Abstract: A method of managing a computer network in a production environment is described. The method comprises: identifying the endpoints to be used on the computer network during a time period; and at least a predetermined time prior to the commencement of the time period, the method comprises: running a flow routing algorithm for the computer network having the identified endpoints.

Abstract: A packet-based software-defined data network supporting multicast, unicast and/or broadcast packet-based data traffic types comprises a software defined network (SDN) controller; and a network of one or more packet switches arranged to route, under the control of the SDN controller, data packets from one or more packet sources to one or more packet receivers, in which the SDN controller is responsive to data defining a topology of interconnections between the plurality of packet switches, packet sources, and packet receivers, to select a route for packets from a packet source to a packet receiver; the SDN controller being configured to select the route in dependence upon the traffic type of the packets to be routed, using a respective one of a set of route selection algorithms each applicable to one of multicast, unicast and broadcast packet-based data traffic types.

Abstract: An oral care product array includes a handle component and multiple refill components therefor. The handle component includes a power source. A first refill component includes a first light generating module which emits light in a first spectrum from the first refill component. A second refill component includes a second light generating module which emits light in a second spectrum from the second refill component. Each refill component has a coupled state, when coupled to the handle component, and a decoupled state, when decoupled from the handle component. When the first refill component is in the coupled state, the first light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the first spectrum. When the second refill component is in the coupled state, the second light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the second spectrum.

Abstract: An oral care product array includes a handle component and multiple refill components therefor. The handle component includes a power source. A first refill component includes a first light generating module which emits light in a first spectrum from the first refill component. A second refill component includes a second light generating module which emits light in a second spectrum from the second refill component. Each refill component has a coupled state, when coupled to the handle component, and a decoupled state, when decoupled from the handle component. When the first refill component is in the coupled state, the first light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the first spectrum. When the second refill component is in the coupled state, the second light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the second spectrum.

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: A packet-based video network includes: plural packetized video data nodes; a packet switch configured to switch from one of video packet routes to another of video packet routes; and a video synchronizer configured to synchronize the video frame periods of at least nodes acting as packetized video data sources; wherein: each node acting as a packetized video data source is configured to launch onto the network packetized video data such that, for at least video frame periods adjacent to a switching operation: the node launches onto the network packetized video data required for decoding that frame during a predetermined active video data portion of the video frame period, and the node does not launch onto the network packetized video data required for decoding that frame during a predetermined remaining portion of the video frame period; and the switching operation is implemented during the predetermined remaining portion.

Abstract: A packet-based software-defined data network supporting multicast, unicast and/or broadcast packet-based data traffic types comprises a software defined network (SDN) controller; and a network of one or more packet switches arranged to route, under the control of the SDN controller, data packets from one or more packet sources to one or more packet receivers, in which the SDN controller is responsive to data defining a topology of interconnections between the plurality of packet switches, packet sources, and packet receivers, to select a route for packets from a packet source to a packet receiver; the SDN controller being configured to select the route in dependence upon the traffic type of the packets to be routed, using a respective one of a set of route selection algorithms each applicable to one of multicast, unicast and broadcast packet-based data traffic types.

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: An oral care product array includes a handle component and multiple refill components therefor. The handle component includes a power source. A first refill component includes a first light generating module which emits light in a first spectrum from the first refill component. A second refill component includes a second light generating module which emits light in a second spectrum from the second refill component. Each refill component has a coupled state, when coupled to the handle component, and a decoupled state, when decoupled from the handle component. When the first refill component is in the coupled state, the first light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the first spectrum. When the second refill component is in the coupled state, the second light generating module is powered by the power source to emit light in the second spectrum.

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: Implementations of a ring for a hookless shower curtain are provided. In some implementations, the ring comprises a body having an inner diameter and an outer diameter defining an interior opening bounded by the body except at an elongated opening in the body, wherein the inner diameter is sized such that the ring can fit around and slide along a shower curtain rod. In some implementations, the body comprises an outer, front surface and an outer, back surface, opposite the outer front surface wherein the slit extends from the inner diameter to the outer diameter and from the outer, front surface to the outer, back surface. In some implementations, the outer, front surface and the outer, back surface conceal the interior parts of the ring when the ring is viewed from a front elevation or back elevation.

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: A skin care composition is described comprising water-soluble dye polymer comprising polymer backbone having negatively charged reactive dye substituent covalently bound thereto; and cosmetically acceptable carrier. The dye polymer is present in amount of 0.00001 to 0.1% in terms of reactive dye substituent by weight of the skin care composition. The composition is useful for providing cosmetic benefits such as skin lightening, evening skin tone and masking blemishes.

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: A voltage converter controller, adapted to a voltage converter circuit, includes a power switch controller and a dead-time determining circuit. The power switch controller receives a PWM signal and outputs a high-side control signal and a low-side control signal accordingly to control the conduction and cut-off of a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch respectively. When the power switch controller starts to control the low-side power switch cut-off, after a first dead-time, the power switch controller starts to control the high-side power switch conducting. The dead-time determining circuit detects a current of the low-side power switch to be larger or smaller than a threshold current when the low-side power switch is conducted, and determines the first dead-time to be a first value or a second value accordingly.

Abstract: A voltage converter controller, adapted to a voltage converter circuit, includes a power switch controller and a dead-time determining circuit. The power switch controller receives a PWM signal and outputs a high-side control signal and a low-side control signal accordingly to control the conduction and cut-off of a high-side power switch and a low-side power switch respectively. When the power switch controller starts to control the low-side power switch cut-off, after a first dead-time, the power switch controller starts to control the high-side power switch conducting. The dead-time determining circuit detects a current of the low-side power switch to be larger or smaller than a threshold current when the low-side power switch is conducted, and determines the first dead-time to be a first value or a second value accordingly.

Abstract: An antenna is provided. The antenna includes a first radiator, a second radiator, a third radiator, a ground portion and a short structure. The first radiator extends in a first direction. The second radiator extends in a second direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction. The short structure is coupled to the ground portion. The first radiator, the second radiator and the third radiator are connected to the short structure. The short structure defines an L-shaped groove.

Abstract: A packet-based video network includes: plural packetized video data nodes; a packet switch configured to switch from one of video packet routes to another of video packet routes; and a video synchronizer configured to synchronize the video frame periods of at least nodes acting as packetized video data sources; wherein: each node acting as a packetized video data source is configured to launch onto the network packetized video data such that, for at least video frame periods adjacent to a switching operation: the node launches onto the network packetized video data required for decoding that frame during a predetermined active video data portion of the video frame period, and the node does not launch onto the network packetized video data required for decoding that frame during a predetermined remaining portion of the video frame period; and the switching operation is implemented during the predetermined remaining portion.

Abstract: An antenna is provided. The antenna includes a first radiator, a second radiator, a third radiator, a ground portion and a short structure. The first radiator extends in a first direction. The second radiator extends in a second direction. The first direction is opposite to the second direction. The short structure is coupled to the ground portion. The first radiator, the second radiator and the third radiator are connected to the short structure. The short structure defines an L-shaped groove.

Abstract: A skin care composition is described comprising water-soluble dye polymer comprising polymer backbone having negatively charged reactive dye substituent covalently bound thereto; and cosmetically acceptable carrier. The dye polymer is present in amount of 0.00001 to 0.1% in terms of reactive dye substituent by weight of the skin care composition. The composition is useful for providing cosmetic benefits such as skin lightening, evening skin tone and masking blemishes.