Abstract: Systems as described herein may include predicting item level data based on merchant advertisement information. A transaction pattern may be detected. The merchant advertisement information may be retrieved and parsed to generate a price list. A number of transactions that each shares a common payment amount may be determined and the number may reach a threshold value. Items from the price list may be matched with the common payment amount. The transaction records may be updated to indicate likely item level transaction information. In a variety of embodiments, the likely transaction information may be presented to a user.

Abstract: A light sensor-containing apparatus for detecting the thickness of inserts placed within a mailer including a picker arm, movable picker jaw that pivots during an insert gripping process, a target plate having a light reflective surface and secured to the picker arm end that moves when gripping an insert, and a light sensor mounted to the picker arm that emits a light beam and receives a reflected light beam that is reflected back from the light reflective surface to establish the thickness of the insert as controlled by associated computer programming is presented.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable add/drop device for adding or dropping n channels having different center wavelengths is disclosed. A first multicavity variable optical filter for selectably operable to passing one channel while reflecting n?1 other channels depends upon a location where light is launched into an end of the multicavity optical filter. A broadband optical reflector is disposed directly adjacent to the multicavity variable optical filter and disposed between planes coincident with the first and second surfaces of the variable filter, the broadband reflector having a reflectivity that will reflect all n channels of light. Preferably, the broadband reflector is disposed distal from the bottom and top layers of the multicavity filter and is adjacent to the middle layers or near the middle of the multicavity filter layers.

Abstract: A wavelength-tunable add/drop device for adding or dropping n channels having different center wavelengths is disclosed. A first multicavity variable optical filter for selectably operable to passing one channel while reflecting n−1 other channels depends upon a location where light is launched into an end of the multicavity optical filter. A broadband optical reflector is disposed directly adjacent to the multicavity variable optical filter and disposed between planes coincident with the first and second surfaces of the variable filter, the broadband reflector having a reflectivity that will reflect all n channels of light. Preferably, the broadband reflector is disposed distal from the bottom and top layers of the multicavity filter and is adjacent to the middle layers or near the middle of the multicavity filter layers.