Abstract: A three-dimensional archery target device (1) comprised of an animal-like target having a body section (2) and preferably two head sections (3). The body section (2) has at least two vital target areas (5) on each side of the body section (2) representing the chest area of an animal. To use the present invention, a person positions the target device (1) in a predetermined location as desired. Because the target has at least two vital areas (5) on each body section (2) side, a hunter/archer is able to have multiple angels of insertion (10A, 10B) into a vital area (5). In addition, because the target includes two head sections (3), a hunter/archer is better able to pinpoint a vital target area (5). The target device (1) may have the shape of a deer, bear, elk, moose, duck, goose, rabbit, antelope and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for protection of virtual connections at the data link layer. The method provides for protection switching in a ring network. The method comprises detecting an error in one of a first and second routes (“the errored route”). Error cells are generated for each virtual connection affected by the detected error. Error cells are transmitted downstream on the errored route. First switch fabric receives the error cells at a downstream network element associated with the errored route. Change in state of the errored route is communicated to a second switch fabric of the downstream network element associated with the other of the first and second routes (the “other route”). When the state of the errored route is worse than the state of the other route, automatically configuring the second switch fabric to establish the other route to be a working route for the virtual connection.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a protection group. The protection group includes components, a signal bus, including segments and connectors, that couple the components. The components also include a plurality of working components, and a protection component. Each connector is included in a working component. Each segment couples two adjacent components. The signal bus is terminated by the protection component. A method comprises generating a first signal from a plurality of working components. The first signal is analyzed by a protection component to determine if any working component is improperly functioning. The protection component transmits a second signal to the plurality of the working components to turn off an improperly functioning working component. Data signals are routed by coupling the improperly functioning working component through a signal bus to the protection component. The data signals are processed by the protection component.

Abstract: A network element for a virtual path ring network is provided. The network element includes a first ring interface module with a ring input and a ring output. Further, the network element includes a second ring interface module with a ring input and a ring output. A first bus is coupled to the first ring interface. A second bus is coupled to the second ring interface. The first and second ring interface modules each include a switch fabric that passes packets from the ring input of the interface module to its ring output for packets with a destination address for an endpoint associated with another network element. The switch fabrics of the first and second ring interfaces further pass packets from the ring input to the first and second buses, respectively, for packets with destination addresses for endpoints that are associated with the network element. An access interface module is coupled to the first and second buses that adds and drops traffic to and from the ring network.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a plurality of components, including a first component, a center component, a component adjacent to the center component, and a last component. The apparatus also includes a first signal source generating a first signal, and a second signal source generating a second signal. The second signal source is separated by one or more components from the first signal source. A first bus couples the first signal source to the plurality of components. A second bus couples the second signal source to the plurality of components. The first and second signals are distributed substantially in-phase to the components.