Abstract: The system for the supply chain management of network services, preferably virtual private network services, provides hardware, processes and application tools useful in configuring and/or delivering substantially measurable virtual private network services.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: Light emitters are made of one or more cladded flat optical fibers having opposite flat sides and disruptions along at least a portion of the length of the fibers to cause light entering at least one end to be emitted from at least one side. The ends of the flat optical fibers may have substantially the same thickness as a light source and a width substantially equal to or substantially greater than the width of the light source for ease of optically coupling one or more such light sources to the flat optical fiber ends.

Abstract: An infrared identification device includes a light emitting panel member that receives light from an infrared light source for conduction within the panel member and emission from a light emitting surface area on one side of the panel member, which is relatively easy to detect at night when viewed through night vision equipment. The device may be capable of functioning in an interrogation mode, allowing the device to be activated remotely by a predetermined signal frequency, code signal or pulse signal and send out a signal response.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring the surface of a fiber optic substrate by pressing a length of the substrate against an elongate support with at least one roller and causing relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support with the roller pressing the substrate against the support and the roller rolling along the substrate. One of the roller and support may have an abrasive surface for marring the substrate during such relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support. Alternatively, the abrasive surface may be on a sheet supported by the support.

Abstract: Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.

Abstract: Fiber optic light panel assemblies include a panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers arranged in close proximity to each other. One or more of the optical fibers may be completely severed adjacent the light receiving end of the panel member to prevent any light entering the light receiving end from being transmitted through the severed optical fibers. At least some of the severed optical fibers may extend along one or more side edges of the panel member and/or intermediate the side edges. A slot may extend through an unlighted end of the panel member toward the light receiving end intermediate the side edges that sever a number of the optical fibers at the innermost end of the slot. The panel member may also be cut into a plurality of smaller width panel sections to provide gaps between the panel sections.

Abstract: Integrated switch and backlight assembly includes a flexible light panel disposed between a circuit board and a keypad for backlighting the keypad. On the back side of the light panel is a back reflector having a plurality of contacts for selectively establishing electrical contact with the circuit board upon actuating selective portions of the keypad to cause corresponding portions of the light panel and back reflector to flex toward the circuit board.

Abstract: Methods and systems for marring the surface of a fiber optic substrate by pressing a length of the substrate against an elongate support with at least one roller and causing relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support with the roller pressing the substrate against the support and the roller rolling along the substrate. One of the roller and support may have an abrasive surface for marring the substrate during such relative lengthwise movement between the roller and support. Alternatively, the abrasive surface may be on a sheet supported by the support.

Abstract: Fiber optic light panel assemblies include a panel member having one or more layers of individual optical fibers arranged in close proximity to each other. One or more of the optical fibers may be completely severed adjacent the light receiving end of the panel member to prevent any light entering the light receiving end from being transmitted through the severed optical fibers. At least some of the severed optical fibers may extend along one or more side edges of the panel member and/or intermediate the side edges. A slot may extend through an unlighted end of the panel member toward the light receiving end intermediate the side edges that sever a number of the optical fibers at the innermost end of the slot. The panel member may also be cut into a plurality of smaller width panel sections to provide gaps between the panel sections.

Abstract: Connector assemblies for tightly compacting end portions of a bundle of optical fibers together include a plastic tube surrounding the optical fiber end portions and a metal ferrule surrounding the plastic tube. The metal ferrule is crimped to maintain a compression force on the optical fiber end portions while the plastic tube acts as a buffer to prevent damage to the optical fiber end portions by the metal ferrule and is stiff enough to prevent the compression force from causing the optical end portions to sink into the plastic tube blocking light entering the optical fiber end portions.

Abstract: Illuminators include transparent light emitting members having a pattern of rounded shallow notches or grooves in one or more surfaces of the members for causing internally reflected light to be emitted from the members. The notches or grooves may be cut using a circular cutting tool. The relative speed of the cutting tool and feed rate of the cutting tool relative to the members may be controlled to produce a roughened surface on the notches or grooves.

Abstract: The system for the supply chain management of network services, preferably virtual private network services, provides hardware, processes and application tools useful in configuring and/or delivering substantially measurable virtual private network services.

Abstract: Connector assemblies for tightly compacting end portions of a bundle of optical fibers together include a plastic tube surrounding the optical fiber end portions and a metal ferrule surrounding the plastic tube. The metal ferrule is crimped to maintain a compression force on the optical fiber end portions while the plastic tube acts as a buffer to prevent damage to the optical fiber end portions by the metal ferrule and is stiff enough to prevent the compression force from causing the optical end portions to sink into the plastic tube blocking light entering the optical fiber end portions.

Abstract: In a bioelectrochemical process in which the electrons are transferred directly, without use of a mediator, such as a redox dye or cofactor, between an electrode and an electroactive biological material, such as an enzyme or a protein, in either direction, rapid electron transfer has previously been achieved between an electrode and the positively charged protein horse-heart cytochrome c by adding a surface-modifier such as 4,4'-bipyridyl or a derivative thereof.It has now been found possible to promote electron transfer to either a positively or a negatively charged protein using the same surface-modifier for either job, namely a compound of formula ##STR1## wherein: the pyridine ring shown is substituted in the 2-, 3- or 4-position by the (methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide group shown;R.sup.1 represents hydrogen atom(s) or one or two methyl or ethyl groups in the 2-,3- or 4-position (when the said position is not substituted by the (methylene)hydrazinecarbothioamide group shown);R.sup.