Abstract: To enable easy replacement of a soiled fingerprint reading window. To reduce the number of light sources and achieve miniaturization. An aperture 5 is formed in part of a case K constituting the outer shell of a fingerprint recognition device, aperture 5 being covered by a cover member 4. Cover member 4 that covers aperture 5 constitutes part of case K. An aperture 6 formed in cover member 4 is covered by a window member 7 for fingerprint reading consisting of an optically transparent member. Window member 7 is arranged on the under-surface of cover member 4 and is resiliently held by the holding feet 11 formed on cover member 4. Light source 42, light-guide plate 43, reflection mirrors 33 and 34, image pick-up lens 35 and image pick-up element 36 are held by holding body H which is fixedly arranged in case K. Window member 7 is clamped between supporting faces 38 of holding body H and cover member 4 so as to be immovable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical transmission line comprising a structure for effectively lowering both of nonlinearity and dispersion slope, and an optical transmission system including the same. The optical transmission line comprises, as a repeating transmission line disposed between stations, a single-mode optical fiber having a zero-dispersion wavelength in a 1.3-&mgr;m wavelength band and a dispersion-compensating optical fiber for compensating for the chromatic dispersion of the single-mode optical fiber. The optical transmission line has an average dispersion slope Save of −0.0113 ps/nm2/km or more but 0.0256 ps/nm2/km or less at a wavelength of 1550 nm, and an equivalent effective area EAeff of 50 &mgr;m2 or more at the wavelength of 1550 nm, whereas the average dispersion slope Save and the equivalent effective area EAeff are designed so as to satisfy a predetermined condition such that the bending loss falls within a permissible range of 2 dB/m or more but 10 dB/m or less.

Abstract: An optical fiber connection monitor has a detector adjacent the connection which detects light scattered from the connection. The detector signal is converted to a voltage and applied to a comparator circuit which gives an indication that the connection is not dangerously emitting radiation or an indication that it is dangerously emitting radiation. In another embodiment of the invention, a finite amount of light is fed from the end or ends of the ferrule or ferrules of the connection components to the detector to insure that the monitor circuitry is functioning properly in the presence of optical signals. A further embodiment includes passing light past the ferrule end to the detector, further checking the operation of the monitor system.

Abstract: In a wiring board having a plurality of wiring layers, a plurality of signal wiring terminals and a plurality of power supply terminals are arranged on the principal plane of the wiring board, the signal wiring terminals or the power supply terminals being connected to any one of inner layers of the wiring layers, and signal wiring terminals, which are connected to wirings formed on the same layer, among the plurality of signal wiring terminals are arranged so that at least one side of the inside and outside of a region, in which the signal wiring terminals connected to the wirings formed on the same layer are formed, is surrounded by the power supply terminals. Thus, even if the signal wirings are closely arranged, it is possible to prevent crosstalk from occurring and it is possible to prevent the size from increasing.

Abstract: When stripping an optical fiber ribbon (7) from its polymer coating the ribbon is clamped at some distance from its end in a cutting and tension unit (3). When the lid (23) of this unit is folded down knifes are pressed into the coating at a side of the unit. The end portion of the ribbon (7) is then clamped in a heating unit (1) which before this clamping operation is moved, against the force from an elastically biased rod (31) extending from the cutting and tension unit, the movement being guided by guide rods (11), to be located directly at the side of the cutting and tension unit (3). The end of the ribbon in the heating unit is heated by a heating plate (5). When the end has become sufficiently hot and the coating is softened, the cutting and tension unit (3) automatically starts to move away from the heating unit (1) by the action of the elastically biased rod (31). Then the knifes start to separate the coating on the end portion from the rest of ribbon.

