Abstract: The invention describes an integrated-photonics arrangement, implementable in a multi-guide vertical integration structure composed from III-V semiconductors and grown in one epitaxial growth run, that allows for vertical and lateral splitting of optical signals co- or bi-directionally propagating in the common passive waveguide into plurality of the vertically integrated passive or active wavelength-designated waveguides, therefore, enabling the wavelength-designated waveguides operating in different wavelengths to be monolithically integrated onto the same substrate and connected to the shared passive waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer comprising a plurality of regions of optically permissive material. The plurality of regions are disposed adjacent one another in a side by side relationship in order to define a stratified body. The materials in adjacent regions have differing indexes of refraction. The stratified body has a first surface and a second surface that are positioned in a non-parallel relationship with respect to one another. The first surface is a light-receiving surface, and the second surface is a light-exiting surface.

Abstract: An doped fiber optical amplifier featuring an optical component having first wavelength division multiplexer, an isolator and a second wavelength division multiplexer is described. The isolator supports the propagation of optical signals within a predetermined signal wavelength range in one direction. Pump signals having a wavelength within a pump wavelength range are diverted by the wavelength division multiplexers to inhibit coupling of the pump signals with the isolator. The optical amplifier supports the use of relatively high-powered optical pump lasers. The optical component is optically disposed between different lengths of doped fiber and serves to reduce optical noise within the amplifier.

Abstract: Passenger boarding bridges have adjustable walkways that are elevated high above the ground when servicing aircraft doorways. Passenger safety is improved by automatically stabilizing the passenger boarding bridge when it is in an aligned condition. A method for automatically stabilizing the passenger boarding bridge includes moving the aircraft-engaging end of the passenger boarding bridge into an aligned relationship relative to the doorway of an aircraft. The aligned relationship between the aircraft-engaging end of the passenger boarding bridge and the doorway of the aircraft is detected automatically. Adjustable jacks, which are fixedly mounted to the passenger boarding bridge wheel carriage, are actuated between a retracted condition and an extended condition. In the extended condition, the adjustable jacks engage a ground surface below the passenger boarding bridge, thereby increasing the stability of the passenger boarding bridge.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating ions includes a FAIMS analyzer region having a first ion inlet for introducing ions into the FAIMS analyzer region. An ion outlet from the FAIMS analyzer region is provided for extracting a subset of the ions that is selectively transmitted along an average ion flow path defined through the FAIMS analyzer region. The apparatus also includes an actuator for controllably varying a length of the average ion flow path through the FAIMS analyzer region.

Abstract: A system and a method for managing electronic contact database are disclosed. A method according to an embodiment comprises the steps of providing a recipient electronic address; providing an electronic mail message; encoding a network address including an indication of a file name and a network file server within the provided electronic mail message, the encoded network address indicative of a unique recipient and indicative of the network file server and a file name from which to retrieve data from the network file server; and, transmitting the electronic mail message to the provided recipient electronic address. A mail server supports the methods for managing electronic contact database.

Abstract: Harmful effects of the sun are becoming more prominent than they have been in the past. Thus, appropriately shielding ourselves from the sun has become ever more important. Unfortunately, applying sunscreens to infants may not be preferable thus sunshade umbrellas have been developed that clamp onto a stroller and are user positionable to provide shade to the infant located thereunder. Unfortunately, as the stroller I moved with respect to the sun, the orientation of the umbrella must be varied in order to ensure the infant is in adequate shade. Not applicable to just stroller umbrellas, an automated position in system for an umbrella is thus disclosed. The automated positioning system orients the canopy of the umbrella in relation to the sun so that shade at a predetermine location is provided thereunder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for processing time series signal data or image signal data indicative of a characteristic of an object. Received signal data are transformed into second signal data within a Stockwell domain based upon a sparse approximation of a S-transform of the signal data. The second signal data are then processed within the Stockwell domain to extract features therefrom. The processing includes determination of local spectra at predetermined locations; determination of voices at predetermined frequencies; and filtering of the signal data using a filter function in dependence upon frequency and time or space. The signal processing method and system according to the invention enables signal processing based on the S-transform using a desktop computer or workstation.

Abstract: A system for aligning an aircraft-engaging end of a passenger boarding bridge to a doorway along a lateral surface of an aircraft includes a receiver that is located aboard the aircraft for receiving a signal, including image data for being displayed to a user aboard the aircraft. The system further includes a display device located aboard the aircraft and in communication with the receiver, the display device for receiving the image data from the receiver and for displaying the image data in a human intelligible form to the user aboard the aircraft. A user interface is also located aboard the aircraft for receiving an input signal from the user, which is indicative of one of a go command and a no-go command for automatically aligning the passenger boarding bridge, and for providing data relating to the input signal.

Abstract: A cable tuner front end circuit is disclosed for receiving a radio frequency television input signal and for selectively amplifying the signal in dependence upon a predetermined level of the tuner circuit output signal. The tuner front end circuit having first and second radio frequency paths, where in dependence upon the predetermined level of the output signal, the input signal either propagating along the first path without amplification or the input signal propagating along the second path with low noise amplification. Such that, when amplification is not required the amplifier circuit is disabled thereby offering a savings in tuner circuit power consumption.

