Author: claimsbot

1. A communications system comprising:
a database for storing problem magnitudes relating to failed attempts at accessing servers using connection engines; and
an intelligent routing engine operative with the database for querying the database and delaying any further attempts at accessing the server when the problem magnitude exceeds a predetermined threshold.
2. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said intelligent routing engine is operative for delaying any reattempts at accessing a server until a problem magnitude returns to below a predetermined threshold.
3. A communications system according to claim 2, wherein any delay in reattempting access to the server is a function of a preset rate of decay of a problem magnitude.
4. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said database includes data relating to a current problem magnitude for a failed access to a server that is added to a current exponentially decayed entry in the database.
5. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said database includes data relating to a problem magnitude versus time for any server and connection engine pair.
6. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein a problem magnitude is assigned for an error based on network failures.
7. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein a problem magnitude is assigned for an error based on failures unrelated to a network failure.
8. A communications system according to claim 7, wherein any failures unrelated to a network failure include an incorrect password andor poorly formed request.
9. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said intelligent routing engine comprises a proxy server.
10. A communications system according to claim 1, wherein said intelligent routing engine is operative for accessing a server using a POP, IMAP or httpmail protocol.
11. A communications system comprising:
a plurality of connection engines that can be used by a client for accessing a server of a server on an Internet Protocol (IP) network, wherein said connection engines are distributed among a plurality of subnets andor IP addresses;
a database for storing a problem magnitude versus time relating to a particular connection engine and server after attempts had been made to access servers using the connection engines and problem magnitudes had been assigned to failures in accessing the servers; and
an intelligent routing engine operative with the database for selecting a connection engine with minimum problems when a particular server is to be accessed based on stored data within the database.
12. A communications system according to claim 11, wherein said intelligent routing engine is operative for delaying any reattempts at accessing a server until a problem magnitude returns to below a predetermined threshold.
13. A communications system according to claim 12, wherein any delay in reattempting access to a server is a function of a preset rate of decay of a problem magnitude.
14. A communications system according to claim 11, wherein said database includes data relating to a current problem magnitude for a failed access to a server that is added to a current exponentially decayed entry in the database.
15. A communications system according to claim 11, wherein said database includes data relating to a problem magnitude versus time for any server and connection engine pair.
16. A communications system according to claim 11, wherein a problem magnitude is assigned for an error based on network failures.
17. A communications system according to claim 11, wherein a problem magnitude is assigned for an error based on failures unrelated to a network failure.
18. A communications system according to claim 17, wherein any failures unrelated to a network failure include an incorrect password andor poorly formed request.
19. A communications system according to claim 11, wherein said intelligent routing engine comprises a proxy server.
20. A communications system according to claim 11, wherein said intelligent routing engine is operative for accessing the server using POP, IMAP or httpmail protocol.
21. A method of accessing a server of a server on an Internet Protocol (IP) network comprising the steps of:
attempting access to a server using a first connection engine;
assigning a problem magnitude if the attempt at accessing the server has failed; and
delaying any further attempts at accessing the server when the problem magnitude exceeds a predetermined threshold.
22. A method according to claim 21, and further comprising the step of delaying any reattempts at accessing the server until the problem magnitude returns to below a predetermined threshold.
23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the delay in reattempting access to the server is a function of a preset rate of decay of the problem magnitude.
24. A method according to claim 21, and further comprising the step of maintaining a database of failed attempts at accessing the server.
25. A method according to claim 24, wherein a current problem magnitude for a failed access to a server is added to a current exponentially decayed entry in the database along with a time stamp.
26. A method according to claim 24, and further comprising the step of storing in the database the problem magnitude versus time for any server and connection engine pair.
27. A method according to claim 24, and further comprising the step of tracking the magnitude of failure based on the problem magnitude of failed attempts stored within the database.
28. A method according to claim 21, and further comprising the step of assigning a problem magnitude for an error based on network failures.
