinal extension and essentially on the external face of the snowboard parts. In addition, a respective releasable connection is provided between the binding plates and the two snowboard parts in the vicinity of the separating gap. There is a standard direction of usage for the two different usage modes.
Another snowboard which can be separated in the direction of its longitudinal extension is disclosed in patent specification EP 0 362 782 B2. The snowboard essentially comprises releasable parts disposed parallel and adjacent to one another in the longitudinal direction, which are provided with shoe retaining mechanisms enabling a person using the snowboard to be retained on it. The shoe retaining mechanism can be positioned in at least two positions on the snowboard. One position is essentially oriented in the longitudinal direction with respect to the snowboard and another position is oriented extending essentially transversely thereto. The purpose of the two shoe retaining mechanisms is to hold the two parts of the snowboard together.
Another snowboard designed to be split along its longitudinal axis is disclosed in patent specification DE 197 03 773 A1. The left-hand and right-hand halves of the snowboard are of a symmetrical design and the two halves can be connected and secured relative to one another to form the rigid snowboard by means of transverse locking systems in the front, middle and rear regions. In order to adapt to different snow conditions, an extension element in the form of a middle piece can be inserted between the two halves and fills the gap across the entire length. The two halves and the extension element can be rigidly connected to one another by the same transverse locking systems used to join the two halves only in order to obtain the normal width. Similar interconnecting parts are known from DE 89 03 154 U1 and DE 296 18514 U1.
Other snowboards which can be split are disclosed in patent specifications U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,649,722 A, 5,816,590 A, 5,984,324 A and 6,523,851 B1. In these instances, different coupling mechanisms are used to connect the two halves when separated from one another to form a unit again. All of these separable snowboards operate on the basis of a single direction during use.


The transmission of data is distributed evenly and predictably over a given number of communication channels using a hash function.

Most businesses are run using computer systems that include multiple system components and data that is transmitted among such components over a number of communication channels. In some industries, such as the financial services industry in general, and with respect to electronic security trading platforms in particular, the volume of data that is transmitted is significant. In addition, certain securities may trade and quote in enormously high volumes during certain time periods, causing the channels that carry them to consume a disproportionately large amount of CPU resources. This leads to one thread running much hotter than the others and causes performance bottlenecks. Similar problems are experienced in other industries.


