Abstract: A system and method maintain concentricity of a center hole of a top substrate and of a bottom substrate in a bonded storage disk manufacturing system. A first device holds a coaxial arrangement of a top and bottom substrate around a first arbor. A second device holding the arrangement in a coaxial arrangement around a second arbor. One of the first and second arbors is fixed to its associated device and the other is movable in response to urging from the one arbor so that the arrangement maintains concentricity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling high intensity light into a low melting temperature optical fiber which uses a high temperature, low NA optical fiber as a spatial filter between a source of high intensity light and a low melting temperature, low NA optical fiber. In an alternate embodiment, the spatial filter is composed of a fused bundle of optical fibers. The source of light may be a high intensity arc lamp or may be a high NA, high melting temperature optical fiber transmitting light from a remote light source.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting control circuit and method for a lighting system having a HID lamp as the primary light source and an auxiliary light source for providing light when the HID lamp is extinguished or below full brightness but power remains available to the circuit. The circuit senses the HID lamp current and activates a relay to a conductive state using a solid state controller when the HID lamp current is below a predetermined current magnitude to effect the lighting of the auxiliary light source.

Abstract: A proximal connector includes a stainless steel, cone-shaped ferrule enclosing a proximal end of the optic fiber element. The ferrule is inserted within a matching aperture of a receiving block, which is also made of stainless steel. The matching shapes of the ferrule and the aperture of the receiving block ensure effective heat transfer from the ferrule into the receiving block. The receiving block may be provided with cooling vanes, and air may be circulated over the cooling vanes, to dissipate heat transferred to the receiving block from the connector. Both ferrule and the aperture are axially symmetric such that any rotation of the proximal connector while inserted into the receiving block does not change the location of the entrance aperture of the optic fiber element. The proximal connector also includes a case having an indented ring.

Abstract: In a system and method and system for controlling delivery of unsolicited electronic mail messages, one or more spam probe e-mail addresses are created and planted at various sites on the communications network in order to insure their inclusion on large-scale electronic junk mail ("spam") mailing lists. The mailboxes corresponding to the spam probe e-mail addresses are monitored for incoming mail by a spam control center. Upon receipt of incoming mail addressed to the spam probe addresses, the spam control center automatically analyzes the received spam e-mail to identify the source of the message, extracts the spam source data from the message, and generates an alert signal containing the spam source data. This alert signal is broadcast to all network servers and/or all user terminals within the communications network.

Abstract: The present invention is a combination metal halide and auxiliary light bulb floor or table lamp which is suitable for home or office illumination. The lamp includes a lampholder module which provides a unitary housing for the bulb sockets and the electrical components required to operate the bulbs. The module also positions each bulb relative to the others to minimize shadowing which results when a bulb casts a shadow due to the light emanating from another bulb.

Abstract: An improved substrate and stamper holder and method of forming substrates are disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a substrate for a DVD has a moat with a capillary barrier shape. Under one embodiment, the moat has a region with an abrupt outer diameter transition. One embodiment has the outer diameter transition at approximately at a right angle relative to a registering surface of the substrate. Another embodiment of the invention provides a wider moats. The improvements reduce the likelihood of resin wicking past the moats.

Abstract: A system for eliminating unsolicited electronic mail generates and stores a user inclusion list including identification data for identifying e-mail desired by the user. Data from one or more fields of incoming electronic mail messages are compared with the identification data stored in the user inclusion list. If the electronic mail message data matches corresponding identification data from the user inclusion list, the e-mail message is marked with a first display code, such as "OK." If no match is detected, the system performs at least one heuristic process to determine whether the electronic mail message may be of interest to the user. If the message satisfies one or more criteria as determined by the heuristic process and is therefore of potential interest to the user, the message is marked with a second display code, such as "NEW." If the e-mail message does not satisfy any of the heuristic criteria, the e-mail message may be marked with a third display code, such as "JUNK.

Abstract: Particle compositions are described comprising certain metal halides in combination with a strengthening agent. The addition of the strengthening agent to a metal halide particle increases the particle's strength thereby reducing breakage on impact and during handling. When used as a vaporizable metal halide fill in discharge lamps, the particle strength is increased without significantly altering the spectral and electrical characteristics of the lamp. Methods of making the particles and arc tube containing the particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A ureteral catheter device composed of a catheter made of light transmitting material, the catheter having a distal end and a proximal end, and being formed to have a drainage lumen that extends between, and is open at the distal and proximal ends, and a second lumen that extends substantially parallel to the drainage lumen; and a single fiber optic filament housed in the second lumen, the fiber optic filament being provided to conduct light in a manner to illuminate the catheter.

