Abstract: An output buffer having slew-rate control and crossbar current control includes a pull-up PMOS transistor, a pull-down NMOS transistor, a pull-up network coupled to the gate of the pull-up PMOS transistor, and a pull-down network coupled to the gate of the pull-down NMOS transistor.

Abstract: A fiber Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) laser system includes a fiber mode-locking oscillator for generating a laser for projecting to a fiber stretcher for stretching a pulse width of the laser wherein the stretcher further comprising a self-phase modulation (SPM) assisted photonics crystal fiber (PCF) single mode (SM) fiber stretcher. The fiber CPA laser system further includes a multistage amplifier for amplifying the laser and a high-order dispersion-compensating compressor for compensating high order dispersions and compressing the pulse width of the laser.

Abstract: An optical communication system includes a first wavelength filter, a bidirectional amplifier, and a second wavelength filter. The first wavelength filter can receive a downstream broad-spectrum signal and output a downstream spectrum-sliced signal in response to the downstream broad-spectrum signal. The bidirectional amplifier can amplify the downstream spectrum-sliced signal. The second wavelength filter can receive the amplified downstream spectrum-sliced signal from the bidirectional amplifier and route the amplified downstream spectrum-sliced signal. The second wavelength filter can also output an upstream spectrum-sliced signal in response to an upstream broad-spectrum signal. The bidirectional amplifier can amplify the upstream spectrum-sliced signal to product an amplified upstream spectrum-sliced signal that is subsequently routed by the first wavelength filter.

Abstract: A method for personalizing an image-based physical manifestation to conform with user preferences for image processing. In one implementation, the method includes identifying an image for processing, identifying user preferences for image processing and processing the image including manipulating image data for the image in accordance with the user preferences.

Abstract: An oscillator circuit includes a current source comprising an amplifier, a first resistor, a second resistor, and a third inverter whose input and output are connected and coupled with an input of the amplifier. The amplifier is configured to generate a first current flowing through the first resistor and the second resistor.

Abstract: A fiber Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) laser system that includes a fiber mode-locking oscillator for generating a seed laser for projecting to a stretcher for generated a pulse-stretched laser for projecting to a multiple stage amplifier. The multiple stage amplifier further amplifying said laser for projecting to a compressor for compressing said laser to generate an output laser of an original pulse width. In this invention, pulse stretcher is implemented with a special dispersion management fiber that has a flat dispersion or a negative TOD (dispersion slope, or a slope of dispersion versus wavelength).

Abstract: A fiber Chirped Pulse Amplification (CPA) laser system includes a fiber mode-locking oscillator for generating a laser for projecting to a fiber stretcher for stretching a pulse width of the laser wherein the stretcher further comprising a Photonic Bandgap (PBG) fiber having a lower nonlinearity and an abnormal dispersion than a solid core fiber for connecting and transmitting a laser from the stretcher to a multistage amplifier for amplifying the laser into an output laser whereby a separate compressor is not required.

Abstract: New and improved applications of Raman Scattering are disclosed. These applications may be implemented with or without using an enhanced nano-structured surface that is trademarked as the RamanNanoChip™ disclosed in a pending patent. As a RamanNanoChip™ provides much higher sensitivity in SERS compared with conventional enhance surface, broader scopes of applications are now enabled and can be practically implemented as now disclosed in this application. Furthermore, a wide range of applications is achievable as new and improved Raman sensing applications. By applying the analysis of Raman scattering spectrum, applications can be carried out to identify unknown chemical compositions to perform the tasks of homeland security; food, drug and drinking materials safety; early disease diagnosis environmental monitoring; industrial process monitoring, precious metal and gem authentications, etc.

Abstract: A power-on reset circuit includes a first circuit arranged between a high voltage supply terminal (VDD) and a low voltage supply terminal (VSS), wherein the first circuit is configured to output a low-voltage reset signal at an output node (PORB) when VDD is powered up and to output a high voltage signal at the node PORB after the VDD reaches a predetermined voltage during power up; a second circuit configured to set the node PORB to a low voltage after VDD is powered off; and a third circuit configured to provide a supply voltage at a node DV to the second circuit. The supply voltage is lower than the voltage of VDD by approximately one diode voltage.