A hybrid integrated circuit device is provided with: a microcomputer, a plurality of peripheral circuit elements, and a non-volatile memory which is positioned adjacent to the microcomputer, all of which are interconnected by a plurality of specified conductive paths; pair of integrated circuit substrates on which is formed the conductive paths and a casing provided with the pair of integrated circuit substrates secured to the upper and lower surfaces of the casing, forming a sealed space between these surfaces. The microcomputer and the peripheral circuit elements are positioned in the sealed space and only the non-volatile memory is positioned in an exposed space. The hybrid integrated circuit device of the present invention has a compact and simple form with a high degree of mounting density as well as superior handling capabilities and reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hybrid integrated circuit device with a built-in microcomputer and, in particular, to a hybrid integrated circuit device provided with a non-volatile memory which feeds data to the microcomputer, and which can be treated as an electronic part which functions independently.
2. Description of the Background Art
An EPROM element with an ultraviolet light irradiation window provided in its surface by which it is possible to erase stored data written on a chip by ultraviolet irradiation and to rewrite into that memory is preferably used in various types of electronic devices. Usually, these EPROM elements are detachably mounted on a printed board for subsequent rewriting. Most of these EPROMs are mounted together with a control- or drive-integrated circuit on a printed board. For electronic devices which must be small and light-weight, a technique known as "chip-on-board" is adopted, wherein a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) chip is directly mounted on a printed board, and after the required wiring is implemented, the IC chip and the wiring section are covered with a synthetic resin. However, in an electronic device for which an EPROM element is required, because it must be possible to erase the stored data by directing ultraviolet light onto the EPROM element, and to rewrite into the element, the chip-on-board technique whereby an EPROM chip is mounted directly on a printed board and covered with a synthetic resin cannot be adopted. For this reason, in an electronic device for which an EPROM element is required, there is no other choice but to use an EPROM element incorporated in a SADIP-type package. This is an obstacle to an small-size, light-weight unit.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an EPROM substrate, which explains the mounting structure of a conventional EPROM element. One part of an EPROM element 74 is shown in section.
A plurality of through-hole terminals 73 and a plurality of male connector terminals 85 made of a conductive material as well as a conductive wire pattern 71 connecting these terminals are formed on the main surface of an insulating substrate 72 made from glass-epoxy resin or other similar material. An external conductive lead 78 of the EPROM element 74 incorporated into a SADIP-type package is inserted through and electrically connected by soldering to the through-hole terminal 73, and is mechanically secured to the insulated substrate 72.
The EPROM element 74 is provided with a ceramic header 75 and a ceramic cap 76. The external conductive lead 78 is bonded to the header 75 using a glass material with a low melting point. An element mounting section 80 which is produced from a sintered gold paste made up of a large quantity of gold powder mixed with glass is also bonded directly to the header 75, or indirectly to the header 75 through the low melting point glass material which is extended to the element mounting section 80. An EPROM chip 81 with an ultraviolet emitting surface on the top is mounted on the element mounting section 80. An electrode of the chip 81 is connected to the external conductive lead 78 with a fine metal wire 82. The cap 76 is a cover member provided with a window 83 vis-a-vis the ultraviolet emitting surface of the EPROM chip 81. The cap 76 is bonded to the header 75 using a low melting point glass, and seals the EPROM chip 71 which is positioned on the header 75. The EPROM substrate having the above structure is formed independently of the main circuit print board. The EPROM element 74 is connected to a microcomputer or the like mounted on the main circuit print board. This connection is made through the external conductive lead 78, the through hole terminal 73, the conductive wire pattern 71, a male connector terminal section 85, and a female connector (omitted from the drawings).
The external form of a package when such a conventional EPROM element mounting method is used is extremely large relative to the EPROM chip 81. In addition to a large plan area, the height of the elements is also several times the height of the chip. This is a severe handicap in providing a thin printed board. After the external conductive lead is inserted into the through hole terminal 73, the EPROM element must be secured by solder or the like. In addition, a particularly troublesome drawback is the fact that, before mounting on the insulated substrate, the EPROM element must once be assembled in the package. Because the EPROM element is provided with an ultraviolet emitting window, the package is assembled in a SADIP-type package made from a ceramic and, because this package is sealed using low melting point glass, a high temperature (400.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.) sealing process must be adopted. If the electrode (aluminum) of the EPROM chip and the fine metal wire which connects the electrodes (aluminum) of the EPROM chip to the external conductive lead are not made from the same type of material, an alloy is produced at the sealed section during the high temperature sealing process and the resistance of the wire increases. This can cause the wire to break. A fine aluminum wire is usually used to avoid this kind of trouble, but, in this EPROM chip, the earth electrode of the EPROM chip is wired to the mounting section of the chip which is formed with gold paste, because the substrate of the EPROM chip must bear earth potential. Here as well, a binary or multiple alloy reaction occurs between the gold in the gold paste and/or the metal in the metal foil or the like, and the aluminum. Because of this, a small silicon leaf covered with aluminum on the head referred to as a gland die, is attached to the chip mounting section formed from the gold paste, and the earth electrode of the EPROM is connected to the top of the gland die. The conventional mounting structure has many drawbacks accompanied by the above complicated process. Thus, the conventional mounting structure does not satisfy any of the requirements for small size, light weight, and low cost.
The EPROM mounting structure shown in FIG. 2 has been proposed to eliminate this type of problem. This mounting structure will now be explained with reference to the drawing.
An insulated substrate 86 made from a glass-epoxy resin or other similar material has a main surface 87 on which is formed a wiring pattern 88. A chip mounting area 89 which supports an EPROM chip 90 is provided on the insulated substrate 86. The wiring pattern 88 is routed on the main surface 87 from a point close to the chip mounting area 89 and is connected to a male connector terminal (omitted from the drawing). The EPROM chip 90 is mounted on the chip mounting area 89. A surface electrode of the EPROM chip 90 is connected to the wiring pattern 88 by a fine metal wire 92. The substrate of the EPROM chip 90 as well is connected to the mounted wiring pattern 88 by one strand of the fine metal wire 92. An ultraviolet transmitting window material 94 of the EPROM chip 90 is fixed on the ultraviolet-emitting surface 91 of the EPROM chip 90 through an ultraviolet transmitting resin 93 [for example, TX-978 (trademark), manufactured by Toray]. The window material 94 is made from a commonly known ultraviolet transmitting material such as quartz, transparent alumina, or the like. The top surface 95 of the window material 94 is a surface which introduces light to the ultraviolet-emitting surface 91 of the EPROM chip 90. The parts of the window material 94 other than the top surface 95, the fine metal wire 92, and the part connecting the fine metal wire 92 with the wiring pattern 88 are covered with a synthetic resin 96 [for example, MP-10 (trademark), manufactured by Nitto Denko Corp.]. If the base of the chip mounting area 89 of the substrate 86 is situated on a concave at about half the height of the substrate 86, it is possible to further reduce the combined thickness of the insulated substrate 86, the EPROM chip 90, and the window material 94, while formation of a floodgate by the synthetic resin 96 effectively prevents moisture from entering. The EPROM mounting structures shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 83393/1985 (H05K 1/18).
Because the EPROM chip is die-bonded to the printed board in the EPROM mounting structure shown in FIG. 2, the printed board is reduced in size by only the amount of reduction of the EPROM. However, because the microcomputer which is to be fixed near the EPROM chip and its peripheral circuit elements (not shown in FIG. 2) are fabricated as discrete electronic parts, the size reduction is hardly achieved, if the printed board on which the EPROM is mounted is viewed as a system. In addition, in the EPROM having the structure illustrated in FIG. 2, rewriting of program data onto the EPROM chip must be performed after the program data has been erased by exposing the printed board to ultraviolet light, by touching a write-in terminal, such as a probe or the like, to the conductive pattern extending from the EPROM chip. This entails a problem that because usual conventional ROM writers cannot be used, troublesome procedures are required for rewriting onto an EPROM.
With the EPROM mounting structure shown in FIG. 1, since the EPROM is detachably mounted on the main printed board, a conventional ROM writer can be used for writing. However, the circuits around the EPROM, i.e. the microcomputer and its peripheral circuit elements, such as LSIs, ICs, and the like, are constructed as discreet electronic parts in the same manner as in FIG. 2. This causes the printed board as well as the total system to be large in size, making it impossible to provide a small and light integrated circuit as the user requires. This is a major problem. In addition, an independent printed board for the EPROM element is required, and the wiring pattern 71 for connecting the EPROM element 74 to a microcomputer becomes very long, bringing about the problem that size reduction cannot be achieved.
With the EPROM mounting structures shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the complete system becomes large, as outlined above. In addition, because the conductive pattern which connects the EPROM and the peripheral circuit elements are exposed, reliability is lowered.
Furthermore, with the EPROM mounting structures shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, because the EPROM and its peripheral microcomputer and circuit elements, such as LSIs, ICs, and the like are exposed, irregularities are formed on the upper surface of the substrate, reducing operability and making servicing difficult.


