Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface. Alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions are disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30 and the alternating transmissive region and absorptive regions have a relative transmission at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 75%.

Abstract: A light control film is described comprising alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between a light input surface and a light output surface. The absorptive regions have an aspect ratio of at least 30. In some embodiments, the alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions have a transmission as measured with a spectrophotometer at a viewing angle of 0 degrees of at least 35, 40, 45, or 50% for a wavelength of the range 320-400 nm (UV) and/or at least 65, 70, 75, or 80% for a wavelength of the range 700-1400 nm (NIR). In another embodiment, the absorptive regions block light at the light input surface and light output surface and the maximum surface area that is blocked is less than 20% of the total alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions. Also described are various optical communication systems comprising the light control films described herein and methods.

Abstract: A light control film comprises a light input surface and a light output surface opposite the light input surface; alternating transmissive regions and absorptive regions disposed between the light input surface and the light output surface, wherein the absorptive regions comprise a core having a first concentration, C1, of a light absorbing material sandwiched between cladding layers having a second concentration, C2, of the light absorbing material, wherein C2<C1, and wherein the cores have an aspect ratio of at least 20.

Abstract: The present invention provides a relevant relationships based networking environment for establishing member networks focusing on different aspects, of a members life based on generally vetted connections with other members. A member initiates the formation of one or more aspect of life related networks, such as social, business or a particular interests aspect related networks, by inviting other members to connect through primary relationship connections and the other members accepting the invitations. Based on the primary relationship connections the networking environment automatically adds secondary relationship connection members to the aspect related network. Primary relationship connections require prior agreement by both members to the connection, such connections provide for both communication and information sharing.

Abstract: A solution for providing a networking environment is provided, in which data for a plurality of members is managed. Each member includes profile data and may include one or more peers. A peer can comprise another member that is a friend of the member. The member can provide invitee credentials, such as an identifier (e.g., user name) and password, which another member can use to view some or all of the profile data of the member. Additionally, peers of the other member can also view some or all of the profile data of the member and both the other member and his/her peers can view some or all of the profile data of the peer(s) of the member. In this manner, a networking environment is provided that enables an individual and his/her peers to learn about another individual in the context of the other individual's peers.

Abstract: A methodology is provided for fault detection and service restoration in a multiservice switch on a per flow basis. An ingress source transmits the same data over each of two redundant cores. An egress receiver selects on a per flow bass which core to utilize. Bi-directional flows are not necessarily grouped together. The basic approach to fault detection is to assume that the two cores are not in lock step, but that the shelves are continually monitoring link flows for control path data as well as user data. The path monitoring is accomplished using a combination of arbiter and aggregator functions found in the service shelves and core interface cards, respectively. The arbiter transmits link test cells to both cores on a per flow basis, wherein the link test cells traverse and are monitored by respective aggregators to and from each core. When an egress arbiter determines that a flow is bad, it initiates a switch to the alternative source core, from which the flow would continue.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for controlled switchover of unicast and multicast data flows in packet based switching system. In some cases it is advantageous to purposefully support switchover of flows from one path to the other without causing loss of data. This is termed a “controlled” or “hitless” switchover. In accordance with the present invention switchover methodology, given that an ingress arbiter device is transmitting to both cores simultaneously, it is required that the flows to both switching cores be synchronized at an aggregator level and that an egress arbiter be given time to cease receiving packets from one Core then switch over to the other Core, and continue receiving packets.

Abstract: The present invention is a core interface mechanism that permits 1:N type port protection on the core side of the switch such that core bandwidth is not wasted by the direct connection of service cards to the switching core. In an exemplary embodiment, a core interface module supports up to two active service cards and one dedicated protection service card. To provide increased efficiency and lower cost the redundant service card does not strand user bandwidth in the switch core. In an exemplary embodiment, the core interface includes a plurality of core side input and output ports for coupling to the switching core and a plurality of card side input and output ports for coupling to the service cards. A data flow switch function couples between the core side ports and the card side ports. The data flow switch function operates to complete data flow paths between the core side ports and the card side ports.

Abstract: The control and management of Quality of Service (“QOS”) levels within a communications system is simplified by reducing the complexity of the control section. Instead of having individual control sections dedicated to each QOS level, one control section is used in conjunction with a number of QOS counters to manage a plurality of QOS levels.

Abstract: A packet-based switching device includes a plurality of physical layer interfaces, such as SONET/SDH layer 1 interfaces, and one or more higher-layer processors, such as SONET/SDH layer 2 or 3 processors. One or more digital cross-connects are interposed between the physical layer interfaces and the higher-layer processors. Each digital cross-connect routes communications traffic between the physical layer interfaces and the higher-layer processors. A packet switch core, such as an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch core, routes traffic among higher-layer processors.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for controlled switchover of unicast and multicast data flows in packet based switching system. In some cases it is advantageous to purposefully support switchover of flows from one path to the other without causing loss of data. This is termed a “controlled” or “hitless” switchover. For example, it may be required to upgrade or replace a card and it is desirous to do this without taking an “Errored Second” hit at the system level. In accordance with the present invention switchover methodology, given that an ingress arbiter device is transmitting to both cores simultaneously, it is required that the flows to both switching cores be synchronized at an aggregator level and that an egress arbiter be given time to cease receiving packets from one Core then switch over to the other Core, and continue receiving packets.

Abstract: The present invention is a methodology for providing fault detection and service restoration for a multiservice switch on a per flow basis. An ingress source transmits the same data over each of the redundant cores. An egress receiver selects on a per flow basis which core to utilize. Bi-directional flows are not necessarily grouped together. That is, for a duplex path, one direction of transmission can proceed through a first core and the other direction can proceed through the other core if required. The basic approach to fault detection is to assume that the two cores are not in lock step, but that the shelves are continually monitoring link flows for control path data as well as user data. The path monitoring is done largely in dedicated hardware and the status is passed up to a local processor within a service shelf in order that recovery can proceed quickly.

Abstract: A module interconnection system which minimizes electronic signal propagation delays is disclosed. The module interconnection system includes a backplane, a first plurality of connectors arranged in a side by side generally parallel arrangement, and a second plurality of connectors arranged in a side by side generally parallel arrangement. In a preferred embodiment, the second plurality of connectors are mounted on the backplane at right angles to the first plurality of connectors so as provide short routing paths between each of the second plurality of connectors and at least one of the first plurality of connectors. Point-to-point signal interconnections are selectively utilized to provide data paths between selected contacts of at least one of the first plurality of connectors and selected contacts of the second plurality of connectors.