29. A method according to claim 21, and further comprising the step of assigning a problem magnitude for an error based on failures unrelated to a network failure.
30. A method according to claim 29, wherein a failure unrelated to a network failure includes an incorrect password andor poorly formed request.
31. A method according to claim 21, and further comprising the step of making a service request to the connection engine using a proxy engine.
32. A method according to claim 31, and further comprising the step of making a service request using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
33. A method according to claim 31, and further comprising the step of attempting access to a server using a POP, IMAP, or httpmail protocol.
34. A method according to claim 21, and further comprising the step of choosing a second connection engine and attempting access to the server after failing access with the first connection engine.
35. A method of accessing a server of a server on an Internet Protocol (IP) network comprising the steps of:
distributing connection engines over multiple subnets andor multiple IP addresses;
attempting access to servers using the connection engines;
assigning problem magnitudes to failures in accessing any servers;
storing the problem magnitude versus time relating to a particular connection engine and server within a database; and
choosing a connection engine having minimum problems when a particular server is to be accessed based on the data stored within the database.
36. A method according to claim 35, and further comprising the step of distributing the connection engines over multiple servers.
37. A method according to claim 35, wherein a current problem magnitude for a failed access to a server is added to a current exponentially decayed entry in the database along with a time stamp.
38. A method according to claim 35, and further comprising the step of terminating any further attempts at accessing a server using a first connection engine if a problem magnitude exceeds a predetermined threshold.
39. A method according to claim 38, and further comprising the step of delaying any reattempts at accessing the server until a problem magnitude returns to below a predetermined threshold.
40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the delay in reattempting access to the server is a function of a preset rate of decay of the problem magnitude.
41. A method according to claim 35, and further comprising the step of assigning a problem magnitude for an error based on network failures.
42. A method according to claim 35, and further comprising the step of assigning a problem magnitude for an error based on failures unrelated to a network failure.
43. A method according to claim 42, wherein a failure unrelated to a network failure includes an incorrect password andor poorly formed request.
44. A method according to claim 35, and further comprising the step of making a service request to a connection engine using a proxy engine.
45. A method according to claim 44, and further comprising the step of making a service request using a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP).
46. A method according to claim 44, and further comprising the step of attempting access to the server using POP, IMAP, or httpmail protocol.
47. A method according to claim 35, and further comprising the step of choosing a second connection engine and attempting access to the server after attempting access to the server with the first connection engine has failed.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A fluid dispenser member comprising:
a body (1) for fastening on a reservoir opening (61), the body defining a fluid inlet (16) causing the reservoir to communicate with the inside of the body;
a pusher (2) that is axially displaceable towards and away from the body between a rest position and a depressed position, the pusher forming a fluid dispenser orifice (24); and
a flexible part (3) connecting the body to the pusher, the flexible part forming return spring means (35) urging the pusher towards the rest position, the flexible part forming an outlet valve moving member (38) co-operating with a seat (22) formed by the pusher, the flexible part having support means (33) engaged with the body to mount the flexible part securely on the body, the flexible part having anchor means (37) engaged with the pusher to secure the flexible part to the pusher, the support means being surrounded by the anchor means, and the flexible part including an elastically deformable portion (34) connecting the support means to the anchor means;
wherein the elastically deformable portion (34) constitutes both the return spring means (35) and the outlet valve moving member (38); and
wherein the outlet valve moving member and its seat are annular in shape, the outlet valve moving member surrounding the seat from the outside.
2. A dispenser member according to claim 1, in which the outlet valve moving member is radially deformable outwards from its seat between the rest position and the depressed position.
3. A dispenser member according to claim 1, in which the return spring means comprise an annular ring (35) in the form of an upside-down dome.
4. A dispenser member according to claim 1, in which the deformable portion forms a corolla shape (34) that extends outwards around the support means towards the anchor means, the corolla shape presenting a section in the form of a siphon or of a prone swan neck.