Abstract: Metal halide table and floor lamps and method of manufacture. A lamp base module housing a power supply, ballast, and illumination controls separate from a metal halide bulb with the metal halide bulb housed within the base or a luminaire module. Lamp modules of various size and appearance may be manufactured separately and easily assembled by those of but ordinary skill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which can couple a high intensity point source, such as from a single fiber, to a fiber bundle. A bundle of fibers is fed though a hole in the light post. A removable potting compound is applied to the tip of the bundle to hold the fibers together for polishing. The tip of the bundle is polished and then the potting compound is removed from the tip of the bundle. A window is placed over a light inlet of the hole so as to seal the bundle. A point source cable introduces a point source of light to the bundle of fibers. A ferrule is provided around the point source cable, having a diameter sized corresponding to a diameter of said light post. The ferrule and the bundle of fibers are clamped with a split sleeve which extends therebetween.

Abstract: The power handling capability of polymer fibers is increased by broadening an input intensity profile, which is typically Gaussian, without significantly decreasing the efficiency of coupling light into a polymer fiber. The method for increasing the power handling capability of polymer fibers includes the steps of: a) emitting light having a Gaussian intensity profile from a fiber light source; b) broadening the Gaussian intensity profile so that energy at the center of the Gaussian intensity profile is distributed to the perimeter to reduce the peak power intensity of the emitted light before it is launched into the polymer fiber; c) transmitting the emitted light into at least one polymer fiber. Preferably, a fused bundle is used to broaden the intensity profile and preferably the fused bundle has an angled input end face.

Abstract: Ballast circuitry for a metal halide lamp is disclosed enabling sustained operation with a typical 120 volt AC power source. A novel auxiliary circuit network is operatively associated with inductive type starting circuit means to provide lamp reignition when needed during each half-cycle of the AC power supply. The present auxiliary circuit network employs breakover switching means connected in series with capacitor storage means for further connection across the operating discharge lamp.

Abstract: A fluorescent lamp containing zinc amalgam and a method of precisely controlling the amount of mercury introduced into a temperature controlled fluorescent lamp. Precise quantities of mercury may be introduced into a fluorescent lamp in the form of solid zinc amalgam pellets that are in a metastable, non-equilibrium state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus which can couple a high intensity point source, such as from a single fiber, to a fiber bundle. A bundle of fibers is fed though a hole in the light post. A removable potting compound is applied to the tip of the bundle to hold the fibers together for polishing. The tip of the bundle is polished and then the potting compound is removed from the tip of the bundle. A window is placed over a light inlet of the hole so as to seal the bundle. A point source cable introduces a point source of light to the bundle of fibers. A ferrule is provided around the point source cable, having a diameter sized corresponding to a diameter of said light post. The ferrule and the bundle of fibers are clamped with a split sleeve which extends therebetween.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation source, such as an arc lamp, is located at a point displaced from the optical axis of a concave toroidal reflecting surface. The concave primary reflector focuses the radiation from the source at an off-axis image point that is displaced from the optical axis. The use of a toroidal reflecting surface enhances the collection efficiency into a small target, such as an optical fiber, relative to a spherical reflecting surface by substantially reducing aberrations caused by the off-axis geometry. A second concave reflector is placed opposite to the first reflector to enhance further the total flux collected by a small target.

Abstract: A solution for causing a chemiluminescent reaction after it has been mixed with another per se known solution. The solution includes a solvent, an oxalate, a fluorescent dye and a polymer. The dye is rubrene and the polymer is advantageously polyoxyethylene. The chemiluminescent reaction produces a color having a greater stability over time. Adding a polymer incorporating a second red fluorescent dye enables a redder color to be achieved than when rubrene is the sole fluorescent dye.

Abstract: The proximal connector includes a stainless steel cone-shaped ferrule enclosing a proximal end of the optic fiber element. The ferrule is inserted within a matching aperture of a receiving block which is also made of stainless steel. The matching shapes of the ferrule and the aperture of the receiving block ensure effective heat transference from the ferrule into the receiving block. Both ferrule and the aperture are axially symmetric such that any rotation of the proximal connector while inserted into the receiving block does not change the location of the entrance aperture of the optic fiber element. The proximal connector also includes a case having an indented ring. A ball plunger biasing mechanism is mounted within the aperture of the receiving block and is positioned for engaging with the indented ring only while the proximal connector is fully and securely inserted within the aperture.