Abstract: Planar assemblies for coupling a plurality of optical transceivers to the same optical fiber. For example, the optical transceivers may be PON transceivers functioning according to different data rates and/or different modulation formats. Each optical transceiver communicates using one or more different wavelength channels. At least some of the disclosed planar assemblies are scalable to couple various numbers of optical transceivers to the same end face of an optical fiber, e.g., by fixing a corresponding number of passive, slab-like optical filters to a substantially planar surface of the support substrate to which the optical transceivers are also fixed adjacent and along. Some embodiments may employ various bulk lenses fixed to said planar surface to suitably relay light-beam segments between the end face of the fiber and the optical transceivers and/or between the different slab-like optical filters.

Abstract: Planar assemblies for coupling a plurality of optical transceivers to the same optical fiber. For example, the optical transceivers may be PON transceivers functioning according to different data rates and/or different modulation formats. Each optical transceiver communicates using one or more different wavelength channels. At least some of the disclosed planar assemblies are scalable to couple various numbers of optical transceivers to the same end face of an optical fiber, e.g., by fixing a corresponding number of passive, slab-like optical filters to a substantially planar surface of the support substrate to which the optical transceivers are also fixed adjacent and along. Some embodiments may employ various bulk lenses fixed to said planar surface to suitably relay light-beam segments between the end face of the fiber and the optical transceivers and/or between the different slab-like optical filters.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS). The MEMS includes a substrate having electrical lines thereon, a slab of optically transmissive material having parallel opposite partially reflective faces to form an optical etalon, a metal trace rigidly fixed along one or more of the faces of the slab, one or more springs rotatably fixing the slab to the substrate, one more magnets located to produce a magnetic field at the metal trace. The electrical lines are connected to the metal trace to provide an electrical current to the metal trace. The optical etalon is configured to tilt in response to producing an electrical current in the metal trace.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an array of optical fiber using a handling tool, a clamp element, a cutter and an adhesive reservoir. The handling tool is capable of moving a portion of an optical fiber in a three-dimensional space and hold the portion of the optical fiber together with the clamp element to allow the cutter to produce a cleaved end in the optical fiber. The handling tool is further configured for immersing the cleaved end of the optical fiber in the adhesive reservoir and inserting the cleaved end of the optical fiber with adhesive adhered thereto inside a ferrule of an array of ferrules. A structure comprising the array of ferrules and a method of manufacturing an array of optical fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing an array of optical fiber using a handling tool, a clamp element, a cutter and an adhesive reservoir. The handling tool is capable of moving a portion of an optical fiber in a three-dimensional space and hold the portion of the optical fiber together with the clamp element to allow the cutter to produce a cleaved end in the optical fiber. The handling tool is further configured for immersing the cleaved end of the optical fiber in the adhesive reservoir and inserting the cleaved end of the optical fiber with adhesive adhered thereto inside a ferrule of an array of ferrules. A structure comprising the array of ferrules and a method of manufacturing an array of optical fibers are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a video-conferencing terminal has a monitor; a non-visible-light (e.g., IR) camera configured to generate an eye-contact non-visible-light (e.g., IR) image of a video-conference participant; one or more visible-light cameras, each configured to generate a non-eye-contact visible-light image of the participant; and a mirror positioned in front of the monitor and configured to (i) transmit visible light from the monitor towards the participant and (ii) reflect non-visible light from the participant towards the non-visible-light camera. The terminal (1) generates an eye-contact visible-light image from the eye-contact non-visible-light image and the one or more non-eye-contact visible-light images and (2) transmits the eye-contact visible-light image to a remotely located video-conferencing terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a planar optical waveguide structure which includes a substrate and two planar optical waveguides thereon. The apparatus further comprises a solid structure having a body and two branches connected to the body. Each of the two branches has a reflective surface area thereon. Each of the two planar optical waveguides is configured to optically couple light from an end thereof to the reflective surface area of a corresponding one of the branches. The planar optical waveguide structure further includes a third planar optical waveguide on the substrate. The third planar optical waveguide has a segment located between the solid structure and the substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising a planar optical waveguide structure which includes a substrate and two planar optical waveguides thereon. The apparatus further comprises a solid structure having a body and two branches connected to the body. Each of the two branches has a reflective surface area thereon. Each of the two planar optical waveguides is configured to optically couple light from an end thereof to the reflective surface area of a corresponding one of the branches. The planar optical waveguide structure further includes a third planar optical waveguide on the substrate. The third planar optical waveguide has a segment located between the solid structure and the substrate.

