The present invention discloses a network system for an interactive transmission in first and second directions. The network system includes a plurality of node devices, and a first node device of the node devices can selectively output a signal in the first direction or perform the returning output of a signal. A second node device adjacent to the first node device outputs a signal to the first node device through a channel which is used by the first node device for the returning output, hence the first and second node device are controlled such that those first and second node devices do not use the returning channel of the first node device concurrently.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a network system for transmitting a signal using a plurality of channels, and a transmission method of the signal therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a network system which transmits a signal through a plurality of channels and includes a node device for connecting a terminal equipment and the like to the plural channels and in which an interactive transmission is performed between the node devices.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, study and development have been made with respect to network systems each of which employs a plurality of channels for transmission of a signal, since a high-speed network system, which includes terminal equipments connected thereto, is required, following an increase in speed of processing in each terminal equipment. As the plural channels, channels using different wavelengths are known, for example. As one of them, there has been proposed a multihop type in which transmitted data is relayed and transmitted in a node device interposed on the way from a signal transmitting terminal to a signal receiving or addressed terminal. Such a system is described in Biswanath Mukherjee, xe2x80x9cWDM-Based Local Lightwave Networks Part II: Multihop Systemsxe2x80x9d, IEEE Network July (1992), p. 20-32.
An object of the present invention is, therefore, is to provide a new network system which performs communication using a plurality of channels.
Prior to the description of the present invention, a reference example will be described to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The following reference example is based on the technology described in Japanese Patent Application No. 6-327496 filed Dec. 28, 1994, and Japanese Patent Application No. 7-325632 filed Dec. 14, 1995 as a Japanese domestic priority-claim declared application based on this Japanese Patent Application No. 6-327496.
FIG. 14, which consists of FIGS. 14A and 14B, illustrates a schematic diagram of a node device connected to a network system. The node device detects an optical signal at a predetermined wavelength which is transmitted on a ring-type wavelength division multiplexed transmission line, transmits a packet to its terminal equipment when the signal is the packet addressed to the terminal equipment connected to this node device concerned, and transmits other packets a packet from its terminal equipment to a next-stage node device by variable wavelength transmission means of a wavelength-circulating type which transmits signals at respective wavelengths. The node device of FIGS. 14A and 14B includes a control unit 149 which contains a buffer control unit 164 and a wavelength control unit 165. The buffer control unit 164 controls the read-out of buffers such that when a packet stored in buffers 141-148 is addressed to a sub-transmission line connected to an adjacent node device, the read-out of the packet stored in the buffer is not performed until a transmission wavelength of the variable wavelength transmission unit for transmitting the packet coincides with a reception wavelength of a fixed wavelength reception unit for outputting the packet to a separation-insertion unit connected to the addressed sub-transmission line in the adjacent node device. The wavelength control unit 165 controls the transmission wavelengths of variable wavelength transmission units in accordance with a pattern of a predetermined transmission wavelength control table which will be described later. An optical fiber 1401 is used as an optical wavelength multiplexed transmission line. The optical fiber 1401 serves as a transmission line between a coupler in an upstream adjacent node device and a divider in an adjacent node device on the downstream side. The power divider 1402 divides an optical signal transmitted on the optical fiber 1401 into eight portions and output them to eight fixed wavelength reception units.
The fixed wavelength reception units I 117, III 118, V 119 and VII 120 respectively include a fixed-wavelength filter and a photodiode and serve as fixed wavelength reception means. Similarly, the fixed wavelength reception units II 121, IV 122, VI 123 and VIII 124 respectively include a fixed-wavelength filter and a photodiode and serve as fixed wavelength reception means. The fixed wavelength reception units I to VIII each receive only a packet which is transmitted as one of optical signals having wavelengths xcex1 to xcex8. When the photodiode itself has characteristics that this is sensitive only to a predetermined wavelength, no fixed-wavelength filter is needed.
Separation-insertion units I 133, III 134, V 135 and VII 136 serve as separation-insertion means, each of which is operative to separate a packet, which is to be transmitted to a sub-transmission line, and a packet, which is to be transmitted to one of the buffer 145 to 148, out of a packet stream from each of the fixed wavelength reception units 117 to 120, while it is operative to add a packet from the sub-transmission line to the packet stream from the fixed wavelength reception unit 117 to 120 to the buffers 145 to 148. Similarly, separation-insertion units II 137, IV 138, VI 139 and VIII 140 serve as separation-insertion means.
Buffers II 141, IV 142, VI 143 and VIII 144 serve as buffer means to temporarily store the packets from the separation-insertion units 137 to 140 in memory regions corresponding to the respective transmission wavelengths of the variable wavelength transmission units. Similarly, buffers I 145, III 146, V 147 and VII 148 serve as buffer means.
Variable wavelength transmission units II 125, IV 126, VI 127 and VIII 128 are variable wavelength transmission means, such as tunable laser diodes (TLDs), which convert, under the control of the wavelength control unit 165, the packets from the buffers into optical signals each having a predetermined wavelength out of wavelengths xcex1 to xcex8 and send them through the coupler 1403 to the optical fiber 1404 used as the optical wavelength division multiplexed transmission line. Similarly, variable wavelength transmission units I 129, III 130, V 131 and VII 132 are variable wavelength transmission means, such as tunable laser diodes (TLDs).
In this reference example, the fixed wavelength reception unit I 117, the separation-insertion unit I 133, the buffer I 145 and the variable wavelength transmission unit I 129 constitute a set, and a packet received by the fixed wavelength reception unit I 117 is treated in this set but not in other sets. Similarly, the fixed wavelength reception unit II 121, the separation-insertion unit II 137, the buffer II 141 and the variable wavelength transmission unit II 125 constitute another set, and the other fixed wavelength reception units, the other separation-insertion units, the other buffers and the other variable wavelength transmission units respectively constitute other sets.
The coupler 1403 multiplexes the optical signals of wavelengths xcex1 to xcex8 which are sent from the eight variable wavelength transmission units, and supplies them to the optical fiber 1404.
The optical fiber 1404 serves as the transmission line between the coupler in this node device concerned and the divider in a downstream adjacent node device.
Sub-transmission lines I 1405 to VIII 1412 serve as packet transmission lines between the separation-insertion units and terminal equipments. The terminal equipments I 1413 to VIII 1420 are connected to the sub-transmission lines I to VIII, respectively. Each of the terminal equipments receives a packet output from each of the corresponding separation-insertion units, while it generates a packet to be transmitted to another terminal equipment and sends it through each of the sub-transmission lines to each of the separation-insertion units.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a network system in which five node devices of FIGS. 14A and 14B are connected by optical fibers. Node devices 301 to 305 shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B are respectively connected to eight terminal equipments through eight sub-transmission lines. Optical fibers 306 to 310 are each used as an optical wavelength multiplexed transmission line.
FIG. 4 shows the internal structure of each of buffers I to VIII which are utilized in this node device. The same internal structure is applied to all of the buffers I to VIII and the description will be made with respect to only one buffer.
In FIG. 4, a decoder 401 reads an address portion in a header section of a packet, which consists of this header section and a transmission data section, and determines whether or not a destination of the packet is the terminal equipment connected to an adjacent node device. If not, the decoder 401 instructs a demultiplexer 404 to set its output destination to a FIFO 406. On the other hand, if it is the sub-transmission line connected to the adjacent node device, the decoder 401 instructs the demultiplexer 404 to set its destination to a dual port memory 405, and at the same time instructs a writing address counter 402 to set a writing start address value of the memory region, into which the packet to be written.
A writing address counter 402 starts with the writing start address value, which is output from the decoder 401, and outputs discrimination signals of the memory regions, in which the packet is to be written, to a dual port memory 405 in due order. The memory region in the dual port memory 405, in which the packet is to be stored, is determined from a channel (a wavelength) connected to the terminal equipment to which the packet is addressed.
For example, when the packet is addressed to the terminal equipment II 1414 connected to the adjacent node device, the packet needs to be input, as an optical signal of a wavelength xcex2, into the fixed wavelength reception unit II 121 connected to the separation-insertion unit II 137 in the node device so that the packet can reach the terminal equipment II 1414, since the terminal equipment II 1414 is connected to the separation-insertion unit II 137 in the node device. In order to convert the packet into the optical signal of the wavelength xcex2, the packet needs to be stored into the memory region II in the dual port memory 405 corresponding to the wavelength xcex2, i.e., the memory region which stores the packet which is to be read from this buffer when the packet can be output at the wavelength xcex2.
Similarly, a reading address counter 403 starts with an offset value as a reading start address, which is output from the buffer control table, and outputs address signals for reading the packet from the dual port memory 405 in due order.
The demultiplexer 404 outputs the input packet to the dual port memory 405 or the FIFO 406 in accordance with instructions from the decoder 401. The dual port memory 405 is operative to perform reading and writing of the packet data independently.
Memory regions of the dual port memory 405, as shown in a memory map of FIG. 5, are established corresponding to variable wavelengths which can be modulated.
For example, the packet stored in the memory region IV is read only when the transmission wavelength of the variable wavelength transmission unit is set to the wavelength xcex4, and transmitted from the variable wavelength transmission unit as the optical signal of the wavelength xcex4. The packet stored in each memory region is converted into the optical signal of a wavelength corresponding to each memory region and output from the node device. A start of address in each of the memory regions I to VIII is A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 or A8.
The FIFO (First In First Out) 406 temporarily stores the packets input thereinto and outputs them to a selector in order of input. The selector 407 selects, in accordance with instructions from a reading control unit 609, either of outputs; one is from the dual port memory 405 and the other is from the FIFO 406, and outputs it to the variable wavelength transmission unit.
FIG. 6 shows the internal structure of the buffer control unit 164. In FIG. 6, buffer control tables I to VIII are read out in order in response to the address value which is output from a ROM counter 702 in the wavelength control unit 151. Then, predetermined offset values are respectively output to the reading address counters 403 in the buffers I to VIII. These tables are incorporated in a read-only memory (ROM). The contents of the buffer control tables I to VIII will be described later.
The reading control unit 609 counts clock signals which are output from the wavelength control unit, so that the reading control signal for reading the packet of the dual port memory 405 or the FIFO 406 can be output to the selector in each of the buffers I to VIII.
FIG. 7 shows the internal structure of the wavelength control unit 165. In FIG. 7, wavelength control tables I 703 to VIII 710 are read out in order in response to the address value which is output from the ROM counter 702. Then, predetermined wavelength control signals are respectively output to respective drive units in the variable wavelength transmission units. These tables are also incorporated in the read-only memory (ROM). The contents of the wavelength control tables I to VIII will be also described later.
A clock generating unit 701 generates a predetermined clock signal, supplies it to the buffer control unit and further frequency-demultiplies it and outputs the frequency-demultiplied one to the ROM counter.
The contents of the above wavelength control tables I to VIII show the wavelength transition of the optical signals transmitted from the variable wavelength transmission units, and are set as shown in Table 1, for example.
Further, the offset values of the above buffer control tables I to VIII are set as illustrated in Table 2.
Those sixteen tables are all read out synchronously by the ROM counter 702. Thus, the transmission wavelengths of the respective tunable laser diodes (TLDs) are shifted and circulated in the order of xcex1, xcex3, xcex5, xcex7, xcex8, xcex6, xcex4, xcex2 and xcex1, and the offset value for reading the memory regions in the dual port memory of the buffer connected to each tunable laser diode (TLD) is circulated in the order A1, A3, A5, A7, A8, A6, A4, A2 and A1, which is synchronous with the transition of the variable wavelength of each variable wavelength transmission unit. Therefore, in accordance with the wavelength control tables and the buffer control tables, the packets in the memory regions corresponding to the shifted and circulated wavelength of variable wavelength transmission units are converted into optical signals at transmission wavelengths of the respective variable wavelength transmission units at respective times and output therefrom. Further, circulations of the transmission wavelengths of the respective tunable laser diodes (TLDs) are shifted from each other in phase such that the plural tunable laser diodes (TLDs) do not perform transmissions at the same wavelength at each time. The transmission wavelengths of the variable wavelength transmission units are thus controlled by the above-discussed wavelength control tables I to VIII.
