Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip comprising an array of modulated sources, each providing a modulated signal output at a channel wavelength different from the channel wavelength of other modulated sources and a wavelength selective combiner having an input optically coupled to received all the signal outputs from the modulated sources and provide a combined output signal on an output waveguide from the chip. The modulated sources, combiner and output waveguide are all integrated on the same chip.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip comprising an array of modulated sources, each providing a modulated signal output at a channel wavelength different from the channel wavelength of other modulated sources and a wavelength selective combiner having an input optically coupled to received all the signal outputs from the modulated sources and provide a combined output signal on an output waveguide from the chip. The modulated sources, combiner and output waveguide are all integrated on the same chip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of polymer film graphics comprising providing a continuous substrate having a release layer thereon; applying an image layer in the shape of a graphic letter or design to the release layer; depositing an adhesive layer to the image layer and which has the same shape as the image layer graphic letter or design; curing the adhesive and image layers; and winding the polymer film graphics onto rolls. The invention further relates to a polymer film graphic comprising a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a release layer overlying the upper surface of the substrate; an image layer in the shape of a graphic letter or design overlying the release layer; an adhesive layer overlying the image layer, the adhesive layer having the same shape as the image layer graphic letter or design.

Abstract: A method and system for buffering media at an initiating station. In response to a user request to initiate a packet-based real-time media session, such as a “push-to-talk” session for instance, the initiating station acquires a data connection. The station then determines that it has acquired a data connection, such as by determining that it has received incoming packet-data, and responsively begins receiving and buffering media, such as voice, from a user. Once the station successfully establishes the requested media session, or a leg of the session, the station then begins transmitting the buffered media to a remote endpoint.

Abstract: Electro-optic amplitude varying elements (AVEs) or electro-optic multi-function elements (MFEs) are integrated into signal channels of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) or at the output of such PICs to provide for various optical controlling and monitoring functions. In one case, such PIC signal channels may minimally include a laser source and a modulator (TxPIC) and in another case, may minimally include a photodetector to which channels, in either case, an AVE or an MFE may be added.

Abstract: Monolithic photonic integrated circuits (PICs) utilize forward error correction (FEC) joint encoder or plural encoders or a joint decoder or plural decoders.

Abstract: A method for producing mailpiece content material for use in a mailpiece inserter. The method includes the steps of: creating an electronic application file of the mailpiece content material, generating print stream data from the software application and converting the print stream data into object-oriented data. The object-oriented data is then parsed or segmented to form a plurality of data sets. The data sets may be comprised of one or more data packets and include an object dictionary for indexing the data. Each data set may then be processed to produce mailpiece content material for use in the mailpiece inserter. Processing may include the steps of reconstituting the data into a plurality of logical documents in the form of pages, mailpiece documents, mailpieces, or an entire mailpiece data run file.

Abstract: A method is provided for reprinting damaged mailpieces for use in a mailpiece inserter. The method comprising the steps of producing an object-oriented data file of the mailpiece content material including a scan code and storing the object-oriented data files in a reprint repository. The status of a mail run is tracked as mailpieces are fabricated and the results are recorded in a reprint file. The results record whether a mailpiece was successfully fabricated and reprint files are generated in connection with unsuccessfully fabricated mailpieces.

Abstract: A method for introducing instructions/commands within or acting on the content material of a mail run data file. The method comprises the steps producing an object-oriented data file of the mailpiece content material and displaying a visual image thereof to the user. The visual image displayed spatially corresponds to the object oriented data file. Through the use of a graphical user input device, such as a point-and-click input device, the user defines a region of the visual image. Further, the user creates or selects a rule or expression indicative of a desired instruction/command in connection with the defined region. The rule or expression is represented in computer program code and operates a signal processor to perform the selected instructions/commands.

Abstract: A mailpiece inserter system is provided including a User PC or computer, a mailpiece inserter and a client server which are network connected to share information and data concerning mail run data. The user computer is operative to receive operator input in connection with mail run data and produce mailpiece content material having assembly code information. The mailpiece inserter is operative to receive the mailpiece content material and assemble the mailpiece content material in combination with envelops to form a plurality of mailpieces. The client server is operative to receive the mail run data for storing and tracking information concerning the assembly of each mailpiece. The communication network may be disabled in an open loop control mode to facilitate rapid mailpiece processing and enabled in a closed loop control mode to facilitate tracking, reconciliation and security of mailpiece assembly.

Abstract: An optical transmitter comprises a monolithic transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) chip that includes an array of modulated sources formed on the PIC chip and having different operating wavelengths approximating a standardized wavelength grid and providing signal outputs of different wavelengths. A wavelength selective combiner is formed on the PIC chip having a wavelength grid passband response approximating the wavelength grid of the standardized wavelength grid. The signal outputs of the modulated sources optically coupled to inputs of the wavelength selective combiner to produce a combined signal output from the combiner. A first wavelength tuning element coupled to each of the modulated sources and a second wavelength tuning element coupled to the wavelength selective combiner. A wavelength monitoring unit is coupled to the wavelength selective combiner to sample the combined signal output.

