Abstract: A switch for switching packets. The switch includes a plurality of fabrics which switch portions of packets. The switch includes a port card connected to the fabrics and the network for receiving packets from and sending packets to the network. The port card has a mechanism for tolerating whether any one of the plurality of fabrics has a failure and still sending correct packets to the network. A method for switching packets. The method includes the steps of receiving packets at a port card from a network of a switch. Then there is the step of sending to fabrics of the switch portions of the packets as stripes from the port card. Next there is the step of switching the portions of the packets with the fabrics. Then there is the step of sending back to the port card the portions of the packets as stripes from the fabrics. Next there is the step of sending correct packets with the port card to the network even though one of the fabrics has a failure.

Abstract: A directing apparatus includes a mechanism for producing steerable energy. The directing apparatus also includes a mechanism for scanning steerable energy from the producing mechanism. The scanning mechanism is in communication with the producing mechanism and performing a line scan at a given adjustable angle. A directing apparatus includes a mechanism for producing steerable energy. The directing apparatus also includes a mechanism for scanning steerable energy from the producing mechanism. The scanning mechanism is in communication with the producing mechanism and able to be stopped at a first location and at least a second location so the energy can be secured in a constant direction at each location for as long as desired. A directing apparatus includes a mechanism for producing steerable energy. The directing apparatus also includes a mechanism for scanning steerable energy from the producing mechanism.

Abstract: A secure telecommunications system includes an external network and an internal network on which traffic travels. The system includes a switch connected to the network. The system includes a first inspection engine and a second inspection engine which are connected to the switch, which receive traffic from the switch, process the traffic to determine whether it is desired traffic or undesired traffic, which prevent undesired traffic from passing through it and which sends desired traffic back to the switch. The system includes a first destination connected to the switch which receives desired traffic from the switch that has been processed by the first inspection engine. The system includes a second destination connected to the switch which receives desired traffic from the switch that has been processed by the second inspection engine. A method for sending traffic over a secure telecommunications system.

Abstract: A communications network. The network includes a plurality of network elements connected by links along which data flows between the network elements, and which together protect against link failures between the network elements and failures of network elements which would otherwise disrupt the data flow between the network elements. The plurality of network elements include a first network element; a second network element; a third network element; and a fourth network element. The links include an active communications link connected between the first network element and the second network element along which the data travels, and a redundant communications link to the active communications link connected between the third network element and the fourth network element along which the data travels.

Abstract: An apparatus for lighting that attaches to a building structure. The apparatus includes a main profile having a first side and an opposing second side. The profile mounting to the building structure. The apparatus includes a transformer disposed in proximity to the main profile for providing electricity. The apparatus includes a terminal connected to and disposed in the main profile and connected to the transformer. The apparatus includes a cassette having light elements which is interchangeable with the terminal. The cassette is removably held by the main profile and is in contact with the terminal, and receiving electricity from the transformer through the terminal. The cassette is changeable as a function of use and providing interchangeability of light elements. A method for lighting a building structure.

Abstract: A switching system. The switching system includes a first switch having a primary receive port and a secondary receive port. The switching system includes a second switch connected to the first switch. The second switch has n receive ports, where n is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer. The second switch has m transmit ports, where m is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer. The transmit ports are decoupled from the receive ports. The second switch has a connecting mechanism that includes a multicast mechanism which sends data out a primary transmit port of the m transmit ports to the primary receive port of the first switch to define a primary path, and out a secondary transmit port of the m transmit ports to a secondary receive port of the first switch to define a redundant path to the primary path so that if there is a failure of the primary path to provide the data to the first switch, the data is received by the first switch through the redundant path.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring a control plane within a network device. One of a pair of control processors is selected to act as the master of the control plane and the other control processor is specified as a standby control processor in normal operation. In the case of a failover or switchover event, the standby control processor assumes the role of the master of the control plane and updates configuration information within line cards in the network device as necessary. A state machine within the control processor is employed to manage state transitions for the control processor. Each control processor generates at least one signal that indicates whether it is capable of serving as the master of the control plane. Master selection logic selects one of the control processors as the master for the control plane and in one embodiment advertises the identification of the master control processor via triply redundant signals.