[Operation of This Example]
Now, description will be made as to the transmission control method of this network system with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14A and 14B and Tables 1 and 2.
[Transmitted Object of This Example]
To describe the transmission control method, an example of the packet transmission will be described referring to a case where a transmitting terminal equipment is the terminal equipment connected to the sub-transmission line I 1405 of the node device I 301 and an addressed terminal equipment is the terminal equipment II 1414 connected to the sub-transmission II 1406 of the node device II 302. Hereinafter, the packet to be transmitted is called a packet A. Also, the same elements in different node devices are represented by common reference numerals used in FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 for convenience"" sake.
[Operation in the Transmitting Node Device]
Initially, the communication operation of the terminal equipment I 1413 connected to the node device I 301 will be described. The transmitting terminal equipment I 1413 connected to the sub-transmission line I 1405 of the node device I 301 composes the packet A of both a data portion to be transmitted to the receiving terminal equipment II 1414 connected to the node device II 302 through the sub-transmission line II 1406, and an address portion to exhibit the address of the receiving terminal equipment II 1414, and the packet A is output to the separation-insertion unit I 133 of the node device I 301 through the sub-transmission line I 1405.
The separation-insertion unit I 133 of the node device I 301 finds a break in the packet stream received by the fixed wavelength reception unit I 117, inserts into this break the packet A input through the sub-transmission line I 1405 and outputs it to the buffer I 145. In the buffer I 145, the decoder 401 reads the address portion of the input packet A. In this case, since the destination for receiving the packet A is the terminal equipment II 1414 connected to the adjacent node device II 302, the decoder 401 sets such that the demultiplexer 404 outputs to the dual port memory 405 and outputs the predetermined writing start address value A2 of the packet A to the writing address counter 402. The writing address counter 402 thus starts with the writing start address value of the packet A and outputs discrimination signals of the memory regions, in which the packets are to be written, to the dual port memory in order. The packet A is stored in the memory region II in the dual port memory 405 because the packet A is to be transmitted to the terminal equipment II 1414 connected to the node device II 302. Since the terminal equipment II 1414 is connected to the separation-insertion unit II 137 in the node device II 302, the packet A needs to be converted into the optical signal of the wavelength xcex2 and input into the fixed wavelength reception unit II 121 connected to the separation-insertion unit II 137 in the node device II 302, so that the packet can reach the terminal equipment II 1414. The packet stored in the memory region II of the dual port memory 405 is read only when the transmission wavelength of the variable wavelength transmission unit is controlled to be set to the wavelength xcex2. As a result, the packet A is converted into the optical signal at the wavelength xcex2 and output to the node device II 302, when the transmission wavelength of the variable wavelength transmission unit is xcex2.
However, when the destination address of the input packet read by the decoder 401 in each node device is not the address of the terminal equipment connected to the adjacent node device, the decoder 401 sets the output of the demultiplexer 404 to be connected to the FIFO 406 and the received packet is stored in the FIFO 406.
The ROM counter 702 of the wavelength control unit 165 in the node device I 301 simultaneously outputs the reading address value to the wavelength control tables I to VIII and the buffer control tables I to VIII, on the basis of the clock signal of the clock 701. In accordance with the address value, the contents of the wavelength control tables and the buffer control tables are output to the respective variable wavelength transmission units and buffers. For example, when the reading address value 6 is output from the ROM counter 702 to the respective wavelength control tables and buffer control tables, the contents to be read is as follows, as shown in Table 1: The control signal corresponding to the wavelength xcex4 is read from the wavelength control table I, and the control signals corresponding to the wavelength xcex2, the wavelength xcex1, the wavelength xcex3, the wavelength xcex5, the wavelength xcex7, the wavelength xcex8 and the wavelength xcex6 are respectively read from the wavelength control tables II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII. Those control signals are respectively input into the variable wavelength transmission units connected to the respective wavelength control tables. Each variable wavelength transmission unit transmits the optical signal at a predetermined wavelength on the basis of the control signal.
Further, the reading address value 6 is also output from the ROM counter 702 in the wavelength control unit 165 to the respective buffer control tables in the buffer control unit 164. The contents of the buffer control tables I to VIII are read in accordance with the address value. The contents to be read is as follows, as shown in Table 2: The offset value A4 corresponding to the memory region IV is read from the buffer control table I, and the offset values A2, A1, A3, A5, A7, A8 and A6 corresponding to the memory regions II, I, III, V, VII, VIII and VI are respectively read from the buffer control tables II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and VIII. Those offset values are respectively input into the reading address counters 403 of the respective buffers I to VIII.
Further, on the basis of the clock signal output from the wavelength control unit, the reading control unit 609 in the buffer control unit 164 outputs to the selector 407 a control signal of reading permission of the dual port memory and reading prohibition of the FIFO, during a dual port memory reading period Td. Then, the reading control unit 609 outputs to the selector 407 a control signal of reading permission of the FIFO and reading prohibition of the dual port memory, during a predetermined FIFO reading period Tf. Those outputs are changed over alternately. Thus, the input terminal of the selector 407 is selectively connected to the FIFO 406 or the dual port memory 405. The reading control unit 609 controls output time periods of respective reading permission control signals such that the total time period of the reading period Td of the dual port memory and the reading period Tf of the FIFO coincides with a period during which the variable wavelength transmission unit transmits the optical signal at a wavelength.
During the reading period Td of the dual port memory, the reading address counter 403 in the buffer I 145 performs loading thereinto the offset value A4 from the buffer control table I 601, and generates an address for reading the packet written in the memory region IV by performing an increment of the counter in due order to supply it to the dual port memory 405. The reading address permits the dual port memory 405 to read out and output the packet to the variable wavelength transmission unit I 129. Since the packet A is not stored in the memory region IV in the buffer I 145, the packet A is not output to the variable wavelength transmission unit I 129.
During the reading period Tf of the FIFO, the reading control unit 609 in the buffer control unit 164 outputs to the selector 407 the control signal of reading permission of the FIFO and reading prohibition of the dual port memory, and the selector 407 outputs the packet stored in the FIFO 406 to the variable wavelength transmission unit I 129.
Then, the ROM counter 702 of the wavelength control unit 165 counts the clock signal of the clock 701, and simultaneously outputs the reading address value 7 to the wavelength control tables I to VII and the buffer control tables I to VII. The contents to be read from the wavelength control table I 703 is the control signal corresponding to the wavelength xcex2 as shown in Table 1. The control signal corresponding to the wavelength xcex2 is input into the variable wavelength transmission unit I 129 connected to the wavelength control table I 703. The variable wavelength transmission unit I 129 transmits the optical signal of the wavelength xcex2 in accordance with the control signal.
Further, the reading address value 7 is also output from the ROM counter 702 in the wavelength control unit 165 to the respective buffer control tables I to VIII in the buffer control unit 164. The contents of the buffer control tables I to VIII are read in accordance with the address value. The contents to be read from the buffer control table I is the offset value A2 corresponding to the memory region II as shown in Table 2.
In synchronization with the output of the reading address value to each table, on the basis of the clock signal output from the wavelength control unit, the reading control unit 609 in the buffer control unit 150 outputs to the selector 407 the control signal of reading permission of the dual port memory and reading prohibition of the FIFO. During the reading period Td of the dual port memory, the reading address counter 403 in the buffer I 145 performs loading thereinto the offset value A2 from the buffer control table I 601, and generates the address for reading the packet A written in the memory region II by performing an increment of the counter in due order to supply it to the dual port memory 405. The reading address permits the dual port memory 405 to read out and output the packet A to the variable wavelength transmission unit I 129. The packet A is converted into the optical signal of the wavelength xcex2 by the variable wavelength transmission unit I 129, and output to the coupler 1403. The respective variable wavelength transmission units II to VIII convert the packets output from the buffers II to VIII into optical signals of predetermined wavelengths on the basis of the wavelength control signal from the wavelength control unit 151, and output them to the coupler 1403. As described above, wavelengths of the optical signals transmitted from the variable wavelength transmission units II 125, III 130, IV 126, V 131, VI 127, VII 132 and VIII 128 at this time are xcex1, xcex3, xcex5, xcex7, xcex8, xcex6 and xcex4. Thus, the wavelengths of the optical signals emitted from the eight variable wavelength transmission units are made different from each other by the control of the wavelength control unit 151, so that those are multiplexed by the coupler 1403 without being affected by each other. The optical signals of all the wavelengths are thus input into the optical fiber 1404 and transmitted to the adjacent node device downstream of this node device.
The packet A transmitted through the optical fiber 1404 is only received by the fixed wavelength reception unit II 121 in the node device II 302.
The received packet A is separated from the packet to be transmitted to the buffer II 141, by the separation-insertion unit II 137, and transmitted to the addressed terminal equipment II 1414.
The above-discussed example, however, has the following technical disadvantage.
In the network system and the transmission control method of the above example, where the transmitting terminal equipment and the addressed receiving terminal equipment are connected to different separation-insertion units in the same node device, for example, the packet output from the variable wavelength transmission unit is relayed and transmitted by all the node devices, arranged in a loop form, but this node device concerned, received by the fixed wavelength reception unit which outputs the packet to the separation-insertion unit connected to the addressed terminal equipment, output to the sub-transmission line through the separation-insertion unit and received by the addressed terminal equipment. Thus, where the transmitting terminal equipment and the addressed receiving terminal equipment are connected to the different separation-insertion units in the same node device, the transmitted packet circulates through the network and reaches the addressed terminal equipment.
In view of the above-discussed example, the present invention features interactive or bi-directional transmission of a signal. In the present invention, not only sequential transmission of a signal in a predetermined direction but also reverse transmission of a signal can be executed. In the sequential transmission, the signal is transmitted from a first node device to a second node device and from the second node device to a third node device, for example. In the reverse transmission, the signal is transmitted from the second node device to the first node device, for example.
A transmission control method of the present invention is as follows:
The transmission control method to be performed in a network system, which has a plurality of node devices and in which a signal is interactively transmitted between the node devices, includes a step of temporarily storing a signal to be output, in a first node device which is one of the plural node devices, and a step of outputting the temporarily-stored signal in the first node device selectively to a second node device, which is adjacent to the first node device, through a first channel, or to a second channel which is used when the second node device outputs a signal to the first node device. In the outputting step, the first node device is controlled such that when the second node device is not transmitting a signal to the second channel, the first node device can output the signal to the second channel to which no signal is output.
In this transmission control method, the first node device can handle a signal, which is output to the first channel in a first direction and reaches the second node device, and a signal which is output to the second channel in a second direction from the second node device and input into the first node device. Further, since the first node device can output a signal to the second channel such that this signal does not collide with a signal input from the second node device, the first node device can transmit a signal without passing the all the node devices on the network even when the first node device outputs a signal to a sub-transmission line connected to this node device concerned. Further, the transmission direction can be reversed by outputting a signal using the second channel.
Various configurations can be adopted as the channel. For example, there are a configuration which uses light of different wavelengths for discriminating the different channels from each other and a configuration which uses different transmission lines. This can be readily understood by considering that whether the channels are the same or not is decided by judging whether the channels are input into the same device or not. For example, the channels are decided to be the same when the channels are input from different transmission units to the same reception unit, and the collision between signals can be prevented by not outputting the signals thereto at the same time.
