Abstract: A self-powered, portable fingerprint-activated apparatus for audibly outputting personal data includes a memory, a fingerprint scanner, circuitry, and a self-powered power cell. The memory is configured to pre-store the personal data including a fingerprint of a subject. The circuitry is configured to compare a scanned fingerprint from the scanner with the pre-stored fingerprint of the subject and to audibly output the pre-stored personal data upon authenticating the scanned fingerprint of the subject. The self-powered power cell is configured to power the circuitry.

Abstract: An optical fiber coupler apparatus for coupling ends of a first and second optical fiber of a substantially equal diameter includes: three cylindrical rods whose longitudinal axes are substantially parallel and in a triangular arrangement, a pressing mechanism, and an urging mechanism. The pressing mechanism presses the rods together, forming a central space that is substantially parallel to the axes, such that an end of the first optical fiber that is inserted into one end of the central space is held substantially collinearly with an end of the second optical fiber that is inserted into an opposite end of the central space. The urging mechanism urges the inserted end of the first optical fiber against the inserted end of the second optical fiber.

Abstract: A method of coupling optical energy comprising: generating a first beam of optical energy; generating a second beam of optical energy coherent with the first beam; polarizing optical energy from the first and second beams in a same direction; and transmitting the polarized optical energy from the first and second beams into a photorefractive body so that the energy interferes in the body to generate an interference pattern that is extant in substantially all the volume of the body.

Abstract: A method for recovering an initial linear state of polarization, of an optical beam after the beam has passed through an optical fiber and whose polarization state was disrupted, attaining power which is directly proportional to the power of the beam before it has passed through the optical fiber. The method comprises: splitting the beam into two beams, a first beam with a first polarization state and a second beam with a second polarization state, the second polarization state being orthogonal to the first polarization state; changing the polarization state of the first beam; and combining the first and second beams in half of their intensities into at least one linearly polarized beam. This way a linearly polarized output beam with power that is directly proportional to the power of the beam prior to its passing through the optical fiber is achieved.

Abstract: A fibre optic coupler assembly for optically aligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores. The assembly comprises a first holder for holding the first end; a second holder for holding the second end coupled to the first end; a retractor for retracting the second end; an aligning unit comprising a resilient construction having a conduit passing through it, for linear alignment of the ends; whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective holders and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned in the conduit of the aligning unit, retracted using the retractor, and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends.

Abstract: A method for detecting and measuring physical perturbations sensed by a multi-mode waveguide, through which a number of modes of a coherent electromagnetic wave propagates through and exit from. The method comprises irradiating the exiting electromagnetic wave on one or more two-dimensional sensing arrays comprising a plurality of sensing elements that are sensitive to the irradiated electromagnetic wave; determining, simultaneously, in a parallel manner, absolute values of sensed changes across different zones of the two-dimensional sensing arrays, each zone comprising one or more sensing elements; and summing the absolute values of different groups of different zones to obtain a representation of the perturbations.

Abstract: An optic fiber adapted for ultrasound imaging of the lumen of a vessel comprising: an inner core for transmitting light having an index of refraction that changes responsive to acoustic energy incident thereon; a ring core concentric with the inner core for transmitting light; a cladding material between the inner and ring cores that has an index of refraction smaller than the index of refraction of the material from which the inner core is formed; and at least one acoustic transducer comprising absorbing material formed on the surface of the ring core that absorbs optical energy transmitted along the ring core and generates ultrasound responsive thereto.

Abstract: A method for recovering an initial linear state of polarization, of an optical beam after the beam has passed through an optical fiber and whose polarization state was disrupted, attaining power which is directly proportional to the power of the beam before it has passed through the optical fiber. The method comprises: splitting the beam into two beams, a first beam with a first polarization state and a second beam with a second polarization state, the second polarization state being orthogonal to the first polarization state; changing the polarization state of the first beam; and combining the first and second beams in half of their intensities into at least one linearly polarized beam. This way a linearly polarized output beam with power that is directly proportional to the power of the beam prior to its passing through the optical fiber is achieved.

Abstract: A probing device for insertion into a duct to determine local parameters associated with the physical structure the duct at a selected region of the duct, and in particular variations in the physical structure along a predetermined length of interest.

Abstract: A fibre optic coupler assembly for optically aligning a sectioned fibre optic cable, the cable having a first end and a second end and comprising one or more fibre optic cores. The assembly comprises a first holder for holding the first end; a second holder for holding the second end coupled to the first end; a retractor for retracting the second end; an aligning unit comprising a resilient construction having a conduit passing through it, for linear alignment of the ends; whereby the first and second ends are coupled by the respective holders and whereby the second end can be linearly aligned in the conduit of the aligning unit, retracted using the retractor, and rotated to obtain rotational alignment of the fiber cores of the ends.