Abstract: Techniques for detecting the presence of a tag are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices are deployed around an establishment, each of the devices is executing a client module to communicate with a server and receive a broadcast from a tag attached to an object (e.g., a human being or an item). As the object approaches to a device, the broadcast from the tag is received by a device that reports to the server. As a result, the server executing a server module can determine a movement trajectory of the object from those devices that have received the broadcast from the tag. One embodiment of the present invention can be used to track an asset or facilitate a location-based service to a user wearing the tag.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling micro-proximity location, detection and services are described. One embodiment of the present invention pertains to location and micro-proximity services technology in conjunction with fixed or mobile devices using a type of low energy signals (e.g., Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology). With the detected location before a specific object, various proximity services may be customized with respect to the specific object.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting the presence of a tag are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices are deployed around an establishment, each of the devices is executing a client module to communicate with a server and receive a broadcast from a tag attached to an object (e.g., a human being or an item). As the object approaches to a device, the broadcast from the tag is received by a device that reports to the server. As a result, the server executing a server module can determine a movement trajectory of the object from those devices that have received the broadcast from the tag. One embodiment of the present invention can be used to track an asset or facilitate a location-based service to a user wearing the tag.

Abstract: Designs of a tag are described. Relevant parameters of the tag can be selected and determined via a device (e.g., a mobile device) running the client module in a predefined mode. Not only is the transmission power controlled to a small amount for detection of a nearby device, but the tag also operates periodically (e.g., every 2 or 10 seconds) to preserve the power driving it. The tag generates a transmission signal in compliance with a wireless technology standard so that the transmission signal can be received by a commonly-used device (e.g., a smartphone). In addition, for simplicity, the tag is not designed as a transceiver but operates as a transmitter only.

Abstract: An apparatus is described to provide multi-channel bulk optical power detection. The apparatus has a plurality of optical splitters coupled to respective fiber-optic lines of a plurality of fiber-optic lines. An optimal time-division multiplexer has an input coupled to the plurality of optical splitters. A photodetector is coupled to an output of the optical time-division multiplexer to provide bulk optical power detection. The optical time-division multiplexer includes a scanning mirror.

Abstract: An optical switch fabric with an input stage, an output stage, and a center stage coupled in a cascaded manner. The center stage includes (1) a minimum number of center switches greater than one that cause the optical switch fabric to be strict-sense nonblocking and (2) at least one additional center switch to provide redundancy for the optical switch fabric. A module is described that includes optical input and output switches coupled to an optical center stage of an optical switch fabric. The module includes an interior cavity that contains free space beams from both the optical input switch and the optical output switch. A method is described for reconfiguring a redundant optical switch into a multilevel optical switch without interrupting operation of the signals carried by the optical switch by adding additional switch components and reconfiguring the fiber interconnection between switch elements.

Abstract: An optical switch fabric with an input stage, an output stage, and a center stage coupled in a cascaded manner. The center stage includes (1) a minimum number of center switches greater than one that cause the optical switch fabric to be strict-sense nonblocking and (2) at least one additional center switch to provide redundancy for the optical switch fabric. A module is described that includes optical input and output switches coupled to an optical center stage of an optical switch fabric. The module includes an interior cavity that contains free space beams from both the optical input switch and the optical output switch. A method is described for reconfiguring a redundant optical switch into a multilevel optical switch without interrupting operation of the signals carried by the optical switch by adding additional switch components and reconfiguring the fiber interconnection between switch elements.

Abstract: An optical switch fabric with an input stage, an output stage, and a center stage coupled in a cascaded manner. The center stage includes (1) a minimum number of center switches greater than one that cause the optical switch fabric to be strict-sense nonblocking and (2) at least one additional center switch to provide redundancy for the optical switch fabric. A module is described that includes optical input and output switches coupled to an optical center stage of an optical switch fabric. The module includes an interior cavity that contains free space beams from both the optical input switch and the optical output switch. A method is described for reconfiguring a redundant optical switch into a multilevel optical switch without interrupting operation of the signals carried by the optical switch by adding additional switch components and reconfiguring the fiber interconnection between switch elements.