The output of the signal is preferably performed by changing the channel connected to a storing unit which temporarily stores the signal to be output and reading the signal from the storing unit when the storing unit is connected to a channel to which the signal is to be output. Specifically, when the alteration of the channel connected to the storing unit is executed pursuant to a pattern, there is no need to decide the channel, to which a signal is to be output, on the basis of the address of the signal and to change the connected channel pursuant to the decision, so that a load at the time of the signal output can be notably lightened.
Various patterns can be used as the pattern. For example, there are a pattern which sets such that the first channel and the second channel can be evenly selected and a pattern which sets such that time used by one of the first channel and the second channel is set longer than time used by the other. Specifically, in a network in which a need of the reversal is small, time used by the first channel can be set longer than time used by the second channel.
On the other hand, in the second node device, the following is performed:
A signal to be output is temporarily stored in the second node device; and
A signal is output to the first node device from the second node device using the second channel while the first node device is selecting the first channel pursuant to the pattern.
At this time, also in the second node device, when the output of the signal is performed by changing the channel connected to a storing unit, which temporarily stores the signal to be output, pursuant to the pattern and reading the signal from the storing unit when the storing unit is connected to a channel to which the signal is to be output, the patterns used by the first node device and the second node device have the same time length and those patterns are set such that different channels can be selected at the same time, a load of the control can be reduced, similar to the first node device. Here, in the first and second node devices, it is preferable that the timing of the channel alteration is adjusted and that the pattern in the first node device is used at the same timing as the pattern in the second node device.
An example of a way for deciding the pattern will be described. Numbers of the first channel and the second channel are the same, and the pattern in the first node device is a pattern in which after a first channel selection pattern for selecting the first channel is selected n1 (an integer) times, a second channel selection pattern for selecting the second channel is selected n2 (an integer) times.
Here, the collision between the signals can be prevented by the following operation of the second node device.
A signal to be output is temporarily stored in the second node device; and
A signal is output to the first node device from the second node device using the second channel while the first node device is selecting the first channel pursuant to the pattern.
Furthermore, the pattern used in the second node device can be decided as follows:
The second node device outputs the temporarily-stored signal in the second node device selectively to the first node device through the second channel, or to the first channel which is used when the first node device outputs the signal to the second node device. Here, the output of the signal through the selected channel is performed by changing the channel connected to the storing unit which temporarily stores the signal to be output in the second node device and reading the signal from the storing unit when the storing unit, is connected to the channel to which the signal is to be output. The pattern in the second node device is a pattern in which after the second channel selection pattern for selecting the second channel is selected n1 (an integer) times, the first channel selection pattern for selecting the first channel is selected n2 (an integer) times. In the first and second node devices, the pattern in the first node device is used with the same timing as the pattern in the second node device.
Further, another way for deciding the pattern may be the following method:
Further, another way for deciding the pattern may be the following method:
The number of the first channels is N1 and the number of the second channels is N2 (N1 greater than N2), and the pattern in the first node device is a pattern in which after the first channel selection pattern for selecting the first channel is selected n1 times, the second channel is selected N2xc2x7CM2/N1 times among nn2 second channel selection pattern for selecting the second channel, where the larger of common multiples between N1 and N2 is CM1, the smaller thereof is CM2, a value obtained by dividing CM1 by N1 is n1, a value obtained by dividing CM1 by N2 is n2, a value obtained by dividing CM2 by N1 is nn1 and a value obtained by dividing CM2 by N2 is nn2.
Here, similar to the above, the collision between the signals can be readily prevented by the following operation of the second node device.
A signal to be output is temporarily stored in the second node device; and
A signal is output to the first node device from the second node device using the second channel while the first node device is selecting the first channel pursuant to the pattern.
Furthermore, the pattern used in the second node device can also be decided as follows:
The second node device outputs the temporarily-stored signal in the second node device selectively to the first node device through the second channel, or to the first channel which is used when the first node device outputs the signal to the second node device. Here, the output of the signal through the selected channel is performed by changing the channel connected to the storing unit which temporarily stores the signal to be output in the second node device and reading the signal from the storing unit when the storing unit is connected to the channel to which the signal is to be output. The pattern in the second node device is a pattern in which after the second channel selection pattern for selecting the second channel is selected n2 times, the first channel selection pattern for selecting the first channel is selected nn1 times. In the first and second node devices, the pattern in the first node device is used with the same timing as the pattern in the second node device.
Further, when the pattern is to be set, the pattern can also be decided such that a ratio in the pattern between time, during which the first channel is selected, and time, during which the second channel is selected, is approximately the same as a ratio between time, which is needed to output the signal to be output to the first channel, and time, which is needed to output the signal to be output to the second channel.
Furthermore, when the pattern is altered pursuant to the situation, the pattern can be set according to the traffic of the network system.
An example of the pattern alteration is as follows:
The pattern is altered such that the first ratio in the pattern between time, during which the first channel is selected, and time, during which the second channel is selected, becomes closer to the second ratio between time, which is needed to output the signal to be output to the first channel, and time, which is needed to output the signal to be output to the second channel. An example of the signal used in the present invention is packet signals which respectively have address data. The packet signal may be a signal having a fixed length, such as a cell in ATM communications, or a signal having a variable length whose length is not fixed. For example, where the fixed-length signal is treated, the above second ratio between time, which is needed to output the signal to be output to the first channel, and time, which is needed to output the signal to be output to the second channel, can be known by monitoring the number of the signals to be output through the first channel and the number of signals to be output through the second channel and obtaining a ratio between those numbers. Therefore, the pattern may be altered such that the above first ratio approaches the above second ratio. The signals may be monitored by this node device concerned or another node device.
Such pattern alteration may be performed as follows: The pattern is composed of the first channel selection pattern for selecting the first channel and the second channel selection pattern for selecting the second channel, and the pattern is altered by changing the number of the first channel selection patterns and the number of the second channel selection patterns. The reason therefor is that the pattern can be altered by the combination of sub-patterns without making again the entire pattern from the beginning each time the alteration is desired.
Further, in the first node device, when the signals are input thereinto from another node device through a plurality of channels, the storing unit stores the signals in a divided form per each input channel and the storing unit outputs the respective signals from its different output portions, the channels of the signals transmitted from another node device can be interchanged in the first node device. A specific structure of the storing unit may be a structure in which buffers are respectively provided for the input channels. Outputs from the respective buffers can be considered as outputs from the respective different output portions.
Specific constructions may be as follows: The first node device includes variable channel transmission units corresponding to the respective output portions, and the channels connected to the storing unit are altered by changing the transmission channels of the respective variable channel transmission units. The first node device includes a connection alteration unit provided with input terminals corresponding to the respective output portions and output terminals corresponding to the respective channels, and the channels connected to the storing unit are altered by changing the relationship between the input terminals and the output terminals of the connection alteration unit.
Furthermore, where the following control is performed in addition to the above-discussed control, communication can also be performed with a third node device which is further another node device adjacent to the first node device.
The signals are stored in the first node device with the following signals being discriminated from each other: A first kind of signals is a signal which is output selectively to the adjacent second node device through the first channel, or to the second channel which is used when the second node device outputs the signal to the first node device, and a second kind of signals is a signal which is output selectively to the adjacent third node device through a third channel, or to a fourth channel which is used when the third node device outputs the signal to the first node device. Here, the first node device is controlled such that when the third node device is not transmitting the signal to the fourth channel, the first node device can output the signal to be output to the fourth channel, out of the signals which are selectively output through the third channel or the fourth channel, to the fourth channel to which no signal is output.
When such control is performed, the above-discussed controls of the first node device and the second node device can also be applied to controls of the first node device and the third node device. As will be described in the following embodiments, when the structure of a loop-type network is adopted, the first and fourth channels serve as channels for transmitting in a first direction and the second and third channels serve as channels for transmitting in a direction opposite to the first direction.
In the present invention, the first node device outputs the signal to be output to the sub-transmission line connected to this node device, out of the signals stored in the first storing unit, to the second channel, and outputs the signal to be output to the sub-transmission line connected to this node device, out of the signals stored in the second storing unit, to the fourth channel. Thus, the signal to be separated from the second channel to the addressed sub-transmission line, out of the signals stored in the first storing unit, is separated and reaches the addressed destination after output through the second channel, while the signal to be separated from the first channel to the addressed sub-transmission line, out of the signals stored in the first storing unit, is once again temporarily stored in the second storing unit after output through the second channel and output through the first channel to reach the addressed destination. The signals from the second storing unit are also dealt with in the same manner.
Further, in order to prevent unnecessary reversal of the transmission, the first node device only needs to be controlled such that it does not output the signal, whose output channel need not be designated, out of the temporarily-stored signals, when the signal can be output to the second and fourth channels.
Further, where the first, second and third node devices are arranged, the first node device only needs to be controlled such that the signal output to the fourth channel is input into the first storing unit of the first node device and that the signal output to the second channel is input into the second storing unit of the first node device.
Further, the node device is preferably constructed such that it is connected to the terminal equipment and the like through the sub-transmission line and that the signal to be output to the sub-transmission line connected to this node device, out of the input signals, is separated from other signals and output to this sub-transmission line.
Further, when the storing unit is constructed such that it stores the signals in a divided form for different channels to which those signals are to be output, control for reading the signals is facilitated and speedy reading can be attained.
Further, in the node device, since all the signals need not be transmitted with their channels being designated, it is preferable that the storing unit stores the signal, whose output channel is to be designated, and the signal, whose output channel is not to be designated, in a separate form from each other.
Furthermore, a network system of the present invention is constructed in the following manner.
The network system, which includes a plurality of node devices and performs an interactive or bi-directional transmission of a signal between the node devices, includes a first node device which is a node device of the plural node devices and have the following units. Those are a storing unit for temporarily storing the signal to be output, and a connection unit for connecting the storing unit to a first channel for outputting to an adjacent second node device or a second channel for outputting from the second node device to the first node device. The connection unit connects the storing unit to the second channel, to which no signal is output, when the second node device is not outputting the signal to the second channel.
The present invention further includes network systems for performing the above-discussed transmission controls.
In particular, as a specific structure, the transmission unit for performing the optical transmission may be a structure using a tunable laser and devices for combining or multiplexing, dividing and demultiplexing the optical signal are used. Further, another structure for altering channels may be a structure using a switch.

