Abstract: Applications, systems and methods for efficiently accessing and controlling data of devices among multiple computers over a network. Peer-to-peer exchanges of data between private computers is made possible while providing seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity. Such functionality is available even among private users over a public network, and even when multiple firewalls must be passed through. A firewall compliant connection may be established between a local computer and at least one remote computer; at least one file on a storage device associated with one of the computers is selected, and securely sent to at least one other computer over the secure connections. Computers may be connected over a wide area network with or without a connection server, with or without a VPN.

Abstract: Applications, systems and methods for backing up data include securely connecting at least first and second privately addressed computers over a network, wherein at least one of the computers is connectable to the network through a firewall element. At least a portion of a first version of a file is sent from the first computer to the second computer. The file or portion of a file sent from the first computer is compared with a corresponding version of the file or portion stored at the location of the second computer, and at least one of the versions is saved at the location of the second computer.

Abstract: Applications, systems and methods for permitting simultaneous use of a file by two or more computers over a network may include storing the file locally in a local storage device associated with a local computer; providing access to the file by at least one remote computer which is connectable to the local computer via the network, and wherein at least one of the computers is connectable to the network through a firewall element. The file may be stored in at least one remote storage device associated with the at least one remote computer, respectively, and versions of the file contained on the one or more remote storage devices are synchronized with that on the local device by transmitting over the network connecting the one or more remote storage devices with the local device, at least one of Delta files and Inverse Delta files between the remote storage devices and the local storage device.

Abstract: Applications, systems and methods for efficiently accessing and controlling data of devices among multiple computers over a network. Strategic cache management processes are provided to manage the data in cache memory of the storage devices involved. Communication of data over the network may be managed by means of one or more connection servers which may also manage any or all of authentication, authorization, security, encryption and point-to-multipoint communications functionalities. Alternatively, computers may be connected over a wide area network without a connection server, and with or without a VPN. Data transmissions may be managed to minimize bandwidth and may be temporally and/or spatially compressed.

Abstract: Applications, systems and methods for efficiently accessing and controlling data of devices among multiple computers over a network. Communication of data over one or more networks may be managed by means of one or more connection servers which may also manage any or all of authentication, authorization, security, encryption and point-to-multipoint communications functionalities. Alternatively, computers may be connected over a wide area network without a connection server, and with or without a VPN.

Abstract: Applications, systems and methods for efficiently accessing data and controlling storage devices among multiple computers connected by a network. Upon receiving a request for access to data originally stored in a remote storage device, determining whether the data is already available and valid in a local storage device. Accessing the data from the local storage device if the data is available and valid. Authenticating a request for a secure connection between a local computer associated with the local storage device and a remote computer associated with the remote storage device. Securely connecting the local computer with the remote computer. Requesting the data from the remote storage device, over the network, if the data is not locally available and valid. Receiving data over the network from the remote storage device, and storing the data in the local storage device for direct local access thereto.

Abstract: Applications, systems and methods for securely and remotely operating a remote computer from a local computer over a network while providing seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity. Secure and remote operation includes authenticating at least one remote computer for connection to at least one computer over the network and/or at least one local computer for connection to at least one remote computer over the network; establishing a secure connection between the at least one local computer and the at least one remote computer over the network; and integrating a desktop of at least one remote computer on a display of at least one local computer. The connections may be made over a public network, as well as through multiple firewalls without loss of functionality.

Abstract: A hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus wherein one or more solid state lasers, magnetic field biasing elements, magnetic sensing elements, and an aerodynamically shaped slider comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material into an optical head. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser and magnetic elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers or magnetic elements. The hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus includes a magnetic-optical function region having a semiconductor laser and at least one magnetic element. Preferably, the magnetic-optical function region of the substrate includes a magnetic field biasing element associated with the semiconductor laser, as well as a magnetic sensing element.

Abstract: A near field optical apparatus comprising a conductive sheet or plane having an aperture therein with the conductive plane including at least one protrusion which extends into the aperture. The location, structure and configuration of the protrusion or protrusions can be controlled to provide desired near field localization of optical power output associated with the aperture. Preferably, the location, structure and configuration of the protrusion are tailored to maximize near field localization at generally the center of the aperture. The aperture preferably has a perimeter dimension which is substantially resonant with the output wavelength of the light source, or is otherwise able to support a standing wave of significant amplitude. The apparatus may be embodied in a vertical cavity surface emitting layer or VCSEL having enhanced nearfield brightness by providing a conductive layer on the laser emission facet, with, a protrusion of the conductive layer extending into an aperture in the emission facet.

Abstract: Near-field sub-wavelength C-apertures provide enhanced spatial resolution and power throughput by increasing the normalized resonant wavelength of the aperture. These improved apertures are characterized by the use of improved geometric proportions for C-apertures, filling the aperture with high-index material, designing aperture thickness to produce longitudinal transmission resonance, and/or tapering the aperture in the longitudinal direction to achieve impedance matching. Apertures according to the present invention may be used for many technological applications in various portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Exemplary applications to high density optical data storage and optical particle trapping and manipulation are described.

Abstract: A hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus wherein one or more solid state lasers, magnetic field biasing elements, magnetic sensing elements, and an aerodynamically shaped slider comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material into an optical head. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser and magnetic elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers or magnetic elements. The hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus includes a magnetic-optical function region having a semiconductor laser and at least one magnetic element. Preferably, the magnetic-optical function region of the substrate includes a magnetic field biasing element associated with the semiconductor laser, as well as a magnetic sensing element.

