Abstract: A byte-wide optical switch and switching method are provided. The optical switch includes a first set of ports for receiving in parallel an optical byte of data, and multiple second sets of ports each capable of outputting in parallel the optical byte of data. An array of optical switching elements is disposed between the first set of ports and the multiple second sets of ports. The array of optical switching elements direct the optical byte of data in parallel from the first set of ports to at least one second set of ports of the multiple second sets of ports. The switching elements may comprise micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) devices, each having a position controllable reflective surface. Thin film optical filters can be provided on the reflective surfaces for wavelength selective switching.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microlens array, and a method of positioning and aligning the microlens array on another device. Generally, the microlens array comprises an array of injection molded microlens elements, and a supporting flange. Each of the microlens elements has a generally spheroid or spherical shape, and the supporting flange connects together the array of microlens elements to facilitate positioning that array of lenses on a printed circuit board, semiconductor package or wafer. This array is well suited for use with vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs); and, in particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the problem of VCSEL laser array alignment by using arrays of microlenses elements fabricated by injection molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a molded structure including both micro lenses and metallic pins. The method comprises the steps of providing a mold apparatus having a set of first cavities and a set of second cavities, depositing a first material in the first cavities to form a set of metallic pins, and depositing a second material in the second cavities to form a set of micro lenses. The formed molded structure comprises a substrate, a set of molded microlenses on said substrate, and a set of molded metallic pins on that same substrate. The metallic pins may be formed as alignment pins or as electrical connectors. The invention enables the micro lenses and metallic pins to be manufactured by way of molding on a common substrate for the first time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initializing an end-to-end link in a fiber optic communications system in which a pair of nodes interconnect a pair of end devices. A first node, upon initializing a device link segment with an end device to which the node is coupled, sends a signal to the other node over a network link segment indicating that the sending node has initialized its device link segment. The first node completes initialization of the end-to-end link upon receiving a signal from the other node over the network link segment indicating that the other node has initialized its device link segment. In an alternative initialization scheme, a node momentarily operates its data channel in a loopback mode to allow its end device to initialize the device link segment in accordance with a predetermined protocol before returning to a transparent mode.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing rotating machinery or other electromechanical actuator devices to a series of sync pulses derived from a video stream comprising point optimized control laws.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting signals from a plurality of input channels over a TDM optical network, where each of the input channels contains an optical data signal and an electrical control signal containing control information relating to the optical data signal. In accordance with the invention, respective optical receivers convert the optical data signals to respective electrical data signals, which a TDM data multiplexer time-multiplexes to generate a multiplexed data signal. A TDM control signal multiplexer time-multiplexes the electrical control signals to generate a multiplexed control signal that is combined with said multiplexed data signal to generate a composite electrical signal. An optical transmitter generates a composite optical signal from the composite electrical signal that is transmitted over the network, optionally after WDM multiplexing it with other composite optical signals.

Abstract: A conductive, compliant, deformable boot for a fiber optic or other cable assembly is described, which both provides traditional cable strain relief functions and extends over the body of the connector to form an electrically conductive shield over the cable receptacle aperture when the cable assembly is plugged into the aperture. The boot deforms slightly upon insertion of the cable assembly and compresses against a mating component to form a shield against electrostatic discharge which can accumulate on the cable or card and also to shield against electromagnetic emissions entering or leaving the circuit card package. The boot also shields against emissions when two cable assemblies are mated together by deforming slightly upon mating and then returning to its original state when the assemblies are disconnected.

Abstract: In a stereographic projector that places a single linear polarizing wheel in the light path of the projector to impart a desired polarization state onto the projected light, a method and apparatus for periodically slowing the wheel down while in optimal states, and accelerating through invalid states. Stereo separation is greatly increased providing a marked improvement in visual quality and perceived depth when this invention is applied to such a polarizing filter wheel.

Abstract: A universal hardware adapter for conversion of video game platform USB signals to standard stereoscopic personal computer connection signals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bitstream modulation of an infrared light source used by an optical sensor in a stereoscopic projection system, combined with a bitstream filter on the receiver electronics.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting synchronization information at the output of a projection apparatus, without modifying its rotating color segmented filter wheel or drive electronics. Three photodiodes, each with a different principle color filter, is placed at the projector output to detect output of the different colors in the filter wheel. An exclusive OR circuit is used to detect white light passing through the filter wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stereoscopic 3D image projection and viewing using a single projection source, polarization modulation, and passive eyewear. This approach is applicable to frame sequential video created using existing 3D graphics APIs, as well as other video signal formats, and is compatible with existing digital light processor (DLP) technology for both front and rear projection systems. An alternating polarizer is used to modulate the projected image, and an electronic control circuit is described which can stabilize the alternating polarizer in both frequency and phase lock with a DLP visual signal (as an alternate embodiment, a frequency lock with a fixed phase offset may be employed). A preferred embodiment enables an existing DLP projection system to be enhanced with 3D capability, while an alternate embodiment allows this capability to be integrated into the design of new DLP based projection systems.