Transmission control method in a network system for interactively transmitting a signal between node devices and network system using the same


The present invention provides a detergent composition for clothing containing components (a) and (b): (a) glyceryl or polyglyceryl monoether represented by formula (I); and (b) a sulfate selected from those represented by formulae (II), (III), and (IV). Component (a) contains compounds having different condensation degrees of glycerol n's, with the proviso that when component (b) is a sulfate represented by formula (II) or (III), component (a) has a condensation degree of glycerol n of 3 to 5. Formula (I) is R—O—(C3H6O2)n—H (I), wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms; and n represents a condensation degree of glycerol and is an integer. Formulas (II)-(IV) are: R1—O—SO3M (II); R1—O-(EO)m-(AO)1—SO3M (III); and R1—O-(A1O)p-(AO)q—SO3M (IV). In formulas (II-(IV), R1 represents a hydrocarbon group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms; EO represents an oxyethylene group; AO represents an oxyalkylene group, at least one of a plurality of AOs being an oxyethylene, oxypropylene, or oxybutylene group; m represents an integer of 1 to 10; l represents an integer of 0 to 10; A1O represents an oxypropylene group and/or an oxybutylene group; p represents an integer of 1 to 5; q represents an integer of 0 to 10; and M represents an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, NH4, or alkanolammonium group having 2 to 3 carbon atoms.