Abstract: A hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus wherein one or more solid state lasers, magnetic field biasing elements, magnetic sensing elements, and an aerodynamically shaped slider comprise a single integrated, monolithic device fabricated from the same base semiconductor material into an optical head. The monolithic optical head can be quickly and easily attached to the read arm of an optical read/write device without requiring attachment of separate laser and magnetic elements, and without micropositioning or use of optical microscopy for positioning the lasers or magnetic elements. The hybrid magnetic-optical head apparatus includes a magnetic-optical function region having a semiconductor laser and at least one magnetic element. Preferably, the magnetic-optical function region of the substrate includes a magnetic field biasing element associated with the semiconductor laser, as well as a magnetic sensing element.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and service model are disclosed which simplify conventional methods for schedule recordings of television programs and enable users to control recording equipment from any location via the Internet. Entities connected to computer networks such as the Internet and web-browser software can schedule recordings of television programs and/or operate the recording equipment. In an example scenario, a user who maintains recording equipment at home may utilize the present invention from his or her workplace or vacation place, accesses a service provider website using her/his user name and password, views the a schedule of television programs provided by a broadcaster or other distributor of programming and selects the television programs to be recorded. The application service provider in turn transmits the selected television program information to a computer connected to a later described remote control unit to execute and operate the recording of selected programs.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and service model are disclosed which simplify conventional methods for schedule recordings of television programs and enable users to control recording equipment from any location via the Internet. Entities connected to computer networks such as the Internet and web-browser software can schedule recordings of television programs and/or operate the recording equipment. In an example scenario, a user who maintains recording equipment at home may utilize the present invention from his or her workplace or vacation place, accesses a service provider website using her/his user name and password, views the a schedule of television programs provided by a broadcaster or other distributor of programming and selects the television programs to be recorded. The application service provider in turn transmits the selected television program information to a computer connected to a later described remote control unit to execute and operate the recording of selected programs.

Abstract: An optical storage system and method having separate, independent format hologram writing and data writing mechanisms to allow optimization of data writing separately from format hologram recording. In its most general terms, the invention comprises an optical medium having a first, photoactive material responsive to a first, format hologram recording condition, and a second photo-active material, responsive to a second data writing condition, which is dispersed or dissolved in the first photoactive material. The second photoactive material may additionally be “erasable” under a third, erasing condition. The second photoactive material is preferably in the form of microparticles, microdroplets or microcapsules which are dispersed throughout the first photoactive material.

Abstract: Systems and methods for remote access of network-enabled devices that provide seamless, firewall-compliant connectivity between multiple users and multiple devices, that allow collaborative operations by multiple users of remote devices, that allow point to multipoint control of multiple devices and which allow rapid, secure transmission of data between remote users and devices. In general terms, the system includes at least one connection server, and at least two computers operatively coupled to the connection server via a public or global network. In an example where at least one client computer is operatively connected to at least one network-enabled device through a connection server via the public or global network, the connection server is configured to route control instructions from the client to the network-enabled device, and route data from the network-enabled device to the client.

Abstract: Digital data bits are stored at storage locations at plural depths within a holographic medium of a holographic storage disk in the form of selective, localized alterations in a format hologram. Micro-localized regions of a reflection format hologram extending throughout the medium are deleted by focusing a high-power laser beam at desired storage locations. The deletion regions have a lower reflectivity than the surrounding parts of the format hologram. Tunable-focus storage and retrieval heads, as well as dynamic aberration compensators, are used for multi-depth access. Storage and retrieval may each be achieved with a single head.

Abstract: A near-field laser and detector apparatus and method wherein both writing and reading of optical media can be carried out using the same laser operating in a single mode for both read and write operations. The single operational mode can be utilized with both edge emitting and surface emitting laser configurations, and allows readout via rear facet output power variation or by voltage variation across the laser. A small aperture laser is operated during read and write operations at a bias current which is higher than the threshold currents associated with feedback from high and low reflectivity regions of an optical medium. The bias current and laser structure provide a relatively high, continuous output power from the front emission facet of the laser to facilitate writing, while providing substantial fluctuation or change in output power from the rear emission facet to facilitate readout.

Abstract: An optical information medium comprising at least two data layers for bearing recorded information, and a servo layer for bearing tracking servo, information which is independently formed from the data layers; wherein the medium is used with a recording or reading system wherein a data beam for recording or reading the data in the data layer and a servo beam for reading the tracking servo information in the servo layer are used, and the servo layer is read by the servo beam that had passed through the data layer; and a filter layer is disposed between the data layer and the servo layer, and the filter layer exhibits higher absorption to the data beam than to the servo beam.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling multiple users from different physical locations to access, observe, control and manipulate physical processes and devices over a computer network such as the Internet is disclosed. A user may visually monitor the physical set up and state of an experiment or environment by receiving live video and data, as well as directly control instrumentation while receiving live feedback regarding the input commands. Measurement data may be collected into a database and computational analysis can be generated and displayed as a physical process is being performed. An online interactive laboratory notebook is also provided that manages items such as collected data, laboratory parameters, “to do” lists, personal notes, etc.