Abstract: A fluid ejection device includes a fluid chamber, a fluid restriction communicated with the fluid chamber, and a fluid channel communicated with the fluid restriction. The fluid restriction has a fluid restriction parameter defined as (2*W+2*H)*L/(H*W), wherein W is a width of the fluid restriction, H is a height of the fluid restriction, and L is a length of the fluid restriction. As such, the fluid restriction parameter is in a range of 1.5 to 5.75.

Abstract: A method includes subdividing a mesh having a plurality of interconnected nodes into a plurality of regions. Each region has an associated primary node. A pre-determined path segment is defined between at least two primary nodes. A primary path between at least two primary nodes is selected utilizing only primary nodes and the pre-determined path segments.

Abstract: A method to provision routes in a network having a plurality of nodes includes receiving a designation of a primary source node, determining possible destination nodes from the designated source node and outputting information indicating the possible destination nodes. The method further includes receiving a designation of a destination node from among the possible destination nodes and updating information regarding optical characteristics based on a route from the source node to the designated destination node and outputting information related to the updated optical characteristics.

Abstract: A method to provision routes in a network having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links connecting various nodes. The method includes determining a route between a designated source node and a designated destination node based on a preselected routing algorithm and one of (i) a designated node of interest and (ii) a designated link of interest, and outputting information indicating the determined route.

Abstract: A method for planning a network having a plurality of nodes. The method may include determining all possible rings in the network satisfying a predetermined condition and calculating a utilization score for each possible ring based on a combination of predetermined selection criteria. The method may include selecting the possible ring with the highest utilization score and determining whether there are remaining nodes among the plurality of nodes that are not included in the selected possible ring. The method may further include selecting another possible ring if it is determined there are remaining nodes.

Abstract: A method for managing nodes in a network includes assigning to a cycle set a cycle having a size of n, the preferred maximum nodes per cycle, or smaller. If this cycle set does not include the all of the nodes in the network, the method includes increasing n by one and assigning to the cycle set a cycle that accesses at least one of the nodes not currently in the cycle set and has a size n, until the cycle set includes all of the nodes in the network. The method further includes moving from the cycle set to a final set a cycle that accesses a node that is accessed by only that particular cycle. If this final set does not include all of the nodes in the network, the method includes moving a remaining cycle from the cycle set to the final set wherein the remaining cycle carries a largest intracycle traffic among cycles in the cycle set, until the final set includes all of the nodes in the network.

Abstract: A method for managing nodes in a network includes assigning to a cycle set a cycle having a size of n, the preferred maximum nodes per cycle, or smaller. If this cycle set does not include the all of the nodes in the network, the method includes increasing n by one and assigning to the cycle set a cycle that accesses at least one of the nodes not currently in the cycle set and has a size n, until the cycle set includes all of the nodes in the network. The method further includes moving from the cycle set to a final set a cycle that accesses a node that is accessed by only that particular cycle. If this final set does not include all of the nodes in the network, the method includes moving a remaining cycle from the cycle set to the final set wherein the remaining cycle carries a largest intracycle traffic among cycles in the cycle set, until the final set includes all of the nodes in the network.

Abstract: A contamination detection apparatus is provided for measuring an amount of contamination on an optically transmitting element or pane. The optically transmitting element is capable of transmitting electromagnetic radiation. The contamination detection apparatus includes a contamination detection (CD) radiation source for providing a source intensity of radiation. The source intensity or radiation passes through the optically transmitting element at least one time. A reference detector is also provided for detecting the source intensity of radiation, and the reference detector has a reference output level that is representative of the source intensity.

Abstract: Spreading apparatus for use with a tractor, comprising frame means for attachment to the three-point-linkage of a tractor, a hopper mounted on the frame means, the hopper having means for allowing a substance, contained within the hopper, to be spread onto the ground; and means for moving the hopper relative to the frame to allow the hopper to rotate from a spreading position in which the hopper is in a substantially upright position to a loading position in which the hopper is in a substantially horizontal position whereby the hopper may be used as a shovel to allow the substance to be spread over the ground to be loaded into the hopper, means being provided to effect movement of the hopper between positions.