Abstract: Software is automatically generated from one or more predefined functions in accordance with an input statement entered in natural language. Semantically meaningful elements are extracted from the input statement and one or more sets of second semantically meaningful elements are extracted from the predefined functions. At least one of a condition, an action and/or a statement is identified in the input statement. The first semantically meaningful elements are compared with the second semantically meaningful elements to identify predefined functions that correspond to action(s) and/or statement(s) of the input statement. At least some of the first semantic elements are combined in accordance with identified conditions to generate corresponding condition variables. Identified functions and condition variables are combined according to a set of predetermined rules to generate software.

Abstract: Queries which may be expressed in natural language are processed by: decoding a query into one or more semantically meaningful query elements; accessing data storage, which data storage includes at least one annotation element and one or more corresponding data entries: identifying annotation elements in accordance with the semantically meaningful query elements; and retrieving at least one data entry corresponding to each identified annotation element.

Abstract: A method of automatically generating software from one or more predefined functions in accordance with an input statement entered in natural language, the method comprising the steps of:

Abstract: An optical device structure for use where an optical fiber requires to be accurately aligned in an optically coupled relationship with another optical component in a package 100 comprises an optical fiber 16 mounted in a feedthrough tube 9 which is aligned with a laser 6 through an aperture 18 in a wall 4 of the package 100. The alignment is held by a first alignment means 10, in this case a sleeve spool, which is secured to the wall 4 and to the feedthrough tube 9 relatively close to the wall 4, and by a second alignment means 11, in this case a tubular bushing, which is also fixed to the wall 4 and to the feedthrough tube 9 in a region remote from the wall 4. The use of the two alignment means 10, 11 fixed in this manner permits the desired optical coupling to be accurately fine-tuned in fabrication by a novel technique.

Abstract: An optical filter tuning apparatus and filtering method uses an optical filter that reflects light of a predetermined wavelength which is dependent on the position of incidence of the light on the filter and a retroreflector moveable with respect to the filter and which reflects light from an optical source to the position of incidence and reflects light of the predetermined wavelength from the filter to an optical receiver.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling an external cavity of a semiconductor laser to maintain its emission in a single longitudinal mode. The length of the external cavity is varied by an electromagnet acting on ferromagnetic material attached to a copper foil reflector. Total optical power output of the laser is monitored and single longitudinal mode operation is achieved by maximizing the power output. An active technique employs modulation of the reflector position about a mean value. The magnetic manipulation of the reflector may find application in other laser systems, e.g. gas lasers.