Abstract: The invention pertains to methods, apparatus, and systems optical of networking using tunable receivers, optical blocking elements selectively placed in the network, and optical routing elements comprised of passive elements, such as optical couplers and splitters. The routing elements have a plurality of ports and comprise passive elements such as couplers and splitters configured so that input light received at any port of the element is output from each of the other ports of the element, but not at port at which it was input.

Abstract: A body modification device including a post base, wherein the post base is configured to be disposed subcutaneously, and one or more retainer posts coupled to the post base for receiving at least one attachment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for collecting and converting solar energy into electrical energy by using solar collectors with multiple closed-cycle thermodynamic engines and/or piezoelectric generators. The solar collectors are configured to collect solar energy and to distribute the collected solar energy in a pulsating manner directly into multiple closed-cycle thermodynamic engines, piezoelectric generators, and the like. The pulsating manner means that the solar energy is allowed to enter into a particular engine or generator periodically, for a predetermined period of time, similar to turning a switch ON and OFF. Advantageously, this enables more efficient use of the collected solar energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for detecting small span loss changes in fiber optic networks. The present invention utilizes existing equipment without additional hardware to provide span loss measurements in a highly accurate manner. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention utilizes power measurements associated with an optical supervisory channel (OSC) at both ends of a fiber span. These measurements are periodically sampled taking into account propagation delay along the fiber span. Further, these measurements are integrated or time-averaged to account for temporary fluctuations. The present invention can be utilized for intrusion detection (i.e., unwanted fiber taps), fiber degradation, and fiber aging performance. The present invention satisfies the criteria for a feasible (i.e., makes use of current architecture), cost-effective (i.e., does not require additional hardware), and highly accurate solution (i.e., capable of detecting span loss changes of 0.01 dB or 0.03%).

Abstract: The present invention provides Ethernet extension and demarcation functionality through a Multi-Source Agreement (MSA) pluggable transceiver in a customer or remote device. The pluggable transceiver is configured to frame an Ethernet client signal and to provide OAM&P functionality, such as with G.709 framing. The pluggable transceiver operates within existing multi-source agreement (MSA) specifications. Accordingly, the pluggable transceiver can operate in any customer device compliant to the MSA specifications. Additionally, the framing and OAM&P functionality are transparent to the customer device, but instead utilized by a service provider for demarcation functionality, eliminating the requirements for external demarcation equipment and for external transponders.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for integrated framing functionality; optical layer operations, administration, maintenance, and provisioning (OAM&P); forward error correction (FEC); data encapsulation; and performance enhancement support in SFP optical transceiver modules. An SFP pluggable transceiver is configured to frame a client signal and to provide OAM&P functionality, such as with G.709 framing. The SFP pluggable transceiver operates within existing multi-source agreement (MSA) specifications for SFP. Accordingly, the pluggable transceiver can operate in any customer device compliant to the MSA specifications.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a nitrogen tire inflation and deflation system and associated usage methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a dispenser and a nitrogen storage device along with an associated usage method. In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a decommissioned pay phone is converted into an air or nitrogen dispenser. The conversion utilizes the form-factor and payment component of the pay phone with the additional of parts to regulate air flow. Advantageously, this provides an environmental solution to waste disposal of decommissioned pay phones. The air/nitrogen dispenser of the present disclosure can be placed at gasoline stations, convenience stores, car washes, and the like.

Abstract: This document describes tools that enable data network equipment to use its permitted data rate or physical maximum rate even if one of its links fail or it transmits more data on some links than others. To do so, the tools may track how much of a permitted data rate is used by a group of physical links. If the group is using more than the permitted data rate, the tools may limit the group to that rate. If some of the physical links in the group fail, the tools enable the group to use either its permitted data rate or the physical maximum rate of the group. In addition, the tools allow unique permitted data rates in two directions by a group of physical links. The tools may be used at ingress or egress modules within equipment depending upon the application and implementation.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to convert a reconfigurable optical node multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system to a single-input single-output (SISO) system suitable for a proportional-integral-differential (PID) control process. Advantageously, the present invention allows PID control to apply to a MIMO optical node by modeling the node as two SISO systems. The present invention optimizes the division of gain and loss between components in the reconfigurable optical node. This provides means to control the net gain and loss of a series of components when the component chain being controlled includes those components that have a single action affecting multiple channels and components that affect only one channel. The present invention utilizes control of a single quantity of amplifier gain minus attenuation for each channel, and the coupling together of all channels in the amplifier which makes the channels inter-dependent.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for highly efficient bit error rate (BER) modeling in quasi-linear communication networks. In the present invention, nonlinear noise is treated within a linearization approach along with the amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise, and the nonlinear noise is considered as another source of noise in addition to the ASE noise. This enables a quasi-analytical approach to the BER calculation. First, a covariance matrix is analytically computed. An equation is derived for a noise component of a signal and an implicit analytical solution is found depending on the signal and system parameters. Second, probability distribution functions (pdfs) are computed for the signal. An analytical calculation is performed of the characteristic function for the noise statistics. Next, a numerical computation of the Fourier transform of the characteristic function is performed to yield the pdf, and numerical integration is performed on the pdfs to yield the BER.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data distribution device comprising of a core electronics suite having at least two data ports where each port is in communication with its own network transport medium. At least two broadband transceivers, each in communication with its own broadband data port, enable sending and receiving of broadband data signals. At least two converters, each in communication with its own transceiver, enable the conversion of RF modulated data signals into data packets and the conversion of data packets into RF modulated data signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for a spanning tree topology used as a “flooding backbone” for control messages on a link state routed network. Specifically, control messages are only broadcast on the flooding backbone thereby significantly reducing message flooding. The present disclosure also provides systems and methods for correctly and efficiently reconfiguring/fixing the spanning tree topology in the event of any spanning tree link failures without re-running the spanning tree protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for an electronic communications dialog between a plurality of users using digital images via a web portal. The user selects a template for entering a plurality of words and associated images that constitute an initial electronic message. The user then enters a plurality of words into the template corresponding to the initial electronic message. A plurality of images are selected having a direct correspondence with the plurality of words entered into the template. Each image is inserted into the template in a sequence corresponding to the initial electronic message. When the initial template is complete, the initial electronic message containing the sequenced images is sent to at least one other user via the web portal. A visual dictionary can be created for each user using a facility which takes images from any electronic source and allows users to apply naming tags to store the images for subsequent retrieval.