Abstract: An apparatus for showing images. The apparatus includes a screen. The apparatus includes a mechanism for displaying a distinct and separate image for each of a number of different observers simultaneously on the screen. A method for showing images.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling file level and block level remote file accesses. The apparatus includes a block level server. The apparatus includes a file level server. The apparatus includes a storage layer implementing an inode layer performing inode operations, and storing data accessed by the file level and block level servers. The apparatus includes a management layer connected to the storage layer underlying the block and file level servers, which performs data management operations upon the underlying data. A method of handling file level and block level network file accesses. The method includes the steps of performing management operations by a management layer for a block level server and a file level server. Then there is the step of performing the servers' data accessing and updating operations using a vnode layer implemented on top of an inode layer. Then there is the step of storing data from the block level server or the file level server in a storage layer connected to the management layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an image. The apparatus includes a computer. The apparatus includes a display connected to the computer upon which images from the computer appear. The apparatus includes a mechanism for producing images with texture that do not have visible grid artifacts. The producing mechanism disposed in the computer. A method for generating images. The method includes the steps of producing the images with texture that do not have visible grid artifacts with the computer. There is the step of displaying the images on a display.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing a packet including a buffer in which packets are stored. The apparatus includes a mechanism for determining an average buffer fill of the buffer, where the average buffer fill is an average fill state of the buffer. The determining mechanism is connected to the buffer. The apparatus includes a mechanism for calculating a drop probability associated with the packet which identify is the probability the packet will be dropped from a the buffer. The apparatus includes a mechanism for generating a random number. The apparatus includes a mechanism for discarding the packet from the elements if the drop probability is greater in than the random number. A method for access control.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring data on a network. The apparatus includes a switch comprising a primary component for switching the data through the switch. The apparatus includes a secondary component for switching the data through the switch if the primary component fails. The apparatus includes a mechanism for counting the data that has been received, transmitted or dropped by the switch without including any redundancy in the counting of the data due to the primary component and secondary component both able to switch data through the switch. A method for transferring ATM cells on a network. The method includes the steps of switching the ATM cells with an ATM switch of the ATM network having a primary component for switching the cells and a secondary component for switching the cells if the primary component fails.

Abstract: An apparatus for establishing circuits in an ATM network. The apparatus includes a controller which attempts to establish a circuit according to original quality of service requirements of a UPC associated with the circuit, which determines available resources of the ATM network and which automatically relaxes the original quality of service requirements associated with a circuit for the circuit to be formed in the ATM network with the available resources of the ATM network. The apparatus includes a memory which stores a plurality of different quality of service requirements. The memory is connected to the controller for the controller to obtain different quality of service requirements for the controller to automatically relax the original quality of service requirements with different quality of service requirements. A method for establishing circuits in an ATM network.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing packets. The apparatus includes a memory for holding packets. The apparatus includes a mechanism for storing at least two packets in the memory with only one packet boundary indicator associated with them. A method for storing packets. The method includes the steps of receiving packets at a memory. Then there is the step of storing with a memory controller at least two packets in the memory with only one packet boundary indicator associated with them.

Abstract: A switching system for a data stream utilizing striping with a parity stripe, so if a fabric of the system fails, the data stream can still be reconstructed with the parity stripe. The system uses receive and transmit interfaces which implement space division, and fabrics which implement hybrid space/time division.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching data in a network. The switch includes a housing. The switch includes a transmitter receiver means which transmits to or receives from the network the data. The transmitter receiver means is disposed in the housing. The first optical path forms a first closed optical loop along which the data flows in a first direction. The switch includes a second optical path forming a second closed optical loop along which the data flows in a second direction. The second direction is opposite the first direction. The first and second optical paths each having a portion in which the transmitter receiver means is inserted into or removed from the first and second optical paths without disruption of switching of data by the switch. A method for switching data in a network.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching data in a network. The switch includes a housing. The switch includes a transmitter receiver means which transmits to or receives from the network the data. The transmitter receiver means is disposed in the housing. The first optical path forms a first closed optical loop along which the data flows in a first direction. The switch includes a second optical path forming a second closed optical loop along which the data flows in a second direction. The second direction is opposite the first direction. The first and second optical paths each having a portion in which the transmitter receiver means is inserted into or removed from the first and second optical paths without disruption of switching of data by the switch. A method for switching data in a network.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring proteins and cells. The apparatus includes a plate having wells in which cells are disposed. The apparatus includes means for analyzing the effect or proteins and other biological and chemical moieties on the cells. A method for monitoring of proteins and cells. A method for analyzing a cells. An apparatus for aligning light in a well of a plate for holding cells. A method for lighting a well. A method for determining a condition of a cell. An apparatus for indicating a condition of a cell. A method for establishing a focus profile of a plate having wells for holding cells. A method for manipulating cells. An apparatus for manipulating cells.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a cell or cells by suppressing non-biological movement. The method includes the steps of placing the cell or cells in a solution having a viscosity enhancement medium. There can be the step of measuring the motility of the cell, or other desired attributes of the cell or cells.

Abstract: A power entry panel for a power conditioner. The power entry panel includes an input terminal block which receives power. The power entry panel includes a mating connection for passing power from the input terminal block to the power conditioner. The mating connection is directly connected and in contact with the input terminal block. An input terminal block for a power entry panel. A method for transferring power.