Abstract: A wireline transmission circuit includes a first circuit that produces a first variable current, a second circuit that produces a first static current, a trans-impedance amplifier that outputs a first analog signal at a first output node in response to the first variable current and the first static current received at a first input node, and a first feedback resistor connected to the first input node and the first output node.

Abstract: A system and method for changing attributes of an image-based product in which an attribute of a first image is automatically identified and a new value for a product attribute of the image-based product is automatically selected based on the image attribute. Also, a user interface can be provided that allows a user to actuate a user interface control in order to select a new value for a product attribute of an image-based product. Such techniques can be used to offer image-based products for sale over a computer network such as the Internet so that the user can change attributes of the image-based products before ordering.

Abstract: A digital printing system for producing prints in response to input digital images includes a digital printer and a plurality of computer processors. The plurality of computer processors includes one or more image-rendering units for rendering the input digital images to generate rendered digital images, wherein the image rendering is independent of specific characteristics of the digital printer. The plurality of computer processors further includes one or more image processors for processing the rendered digital images in accordance with one or more specific characteristics of the digital printer. The processed images are subsequently input to the digital printer to produce the prints. The computer processors can be dynamically assigned to be the image-rendering units or the image processors.

Abstract: A method to fabricate an optical scattering probe and the method includes the steps of a) depositing an conductive layer on a substrate followed by depositing a noble metal layer on top of the conductive layer and then an aluminum layer on top the noble metal layer; b) anodizing the aluminum layer to form a porous aluminum oxide layer having a plurality of pores; and c) etching the plurality of pores through the aluminum oxide layer and the noble metal layer for forming a nano-hole array. In a preferred embodiment, the step of etching the plurality of pores through the aluminum oxide layer and the noble metal layer further comprising a step of widening the pores followed by removing the aluminum oxide layer for forming a plurality of noble metal column on top of the conductive layer.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method for detecting copyright protection in digital images receives a digital image, searches for capture device information associated with the digital image, calculates one or more image characteristics of the digital image, and verifies copyright ownership and usage authorization of the digital image in response to the capture device information and the calculated image characteristics.

Abstract: An automated printing system for producing an image-based product comprises a server computer that receives from a first user a group of one or more copyright protected digital images and price information for image-based product. The price information can be distinct for each group of copyright protected digital images. The automated printing system also includes a computer processor that processes the copyright protected digital images in response to an order from a second user and calculates payment to the first user based on the price information and a digital printer that produces the image-based product in response to the processed copyright protected digital image.

Abstract: An optical module includes a transmitter optical sub-assembly comprising a transmitter configured to emit a multi-longitudinal-mode (MLM) spectrum signal having an emission spectrum comprising a plurality of distinct narrow-spectrum peaks each corresponding to a longitudinal mode in the transmitter. The emission spectrum can be shifted in wavelength by a change in the transmitter temperature. The optical module also includes a heating and cooling device configured to control the temperature of the transmitter in response to a temperature-control signal and a receiver optical sub-assembly configured to output a pair of differential digital signals in response to an input optical signal.

Abstract: An automated manufacturing system comprises a computer processing system and a plurality of consolidation systems. The computer processing system receives information on product subbatches and product packages and consolidation status information to produce consolidation assignment information, each product package comprising one or more product subbatches. The consolidation systems receive the product subbatches in accordance to the consolidation assignment information and consolidate the product subbatches into product packages, wherein the status of the consolidation systems are tracked and the consolidation status information is sent to the computer processing system.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method uploads image data to a remote computer such as a server by: defining an area in a user interface adapted to receive an image; generating a thumbnail associated with the image when the image is associated with the area; and, uploading the image to the server.