A method and apparatus for modulating and demodulating an MCM television signal is described which is particularly useful in proposed "simulcast" HDTV terrestrial broadcasting. The MCM spectrum of the television signal is shaped using weighting coefficients which are derived from either an idealized NTSC signal or an actual NTSC co-channel signal. These coefficients are used to shape the respective MCM carriers to provide an energy distribution in the MCM signal which provides greater degree of robustness with a minimum degree of co-channel interference to and from an NTSC co-channel signal. The instant invention further takes advantage of the interference characteristics of composite television signals described above, to position the placement of the MCM carriers in frequency, to minimize interference with an NTSC co-channel signal. Several methods of deriving the weighting coefficients are described including an adaptive approach whereby the characteristics of the interfering NTSC transmission are received and the instantaneous NTSC spectrum calculated therefrom and weighting coefficients assigned accordingly. These coefficients can be transmitted to a receiver to update its coefficient table.

The so-called "simulcast" methodology currently favored by the Federal Communications Commission as the basis for advanced television broadcasting in the United States, involves transmitting a conventional television signal, for example NTSC, over a first television channel, and transmitting a high definition television (HDTV) signal over an additional channel which would be assigned to each broadcaster. Since the assignment of an additional channel to each broadcaster will involve the use of those channels currently designated as "taboo" channels (i.e. those restricted for use in a given location), use of those channels will require that a Way be found to prevent or minimize within acceptable limits, the interference caused by or to these additional broadcast signals with respect to the existing conventional signals.
The copending parent applications describe methods and apparatus for implementing a "simulcast" television signal which will eliminate, or minimize to acceptable levels, interference to and from a conventional television co-channel signal.
Although reference will be made herein to NTSC signals for the sake of brevity and example, it is to be understood that the invention would apply as well to any conventional composite television system (i.e. PAL, SECAM).
The systems described in the parent applications seek among other things, to minimize interference between a high definition television (HDTV) signal and an NTSC co-channel signal, by utilizing a plurality of subcarriers which are placed within the HDTV signal frequency spectrum in a manner which avoids, or minimizes interference with the picture, chroma and sound subcarriers of the NTSC co-channel signal. As described in the '383 application, these subcarriers are preferably modulated with digital information, utilizing, for example, quadrature amplitude modulation. The '383 and '006 applications further describe grouping digitally encoded television information according to relative perceptual importance, and modulating more important ("higher priority") data and relatively less important ("lower priority") data on different carriers in a manner which makes the higher priority data more robust and less susceptable to interference from an NTSC signal provided on a co-channel (i.e. "taboo" channel) or the susceptibility of a signal component to drop out due to reduced signal strength.
The parent applications describe system which suitably shape the spectrum of the coded signal in order to provide different signal-to-noise ratios for a number of carriers which are then frequency multiplexed to form the "simulcast" television signal. This provides the flexibility of conveying different types of information (e.g. different codewords or different bits) via different carriers. Each of the carriers can be positioned within the frequency spectrum of the "simulcast" television signal so that they minimize interference with the picture and color subcarriers of a co channel NTSC signal.
If received signal-to-noise power ratio (SNR) is above a certain minimum SNR, then virtually error-free transmission/reception is possible. SNR is dependent on the choice of the modulation strategy employed for digital transmission. Thus the coverage area can be increased by a combination of increasing the transmitter power and/or resorting to complex digital transmission techniques, trading complexity with reduced SNR requirements.
"Multicarrier Modulation" (MCM) is a technique in which serial data is transmitted by separating it into several parallel data streams which are then used to modulate a large number of orthogonal carriers. This technique has been referred to as orthogonally modulated QAM, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or dynamically assigned multiple QAM in the references incorporated herein. The technique will be referred herein as MCM to refer to any or all of these methods of multicarrier modulation, or variations thereof.
The basic MCM principle consists of splitting a high digital bit rate (representing the signal to be transmitted) into numerous carriers carrying a low bit rate. In order to achieve a high spectral efficiency, the spectra of the carriers are overlapped. This is where MCM differs from ordinary frequency division multiplexing, where the spectra are not permitted to overlap.
MCM provides, among other advantages, greater immunity to noise and interference by distributing the signal among the several carriers which are distributed uniformly throughout the allocated frequency band.
A useful interference characteristic of composite television signals (e.g. NTSC) is that harmonic clusters of the chrominance signal are "frequency interleaved" in the luminance spectrum and simultaneously transmitted in compatible color television systems. Tests have shown that a first signal which is at a harmonic of the line-scanning rate, and a second signal at an odd harmonic of half the line-scanning rate which has approximately five times the voltage of the first signal, are equally visible. Therefore, if a television signal consisting of a low power carrier and a higher power carrier with a 14 dB difference between them, were properly interleaved in frequency with the spectrum of an NTSC co-channel signal, it would cause approximately the same degree of interference into the NTSC signal as would a co-channel signal having two lower power carriers. Thus a correlated co-channel signal can be more robust than a non-correlated lower power signal yet substantially equal to it with respect to interference with the NTSC signal.
The Waters et.al. reference incorporated herein, describes the use of orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) modulation for digital audio broadcasting (DAB). Waters hints that by carefully choosing the sub-carrier spacing (related to the television line spacing) it might be possible to interleave digital audio signals with geographically separated, co-channel analog television signals.
The instant invention has as one object, to provide a method and apparatus which takes advantage of the benefits provided by MCM techniques in television systems such as those described in the parent applications.

