Abstract: The present invention relates to the introduction of an outstation into an optical network. The optical network has a central station, and a plurality of previously introduced outstations which are optically connected to the central station. The network is operable in: a normal operating state in which data traffic is received from previously introduced outstations at a normal data rate; and, a set-up state in which the transmission of data traffic from the previously introduced outstations is restricted relative to the normal state, the method including the step of: when the network is in the set-up state, performing a set-up operation for introducing the outstation into the optical network, the set-up operation involving the transmission of set-up data from the outstation being introduced, wherein the set-up data is transmitted at a reduced rate relative to the normal operating rate.

Abstract: A protected passive optical communications system includes terminals, a main head end, and a back up head end allowing communication with the terminals when a fault occurs. The main and back up head ends transmit frames that include header and payload portions to the terminals. The main head end normally transmits control instructions in the header and user data in the payload. The back up head end, in response to a fault, transmits control instructions in the payload, and a control message in the header. The control message indicates control instructions in the payload. If a control message is in the header, each terminal interprets the payload as control instructions for changing operational attribute(s) of a terminal. If a control message is not in the header, each terminal interprets the payload as user data that it forwards to external user(s) external based on an address from the user data.

Abstract: A protected passive optical communications system (10), having a plurality of terminals (14), a main head end (22) for communicating with the terminals (14) in an operational state, and, a back up head (37) end arranged to allow communication with the terminals (14) in the event of a fault, the main head end (22) and the back up head end (37) each being operable to transmit a sequence of frames for communicating with the terminals (14), each frame having a header portion and a payload portion, the main head end (22) being arranged, in normal operation, to transmit control instructions in the header portion and user data in the payload portion of each frame, the back up head end (37) being arranged, in response to a fault, to transmit control instructions in the payload portion of a frame, and a control message in the header portion of that frame, which control message is indicative of the presence of control instructions in the payload portion, the terminals being responsive to the control message, such that:

Abstract: A method of allocating switch requests within a packet switch, the method comprising the steps of collecting switch request data at each input port; processing the switch request data for each input port to generate request data for each input port-output port pairing: comparing the number of requests from each input port and to each output port with the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port; satisfying all requests for those input-output pairs where the total number of requests is less than or equal to the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port; reducing the number of requests for those input-output pairs where the total number of requests is greater than the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port such that the number of requests is less than or equal to the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port; and satisfying the remaining requests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the introduction of an outstation into an optical network. The optical network has a central station, and a plurality of previously introduced outstations which are optically connected to the central station. The network is operable in: a normal operating state in which data traffic is received from previously introduced outstations at a normal data rate; and, a set-up state in which the transmission of data traffic from the previously introduced outstations is restricted relative to the normal state, the method including the step of: when the network is in the set-up state, performing a set-up operation for introducing the outstation into the optical network, the set-up operation involving the transmission of set-up data from the outstation being introduced, wherein the set-up data is transmitted at a reduced rate relative to the normal operating rate.

Abstract: Available time slot(s) in a packet switch are identified in order to route a packet from an input port to a designated output port. The status of each time slot is logically combined with regard to the input port and with regard to the output port to generate the status of the time slot with regard to the given input port-output port pair. The status of input port-output port pairs is logically combined in pairs to determine whether one of the input port-output port pairs is available and the step of pair-wise logically combining the status of input port-output port pairs is repeated to determine input port-output port pair availability until one available input port-output port has been identified.

Abstract: A passive optical network employs wavelength-dependent routing, and terminals that transmit request packets (requesting a data transmission slot) in a common signalling time slot. Different delays are then applied to packets on different wavelength channels, allowing a number of request packets to be processed in sequence by a single optical receiver at the network controller.

Abstract: A passive optical network employing wavelength dependent routing uses two-phase signalling between a network controller and terminals. In a first phase, terminals are informed of the wavelength channel allocated to them for a second signalling phase, groups of terminals being allocated to each channel. In the second signalling phase, control signals indicate to the terminal the wavelength and time slots allocated to the terminal in the following data transmission phase.

Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: A processing station (10) for high speed printing, handling and die cutting of blanks or blanks (26) is provided which includes a clamshell-type die cutter (12), as well as a feeding device (14) including a transfer mechanism (16) and pickup member (18). The station (10) may also include a printing assembly (20) and a cut blank removal assembly (22). In operation, individual blanks (26) from a stack (28) are successively fed by the transfer mechanism (16) and are picked up by the member (18); the blanks are delivered to the die cutter (12) when the latter is open and after die cutting the removal assembly (22) is employed to lift the cut blank (26) from the cutter (12) and shift the blank (26) to a slide plate (116). A pusher bar (122) then operates to move the cut blank (26) to an outfeed conveyer (146). The station (10) is capable of handling relatively thick corrugated blanks (26) at high speed and without constant operator attendance.

