Abstract: Methods and an apparatus are provided for providing secure communications around a firewall. The firewall is configured to only pass packets if they originate on a more protected side of the firewall or if they are in response to such a packet. A persistent secure connection is made from a connection manager program inside the firewall to a server outside the firewall. A protocol request message is then sent from the connection manager to the server over the secure connection. Requests arriving from a client are embedded in a protocol response message and sent to the connection manager program. After processing, the results, if any, are sent as a protocol request message to the server, which extracts the result from the protocol request message and puts the result in a protocol response message, which is sent to the requesting client.

Abstract: An optical light coupling system is provided which includes an optical waveguide having a slanted end face, a lens for receiving a beam of light from the optical waveguide, wherein an optical axis of the lens defines a line extending through a center of the light guiding portion of the optical waveguide, and a powerless non-birefringent element disposed between the optical waveguide and the lens along the line defined between the optical axis of the lens and the center of the optical waveguide for maintaining a substantially linear propagation of the beam of light along the line, wherein the powerless non-birefringent element has a first end face facing an end face of said optical waveguide and defining an angle therebetween, and a second end face facing the lens. This angle can be adjusted to accommodate imperfect refractive index matches.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a laser diode module and a fabricating method therefor, which facilitate the fabrication and enable fabrication in a short time with a low cost and high long-range reliability. With a lens formed fiber (8) and a laser diode element (LD element) (3) aligned with each other, the front side edge portion of the ferule 4 near the LD element 3 are fixedly sandwiched on the both sides thereof by means of a ferule supporting part (6) to form a sandwiched portion (9). By a fulcrum at sandwiched portion (9), the rear side edge portion of the ferule (4) is displaced to re-align the lens formed fiber (8) with the LD element (3). On the both sides for sandwiching the rear edge side of the ferule (4), ferule fixing parts (10) guided by means of a guide portion (11) with a spacing interposed against the ferule (4) are disposed with a spacing within a range of approximately 0 to 5 &mgr;m relative to a side surface of the ferule (4).

Abstract: Calendar entries provide for a wealth of information. For example, for a meeting, information such as the start date, subject, attendees, and location are provided. Yet, when writing a follow up e-mail, that's exactly the information a user has to copy/or cut and paste from the calendar entries to the e-mail. Significant time is saved by automatically finding the relevant calendar entry(ies), extracting the known information, and augmenting that information into the e-mail and sending it via a server.

Abstract: Images in an image database are indexed according to semantic labels from a surface color code book in order to allow querying and retrieving of images based on color contend. Regions of unsegmented images in a database are localized and described with semantic labels from a surface color code book. A database index is then built using this image region information and corresponding labels. This pre-generated color-region index allows querying by semantic labels in order to locate and retrieve similar images from a database. Querying for similar images by presenting a target image is also possible using the described color-region index. In this second type of query mode a target image is analyzed to determine semantic labels of color surfaces present in that image and these labels, in turn, are used to locate similar entries in the color-region index.

Abstract: Colored surfaces are represented in an illumination-invariant and pose-invariant manner through a color code book. Patches of each color surface are represented, under well-chosen illumination conditions and other imaging variations, as clusters in an optimal color space. For each surface, the color code book entries represent its clusters' means, covariance matrices, eigen values and eigen vectors. In addition, a corresponding semantic label is given to each surface's color code book entry to simplify image processing operations such as region localization and recognition as well as indexing and querying of image databases.

Abstract: The learning chair helps to teach a child important tools for life, such as how to tell time and days of the week, how to organize a daily wardrobe, and develop communication and organizational skills. The chair is shaped in the form of a fictional character or likable “buddy” to a child, such as a robot, doll, action figure, or cartoon character. A child learns how to prepare a daily wardrobe and vocabulary for placement of pants, dresses, shirts, hats, and shoes. The learning chair is a fun communication tool between a parent and child. The chair has the ability to play pre-recorded messages as alarms on a clock. Messages may be pre-recorded according to the voice of a fictional character portrayed by the chair, or pre-recorded by a parent or adult. Messages may include personal announcement using the child's name such as time to wake up, get dressed, go to bed, take a bath, etc. The chair has a chalkboard for leaving written messages between the parent and child.

Abstract: Described are various optical devices having at least two optical waveguides for inputting and outputting optical beams coupled thereto by a single collimating lens. Located proximate to the lens is a polarization dependent beam directing device that deflects orthogonally polarized optical beams in opposite directions by a first and second angle, respectively, when the beams are propagating in the same direction. The polarization dependent beam director compensates for an angle between a first beam input via a first of the two waveguides and a second beam input via a second of the two waveguides. The polarization dependent beam director also deflects a first beam propagating towards the waveguides in a first direction so that it is output via the first of the two waveguides and deflects a second beam propagating towards the waveguides in a second direction opposite the first so that it is output via the second of the two waveguides. Disclosed are three and four port interleavers and a four port circulator.

Abstract: A objective function based on a Bayesian statistical estimation framework is used to determine an optimal model selection by choosing both the optimal number of clusters and the optimal feature set. Heuristics can be applied to find the optimal (or at least sub-optimal) of this objective function in terms of the feature sets and the number of clusters, wherein the maximization of the objective function corresponds to the optimal model structure.

Abstract: A method and system provides a structured and accessible information repository for an entities personal information. An information server contains a personal information database and a set of information preferences associated with the personal information database. The personal information database contains personal information about an entity, such as name, phone number, address, etc. The information preferences define an entities preferences regarding the conditions of use under which the personal information will be released. When another computer or user of another computer, a requestor, requests personal information from the information server, the requestor then identifies the information it is requesting and provides the conditions under which the information is to be used. The received conditions of use are compared to the set of information preferences to determine if the received conditions of use are acceptable.