Abstract: There is provided a turbine engine component, such as a duct pipe, comprising an annular flange, at least one element, such as two duct pipe halfs, to be mated to the flange, and mating system for joining the at least one element to the flange. The mating system includes a first annular groove in the flange, which groove has two opposed planar wall portions for preventing axial movement of the at least one element relative to the flange. In a preferred embodiment, the mating system also includes a second annular groove in the flange. A sealing element is positioned within the second annular groove.

Abstract: Electro-optic amplitude varying elements (AVEs) or electro-optic multi-function elements (MFEs) are integrated into signal channels of photonic integrated circuits (PICs) or at the output of such PICs to provide for various optical controlling and monitoring functions. In one case, such PIC signal channels may minimally include a laser source and a modulator (TxPIC) and in another case, may minimally include a photodetector to which channels, in either case, an AVE or an MFE may be added.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for monitoring and controlling the bit error rate (BER) in an optical communication network where an optical receiver in the optical transmission network. The method includes the steps of decombining a combined channel signal received from the network and then monitoring a real time bit error rate (BER) of a decombined channel signal. The determined BER is then communicated, such as through an optical service channel (OSC) to an optical transmitter source that is the source of origin of the channel signal. Based upon the determined BER, the chirp of a channel signal modulator at the optical transmitter source that generated the monitored channel signal is adjusted by, for example, adjusting its bias. The same channel signal received at the optical receiver can be monitored again to determine if an acceptable level for the BER has been achieved by the previous chirp adjustment.

Abstract: A method of tuning optical components integrated on a monolithic semiconductor chip having a plurality of first optical components integrated on the chip with each fabricated to approximate an emission wavelength along a given wavelength grid and together forming a first optical component wavelength grid. A second optical component is integrated on the chip with and optically coupled to the group of first optical components. The second optical component has a second optical component wavelength grid approximating the given wavelength grid where at least one emission peak along the second optical component wavelength grid is within an acceptable wavelength tolerance range of a particular first optical component of the first optical component wavelength grid but not the same as a corresponding emission wavelength of a particular first optical component.

Abstract: An optical transmitter comprises an array of modulated sources having different operating wavelengths approximating a standardized wavelength grid and providing signal outputs of different wavelengths. Signal outputs of the modulated sources are optically coupled to inputs of the wavelength selective combiner to produce a combined signal output from the combiner. The wavelength selective combiner has a wavelength grid passband response approximating the wavelength grid of the standardized wavelength grid. A first wavelength tuning element is coupled to each of the modulated sources and a second wavelength tuning element is coupled to the wavelength selective combiner. A wavelength monitoring unit is coupled to receive a sampled portion the combined signal output from the wavelength selective combiner. A wavelength control system is coupled to the first and second wavelength tuning elements and to the wavelength monitoring unit to receive the sampled portion of the combined signal output.

Abstract: A monolithic photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chip where the active waveguide cores of the modulated sources of the PIC are multiple quantum wells (MQWs) and the passive waveguide cores of an optical combiner are a bulk layer or material. The cores of the waveguide cores may be a quaternary such as InGaAsP or InAlGaAs.

Abstract: Networks and methods are disclosed for synchronizing time stamps of peer devices. In one embodiment, a first communication node comprised of peer devices is connected to a second communication node. The first and second communication nodes communicate according to a protocol that requires monotonically increasing time stamps. When in operation, a peer device transmits a message to the second communication node with a time stamp. If the peer device receives an error response from the second communication node indicating that the time stamp does not comprise an increasing time stamp, then the peer device increases the time stamp. The peer device then transmits the message to the second communication node with the increased time stamp. This process continues each time the peer device receives an error response from the second communication node until the time stamp is increased sufficiently to comprise a monotonically increasing time stamp.

Abstract: A method and apparatus operates an array of laser sources as an integrated array on a single substrate or as integrated in an optical transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) maintaining the emission wavelengths of such integrated laser sources at their targeted emission wavelengths or at least to more approximate their desired respective emission wavelengths. Wavelength changing elements may accompany the laser sources to bring about the change in their operational or emission wavelength to be corrected to or toward the desired or target emission wavelength. The wavelength changing elements may be comprise of temperature changing elements, current and voltage changing elements or bandgap changing elements.

Abstract: A valve actuator for use in a fuel system. The actuator has a first metallic section adapted to be coupled to a motor, a second metallic section adapted to be coupled to a valve, and a nonmetallic section coupled to the first and second metallic sections for transmitting torque from the first metallic section to the second metallic section.