Abstract: A stereo 3D projector with the ability to provide the native lumen output of the projector when not in 3D mode. This is accomplished by using two rotating polarizing filters at least partially overlapping, each with at least two or more segments, some of which are fully transparent and at least some of which are polarized linearly or circularly.

Abstract: Disclosed are a microlens array, and a method of positioning and aligning the microlens array on another device. Generally, the microlens array comprises an array of injection molded microlens elements, and a supporting flange. Each of the microlens elements has a generally spheroid or spherical shape, and the supporting flange connects together the array of microlens elements to facilitate positioning that array of lenses on a printed circuit board, semiconductor package or wafer. This array is well suited for use with vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs); and, in particular, the preferred embodiment of the invention addresses the problem of VCSEL laser array alignment by using arrays of microlenses elements fabricated by injection molding.

Abstract: A wafer-scale apparatus and method is described for the automation of forming, aligning and attaching two-dimensional arrays of microoptic elements on semiconductor and other image display devices, backplanes, optoelectronic boards, and integrated optical systems. In an ordered fabrication sequence, a mold plate comprised of optically designed cavities is formed by reactive ion etching or alternative processes, optionally coated with a release material layer and filled with optically specified materials by an automated fluid-injection and defect-inspection subsystem. Optical alignment fiducials guide the disclosed transfer and attachment processes to achieve specified tolerances between the microoptic elements and corresponding optoelectronic devices and circuits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process to establish or configure a mode of operation for computing devices through the use of affinity groups, policy guidelines, and priority graphs. An affinity group is a group of peer devices identified by a network to which a target device is connected as being similar to the target device. Policy guidelines are parameters describing mode or configuration policies for a group of users and reflecting users' identified needs and requirements. A priority graph is a decision tree, which may or may not be graphically represented, describing hierarchically the organization of policies governing the mode or configuration of device operation and capturing the relative priorities of different policies. A key aspect of the present invention involves the sharing of information within an affinity group.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and storage media enable the transport of InfiniBand (IB) data over a synchronous optical network (SONET) using generic frame procedure (GFP) encapsulation. User protocol identifiers for IB data in a GFP-SONET frame are defined. A process for maintaining running disparity of data during GFP encapsulation of IB data is provided. Data rate adaptation for this encapsulation is also provided. A simple, cost-effective scheme for data rate compression ensures that IB data is contained within a minimum SONET data rate traffic.

Abstract: Feedback control of a target system is provided which utilizes the imposition of a periodic modulating signal onto a command signal of a controller. The command signal with the period modulating signal imposed thereon is input to the target system to be controlled. A response of the target system to a manifestation of the periodic modulating signal in the command signal is detected, and a feedback signal is produced from the detected response. The periodic modulating signal and the feedback signal are processed together to produce an error signal, and the command signal is modified in accordance with the error signal to drive the current state of the target system toward a desired state, wherein the periodic modulating signal facilitates control of the target system.

Abstract: Techniques for measuring optical modulation amplitude (OMA) are disclosed. For example, a technique for measuring an OMA value associated with an input signal includes the following steps/operations. The input signal is applied to a photodetector, wherein the photodetector is calibrated to have a given responsivity value R, and further wherein the photodetector generates an output signal in response to the input signal. The output signal from the photodetector is applied to a radio frequency (RF) power meter, wherein the RF power meter measures the root mean squared (RMS) power value of the output signal received from the photodetector. The OMA value associated with the input signal is determined in response to the root mean squared (RMS) power value measured by the RF power meter. The OMA value may be determined as a function of a factor F derived from a relationship between an amplitude of a data signal and the RMS value of the data signal.

Abstract: A geographically distributed array of redundant disk storage devices are interconnected with high bandwidth optical links for disaster recovery for computer data centers. These provide recovery from multiple site failures with less disk storage, less bandwidth, and lower cost than conventional approaches and with potentially faster recovery from site failures or network failures.