Method and apparatus for transmission and reception of a digital television signal using multicarrier modulation


A thermal head includes: a substrate; a heat generating portion disposed on the substrate; a first electrode electrically connected to the heat generating portion; a driving IC which controls actuation of the heat generating portion; a first cover member which covers the driving IC; a connection member which is disposed on the substrate and has a connecting section electrically connected to a second electrode; and a second cover member which covers the connecting section and extends toward the first cover member. The second cover member includes a first portion and a second portion which is thinner than the first portion. The first portion is disposed next to the connection member. The second portion lies farther away from the connection member than the first portion, and includes an overlying part which overlies the first cover member.

As printing devices for use in facsimiles, video printers, and so forth, various types of thermal heads have been proposed to date. For example, there is known a thermal head including: a substrate; a heat generating portion disposed on the substrate; an electrode which is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the heat generating portion; a driving IC which is disposed on the substrate and controls actuation of the heat generating portion; a first cover member which covers the driving IC; a connection member which is disposed on the substrate and has a connecting section for providing electrical connection between the electrode and the exterior thereof; and a second cover member which covers the connection member (refer to Patent Literature 1, for example).
There is also known a thermal head including an external substrate which is disposed next to a substrate, has a wiring conductor connected to an electrode, and a driving IC and a connection member which are disposed on the external substrate (refer to Patent Literature 2, for example).