Abstract: A terminal comprises a display substrate and an actuator configured to move the display substrate in a cyclic movement over a viewing area. A proximity sensor is configured to generate detection signals. An image controller, configured to receive the detection signal, calculates a cycle time of the cyclic movement of the display substrate and controls at least one of a transmission rate of the display data to the display substrate and the movement of the display substrate caused by the actuator.

Abstract: As discussed herein, there is presented an apparatus comprising micro-posts. The apparatus includes a substrate having a planar surface, a plurality of micro-posts located on the planar surface, wherein each micro-post has a base portion on the planar surface and a post portion located on a top surface of the corresponding base portion, and wherein side surfaces of the base portions intersect the planar surface at oblique angles.

Abstract: As discussed herein, there is presented an apparatus comprising micro-posts. The apparatus includes a substrate having a planar surface, a plurality of micro-posts located on the planar surface, wherein each micro-post has a base portion on the planar surface and a post portion located on a top surface of the corresponding base portion, and wherein side surfaces of the base portions intersect the planar surface at oblique angles.

Abstract: A videoconferencing terminal comprising an actuator configured to move a plurality of arms relative to a substantially transparent substrate wherein at least one arm comprises capacitive sensors. Upon touching said substantially transparent substrate at least one capacitive sensor detects a change in an electrostatic field.

Abstract: An videoconferencing technique comprises a display substrate occupying less than an entirety of a viewing area; an actuator configured to move the display substrate over the viewing area; a camera having a field of view at least partially overlapping the viewing area and configured to capture a camera image through the viewing area. A transmitter is configured to transmit, through a transmission medium, a signal comprising videoconferencing data; a receiver is configured to receive the signal from the transmission medium and at least a portion of the transmission medium comprises a free space transmission region.

Abstract: A terminal comprises a display substrate and an actuator configured to move the display substrate in a cyclic movement over a viewing area. A proximity sensor is configured to generate detection signals. An image controller, configured to receive the detection signal, calculates a cycle time of the cyclic movement of the display substrate and controls at least one of a transmission rate of the display data to the display substrate and the movement of the display substrate caused by the actuator.

Abstract: A videoconferencing terminal, a method of videoconferencing and a videoconferencing infrastructure. In one embodiment, the terminal includes: (1) a flat panel display and (2) a camera associated with the flat panel display and configured to receive light from an object through the flat panel display and acquire an image of the object.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatuses for videoconferencing and a method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: (1) a display substrate occupying less than an entirety of a viewing area, (2) an actuator configured to move the display substrate over the viewing area and (3) a camera having a field of view at least partially overlapping the viewing area and configured to capture a camera image through the viewing area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reconfigurable spatial light modulator capable of spatially modulating an incident wavefront responsive to an image formed on the modulator. A light source is configured to direct a coherent illumination light beam towards the modulator such that the modulator produces a modulated outgoing light beam therefrom. A filter is configured to spatially filter a light pattern formed by the outgoing light beam on a plane to selectively transmit light from a plurality of diffraction peaks therein.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatuses for videoconferencing and a method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: (1) a display substrate occupying less than an entirety of a viewing area, (2) an actuator configured to move the display substrate over the viewing area and (3) a camera having a field of view at least partially overlapping the viewing area and configured to capture a camera image through the viewing area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a state-switchable screen, a video camera, and a video projector. The video camera and projector are located on a side of the screen opposite to the side thereof of a video conference participant. The apparatus is configured to temporally interleave the screen between a substantially transparent state and a diffusive state. In the substantially transparent state, the video projector is configured to be outside of a viewing field of a video conference participant looking toward the video camera.

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) imaging system adapted to (i) convert an IR image of an object into mechanical displacements of a plurality of movable plates, (ii) use the mechanical displacements to impart a corresponding spatial phase modulation pattern onto a beam of visible light, and (iii) apply spatial filtering to convert the spatial phase modulation pattern into a visible image of the object.