Abstract: A processing station (10) for high speed printing, handling and die cutting of blanks or blanks (26) is provided which includes a clamshell-type die cutter (12), as well as a feeding device (14) including a transfer mechanism (16) and pickup member (18). The station (10) may also include a printing assembly (20) and a cut blank removal assembly (22). In operation, individual blanks (26) from a stack (28) are successively fed by the transfer mechanism (16) and are picked up by the member (18); the blanks are delivered to the die cutter (12) when the latter is open and after die cutting the removal assembly (22) is employed to lift the cut blank (26) from the cutter (12) and shift the blank (26) to a slide plate (116). A pusher bar (122) then operates to move the cut blank (26) to an outfeed conveyer (146). The station (10) is capable of handling relatively thick corrugated blanks (26) at high speed and without constant operator attendance.

Abstract: A method of allocating switch requests within a packet switch, the method comprising the steps of establishing switch request data at each input port; processing the switch request data for each input port to generate request data for each input port-output port pairing; comparing the number of requests from each input port and to each output port with the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port; allocating all requests for those input-output pairs where the total number of requests is less than or equal to the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port; reducing the number of requests for those input-output pairs where the total number of requests is greater than the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port such that the number of requests is less than or equal to the maximum request capacity of each input port and each output port; and allocating the remaining requests.

Abstract: In an optical signalling system, simultaneous signals are circulated on a looped path and fed out sequentially to a tuneable receiver. Conversely, sequential signals may be buffered in the loop and fed out simultaneously to a number of receivers. The system is suitable for use in a passive optical network employing wavelength-dependent routing, terminals transmit request packets (requesting a data transmission slot) in a common signalling time slot. Different delays are then applied to packets on different wavelength channels, allowing a number of request packets to be processed in sequence by a single optical receiver at the network controller.

Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: A method of identifying available time slot(s) in a packet switch in order to route a packet from an input port to a designated output port, the method comprising the steps of; logically combining the status of each time slot with regard to the input port and with regard to the output port to generate the status of the time slot with regard to the given input port-output port pair; logically combining in pairs the status of input port-output port pairs to determine whether one of the input port-output port pairs is available and repeating the step of pair-wise logically combining the status of input port-output port pairs to determine input port-output port pair availability until one available input port-output port has been identified.

Abstract: Improved compositions for coating paper stock, methods of forming such compositions, and methods of coating paper stock with those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise an aqueous dispersion including therein from about 20-45% by weight filler (e.g., a starch such as wheat starch) and from about 6-18% by weight wheat gluten. Preferably, the gluten is initially modified with a reducing agent so that the average molecular weight of the gluten is less than about 1,000 kDa. The compositions have a viscosity of up to about 2000 cP and a solids content of from about 25-57% by weight, thus making them suitable for high speed coating of paper stock. The finished, coated stock may be conventionally printed to achieve high gloss end products. The compositions are preferably water soluble, thereby greatly facilitating repulping of the coated stock.

Abstract: A box blank forming apparatus includes at least one printing assembly, a slotting assembly, and a feeding and conveying mechanism for feeding blanks through the apparatus. The printing assembly includes a rotatable printing cylinder, and the slotting assembly includes a rotatable blade. The feeding and conveying mechanism brings the blanks into contact with the printing cylinder and the slotter blade to complete printing and slotting operations on the blanks in the formation of boxes. An interrupter is provided in association with the printing assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the printing cylinder, and similar structure can also be provided with the slotting assembly for removing the blanks from contact with the slotter blade. A controller is provided for controlling operation of the interrupter of the printing assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the registration of a multi-unit printing press for corrugated board materials permits the use of AC motors for driving the printing press. A master AC motor drives a master printing unit, and a master AC driving device is electrically coupled to the master AC motor for controlling the speed of the master AC motor. A master pulse generating device produces output pulses relating to the rotary motion of the master printing unit. A follower AC motor drives a follower printing unit, and a follower AC driving device electrically coupled to the follower AC motor controls the speed of the follower AC motor relative to the master AC motor. A follower pulse generating device produces output pulses relating to the rotary motion of the follower printing unit.