Abstract: A system for determining a composite signal level at which a signal path begins to generate non-linear distortion. A reference test signal, which is preferably a short-duration burst of repeatable broadband energy, is passed through the signal path and received on a digital signal acquisition unit. An impaired received reference test signal is comprised of the transmitted reference test signal, linear distortion components, and non-linear distortion components. The impaired received reference test signal is digitally processed to reveal the non-linear distortion components. The impaired received reference test signal may be processed with a stored reference test signal to find a time-domain impulse response from which the uncorrelated distortion energy can be measured.

Abstract: A laser system is disclosed wherein a tunable laser signal has encoded within it information related to its wavelength at any instant in time. This encoding in one example is performed by modulating the signal to contain its wavelength information. This is particularly useful in a distributed system for testing optical components, wherein at a test site, the test station must determine the wavelength of light at which a component was tested.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pigtailing method, i.e., the invention provides an optical device comprising a substrate on which are integrated a layered optical waveguide component (3) and optical fiber ends (13). The optical fiber ends are positioned in grooves (10). The method involves providing a substrate (7) comprising grooves (10), notably V-shaped grooves, with a separately made optical waveguide component (3). The component (3) is made on separate flat substrate (1), and released by virtue of a releasable layer (2) present on the flat substrate (1). An advantageous releasable layer is made of a water-soluble salt. The invention also pertains to flexible waveguide sheets such (3) as can be used in the above method or, if provided with waveguide channels (12), as a flexible waveguide component themselves.

Abstract: A graphical user interface includes a plurality of pie menu levels concentrically arranged. Located within the center most section are menu selections generally of greater importance, highest probability of use, historical favorites, category headings, tabs from a tab menu, as well as other high level menu items. Levels extending from the center decrease in frequency of use while increasing in granularity of menu items. Variations in geometric shapes, number of divisions, levels, use of color or texture enhance the use of the pie menus.

Abstract: A method of controlling a response function of a pixelated dynamic gain controller involving structuring the problem as a set of linear equations that are used to efficiently and accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings and further can be iterated to determine optimum pixel settings for a desired response function. In particular, the gain controller is comprised of an array of individually controllable pixels such as an array of liquid crystals. Adjusting drive conditions to each pixel controls the relative transmission of a narrow band of wavelengths through each pixel. The target response function is achieved by structuring the control conditions as a set of linear equations with which it is possible to accurately determine an initial set of pixel settings. The settings can be iterated to determine an optimum setting for a desired response function or change in response function. Additionally, compensating pixels at the edges of the array are used to compensate for edge effects.

Abstract: A laser tool is designed to indicate and align measurements, preferably holes to be drilled for hangers that support plumbing and electrical piping, without the need for the use of a tape measure. The laser tool contains an angled base with magnets that allow the tool to remain steady on a pipe. Also included in the base is a bubble level, indicating and allowing the user to balance the tool in relation to the pipe. The laser of the tool is connected to the base by means of a swivel device, so that the user is capable of moving the laser at an angle to obtain additional measurements that are level and aligned with the original measurement for a hole.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed of characterizing an optical amplifier for operation with a required tilt or curvature within predetermined limits. As the temperature of the erbium-doped optical amplifier is varied while a test signal is launched into the amplifier accompanied by a pump signal the output spectrum is compared with a desired spectrum. At different temperatures different measures of tilt or curvature are present at the output port of the amplifier in the presence of an input signal at the input port. Feedback related to the measure of tilt or curvature of at least one of the plurality of different temperatures is provided in the form of a feedback signal or an information signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to invention relates to a variable slope optical filter in the form of a Fabry-Perôt etalon having an end face with a variable finesse. A method for filtering and a variable slope optical filter for in-line use with an optical amplifier signal is also disclosed. The filter has a wavelength response that is substantially linear in slope within a band of operation wavelengths of the amplifier; the slope of the filter in an operating band of wavelengths is between zero and a only one of a positive or negative number; furthermore the filter has an amplitude response that has an opposite and counter slope as a function of wavelength to that of a gain tilt of the amplifier within the operation band of wavelengths. Relative movement between the filter and the optical amplifier signal is provided to vary the slope of the filter by means of varying the amplitude wavelength response of the filter.

Abstract: A virtual input device uses the acoustical signature of the user's fingers to determine which character is selected. Rows of acoustical sensors having different acoustical properties are spaced in the vertical direction. When a user touches a specific row with a particular finger a unique acoustical signature is produced. The acoustical signature is analyzed to determine the finger used, the row, and the specific action by the finger, e.g. slide, press, tap. The combinations of the row, finger and action define the character selected. The characters are associated with the combinations in such a way to provide a traditional keyboard setup. Visual feedback of the character selected is provided by a display device of the system.

Abstract: An optical device for rerouting and modifying an optical signal that is capable of operating as a dynamic gain equalizer (DGE) and/or a configurable optical add/drop multiplexer (COADM) is disclosed. The optical design includes a front-end unit for providing a collimated beam of light, an element having optical power for providing collimating/focusing effects, a diffraction element for providing spatial dispersion, and modifying means which in a preferred embodiment includes one of a MEMS array and a liquid crystal array for reflecting and modifying at least a portion of a beam of light. The modifying means functions as an attenuator when the optical device operates as a DGE and as a switching array when the optical device operates as a COADM.