A toner contains toner particles and fine alumina particles. The toner particles include a binding resin and a colorant. The fine alumina particles contain 200 to 700 .mu.g of zirconium compound per gram of alumina. The toner may be used as a one-component developer or as a two-component developer with a carrier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to toners for developing electrostatic images in electrophotography, electrostatic recording and electrostatic printing, and for forming images in toner jet systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
Development of images formed on photoconductive materials by electrostatic means with toners is well known, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,691 and Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 42-23910 and 43-24748. In such development, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive member by various means, and a finely pulverized material responsive to electrical charge, called a "toner" is deposited onto the latent image to form a toner image corresponding to the electrostatic latent image.
The toner is transferred onto a surface of an image-holding member such as paper, if necessary, and then is fixed by heat, pressure, or vapor of a solvent to produce a copy. When the toner image is transferred, the process is generally provided with a step for removing the residual toner.
Disclosed methods for visualizing electrostatic latent images using toners include a powder cloud method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,221,776, a cascade developing method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,618,552, a magnetic brush method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,874,063, and a method using an electronically conductive, magnetically attractable toner disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,258.
A typical toner used in these developing methods is composed of a particulate resin containing a colorant, and is prepared by mixing a thermoplastic resin with the colorant and then pulverizing the mixture. Thermoplastic resins which are most commonly used are polystyrene resins. Examples of other usable thermoplastic resins include polyester resins, epoxy resins, acrylic resins, and urethane resins. A typical colorant is carbon black. In magnetic toners, iron oxide-based black magnetic powder is widely used. In a two-component developer system, a toner is generally used in admixture with carrier particles, such as glass beads, powdered iron, or powdered ferrite.
Recently, monochrome copying machines have rapidly been replaced by full-color copying machines, and two-tone and full-color copying machines have been used. Improvements in reproducibility of color and gradation are reported in, for example, Journal of Electrophotographic Society, Vol. 22, No. 1, (1983); and ibid. Vol. 25, No. 1, 52(1986).
These full-color electrophotographic images used in practice, however, are not comparable to the originals and do not always satisfy those who are familiar with beautifully processed color images, such as on television, in photographs, and in color prints.
Formation of a color image by a full-color electrophotographic method generally includes color reproduction using three primary colors including yellow, magenta, and cyan. In this method, a photoconductive layer is exposed to light from an original which passes through a color-decomposing filter, which color is complementary to the color of toner so that an electrostatic image is formed on the layer. Next, a toner is held on a recording medium by developing and transferring steps. These steps are repeated several times so that different toners overlap on the same recording medium while adjusting the registration, and then only one fixing step is performed to fix a full-color image.
In a two-component development system using a developer composed of a toner and a carrier, the toner in the developer is charged to a predetermined polarity and a predetermined amount of electricity by friction with the carrier so that an electrostatic attractive force develops an electrostatic image. Thus, a satisfactory visible image is obtained when the toner has sufficient triboelectric charging characteristics which are determined by the interaction with the carrier.
Much research has been performed regarding various materials for developers so as to achieve sufficient triboelectric charging characteristics. The scope of the research includes development of carrier core materials, carrier coating agents, optimization of the amount of the coating agent, development of charge controlling agents and flowability-imparting agents added to toners, and improvements in binders as base materials.
For example, charging auxiliaries, such as chargeable fine particles, are added to toners as developers for the purpose of stabilizing triboelectric characteristics. Examples of such charging auxiliaries include powdered resins having an opposite polarity to toners, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 52-32256 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-64352; and a fluorine-containing compound, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 61-160760. Development of various charging auxiliaries continues.
Various methods for adding the above-mentioned charging auxiliaries have also been proposed. A typical method is coating of a charging auxiliary onto the surface of the toner particle by an electrostatic force or van der Waals attraction between the toner particle and the charging auxiliary caused during stirring or mixing. In such a method, however, the surface of the toner particle is not satisfactorily coated with the additive, and free additive particles which do not adhere to the toner unavoidably occur and form agglomerates. The larger the specific resistance of the charging auxiliary or the finer the particle diameter, the more significant this tendency. As a result, the toner has insufficient and unstable charging characteristics and results in, images for example, with nonuniform image density and fog. Furthermore, the charging auxiliary content may change during a continuous copying operation so that the initial image quality is not maintained.
In another method, a charging auxiliary, a binding resin and a colorant are added during production of a toner. The charging auxiliary is, however, barely homogenized. Furthermore, only the charging auxiliary which is present in the vicinity of the toner particle surface contributes to charging, and thus the charging auxiliary which is present in the interior of the particle does not contribute to charging. Thus, it is difficult to control the amount of the charging auxiliary to be added and the amount of the charging auxiliary adhered onto the toner particle surface. The toner obtained by such a method has unstable triboelectric charging characteristics, and thus does not have satisfactory developing characteristics. Accordingly, mere use of the charging auxiliary does not result in a toner having satisfactory quality.
Stabilization of triboelectric charging characteristics by adding external additives has been proposed. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 61-275862, and 61-275863 disclose use of hydrophobic particulate alumina. This particulate alumina is coated with an amino-modified silicone oil, which inevitably agglomerates during hydrophobic treatment. As a result, the toner does not have high flowability.
Hydrophobic particulate alumina is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-8164, 62-129860, 62-129866, 62-209538, 4-345168, and 4-345169. These patent applications, however, do not suggest that important factors for achieving uniform hydrophobic treatment include the reactivity of particulate alumina with a hydrophobic agent and the crystal structure of the particulate alumina. The particulate alumina is primarily used for stabilization of charging, because silica is also added in order to impart high flowability to the toner. Providing high flowability and abrasive ability by alumina itself are open to further improvement.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-251970 discloses an external alumina lubricant, the surface of which is treated with a coupling agent. However, such treatment of conventional alumina does not sufficiently stabilize charging characteristics under high temperature, high-humidity environments, and does not impart satisfactory flowability to the toner.
For the purpose of providing sufficient flowability, stabilized charging, and particularly prevention of overcharging in low-temperature, low-humidity environments, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 4-280254, 4-280255, and 4-345169 disclose fine alumina particle having a hydrophobicity of 40% or more. Although such alumina is effective in stabilization of charging characteristics, it is still unsatisfactory in terms of flowability compared to fine particulate materials having high BET specific surface areas, such as silica. Thus, a fine particulate hydrophobic alumina, which is homogenized, which does not contain large amounts of agglomerates, and which has a high BET specific surface area, is still desired.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-191363 discloses a toner containing hydrophobic abrasive .gamma.-alumina in order to achieve uniform abrasive effects of alumina when an amorphous silicon photosensitive member is used. Thus, a toner containing such alumina does not simultaneously satisfy flowability and stabilized charging characteristics, although it has abrasive characteristics.
Currently, high definition and high quality of images are commercially required in copying machines. Achievement of high quality color images has been attempted using toners having smaller particle diameters. A finer toner having a larger specific surface area usually carries increased amounts of charge; hence, the image density may decrease and durability will deteriorate. Furthermore, highly charged toner particles have high bonding force, resulting in decreased flowability. As a result, toner supply is not stabilized and the supplied toner has insufficient triboelectric characteristics.
Since color toners do not contain magnetic substances and conductive substances such as carbon black, charges tend to increase without discharging. This phenomenon is particularly noticeable when a polyester binder having high charging characteristics is used.
The following are characteristics required for color toners:
(1) The fixed toner must almost completely melt to an extent in which the shape of toner particles are not recognized in order to prevent random scattering of light which decreases color reproducibility. PA1 (2) Each color toner must have transparency so that an underlying different color toner layer is visible. PA1 (3) Each color toner must have balanced hue and reflective characteristics, and have high color saturation.
Many binding resins have been researched to develop a toner satisfying the above-mentioned requirements. Polyester resins have been generally used as binding resins for color toners. Since temperature and humidity affect polyester resin-containing toners, these toners tend to be excessively charged in low-humidity environments, but are usually insufficiently charged in high-humidity environments. Accordingly, development of color toners having stabilized amounts of charges in various environments has been desired