For increasing detergency, nonionic surfactants such as glyceryl monoalkylether or polyglyceryl monoalkylethers, produced with glycerol derived from natural oil-and-fats, mainly vegetable, have recently been blended to detergents. Such detergent compositions are disclosed in JP-A2001-49290, JP-A2001-49291, JP-A1′-310792, JP-A4-506367, JP-A7-500861, JP-A3-174496, and JP-A2006-348084.
WO-A 2008/126908, published on Oct. 23, 2008, discloses a detergent composition for clothing containing polyglyceryl monoethers, containing compounds having different condensation degrees n's of glycerol. The content of compounds having condensation degrees n's of glycerol of 3 to 5 is not less than 40% by mass.


Methods and compositions are disclosed for delivering lutein or other antioxidant to target tissues such as the eye, in bioactive form, while protecting the antioxidant from degradation. The antioxidant is encapsulated in nanoparticles comprising a protein such as zein or a polymer such as poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Preferably a surfactant is associated with the nanoparticles as well, further helping to protect the antioxidant. After the nanoparticles are administered to the target tissue, bioactive antioxidant is released to the tissue over time. Optionally, the nanoparticles are admixed with a thermosensitive, bioadhesive gel to promote slow release of antioxidant. The methods and compositions are useful for treating or preventing conditions such as age-related macular degeneration or cataracts.

Lutein
Lutein is a plant pigment, a xanthophyll, a dihydroxy carotenoid. The IUPAC name for lutein is β,ε-carotene-3,3′-diol; and its structure is:

Because humans are not capable of synthesizing carotenoids in vivo, the lutein in human tissues is normally of dietary origin. Lutein is found, for example, in green plants (e.g., alfalfa, wheat grass, barley grass, kale, spinach, broccoli, green beans, green peas, lima beans, cabbage, collards, mustard greens, and turnip greens), certain flowers (e.g., marigold flower petals), certain yellow fruits and vegetables (e.g., carrots, peaches, mango, papaya, squash, and oranges), egg yolks, chicken skin, and chicken fat. In maize for example, lutein is found primarily in the horny endosperm. Marigold flower petals (Tagetes erecta) are also an excellent source of lutein, albeit more expensive than lutein derived from maize.
Lutein has a sequence of ten conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds. The conjugated structure allows lutein to function as a primary antioxidant in a biological system by scavenging radicals such as peroxyl radicals, but the extensive conjugation also makes lutein susceptible to degradation by light, oxygen, and heat. The susceptibility to degradation makes it challenging to deliver lutein to tissues where needed.
The hydroxyl groups make lutein more polar than its unmodified β-carotene analog. Lutein is soluble in both nonpolar and polar solvents. See Table 1.
TABLE 1Lutein: Physical Properties and Solubility in Various SolventsA. Physical Properties of LuteinMolecular formulaC40H56O2Molecular weight568.85Melting point183-190° C.AppearanceYellow prisms with metallic lusterStabilityUnstable to light and oxygen;Stable if stored at −20° C. under a nitrogenatmosphereSolubility in waterInsolubleB. Solubility of Lutein in Organic SolventsSolubilitySolvent(mg/L)Acetone800Acetonitrile100Benzene600Chloroform6000Cyclohexane50Cyclohexanone4000Dimethyl formamide1000Ethyl alcohol300Ethyl acetate800Ethyl ether2000Hexane202-Propanol400Methyl alcohol200Methyl tert butyl2000etherTetrahydrofuran8000Toluene500Adapted from J. I. X. Antony et al., "Lutein," The World of Food Ingredients, April/May, pp. 64-67 (2001)
The Role of Lutein in Health and Disease
Lutein decreases the risk of certain diseases and reduces the symptoms of certain diseases, particularly eye diseases such as Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), and angiogenic-related diseases such as breast cancer and colon cancer. AMD is a degenerative condition of the region of the retina that is responsible for central vision. AMD is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss among older people. The carotenoids in the eye are concentrated in the inner retinal layer of the macula. Evidence from human studies suggest that dietary intake of carotenoids can lead to their accumulation in the retina, and is believed to provide protection against retinal degeneration. However, lutein is water-insoluble, making it difficult to effectively deliver bioactive lutein to target tissues, such as the retina, in a bioactive form without degradation. There is an unfilled need for methods and compositions to effectively deliver bioactive lutein or other antioxidants to target tissues, such as the retina, in a living organism in a bioactive form without degradation. To the inventors' knowledge, there have been no prior reports of any composition that is adapted for topical administration to the eye to deliver lutein to the interior of the eye, including the retina.
Lutein protects retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) from photo-oxidative damage through its ability to absorb short wavelength blue light, especially around 445 nm. Lutein can also modulate inflammation, and can help at least partially break the vicious cycle between oxidative stress and inflammatory response in RPEs. Furthermore, because lutein can quench singlet oxygen, lutein can help inhibit conditions resulting from oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, lung cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Lutein has a low water solubility, poor in vivo absorption, and low bioavailability. There is an unfilled need for improved delivery systems to take advantage of lutein's potential as an antioxidant, and to improve its physicochemical stability during processing and storage.
Mitri, K.; Shegokar, R.; Gohla, S.; Anselmi, C.; Muller, R. H., Lipid nanocarriers for dermal delivery of lutein: preparation, characterization, stability and performance. International journal of pharmaceutics 2011, 414 (1-2), 267-75 discloses the use of lipid nanocarriers for dermal delivery of lutein, for example for use as a dermal anti-oxidant, anti-stress agent, or blue light filter. The lipid nanocarriers tested included solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and a nanoemulsion. Permeation studies with fresh pig ear skin showed that no or very little lutein permeated, leading to an inference that the active lutein remained in the skin but was not systemically absorbed.
Tan, C.; Xia, S.; Xue, J.; Xie, J.; Feng, B.; Zhang, X., Liposomes as vehicles for lutein: preparation, stability, liposomal membrane dynamics, and structure. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry 2013, 61 (34), 8175-8184 reports observations on the effect of lutein on liposome membrane stability, for potential uses of nano-encapsulated lutein in nutraceuticals and functional foods.
Mitri, K.; Shegokar, R.; Gohla, S.; Anselmi, C.; Muller, R. H., Lutein nanocrystals as antioxidant formulation for oral and dermal delivery. International journal of pharmaceutics 2011, 420 (1), 141-6 discloses the use of high pressure homogenization to prepare lutein nanosuspensions. The lutein nanosuspension was converted into pellets and filled into gelatin capsules for use as a nutraceutical. A lyophilized suspension was incorporated into creams or gels. When tested on pig ear skin as a model for potential dermal use, the lutein did not permeate through the skin.
Hu, D.; Lin, C.; Liu, L.; Li, S.; Zhao, Y, Preparation, characterization, and in vitro release investigation of lutein/zein nanoparticles via solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids. Journal of Food Engineering 2012, 109 (3), 545-552 describes the use of supercritical fluids to enhance solution dispersion in the production of lutein/zein nanoparticles.
Elzoghby, A. O.; Samy, W. M.; Elgindy, N. A., Protein-based nanocarriers as promising drug and gene delivery systems. Journal of Controlled Release 2012, 161 (1), 38-49 provides a review of the use of protein-based nanocarriers as potential candidates for drug and gene delivery.
Lim, A. S. L.; Griffin, C.; Roos, Y. H., Stability and loss kinetics of lutein and β-carotene encapsulated in freeze-dried emulsions with layered interface and trehalose as glass former. Food Research International 2014, 62 (0), 403-409 discloses the formation of dehydrated emulsions of carotenoids such as β-carotene and lutein, for potential use in infant formulas, nutritional supplements, and medical foods. Layer-by-layer systems were found to retain the carotenoids better than single-layer emulsions, although the layer-by-layer systems also increased isomerization.
Kamil, A.; Smith, D. E.; Blumberg, J. B.; Astete, C.; Sabliov, C.; Chen, C.-Y. O., Bioavailability and biodistribution of nanodelivered lutein. Food Chemistry 2016, 192, 915-923 (available online 23 Jul. 2015) discloses the synthesis of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles containing lutein, and the plasma pharmacokinetics and deposition of lutein in selected tissues that followed administration of the nanoparticles by gastric gavage in a slurry that also contained olive oil, flour, and water.
Zein is a naturally-occurring protein that has been used in synthesizing nanodelivery systems. Zein is "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) for human consumption by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Because zein is hydrophobic, it can be used as a carrier for the entrapment, controlled release, and stabilization of fat-soluble compounds. Zein nanoparticles have been synthesized with entrapped drugs, antimicrobial agents, and bioactive compounds such as 5-fluorouracil, thymol, curcumin, essential oils, and lutein.
There remains an unfilled need for improved compositions and methods for delivering bioactive lutein or other antioxidants to tissues where needed, such as the eye, while protecting the lutein or other antioxidant from degradation before it is delivered to such tissues.

Delivery of bioactive, nanoencapsulated antioxidants

Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College


An electronic stereoscopic microscope for detecting and reproducing pairs of stereoscopic part images comprises a camera unit having at least one electronic image sensor, a dog-leg objective for generating an image of an object on the image sensor, wherein the objective comprises a first leg facing the object to be imaged, a second leg facing the image sensor and including an angle with the first leg and deflection means provided between the legs, wherein the first leg extends along an imaging axis and the second leg extends along a detection axis. The microscope furthermore comprises an electronic viewfinder for reproducing stereoscopic part images detected by means of the image sensor, with the electronic viewfinder being arranged in an observation position or being movable into an observation position which is provided at a rear side of the objective in an extension of the imaging axis.