Abstract: An on-axis ion source has an ionization chamber and an adjacent low-pressure region. The on-axis ion source also includes a capillary tube having an axial bore for supporting fluid communication between the ionization chamber and the adjacent low-pressure region, the axial bore of the capillary tube being substantially concentrically aligned with the orifice of a skimmer located downstream in the ion path from the capillary tube. A blocking element is provided in an aligned facing arrangement with the axial bore of the capillary tube and on an opposite side of the orifice relative to the capillary tube. The blocking element receives droplets or particles flowing through the axial bore of the capillary tube and passing through the orifice of the skimmer. The combination of an on-axis arrangement and the use of a blocking element results in improved signal-to-noise level due to enhanced ion transmission and reduction of noise arising from passage of undesolvated droplets and particles to the mass analyzer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for separating ions including a plurality of first electrode portions, each first electrode portion of the plurality of first electrode portions having a first length and an outer surface that is at least partially curved in a direction transverse to the first length. The apparatus also includes a plurality of second electrode portions arranged in an alternating sequence with the plurality of first electrode portions, each second electrode portion of the plurality of second electrode portions having a second length and an outer surface that is curved in a direction transverse to the second length, a space between the outer surface of a first electrode portion and the outer surface of an adjacent second electrode portion defining a portion of an analytical gap for separating ions.

Abstract: A method of separating ions is disclosed. The method includes a step of providing a FAIMS analyzer region for separating ions, the FAIMS analyzer region including at least one region of segmentation. The segmentation permits ion trapping, and a combination trapping and gating that permits high efficiency of ions collection from continuous ion sources. The ions are separated in segmented FAIMS, according to their high-field mobility properties, and by using the method described herein according to their low-field mobility. The ions are separated by low field mobility using stationary potential gradients formed by voltages applied to the segments, and by traveling potential gradients of various shapes. The ions are separated along the longitudinal direction in cylindrical FAIMS, and may be detected in a time-of-arrival fashion as the ions leave the ion outlet of FAIMS or optionally the ions other than selected are caused to collide with the electrodes and only the selected ions transmitted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for injecting a noise signal into a wire pair of a communication link. In operation a first current source and a second current source are disposed in series with a node therebetween coupled resistively to a wire of the wire pair. A current flow path is provided for balancing the current from the two current sources. A similar circuit is also coupled to the other wire of the wire pair.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) for separating ions, and a method therefore. The FAIMS includes an electrode stack (24) having a length and comprising a plurality of electrodes (26, 28). Each electrode of the electrode stack is spaced apart from an adjacent electrode in a direction along the length of the electrode stack, and each electrode of the electrode stack has an edge that defines a portion of an edge of the electrode stack. At least an electrode (22) is spaced apart from the edge of the electrode stack in a direction approximately transverse to the length of the electrode stack, the space between the at least an electrode and the edge of the electrode stack defines an analytical gap (20) for allowing ions to propagate therebetween.

Abstract: A method of reprogramming classification data in a packet classification state machine without interrupting the operation of the state machine is disclosed. Data relating to a plurality of new nodes from a starting node of the classification tree within a classification tree are stored such that they accurately indicate subsequent nodes within the existing data structure. Once the data is stored, a new first node address is stored in a predetermined location. Thereby causing subsequent state machine executions to begin at a new node. Preferably, the new first node address is stored using an atomic operation such that no reading of the first node address is possible during the store operation. The method allows a plurality of state machines to simultaneously use a same classification data memory because the method does not involve overwriting existing data.

Abstract: A circuit is disclosed having a first series circuit path including a first switching transistor, a cascode transistor disposed in cascode arrangement with the first switching transistor, a transformer, and a fourth switching transistor. The circuit also has a second series circuit path having a second switching transistor, the transformer, and a third switching transistor. Both the first series circuit path and the second series circuit path are coupled between a first voltage source and a second voltage source. The cascode transistor has a bias applied to a port thereof for limiting current flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A method of notifying a user of an electronic communication system is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: providing an electronic message including address data to an electronic communication process in execution within a computer system; identifying the address data within the provided electronic message; comparing address data within the provided electronic message with further address data stored on the computer within an address list; providing a notification to the user associated with the electronic message when a result of the comparison indicates that at least some of the identified address data is other than within the further address data, the notification other than a prompt to add the identified address data to the further address data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for visualizing ST data based on principal component analysis. ST data indicative of a plurality of local S spectra, each local S spectrum corresponding to an image point of an image of an object are received. In a first step principal component axes of each local S spectrum are determined. This step is followed by the determination of a collapsed local S spectrum by projecting a magnitude of the local S spectrum onto at least one of its principal component axes, thus reducing the dimensionality of the S spectrum. After determining a weight function capable of distinguishing frequency components within a frequency band a texture map for display is generated by calculating a scalar value from each principal component of the collapsed S spectrum using the weight function and assigning the scalar value to a corresponding position with respect to the image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface effect craft comprising a supporting deck structure having two pontoons mounted thereto in catamaran like fashion. A propulsion mechanism is mounted to a rear portion of the deck structure. A lift control member is disposed under the deck structure between the two pontoons. The lift control member is pivotally movable mounted to the front portion of the deck structure. A lift adjust mechanism pivotally moves the lift control member between a first position with the rear end of the lift control member being in close proximity to the surface and a second position with the rear end of the lift control member being in close proximity to the deck structure. Employment of the lift control member enables the craft to achieve surface effect at low speed and, furthermore, allows control of the aerodynamic lift in a wide range from maximum lift to negative lift.