A control system for controlling movement of individual hydraulically moveable ends of a screed head carried by a boom of a machine so as to maintain a selected elevation position between each end of the screed head and a reference in a concrete paving application as the screed head is moved toward the machine, includes elevation receivers mounted on the ends of the screed head, and a first sensor for sensing the orientation of the screed head along its length from the first end to the second end of the screed head. A second sensor senses rotational movement of the machine which will induce an error in the output of the first sensor, and providing an output indicating such rotational movement. A control circuit is responsive to the elevation receivers and to the first and second sensors for controlling the hydraulically moveable ends of the screed head using the signals from the elevation receivers when they are not blocked, and for controlling the hydraulically movable ends of the screed head using the signals from the first and second sensors, and one of the elevation receivers when the other of the elevation receivers is blocked.

In concrete paving operations, after concrete is poured, it is commonly finished by drawing a tool, such as a screed head, over the surface of the concrete. The screed head smoothes the concrete surface before the concrete has cured completely. Similarly, after asphalt is laid, it is commonly leveled to a desired depth by drawing a tool, similar to a screed head, over the surface to finish the surface and control the thickness of the asphalt. Additionally, in grading operations, a surface is graded by drawing a blade of a grader over the surface. Although the physical configurations of the various types of screed heads and blades differ, the functions of these tools are analogous.
Typically, support structures including hydraulic cylinders support the ends of the tool on such machines. The hydraulic cylinders can be actuated to raise and lower the ends of the tool independently. It has been common to determine the elevation positions of the ends of the tool by using a laser transmitter and a pair of laser beam receivers that are mounted on masts at each end of the tool. The laser transmitter provides a rotating beam of laser light that is sensed by the receivers. The tool is raised and lowered under control of a system that sets the ends of the tool at vertical positions in dependence upon a desired elevation for the tool and the sensed elevation of the ends of the tool.
The laser transmitter may project a beam of laser light that rotates in a reference plane. The laser receivers detect the reference plane and the relative elevation of the ends of the tool with respect to the reference plane. A control system of the machine then actuates hydraulic valves to supply fluid to the hydraulic cylinders in response to these detected levels. As a result, the elevation of each end of the tool can be precisely controlled. Each of the receivers provides feedback to drive the hydraulics controlling the elevation of the end of the tool with which it is associated.
If one of the receivers is blocked by something at the worksite, such as, for example, a support column, the proper operation of the system is interrupted. This commonly occurs when concrete is being finished on the floor of a building interior. When a blockage occurs, there is a need to maintain the relative elevation of the ends of the tool as it is drawn toward the machine until the laser beam can be reacquired by both receivers. One approach to this problem is to set up two laser transmitters at the same elevation on opposite sides of the tool. In this way, if a column blocks one of the transmitters, the other transmitter is likely to be illuminating the receivers at the ends of the tool, thereby compensating for the blockage. Essentially, this eliminates all blind spots around the receivers. While generally effective, this prior art method is disadvantageous in that by requiring an additional transmitter, the cost of the equipment is increased. Further, this method increases significantly the time required to set up the equipment and eliminate the possibility of a column block with the second laser transmitter.
Other approaches have been used to deal with the problem of one of the receivers not receiving the reference beam of laser light. Such approaches may involve providing an additional sensor or additional sensors, the output from which are used when one of the laser receivers is blocked. For example, a gravity based cross slope sensor may be mounted on the tool to indicate the inclination of the tool between the laser receivers. In such a system, when the laser beam reception of one of the laser receivers is blocked, the system will be operated using the laser receiver output that is not blocked to control the vertical movement of the end of the tool with which it is associated. The vertical movement of the other end of the tool is controlled to maintain as constant the inclination of the tool sensed just prior to losing reception of the laser beam. When reception of the beam by both receivers is restored, normal operation of the system based on the two receivers is resumed.
A problem that results from the use of a gravity based inclinometer as an additional sensor input is that such sensors are subject to significant inaccuracies when the tool is subjected to lateral acceleration. In screeding operations, it is common for the operator of the machine to side shift the tool around columns as the tool is being pulled toward the machine. Since the sensitive axis of the gravity based cross slope sensor is parallel to the length of the tool, side shifting can cause noticeable acceleration along the sensitive axis of measurement. This dramatically affects the feedback of the cross slope sensor. In order to reduce the effects of noise and to compensate for some of the low frequency harmonics of machine vibration, the cross slope sensor output is typically supplied to a low pass filter. However, providing a low pass filter on the output of the gravity based cross slope sensor adds an inherent time lag to the system, however, that degrades the bandwidth performance of the blocked side. The low pass filter does not, however, limit the errors induced by lateral shifts in the tool, since these shifts result in fairly low frequency error signals. Another approach that is not subject to errors from lateral shifts is to provide extension sensors on the two hydraulic cylinders that control the vertical position of the two ends of the tool. When the beam to one of the laser receivers is blocked, the cylinder at that end of the tool is driven on the basis of the difference in cylinder extension sensor outputs, while the hydraulic cylinder at the other end of the tool is driven based on the received beam. While this avoids the problems associated with lateral shift acceleration, the accuracy achieved is not as great as desired.