With conventional stereoscopic surgical microscopes, a magnified representation of an object takes place with the aid of single objectives or objective pairs and a downstream pair of eyepieces through which a person can view the object. These surgical microscopes have the disadvantage that the light intensity available for the observation by the main user is reduced for a branching of image information from the optical path such as is necessary for a parallel observation by a second person or for documentation purposes.
Furthermore, it is often desired with stereoscopic microscopes that the viewfinder or the eyepieces are located as closely as possible to the object to be observed so that it is possible for the user of the microscope to adopt a body posture which is as ergonomic as possible for carrying out manipulations which he would like to carry out at the observed object with the aid of his hands.

Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG


The present invention relates to system and method of reading and rewriting EDID in a video transmission system includes a transmitter transmitting a video signal and a receiver receiving the video signal that the transmitter transmitted which are connected to each other through digital interface, the method includes a reading step where the transmitter reads the EDID of the receiver through the digital interface; a first transmitting step where the transmitter transmit the video signal to the receiver on the basis of the EDID which the transmitter read; a second transmitting step where the receiver transmits a first message related to the EDID of the receiver; and a third transmitting step where the receiver transmits a second message related to the EDID of the receiver; wherein the transmitter, which received the first message from the receiver, does not read the EDID of the receiver until the second message is received.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interface for transmitting a digital video signal including an audio signal.
(2) Description of the Related Arts
Digital interfaces for transmitting a digital video signal, such as an HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface), a DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and a DisplayPort have been provided from the past.
These digital interfaces are used for transmitting a digital video signal from a video transmitter to a video receiver. The video transmitter is, for example, a digital recorder such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) reproducing device, a STB (Set Top Box), or a personal computer. The video receiver is, for example, a video display device such as a monitor for a television or a personal computer.
In the case of connection through a digital interface such as the HDMI, a CP (Contents Protection, namely, copyright protection) technique such as an HDCP (High-bandwidth digital Contents Protection) is employed, and transmission and reception of a video signal is enabled only when the video transmitter and the video receiver are successfully authenticated.
However, a conventional authentication operation is executed while a HPD terminal is changed its level High to Low to High not only the time of power-on reset of the video receiver, but also every time when the display switch to another input terminal or data related to the characteristics of the video receiver are rewritten. Accordingly, the video transmitter cannot read the data related to the characteristics of the video receiver until the data rewriting is completed, which leads to problems that a video cannot be displayed or an interruption time of a video is long.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-252819 describes an example in which data related to the characteristics of a video receiver are rewritten in accordance with a state of the video receiver.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-246300 describes an example of a display when authentication fails, but does not describe eliminating or shortening of a video interruption time caused by switching of the input terminal or rewriting of data related to the characteristics of a video receiver

System and method for transmitting a video signal from a transmitter to a receiver and reading and writing EDID


A mooring system comprising a submerged buoy releasably connectable to a vessel keel having a combined axial/radial bearing. A segmented ring, fastened to the buoy, forms the bearing outer ring. An inner bearing hub slidingly carried on the bearing outer ring is connectable to a vessel structural connector. In a first embodiment, the structural connector includes an inner cylindrical sleeve coaxially movable within an outer cylindrical housing by circumferential actuators. The lower ends of the connector sleeve and connector housing capture plural collet segments circumpositioned therebetween that radially move in and out as the connector sleeve is moved axially within the connector housing. The lower ends of the collet segments extend downward into the bearing hub and releasably engage an interior groove therein, thereby dogging the bearing hub against the vessel. In a second embodiment, the bearing hub is simply bolted directly to a cylindrical connector member of the vessel.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns detachable mooring systems for loading and offloading liquid petroleum product oil tankers, floating storage (FSO) vessels, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) systems, floating vessels for natural gas offloading (for example, cryogenic liquefied natural gas (LNG) regas import terminals), and LNG transport vessels.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous patents are known that pertain to disconnectable mooring systems, many of which provide a submerged buoy that can be detachably released from a floating vessel. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,708 issued to Borseth shows a detachable buoy with a geostationary part. The Borseth buoy has an outer body that is received in a recess in the bottom of the vessel, where the outer body is fixed to the vessel by locking wedges. Four other notable types of detachable mooring systems are known and are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4.
FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a disconnectable mooring system of a design of FMC Technologies and as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,446. The mooring system includes two basic parts—a geostationary buoy (61) that is detachably connectable to a turret assembly (53) that is disposed in the floating vessel. The buoy (61) is moored to the seabed by a number of anchor legs (63) that are connected to the buoy at anchor leg connectors (62), such that the buoy is generally geostationary.
The vessel (52) carries a turret assembly (53), which is revolvably disposed within the vessel hull and which opens to the sea near the keel elevation. The turret (53) includes a vertical turret shaft (59) and is supported by an upper axial bearing (57) and a lower radial bearing (58). The turret and bearings remain on the vessel when the buoy is disconnected therefrom. The lower end of the turret shaft (59) is equipped with a structural connector (60) that is designed and arranged to disconnectably mate with a connector hub (66) located at the upper surface of the buoy (61). Rubber fenders (64) are provided on the buoy to cushion the mooring process, and a water seal (67) is provided to maintain watertight integrity of the turret compartment in the vessel.
The turret mooring arrangement of FIGS. 1A and 1B provides a fluid flow path between a subsea well or component and the vessel when the vessel is moored to the buoy. The fluid transfer system (FTS) (54) includes a flexible conductor (68) spanning the distance between the seabed and the buoy (61), a lower conductor pipe (56a) that is geostationary and in fluid communication with the flexible conductor, and an upper conductor pipe (56b), which is fixed to the vessel and in fluid communication with the lower conductor pipe (56a) via a fluid swivel (55).
When the buoy (61) is completely separated from the vessel (52), the buoy (61) is designed and arranged to sink to a neutrally buoyant position about 36 meters below sea level. As shown in FIG. 1B, the vessel is moored to the buoy by first recovering the submerged buoy upwards to the structural connector (60) by heaving in a retrieval line (65) with a winch system (not shown). The structural connector (60) is then locked in engagement with the connector hub (66), fixing the turret with the geostationary buoy and mooring the vessel (52) to the seabed. The vessel can freely weathervane about the geostationary turret in response to wind, waves and currents.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show a later version of a disconnectable turret mooring arrangement (71) design of FMC Technologies. The turret mooring arrangement (71) of FIGS. 2A and 2B is substantially similar to the turret mooring arrangement (51) of FIGS. 1A and 1B. For example, the buoy (81) is moored to the seabed by a number of anchor legs (83) that are connected to the buoy at anchor leg connectors (82), such that the buoy is generally geostationary. The vessel (72) carries a turret assembly (73), which is revolvably disposed within the vessel hull and which opens to the sea near the keel. The turret assembly (73) includes a vertical turret shaft (79) and is supported by an upper axial bearing (77) and a lower radial bearing (78). The turret and bearings remain on the vessel when the buoy is disconnected. The lower end of the turret shaft (79) is equipped with a structural connector (80) that is designed and arranged to disconnectably mate with a connector hub (86) disposed at the upper surface of the buoy (81). A water seal (87) is provided to maintain watertight integrity of the turret compartment in the vessel. The fluid transfer system (FTS) (74) includes a flexible conductor (88) between the seabed and the buoy (81), a lower geostationary conductor pipe (76b) in fluid communication with the flexible conductor, and an upper conductor pipe (76a), fixed to the vessel and in fluid communication with the lower conductor pipe (76b) via a fluid swivel (75). When the buoy (81) is separated from the vessel (72), the buoy (81) is designed and arranged to sink to a neutrally buoyant position about 36 meters below sea level. A retrieval line (85) is provided for heaving the buoy to the vessel.
However, unlike the turret mooring arrangement of FIGS. 1A and 1B, where the buoy (61) abuts the keel of the moored vessel (52), in the arrangement of FIGS. 2A and 2B, the upper part of a buoy (81) is cone shaped and is brought into a cone shaped buoy receiving space (89). The structural connector (80) fastens the buoy (81) to the turret shaft (79). The turret shaft (79) is rotatively connected to the vessel (72) by the upper bearing (77). The skirt 90 is rotatively coupled to the lower bearing (78). This system typically is used when several large fluid conductors (88) are required.
FIGS. 3A and 3B generally describe a subsurface buoy mooring system (101) such as that shown by Svensen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,892,495. A cone-shaped buoy (103) is rotatably received into a receptacle (108) formed in the vessel hull (111) and is secured inside a complementary turret receptacle (104) by latches (105). A radial bearing (106) and a vertically-oriented axial bearing (107) support turret (102). The axial bearing (107) abuts a bearing support surface (110). When the buoy (103) is disconnected from the vessel, the turret and the bearings remain on the vessel. The buoy (103) is moored to the seabed by a number of anchor legs (109) such that it is essentially geostationary. For simplicity, the fluid transfer system is not illustrated.
FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a type of mooring system (121) design of Advanced Production Loading (APL) AS of Norway and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,166, among others. A buoy assembly (124) includes a buoy (128), upper and lower bearings (126, 127), and a turret (125) that is rotatably supported by the bearings. The cone-shaped buoy (128) is non-rotatably secured into a complementary receptacle (137) formed in the vessel hull (122) by latches (134) that engage a groove (135) formed in the buoy.
The fluid transfer system (FTS) includes a flexible conductor (133) spanning the distance between the seabed and the buoy (128), a lower conductor pipe (132) that is geostationary and in fluid communication with the flexible conductor, and an upper conductor pipe (136), which is fixed to the vessel and in fluid communication with the lower conductor pipe (132) via a fluid swivel (123).
However, the buoy (128) is not geostationary; the buoy is attached to and rotates with the vessel hull (122) while the turret (125) remains geostationary. When the buoy assembly (124) is disconnected from the vessel (122), the bearings and the turret remain on the buoy. The lower end of the turret (125) forms a chain table or anchor leg frame (129) with anchor leg connectors (131). A number of anchor legs (130) connect the turret to the seabed so that the turret (125) is essentially geostationary. In this design the entire anchor leg system weight and loads are supported by the axial bearing (126). Because the APL buoy (128) is secured directly to the vessel (122), its buoyancy does not serve to reduce vertical bearing loads.
Most mooring systems are "turret" systems of one form or another which are familiar to those skilled in the art. Turrets are generally large and expensive structures that usually include large diameter upper and lower bearings. Many prior art disconnectable mooring systems also require a large (approximately 10 meters diameter or larger) cone shaped opening in the vessel bottom. Such structure mandates expensive vessel construction. Because there is a continuing requirement for lowering the cost of major components on floating production systems and loading/offloading cargo vessels, reduction of large, expensive mooring structures is advantageous. Furthermore, large openings in the vessel hull to accommodate mooring buoys cause significant drag and energy losses on those disconnectable cargo vessels when they are sailing long distances. As newer and larger high speed LNG carrier/regas vessels tend to have a narrow flat bottom near the bow at the optimum location for a buoy connection, a large hull opening is less desirable in these applications.
3. Identification of Objects of the Invention
A primary object of the invention is to provide a mooring buoy that remains geostationary with only an inner ring of a bearing mounted on the buoy that can be disconnectably connected to the ship.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a detachable mooring system in which a bearing can be installed in or on the buoy that has a large radial mooring load capacity due to its unique arrangement. Detachable moorings having larger load capacity are desirable because hydrocarbon production and import/export terminals are moving into more hostile environments.
Another object of the invention is to provide a mooring system that requires a significantly smaller opening in the vessel with the capability to plug the opening so a virtually smooth ship bottom is achieved at the buoy connection point.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved disconnectable mooring system that eliminates the need for the turret component of prior loading and offloading liquid petroleum product oil tankers, floating storage (FSO) vessels, floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) systems, floating vessels for natural gas offloading, and LNG transport vessels, thereby resulting in significant cost reductions.
Another object of the invention is to provide an improved detachable mooring system that can be released and recovered in high sea states and harsh conditions due to the arrangement of buoy to ship interface equipment.
Another object of the invention is to provide an adaptation of the invention that achieves the inherent cost and functional advantages of the new arrangement for mooring a vessel permanently installed at an offshore location.