Abstract: A wireless network security system including a system data store capable of storing network default and configuration data, a wireless transmitter and a system processor. The system processor performs a network security method. An active defense request signal is received, typically from an intrusion detection system. The received request signal includes an indicator of an access point within the wireless computer network that is potentially compromised. In response to the received an active defense of the wireless network is triggered. The triggered active defense may be on or more of transmitting a jamming signal, transmitting a signal to introduce CRC errors, transmitting a signal to increase the difficulty associated with breaking the network encryption (typically by including in the signal packet appearing legitimate but containing randomized payloads, or transmitting a channel change request to the potentially compromised access point.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention provides a system and associated methods of calibration and use for an interactive imaging environment based on the optimization of parameters used in various segmentation algorithm techniques. These methods address the challenge of automatically calibrating an interactive imaging system, so that it is capable of aligning human body motion, or the like, to a visual display. As such the present invention provides a system and method of automatically and rapidly aligning the motion of an object to a visual display.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention provides improved card guide and heatsink assemblies for pluggable electro-optic modules utilized in optical communications networks and the like. More specifically, the present invention provides a solderable surface-mounted card guide assembly and a staggered heatsink assembly. These assemblies are utilized with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules and the like, and the concepts presented herein can be extended to XFP, XENPAK, XPAK, and X2 electro-optic modules, for example. The solderable surface-mounted card guide assembly of the present invention finds particular applicability with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules not utilizing any type of module cage, while the staggered heatsink assembly of the present invention finds particular applicability with small-form factor pluggable electro-optic modules both not utilizing and utilizing any type of module cage.

Abstract: The present invention reserves special Ethernet timing packets to mark timing within Ethernet and OTN, and secondarily creates frames within the Ethernet stream through the timing marker packets. The result is standard Ethernet with timing capability that can be transported over standard Ethernet links and/or within OTN. This timing capability can be utilized to carry synchronization over asynchronous Ethernet and OTN streams. Advantageously, enabling Ethernet and OTN to carry synchronous information will de-risk switching from SONET/SDH to Ethernet and/or OTN for service providers. The present invention also includes frame decomposition of the Ethernet stream. Ethernet packets are broken into fixed bandwidth and excess bandwidth. The fixed bandwidth is subdivided into fixed (negotiated) flits, with each flit corresponding to a specific user or combination of users like a private tunnel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel ejector apparatus for pluggable transceivers, such as transceivers defined by multi-source agreements (MSAs) including SFP, SFP+, XFP, and the like. The ejector apparatus utilizes a shrouded design where the ejector apparatus encapsulates the top, sides, and bottom of a pluggable transceiver thereby allowing an operator to grasp any side of the ejector apparatus to actuate engagement prongs. In keeping with MSA guidelines, the ejector apparatus utilizes prongs to disengage a locking mechanism in order for the kick out springs to release the module. Advantageously, the ejector apparatus enables high density placement of corresponding transceivers, allows access from all sides of the transceiver for ejection, and allows cables to remain connected to the transceiver during ejection.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for supporting native TDM and native Packet switching simultaneously in a meshed switching architecture. Specifically with the present invention, the meshed links are common to both TDM and packet traffic, and both types terminate to a common system interface without the need to separate physical resources and infrastructure; the common termination function has access to both the TDM (Time Slot Interchange (TSI)) switching and packet switching elements. Native TDM switching and packet switching operate in concurrently in the mesh over common links, with the personality of the links derived by the card type (attached to the mesh). In this, a given card or slot in a system can communicate in the native format to both packet based cards (slots) or TDM based cards (slots) simultaneously with no preconceived restrictions or limitations on slot or link definition.