Gyro compensated inclinometer for cross slope control of concrete screed

Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC


A method for the prophylaxis or direct treatment of inflammatory diseases or injuries in a patient which comprises administering to the site of the disease or injury an effective amount of at least one serine protease inhibitor, its salts, derivatives or analogs which bind with the mast cell mediators, T-cell mediators or kallikrein.

Prior to the present invention it was generally believed that serine protease inhibitors could be used only to supplement a deficiency occurring as a result of a genetic defect or a chemically produced deficiency resulting from an event such as smoking. Moreover, no consideration was previously given for directly controlling diseases in which mast cells are implicated by administering serine protease inhibitors when serum levels of proteases or protease inhibitors are normal. Mast cells have been found to be implicated in diseases and events such as allergic and non-allergic rhinitis, nasal polyposis, atopic dermatitis, including psoriasis, contact dermatitis, pancreatitis, emphysema, asthma, colitis, Crohn's Disease, wound healing, cluster headaches, coronary artery spasm, etc.
The role of mast cells in humans is the same as in animals. addition, animals contain counterparts to human .alpha.-1-antichymotrypsin, .alpha.-1-antitrypsin, and other serine protease inhibitors. In fact, it has been shown that human .alpha.-1-antitrypsin will bind with animal mast cells and the mediators derived therefrom.
Inflammation is a non-specific response of tissues to diverse stimuli or insults and results in release of a variety of materials at the site of inflammation that induce pain. It is now recognized that mast cells are implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory skin conditions as well as in other physiological disorders. Mast cells provide the greatest source of histamines in acute inflammation. Basophils are another source. Mast cells have also been noted in hypertrophic scars.
Eosinophils, basophils and neutrophils are prominent in inflammatory lesions due to the potent chemoattractants released. Neutrophils are a main source of serine elastase and cathepsin G which are important in the tissue damage resulting from inflammation.
Kallikreins and kinins are recognized as being associated with defense and repair responses in mammals. However, excess kallikreins and kinins can cause pain and tissue damage.
The most direct approach to therapy of inflammatory skin conditions appears to be a direct attack at the site of inflammation of the mediators of inflammation and pain and the reduction of those neutrophilic derivatives which can cause damage to the growth of new tissue during the healing process.
It is understood that the term "serine protease inhibitors" as used herein refers to the inhibitors derived from a human source and the corresponding recombinant product which is either glycosylated or non-glycosylated.


A rack and pinion stabilizer system for a refrigerator drawer. The rack and pinion stabilizer system comprises a pair of drawer glides attached to first and second liner walls of a refrigerator. Each of the drawer glides has an attached rack gear with at least one tooth having an irregular profile. A pair of gear wheels having an axle therebetween are also provided. The gear wheels are provided in rotatable engagement with the rack gears and are capable of rotating in unison. An alignment mechanism is also provided. The alignment mechanism is attached to at least one of the rack gears for providing initial alignment of the first and second rack gears with the first and second gear wheels. Additionally, a drawer in operable communication with at least one of the drawer glides and axle is disclosed. When the drawer is inserted completely within the cabinet, the first and second gear wheels are positioned over the irregular teeth, providing a tolerance permitting closure of the drawer in the event of misalignment.

Pullout drawers in refrigerator cabinets, and in particular bottom mounted freezer drawers, in which the freezer is located at the bottom of the refrigerator while the fresh food compartment is located at the top of the refrigerator, are often used to increase versatility of storing a wide range of food items, and increasing the accessibility of items stored in the lower portion of the refrigerator cabinet. To this end, in commercially available bottom mounted freezers a large freezer drawer or basket is provided in connection with or in place of a hinged or swinging door. These bottom mounted freezer drawers are typically mounted on slides or glides fastened to the sidewalls of the inner liner of the refrigerator cabinet and telescopically extend horizontally toward the opening or access means of the refrigerator. Unfortunately, these slides extend at different rates when the large drawer is opened and closed, particularly when the horizontal force (i.e., the consumer pushing or pulling on the drawer or basket) is not centered. The effect of the different rates of extension creates a "wobble" as the drawer or basket is extended and inserted. This door rack or wobble typically occurs when the velocity of the drawer and glide assembly varies with position along the face of the drawer as it is extended or inserted.
A further problem with such presently available systems is that typically it is difficult to ensure identical, or near identical, placement relative to the refrigerator cabinet face of left and right components comprising a drawer. A likely result of such a drawer in utilization of a rack and pinion system, particularly in a refrigerator, is the inability to completely close the drawer, resulting in the failure to create an effective seal which allows air to permeate into or out of the drawer. The inability of the drawer to completely close creates an inefficient system, making it difficult to regulate temperatures, humidity, and other factors within the drawer.
Attempts have been made, generally, in drawer systems to overcome wobble, or racking problems. For instance, anti-rack systems have been developed for drawers and drawer glides in which a shaft having a gear wheel mounted on each side is used for engaging associated racks. Moreover, though such systems prevent wobble, these attempts have not prevented the drawer from assuming a racked condition resulting from the opening force or food load center of mass occurring significantly away from the drawer's center. Likewise, no simple means of aligning left and right gear wheels to associated rack gears of a drawer in utilization of a rack and pinion system during initial assembly has been available. As a result, if the drawer, and in particular the rack and pinion system, becomes misaligned, no means exists for the correction of the misaligned drawer apart form complete disassembly and removal of the drawer from the cabinet. This task becomes particularly difficult when the drawer is filled with food or other stored items.
Complex mechanisms involving the resetting of misaligned slide pairs in a drawer suspension system have been developed. Such systems require the removal, reinsertion, and moving of the drawer in and out from the cabinet to reset the misaligned drawer. Due to the removal and reinsertion of the drawer, as well as the inward and outward movement required to reset the misaligned drawer, these systems do not provide much improvement, as the drawer must still be removed, and a significant amount of effort is required of the drawer operator to realign the drawer.
Other systems exist that involve a single displaceable gear tooth provided on the end of a rack gear for enabling meshing with a single pinion that approaches from beyond the end of the rack. The use of a single rack and pinion, however, does not provide a stable means of securing the drawer, as a minor amount of lateral force or movement of the drawer will cause misalignment of the drawer, as well as the rack and pinion, causing wobble, or resulting in jamming of the drawer.