5. A dispenser member according to claim 4, in which the corolla shape has an inner first section (35) that extends radially outwards, being upwardly curved, and an outer second section (36) connected to the outside of the first section and extending radially outwards forming a downwardly-directed bend.
6. A dispenser member according to claim 5, in which the outlet valve moving member is formed at the junction between the first and second sections.
7. A dispenser member according to claim 5, in which the support means are formed inside the first section and the anchor means are formed outside the second section.
8. A dispenser member according to claim 1, in which the flexible part also forms an inlet valve moving member (31) elastically urged by resilient tabs (32) against an inlet valve seat (17).
9. A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir (6) and a dispenser member according to claim 1.
10. A fluid dispenser comprising:
a reservoir having an opening;
a dispenser member comprising:
a body fastened to the reservoir opening, the body defining a fluid inlet communicating the reservoir to an inside of the body;
a pusher axially displaceable towards and away from the body between a rest position and a depressed position, the pusher forming a fluid dispenser orifice, the pusher further comprising a seat; and
a flexible part connecting the body to the pusher, the flexible part comprising a fastener engaged with the body that secures the flexible part to the body, the flexible part comprising an anchor engaged with the pusher that secures the flexible part to the pusher, the fastener surrounded by the anchor, and the flexible part comprising an elastically deformable portion that connects the fastener to the anchor means, the elastically deformable portion constituting both a return spring urging the pusher towards the rest position and an outlet valve moving member co-operating with the seat of the pusher; and

the elastically deformable portion is in a form of a prone swan neck such that the outlet valve moving member separates from the seat of the pusher by moving radially outwards.
11. The fluid dispenser according to claim 10, wherein the outlet valve moving member is a segment of the return spring and urges the pusher towards the rest position.
12. A fluid dispenser member comprising:
a body for fastening on a reservoir opening, the body defining a fluid inlet causing the reservoir to communicate with the inside of the body;
a pusher that is axially displaceable towards and away from the body between a rest position and a depressed position, the pusher forming a fluid dispenser orifice; and
a flexible part connecting the body to the pusher, the flexible part forming return spring means urging the pusher towards the rest position, the flexible part forming an outlet valve moving member co-operating with a seat formed by the pusher, the flexible part having support means engaged with the body to mount the flexible part securely on the body, the flexible part having anchor means engaged with the pusher to secure the flexible part to the pusher, the support means being surrounded by the anchor means, and the flexible part including an elastically deformable portion connecting the support means to the anchor means;
wherein the elastically deformable portion constitutes both the return spring means and the outlet valve moving member; and
wherein the outlet valve moving member is radially deformable outwards from its seat between the rest position and the depressed position.
13. The dispenser member according to claim 12, wherein the return spring means comprise an annular ring in the form of an upside-down dome.
14. The dispenser member according to claim 12, wherein the deformable portion forms a corolla shape that extends outwards around the support means towards the anchor means, the corolla shape presenting a section in the form of a siphon or of a prone swan neck.
15. The dispenser member according to claim 14, wherein the corolla shape has an inner first section that extends radially outwards, being upwardly curved, and an outer second section connected to the outside of the first section and extending radially outwards forming a downwardly-directed bend.
16. The dispenser member according to claim 15, wherein the outlet valve moving member is formed at the junction between the first and second sections.
17. The dispenser member according to claim 15, wherein the support means are formed inside the first section and the anchor means are formed outside the second section.
18. The dispenser member according to claim 12, wherein the flexible part also forms an inlet valve moving member elastically urged by resilient tabs against an inlet valve seat.
19. A fluid dispenser comprising a fluid reservoir and a dispenser member according to claim 12.
20. A dispenser member according to claim 12, in which the outlet valve moving member and its seat are annular in shape, the outlet valve moving member surrounding the seat from the outside.