Abstract: A space saving interconnect having a plurality of conductors. To decrease the width of a selected portion of the interconnect, the conductors are split between two or more layers. One group the conductors extend along a portion of a first layer jumping to and continuing along a second layer. The remaining conductors extend only along the first layer. Consequently, the width of the interconnect where the conductors are split between the layers can be substantially reduced. In one exemplary embodiment, the first layer is characterized by a first section having only first conductors and a second section having both the first second conductors. The first conductors in the first section of the first layer span a first width and the first and second conductors in the second section of the first layer span a second width greater than the first width. The second layer includes third conductors extending between first and second sections of the second layer.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical coupler comprising a plurality of optical fibers that have unclad (core-exposed) ends and tapered cladding regions extending to cladded ends. The core-exposed ends are arranged in a bundle, and the cladded ends can be arranged as needed. The optical coupler can efficiently couple between waveguides of different core areas and shapes. For example, it may be used to connect a multimode collection fiber having a core area of greater than 50 &mgr;m to a planar waveguide amplifier having waveguide strips with heights of 5 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for observation inside a body, such as the body of a living being, comprising means for illuminating (110, 115, 200, 300, 400) the body inside, means for displaying an image (600, 700, 800), and a flexible conduit (300) for travelling through an inside part of the body and conveying an image from inside the body to the displaying means (600, 700, 800), the illuminating means (110, 115, 200, 300, 400) being arranged to automatically scan a zone of the body forming the displayed image.

Abstract: An optical connector comprising a ferrule, optical conductors, and epoxy. The ferrule has an optical conductor receiving area and guide pin receiving areas. The ferrule comprises at least two ferrule members having shaped surfaces on outer lateral sides which form the guide pin receiving areas. The ferrule members comprise mating projections and recesses proximate the outer lateral sides and between the optical conductor receiving area and the guide pin receiving areas which form epoxy seals. The optical conductors having portions located in the optical conductor receiving area. The epoxy is located in the optical conductor receiving area to connect the portions of the optical conductors to -the ferrule. The epoxy seals prevent the epoxy from flowing into the guide pin receiving areas.

Abstract: A connector is specified having a housing (1) with at least one holding shaft (2) for a complementary plug (3), the connector respectively having a spring arm (4) which bounds the holding shaft (2) on one side, presses on the corresponding side of the complementary plug (3) and locks the plug (3) there in its inserted position, and by a bow (5) as secondary locking mechanism, which holds the free end (6) of the spring arm (4) detachably in the position latched with the plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning system for automatically positioning and attaching at least one optical fiber inserted into said positioning system along a predetermined optical axis. This positioning system comprises a base member with a flat upper surface and a V-shaped reception channel which is parallel to the upper surface and is formed therein for receiving at least one optical fiber. This system also includes a spring-effect retaining member which is mounted on the upper surface of the base member for maintaining the at least one optical fiber inserted into the reception channel. This invention provides for a simple structure, as well as, for a precise and mechanically resistant coupling since the retaining member comprises a membrane which is parallel to the upper surface of the base member, which is mounted above the reception channel and which can be resiliently diverted in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of said base member.

Abstract: Consistent with the present invention, an optical fiber management tool is provided which is attachable to a component board or module. The tool has curved or arcuate portions defining a passage for accommodating an optical fiber, and securing the fiber at a bend radius which is greater than the minimum bend radius of the fiber. The tool further has a handle so that the component board can be readily inserted into or removed from a shelf without breaking the fiber.

Abstract: A trailer connector to which a conventional connector from a tractor can be attached includes an electrical housing assembly and a lid and connector assembly. The electrical housing assembly includes a non-conductive housing which is mounted to the trailer and a plurality of conductive studs, a plurality of conductive terminals, and a non-conductive cap mounted within the housing. The cap has a plurality of passageways provided therein. Each terminal has a first end connected to a respective one of the studs and a second end which is in communication with a respective one of the passageways through the cap. A conventional wiring harness is attached to the studs. The lid and connector assembly includes a lid portion which is attached to the housing and a connector portion which is capable of being connected to and removed from the lid portion. The connector portion includes a plurality of pins which extend therethrough and interface with the cap.