Detachable mooring system with bearings mounted on submerged buoy


A receptacle for completing an electrical circuit between first and second devices, such as an electronic button and an interface circuit. The receptacle comprises a column moveable within a structure defining a channel having first and second ends, the column includes an electrically conductive contact engageable by the first device at the first channel end. An electrical terminal is spaced from the column at a second channel end, the electrical terminal being electrically connectable to the second device. A connector is electrically connected to the contact and extends within the channel toward the terminal, such that upon engagement of the contact by the first device, the connector electrically engages the terminal, thereby completing the electrical circuit between the devices. A second electrically conductive contact is located within the channel adjacent the column which is engageable by the first device. A second terminal is spaced from the column at the second channel end, the second terminal being electrically connectable to the second device and also being connectable to the second electrically conductive contact by a ground spring arrangement.

Dallas Semiconductor Corporation of Dallas, Tex. has created a series of electronic buttons which are marketed under the trademark "Touch Memory.TM.." These electronic buttons consist of a semiconductor chip secured within a coin-shaped stainless steel container which is approximately 16.3 millimeters in diameter and 5.8 millimeters thick, similar in appearance to a large watch battery. Just like a watch battery, these electronic buttons are circular in shape and constructed with joined circular female and male members. The female member comprises one surface of the container and its sides, while the male member is designed to be inserted into the female member to comprise the second surface of the container. The electronic button is assembled such that the female and male members are electrically insulted from one another, thus enabling the female and male members to serve as separate electrical terminals when the electronic button is in use, similar to the positive and negative terminals of a watch battery.
When the electronic button is assembled, a semiconductor chip having a ground and a signal pin is secured within the container. The semiconductor chip's ground pin is electrically connected to the female member and the semiconductor chip's signal pin is electrically connected to the male member. This allows the female member to serve as the ground terminal and the male member to serve as the signal terminal for the encased semiconductor chip.
The electronic button's internal semiconductor chip is uniquely designed such that by attaching the electronic button ground terminal to ground and simultaneously attaching the signal terminal to an appropriately activated electrical signal, the electronic button is able to deliver data stored in the semiconductor chip onto the signal line and/or receive data sent on the signal line. One of the unique features of the electronic button is that data may be delivered and/or received in a very brief period of time, thus only requiring a momentary contact with the ground and signal terminals. In one application, a "read-only" electronic button can be programmed with a unique identification number which enables the electronic button to serve as an electronic key. In another application a "read/write" electronic button may be used to record and keep track of a patient's medical data which may be placed on a bracelet and worn by the patient during the patient's hospital stay. The internal semiconductor chip may be designed with various other functionalities and used in many applications.
One of the problems encountered with the use of electronic buttons is the design of an acceptable receptacle to receive the electronic button. The receptacle, upon receipt of the button, makes the appropriate ground and signal contacts with a device to which the button interfaces, such that data and/or signals may be transferred between the interface device and the button's internal semiconductor chip. Various receptacles are available that utilize a circular electronic button retainer, hardwired to the interface device and having an outer ground contact and an inner signal contact into which the electronic button is inserted. Once inserted, the ground and signal contacts complete an electrical circuit through the electronic button to activate its internal semiconductor chip and the transfer of data to or from the interface device.
While the foregoing receptacle design is suitable for most applications, drawbacks exist when the design is employed in connection with certain types of electronic enclosures. For example, the ground and signal contacts of the receptacle, when not in operation with the electronic button, often remain exposed on the face of the enclosure thereby creating a potential for short circuit activation and/or damage to the interface device connected to the receptacle. Further, the single-piece construction of the receptacle, and the hard-wired electrical connections between the receptacle and the interface device, make it difficult to incorporate the receptacle into an electronic enclosure that has a removable cover. In particular, upon removal of the cover to which the receptacle is mounted, the electrical wiring extending between the receptacle and the interface device must be disconnected, or alternatively the wiring must be of sufficient length to avoid inadvertent disconnection.
The above problems associated with existing electronic button receptacles are of particular concern when the electronic enclosure involved is the housing of a personal computer. Generally, electronic buttons are used with personal computers as an electronic key for verifying access to the system and for other intelligent data transfer operations. The receptacle of the electronic button is typically incorporated into the front bezel, i.e, the removable cover, of the computer housing. The receptacle is then connected by wiring to interface circuitry within the computer to enable data communication between the electronic button and the computer. Since most personal computers reside on a desktop surface, there is an increased risk of conductive material, e.g., pens, paper clips and the like, accidentally short-circuiting the contacts of the receptacle and thus causing damage to the interface circuitry inside the computer. Also, removal of the computer's cover is often necessary to access memory cards, peripheral cards and other parts of the computer. The electronic receptacle is traditionally mounted on the cover and a fly-wire connects the receptacle to the interface circuitry within the computer. The fly-wire enables partial removal of the cover from the computer housing without disconnection of the receptacle. However, the fly-wire can be easily severed and tethering the receptacle to the computer in this fashion is both unwieldy and inconvenient.
Consequently, there is a need for an apparatus that protects the ground and signal contacts of an electronic button receptacle from being inadvertently short-circuited by contact with foreign objects.
There is a further need for an apparatus that permits an electronic receptacle to be mounted on a removable cover, e.g., bezel, of an electronic housing without requiring a wired electrical connection between the receptacle and interface circuitry of the housing, thereby facilitating removal and replacement of the cover relative to the housing.


This method, for determining the local intensity (I0) of an acoustic field propagating in a target region of a soft solid, at a position located within said target region, includes at least the following steps: determining (102) a value of an ultrasound attenuation coefficient (α) of the soft body in the target region; determining (104) a value of the shear modulus (μ) of the soft body in the target region; determining (106) a value of the speed of sound (c) in the target region of the soft body; and building (110), with the values determined in steps a), b) and c), a viscoelastic model (M) of a steady-state displacement induced by an acoustic field having a time invariant shape or a viscoelastic model of a difference between two steady-state displacements induced by an acoustic field having a time invariant shape. Moreover, this method also includes the following steps: applying (112) to the target region the acoustic field emitted by an ultrasound source, for a duration such that the acoustic field induces a steady-state localized deformation (Formula (I)) of the soft body in the target region; measuring (114) at least one steady state displacement induced by the acoustic field at a given position in the target region; and computing (116) the amplitude of the intensity of the acoustic field at said given position by inverting the viscoelastic model (M) at said given position, for the displacement(s) measured at step f).