1. An infrastructure management system comprising:
a plurality of networking devices, each networking device having a plurality of ports;
a connectivity manager coupled to each of the plurality of networking devices via a first network, wherein the connectivity manager is configured to communicate with the plurality of networking devices to obtain status of each of the networking devices and port status of each of the plurality of ports;
a database coupled to the connectivity manager and configured to store the port status and networking device status obtained by the connectivity manager;
an infrastructure management device coupled to the connectivity manager via a second network, wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to communicate with the connectivity manager to obtain the port status of the plurality of ports and networking device status;
wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to display one or more virtual networking devices based on the obtained port status and networking device status, each virtual networking device representing one of the plurality of networking devices;
wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to detect user selection of a first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the infrastructure management device; and
wherein based on the selection of the first port, the infrastructure management device is configured to display a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure management device determines when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable data from the connectivity manager.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the infrastructure management device is further configured to display when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on cable data from the connectivity manager.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable.
6. An infrastructure management device, the device comprising:
a processor configured to obtain port status and networking device status for each of one or more physical networking devices in a system;
a display unit coupled to the processor and configured to display one or more virtual networking devices, each virtual networking device representing one of the one or more physical networking devices based on the port status and networking device status;
a user input element configured to provide user input to the processor;
wherein the processor is configured to wherein the infrastructure management device is configured to detect user selection of a first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the display unit; and
wherein based on the selection of the first port, the infrastructure management device is configured to display on the display unit a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the infrastructure management device determines when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable characteristics provided by the first cable.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the infrastructure management device is further configured to display on the display unit when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on based on cable characteristics provided by the first cable.
9. A method for infrastructure management, the method comprising:
displaying one or more virtual networking devices on a display unit, each virtual networking device representing one or more physical networking devices;
monitoring port status of a first port and a second port to determine when a cable is inserted into the first port or the second port;
detecting at a user input element user selection of the first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the display unit; and
based on the selection of the first port, displaying a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
determining when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable.
12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:
displaying on the display unit an indication indicating when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable.
14. A program product comprising a processor-readable medium on which program instructions are embodied, wherein the program instructions are configured, when executed by at least one programmable processor, to cause the at least one programmable processor to:
output commands to a display unit to display one or more virtual networking devices, each virtual networking device representing one or more physical networking devices;
monitor port status of a first port and a second port to determine when a cable is inserted into the first port or the second port;
detect at a user input element user selection of the first port on a first virtual networking device displayed by the display unit; and
based on the selection of the first port, display a second virtual networking device with an indicator identifying a second port on the second virtual networking device, when the first port and the second port are coupled by a first cable.
15. The program product of claim 14, wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the at least one programmable processor to:
determine when the first port and the second port are coupled by the first cable based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.
16. The program product of claim 15, wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable.
17. The program product of claim 14, wherein the program instructions are further configured to cause the at least one programmable processor to:
display on the display unit an indication indicating when the first cable has been incorrectly inserted into either the first port of the second port based on cable data from a connectivity manager coupled to each of the one or more physical networking devices via a first network.
18. The program product of claim 17, wherein the cable data includes cable characteristics provided by the first cable.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An optical apparatus, comprising:
an input waveguide section having a propagation axis and a first width;
a linear taper section coupled to the input waveguide section, the linear taper section having a first edge having a width equal to the first width and a second edge having a second width greater than the first width, wherein the linear taper section tapers at a first angle relative to the propagation axis;
a first branching waveguide;
a second branching waveguide, and
a straight section including a first straight segment extending between the first branching waveguide and the linear taper section and a second straight segment extending between the second branching waveguide and the linear taper section, wherein the first straight segment has a first inner wall and wherein the second straight segment has a second inner wall, wherein the first straight segment and the second straight segment fan-out from a gap between the first inner wall and the second inner wall at the linear taper section, and wherein the first straight segment and the second straight segment fan-out at a second angle different than the first angle, wherein a first trailing edge of the first branching waveguide forms an acute angle with the propagation axis and wherein a second trailing edge of the second branching waveguide form an acute angle with the propagation axis.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first branching waveguide and the second branching waveguide are curved.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first branching waveguide and the second branching waveguide are curved away from the propagation axis.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the straight section has outer walls disposed at an acute angle to the propagation axis.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input waveguide and the first branching waveguide and the second branching waveguide have equal width, and that width is below 4 \u03bcm.
