Abstract: A stirrup for securing the end of a pant leg to the foot of a wearer. The stirrup has a base web and at least three arms projecting therefrom. Each arm has a fastener such as alligator jaws style, for engaging the pant leg at at least three points about its circumference, to avoid bunching. The base member may comprise an elastic fabric and may include a length adjusting mechanism. Alligator jaw fasteners may instead comprise buttons, hooks, hook and loop material, or snaps. The stirrup may be made from denim, leather, cotton, satin, lace, or nylon. The base web may optionally form a sock.

Abstract: A method for the circulation of gas when drilling or working a well. The method includes the step of pressurizing at least two chambers of a multi-chambered accumulator with inert gas. The chambers of the multi-chambered accumulator are operatively connected to one another and individually or in combination isolatable from each other. The method also includes isolating at least one chamber of the accumulator that has been pressurized with inert gas such that during drilling or working the well the isolated chamber remains pressurized with gas that has not been mixed with well gas returns. Pressurized gas is extracted from one or more of the non-isolated chambers of the accumulator and injected into the well. At least a portion of the gas returns from the well is collected, compressed and delivered to at least one of the non-isolated chambers of the multi-chamber accumulator.

Abstract: An access device enables dynamic migration of telecommunications subscribers between multiple transport networks and call services providers. The access device stores access patterns that associate a subscriber with a call server and define trigger events. The access device monitors the trigger events. The access device associates the subscriber with a different call server in accordance with the trigger events and the access patterns. The trigger events can be dynamic or static, can be on a line-by-line or call-by-call basis, and can be selected by a user or implemented by an operator. In this manner, the access device allows graceful migration of voice services from a legacy network to a next-generation packet network with lower capital and ownership costs.

Abstract: A method and system for using optical phase conjugation in an optical communications network including an add-drop multiplexer. The method includes determining a position for an optical phase conjugator such that channel quality for a channel in improved above a threshold. Transmission characteristics such as amplifier launch power or dispersion features may be adjusted to compliment the optical phase conjugation. An alternate method includes positioning the optical phase conjugator to improve a weighted average channel quality for the network.

Abstract: The present invention provides several embodiments of an elongate hollow tubular or solid rod lighting device including a plurality of LEDs therewith and appropriate electrical componentry, and serving as a direct replacement for a conventional fluorescent light tube in a conventional fluorescent lighting fixture. The present lighting device includes appropriate connector pins extending from each end thereof, enabling the device to be installed in a conventional fluorescent lighting fixture with no modification to the fixture. The light may include appropriate electrical componentry such as a step-down transformer to provide the required voltage for the LEDs, either integrally within the light, incorporated in an end cap thereof, or installed separately therefrom in the fixture, as desired. The light may be colored or tinted as desired by the use of LEDs providing the desired color output, and/or by installing a tinted sleeve over the tube or rod as desired.

Abstract: In a communications network, a system and method for fault notification and correlation. The system includes a notification collector that serves as an intermediary for processing fault notifications. If the fault notification volume exceeds a defined threshold, such that in the prior art could involve dropped notifications, the notification collector processes the critical fault notifications. The notification collector may also assign a higher priority to processing the fault notifications than the faulty components do for generating the fault notifications. In this manner, the need for a fault correlation subsystem is reduced.

Abstract: An optical communication device, and related method, are provided for reducing ripple in WDM systems. In particular, the optical communication device includes a dynamic gain equalization (DGE) circuit is coupled to an optical communication path carrying the WDM optical signals. The DGE circuit adjusts the powers associated with each channel on a channel-by-channel basis so that the WDM optical signal has a desired power spectrum. The DGE is controlled in response to sense signals generated by an optical performance monitoring (OPM) circuit located downstream from the DGE or substantially co-located with the DGE. The OPM monitors the WDM spectrum for optical signal power variations and outputs the sense signal when the variations fall outside a given tolerance. Typically, one DGE is associated with a group of concatenated amplifiers so that multiple DGEs are provided in a system having many groups of such amplifiers.

Abstract: A compound optical and electrical conductor includes a fiberoptic light transmitting element (multiple fibers or single solid rod) with at least one solar cell with LED therewith. The electrical conductor or conductors may be imbedded or otherwise secured within the optically conducting element or its surrounding jacket or sheath, or may be contained in a separate elongate retainer which may be provided to hold the optically conducting element in place as desired. The conductors may include a jacket or retainer which is optically open along one side thereof, allowing the optical conductor to emit light laterally therefrom subtending an angle defined by the optical gap in the jacket or retainer. One or more compound connectors may be provided, for linking two or more such compound conductors together as desired. The connectors provide for both the concentric alignment of the optical conductors, and also the electrical connection of the electrical conductors of the compound devices.

Abstract: A novel lighting system utilizing low power consumption LEDs to provide safe, economical and decorative lighting. In a first embodiment, and acrylic candle body having a 45 degree reflector is mounted on top of a LED source to direct light along the body of the light and outwardly as directed by the reflector. The acrylic body can be rotated to point the reflected light in the desired direction. In a second embodiment, the acrylic candle and reflector are replaced by fiber optic ports and a light driver for connecting fiber optic strands that can be side lighting or end lighting to provide lighting at points distant from the light source. In a third embodiment, the fiber optic strand in run in parallel inside or outside a transparent liquid conduit such as a modified garden hose, a beverage dispenser, or a kitchen faucet to light the conduit and or the spray of the hose in a single or multiple colors.