In a packet distributing apparatus and a packet distributing method which, in a situation in which a link can be allocated to a specific user or a specific traffic with priority, can effectively utilize any unoccupied link, a packet inputted via first through Nth the input interface circuits 2031 through 203N is provided by a transfer destination searching unit 205 with a transfer destination port and a transfer-admissible port. Then usage detecting units 2111 through 211N check the usage of a transfer-admissible port matching the pertinent one of first through Nth output buffer units 2091 through 209N, and distribute the packet to a transfer-admissible port bearing a less load than a prescribed level (less loaded transfer-admissible port), such as an unloaded port. If there is no such less loaded transfer-admissible port, the packet is distributed to the transfer destination port for which it is destined in its own right. This arrangement makes it possible to utilize unoccupied ports and thereby to effectively utilize the links.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a packet distributing apparatus and a packet distributing method for determining routes to which packets are to be distributed, and more particularly to a packet distributing apparatus and a packet distributing method for making possible effective utilization of communication links.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a network, such as the Internet, a packet sent by its sender reaches its destined recipient by successively going through a number of packet transfer apparatuses. The packet transfer apparatuses would be what are commonly known as routers, switches or hubs. The method of selecting the route over which a packet is to be sent is called routing.
A packet transfer apparatus references information periodically exchanged among nodes in the network, the required number of hops, transfer time, the presence or absence of trouble on the route and other information, and selects a single route that can provide each individual node with the shortest or the least expensive path.
FIG. 11 illustrates by way of example a network of a network service provider and first through fourth networks connected to it. It is supposed that first through fourth networks 101 through 104 are connected to a network 101 of the network service provider. Here, the first and third networks 101 and 103 are connected to a first router 111, and the second and fourth networks 102 and 104 are connected to a second router 112. The first router 111 and the second router 112 can be directly connected to each other by a link 114. The first router and the second router 112 can as well be connected to each other via a third router 113 using links 115 and 116.
Now it is supposed that the first network 101 and the second network 102 are connected to each other via the network 101 of the network service provider. If the routing is to be determined accorded to the number of hops, the route using the link 114 directly linking the first router 111 and the second router 112 will be set. Where routing is set between the first network 101 and the second network 102 in this manner, the set routing will never be changed unless network trouble such as a node failure arises, the network configuration is altered or the operator of any network changes the setting for itself. Therefore, supposing that a user (not shown) of the first and second networks 101 and 102 has a contract for exclusive use of the link 114 with the network service provider of the network 100, even if the user A uses the link 114 with a load of far less than 100%, no other user B (not shown) can use the link 114.
If the user B intends to establish a communication link (hereinafter referred to as simply "link") between the third network 103 and the fourth network 104, the aforementioned contract will prevent this user from using the link 114, and only the link 115 for linking the first router 111 and the third router 113 or the link 116 for linking the second router 112 and the third router 113 can be set for the user B. Thus, even when the link 114 is not used by the first and second networks 101 and 102, this link 114 cannot be used by the user B.
As described above, the conventional method by which each user selects only one route and sends out packets on this route prevents the whole network from efficient utilization.
In view of this problem, there is proposed an idea of distributing loads in the whole network. For instance, to reduce the load on the node bearing the heaviest load in the network, the traffic can be distributed among a plurality of routes. This idea presupposes that all the users or traffics using the network are to be equal. If any inequality arises, loads on a plurality of links will be distributed in a calculated ratio.
By this proposed method, however, the ratio of load distribution among the plurality of links is fixed. Therefore, where a link is allocated exclusively or with priority to a specific user or a specific traffic, if there happens to arise a situation in which that link is not used, it will result in the same problem as with the prior art that the network cannot be effectively utilized.

Packet distributing apparatus and packet distributing method