6. An optical apparatus comprising:
an input waveguide section having a propagation axis;
a linear taper section coupled to the input waveguide section, the linear taper section has a first wall and a second wall each fanning out from the propagation axis at a first angle;
a first branching waveguide having a first trailing edge acutely angled with the propagation axis;
a second branching waveguide having a second trailing edge acutely angled with the propagation axis; and
a straight section coupled between the linear taper section and the first trailing edge of the first branching waveguide and the second trailing edge of the second branching waveguide, the straight section defining a third wall and a fourth wall each fanning-out from the propagation axis at a second angle, wherein the straight section has a first straight segment and a second straight segment spaced apart, by a gap, at the linear taper section, wherein the first angle does not equal the second angle.
7. The optical apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first straight segment is coupled to the first branching waveguide and the second straight segment is coupled to the second branching waveguide.
8. The optical apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first branching waveguide, the second branching waveguide, and the input waveguide each have core sizes at or below 4 \u03bcm\xd74 \u03bcm.
9. The optical apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first branching waveguide has a radius of curvature for a first outer wall less than 3 mm and wherein the second branching waveguide has a radius of curvature for a second outer wall less than 3 mm.
10. An optical switch comprising:
a Y-branch having,
an input waveguide having a propagation axis and a first width, a linear taper section coupled to the input waveguide, the linear taper section having a first edge having a width equal to the first width and a second edge having a second width greater than the first width, wherein the linear taper section tapers at a first angle relative to the propagation axis,
a first branching waveguide,
a second branching waveguide, and
a straight section including a first straight segment extending between the first branching waveguide and the linear taper section and a second straight segment extending between the second branching waveguide and the linear taper section, wherein the first straight section has a first inner wall and wherein the second straight segment has a second inner wall, wherein the first straight segment and the second straight segment fan-out from a gap between the first inner wall and the second inner wall at the linear taper section, and wherein the first straight segment and the second straight segment fan-out at a second angle different than the first angle, wherein a first trailing edge of the first branching waveguide forms an acute angle with the propagation axis and wherein a second trailing edge of the second branching waveguide forms an acute angle with the propagation axis; and
two output waveguides coupled to the Y-branch for selective routing of an input signal from the input waveguide to one of the two output waveguides.
11. The optical switch of claim 10, further comprising a phase shifting element coupled to the Y-branch, such that changes to the phase shifting element selectively route the input signal from the input waveguide to the one of the two output waveguides.
12. The optical switch of claim 10, wherein at least one of the two output waveguides is couped to at least one of the first branching waveguide or the second branching waveguide via evanescent coupling.
13. An optical device comprising:
a first Y-branch having,
an input waveguide having a propagation axis,
a linear taper section coupled to the input waveguide section, the linear taper section having a first wall and a second wall each fanning out from the propagation axis at a first angle,
a first branching waveguide having a first trailing edge acutely angled with the, propagation axis,
a second branching waveguide having a second trailing edge acutely angled with the propagation axis,
a straight section coupled between the linear taper section and the first trailing edge of the first branching waveguide and the second trailing edge of the second branching waveguide, the straight section defining a third wall and a fourth wall each fanning-out from the propagation axis at a second angle, wherein the straight section has a first straight segment and a second straight segment spaced apart, by a gap, at the linear taper section, wherein the first angle does not equal the second angle; and
a second Y-branch having an output waveguide and a pair of branching arms, wherein the first branching waveguide is coupled to one of the pair of branching arms and wherein the second branching waveguide is coupled to the other of the pair of branching arms.
14. The optical device of claim 13, further comprising a phase shifting element disposed to selectively control the amount of an input signal at the first input waveguide that is coupled to the output waveguide.
15. The optical device of claim 13, wherein the input waveguide and the output waveguide are centered about a propagation axis.