Abstract: A coupling element is provided for connecting an electrical apparatus to an optical data bus with a unidirectional transmission. A housing contains an opto-electrical transducer to which an input data bus line is optically connected, an electro-optical transducer to which an output data bus line is optically connected, and two electrical contacts on an exterior side, by way of which the two transducers can be electrically connected with the electrical apparatus. A switchable electrical connection is provided between the two transducers which, when the electrical apparatus is connected, is open and, when the apparatus is not connected, is closed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of manufacturing electrical connectors with an improved grounding configuration so that the potentially harmful effects of ESD currents are minimized. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, D-sub connectors are modified to include a central grounding strip between rows of pin openings in a manner that is highly effective in grounding ESD events and, in particular, more readily qualify such a modified connector to meet strict ESD testing requirements.

Abstract: In an optical waveguide feedthrough assembly, and method of making such an assembly, a tubular member defines an axially elongated, annular surface, and the annular surface forms an axially elongated optical feedthrough cavity. An optical fiber or like waveguide is received through the axially-elongated optical feedthrough cavity, and is spaced radially inwardly relative to the annular surface to thereby define an axially-elongated annular cavity between the fiber and annular surface. An epoxy adhesive is introduced in its liquid phase into one end of the annular cavity, and is allowed to fill the annular cavity by capillary action. Upon filling the annular cavity, the epoxy hardens and cures and, in turn, adhesively secures the optical fiber within the tubular member.

Abstract: A cable retainer for organizing, arranging, and routing electrical and optical cable includes a shaft and first and second retention mechanisms. The first retention mechanism, which includes a stop attached at the top of the shaft and a flexible top tap attached to the back of the shaft, is attached to the shaft for restraining the cables within a top retention region. The second retention mechanism, which includes a lip structure attached to the front of the shaft and a flexible side tab extending along each side to the front of the shaft, is attached to the shaft for restraining the cables within side retention regions. This cable retainer can be employed in a cable organizer.

Abstract: A sensor mount provides for attachment of a vibration sensor or other sensor to a machine without having to turn or rotate the sensor. In conjunction with a sensor module having an integral sensor and a shoulder formed at the outer periphery of the sensor module, the invention provides a coupler having a lower threaded portion for being threadingly engaged with a corresponding threaded recess formed in the machine. An externally threaded upper portion of the coupler remains exposed above the machine structure. A fastener is configured to attach the sensor module to the coupler by engaging the sensor module shoulder and the exposed upper portion of the coupler. The fastener may be captured to the sensor module or separable therefrom. When attached to a machine, the fastener and coupler are substantially symmetrically positioned with respect to a central axis of the sensor.

Abstract: A fanout connector assembly is provided for fiber optic cables each including a plurality of optical fibers. The assembly includes at least two fanout connectors each having a housing with a passage for receiving a fiber optic cable along an axis. A fanout member in the housing spreads the individual optical fibers of the cable transversely of the axis. Complementary interengaging stacking members on the housings of the two connectors align and hold the connectors in stacked relationship with one connector on top of the other connector. An individual connector includes a base housing and a cover with complementary interengaging strain relief members and complementary interengaging latch members therebetween. The strain relief members and the latch members are respectively interengaged automatically in response to mounting the cover on the base housing, but the strain relief members are at least partially interengaged prior to interengagement of the latch members.

Abstract: A breakout cable includes a plurality of optical fiber ribbon cables formed into an array. Each optical fiber ribbon cable includes a plurality of optical fibers arranged into at least one row. A first jacket and preferably a second jacket surround the plurality of optical fibers of each optical fiber ribbon cable. An outer sheath surrounds the array of optical fiber ribbon cables. The array of optical fiber ribbon cables and the outer sheath are configured so that a distance between opposite exterior surfaces of the outer sheath is less than a distance between opposite exterior sides of the outer sheath.