When an acoustic field propagates in a soft solid, in order to measure a physical parameter of this solid or in order to apply a treatment, it is essential that the spatial distribution of the acoustic field in the soft solid is precisely controlled, in particular in order not to damage the soft solid, e.g. by overheating.
For instance, diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound applications rely on delivering a specific intensity distribution of an acoustic field over a given duration. In medical applications, the ultrasound beam may be unexpectedly attenuated, or deflected, or both, because of tissue heterogeneity. Ideally, beam alteration should be detected and corrected. But, as of today, there is no way to measure intensity in biological tissues. Beam alteration is therefore likely to go unnoticed, with potential consequences on safety and efficacy of the diagnostic and/or of the treatment.
The intensity distribution of an acoustic field in a region of interest can be estimated using an inverse problem approach. Specifically, in a first iteration, some initial guess of the intensity distribution is entered in the simulation. The difference between the field predicted from simulation and a field measured experimentally is calculated. In subsequent iterations, the intensity distribution entered in the simulation is varied and the difference between the field predicted from simulation and the field measured experimentally is minimized iteratively. An algorithm selects the intensity distribution that minimizes the discrepancy between simulations and experiment. However, the chosen solution may correspond to a local minimum. It may therefore be inaccurate. This approach may therefore be unreliable.
Using a viscoelastic model is known in the field of ultrasound imaging, as explained by Bercoff et al. in "The role of viscosity in the impulse diffraction field of elastic waves induced by the acoustic radiation force" (IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, Vol. 51, No. 11, November 2004). This document focuses on the determination of soft tissue elasticity and is not concerned with the actual intensity of an acoustic field applied for an experiment.
In "Monitored steady-state excitation and recovery (MSSER) radiation force imaging using viscoelastic models" (IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, Vol. 55, No. 7, July 2008) and in US-A-20100138163, Mauldin et at consider a steady-state situation for measuring an elasticity. Here again, this does not allow monitoring the intensity of an acoustic field used in an experiment.
US-A-2012/226158 discloses a system and a method for correcting errors in shear wave measurements. This method disclosed does not allow for the measurement of an acoustic intensity. This method is therefore fundamentally different from the method described below.
Usually, the power of the beam of the acoustic field in the target region, which depends on the ultra-sound beam distribution, is estimated by simulation. This simulation is based on a situation in a homogenous medium, such as water. This can be satisfactory when the soft solid is also homogeneous.
In practice, many soft solids, in particular biological tissues, are heterogeneous. They can include localized variations, such as tumors and/or fat with a distribution which depends, amongst others, on the size of the organism to be studied, for instance a patient. Thus, in real life applications of ultrasonic beams, the beam can be deflected, attenuated or dilated/diverging due to heterogeneities, so that the practitioner does not know how effective the diagnostic or the treatment is and for how long is should be applied.
In other words, the intensity of the ultrasonic field in the target region of the diagnostic and/or of the treatment is not controlled. One relies on the simulation made in water, which is not appropriate for the soft solid.
The same problem occurs when an acoustic field is used for non-medical purposes, e.g. for quality control in the food, cosmetic or mechanical industry, where heterogeneities may result from holes or fat in a sample.

Method and apparatus for determining local acoustic field intensity within a soft solid

Institut National de la Sante et la Recherche Medicale (Inserm)


An apparatus for separating teeth utilizing a base member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion. A first spring extends outwardly from the first end portion while a second spring extends outwardly from the second portion of the base member. A lingual shield spans the distal portions of the first and second springs extending from the base member. A pair of tines overlap one another, one tine extending from the base member, the other extending from the shield. The first and second springs urge the meeting or overlapping of the first and second tines in the vicinity of gap for meeting place between a pair of teeth.

The present invention relates to a novel and useful apparatus for separating a pair of adjacent teeth.
Malocclusions are treated by orthodontists using various mechanical and chemical techniques. Prior to the implementation of such techniques, teeth-size modification must take place to correct crowding of teeth adjacent to one another. In the past, such teeth crowding had been corrected by teeth extractions or moving teeth into unstable or unrealistic positions.
The current procedures for the modeling of teeth is often is referred to as "slenderizing" or inter-proximal reduction of enamel. To achieve this result, the practitioner must first separated adjacent teeth and remove enamel with a mechanical device with a saw or rasp. Unfortunately, such techniques require great precision and damage to the tongue, teeth, and lips must be avoided.
Specifically prior methods require the use of wooden wedges to allow the employment of very thin stainless steel diamond coated abrasive strips. In certain cases, screw based separators are used. Wooden wedges induce pain in patients and often cause gingival papillae bleeding, which can confound later adhesive bonding. Moreover, the abrasive stainless strips possess sharp edges and are prone to fracture, such fracturing has caused lacerations on the lips, gingival papillae, floor of the mouth and tongue, since these areas are unprotected. Screw driven separators may also exert excessive forces on the teeth crowns and roots, resulting in fractures in the enamel and dentine.
In the past, many devices have been proposed to separate teeth. For example U.S. Pat. Nos. 436,603, 450,825 show teeth separators that use a support and a moveable wedge which is advanced by a lead screw.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 427,338, 440,509, 465,555, 511,619, 669,092, 1,306,696, and 1,464,532 describe tooth separators using a pair of wedges which fit in the gap between the teeth and employ a threaded member to exert force on one or more of the wedges.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 487,726, 819,136, 847,778, 862,694, and 1,456,294 employ posing wedges, at least one of which is split and expandable to separate teeth.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,647,315 shows a dental matrix instrument in which a screw is employed to place a band which exerts tension on a clip to allow the practitioner to separate teeth a temporary manner in order to insert a filing.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 350,150, 1,702,869, 1,829,898, and 2,048,856 teach teeth separators in which clamps are extended around adjacent teeth, that are caused to separate by one or more lead screws acting on the clamps.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 681,770 and 811,849 describe the use of flanges which partially fit around teeth that are then separated by the use of threaded members.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 425,067, 426,253, and 600,257 show mechanisms for separating teeth which employ lever arms in conjunction with wedges that are moved by screw mechanisms.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 421,952, 4,718,852, 7,083,412 illustrate dental separators which employ threaded mechanisms and wedges that fit in between teeth in combination with matrices that are used to surround or shield one or more teeth.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,666,683 describes a dental ring for installing an inter-proximal filing that utilizes a wedge in combination with a resilient ring.
United States Patent Publication 2009/0286200 shows a separating ring using a pair of legs which provide separation of the teeth by an interconnecting resilient ring.
An apparatus for separating a pair of adjacent teeth while protecting soft tissue to allow the use of enamel removing equipment would be a notable advance in the dental arts.


A planar tunable YIG filter assembly comprising a first substrate having on one side thereof spaced ridges, a first conductor spaced from and between the ridges, a dielectric spacer and YIG disk is mounted on said spacer whereby, a bandpass filter is established between said first conductor and a second conductor that is orthogonal with said first conductor and on a second substrate that is in contact with the ridges when means are provided for producing a magnetic field that is perpendicular to the substrate in the area of intersection of the first and second conductors.

1. Description of the Prior Art
What is called a YIG (yttrium, iron, garnet) bandpass filter has been used in microwave circuits. It may be comprised of input and output conductors (i.e. transmission lines) in different parallel planes that intersect at 90.degree. when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the planes. A sphere or disc of YIG material is located between the conductors at the point where they intersect. Ordinarily, there would be no coupling between the orthogonal conductors, but the presence of an applied DC magnetic field passing through the YIG sphere or disc in a direction perpendicular to the planes permits coupling to occur in a band of frequencies determined by the strength of the applied magnetic field.
At present, such filters are constructed as discrete units that are normally expensive and rather bulky. When they are used with microwave integrated circuits (MIC's) that are formed on a substrate such as GaAs or Si, they must be mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the circuits therein. Thus, they are not integral and are basically incompatible with the MIC.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


The present disclosure provides a quantum dot color filter, a fabrication method thereof, a display panel and a display device, and belongs to the field of display technology. The quantum dot color filter of the present disclosure includes a quantum dot functional layer configured to emit light of a certain color under excitation of excitation light. The quantum dot functional layer has a hollowed-out portion, which exposes a side surface of the quantum dot functional layer, so that the excitation light is able to arrive at the side surface.

At present, quantum dot technology is increasingly applied in the field of display technology. Among others, the quantum dot color filter (QDCF) is most widely applied. The quantum dot color filter replaces the conventional color filter and is applied to various types of display devices, such as liquid crystal display (LCD) devices or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display devices.

Quantum dot color filter, fabrication method thereof, display panel and device