Abstract: The present disclosure provides dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods for optical networks to ascertain optical network health in a flexible and accurate manner. The present invention introduces accurate estimations for optical channel performance characteristics based either on existing channels or with a dynamic optical probe configured to measure characteristics on unequipped wavelengths. Advantageously, the dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods introduce the ability to determine physical layer viability in addition to logical layer viability.

Abstract: Systems and methods for routing wavelengths in an optical network include responsive to a path request for a wavelength or group of wavelengths, determining a path through the optical network; determining a location on the path where wavelength blocking should occur to form a loop-free path in the optical network; and setting the wavelength blocking at the location. The optical network can utilize a broadcast and select architecture and the wavelength blocking is configured to prevent the wavelength or group of wavelengths from looping back on a port where the wavelength or group of wavelengths has already been received on. The optical network can utilize an all-broadcast architecture and the wavelength blocking is configured to prevent multiple paths for the wavelength or group of wavelengths by constraining the wavelength or group of wavelengths to a single path through the optical network.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of interconnected nodes utilizing an all-broadcast architecture for a plurality of wavelengths therebetween; a routing protocol configured to compute a loop-free path through the plurality of interconnected nodes, wherein the loop-free path is computed for at least one wavelength of the plurality of wavelengths using routing constructs adapted to a photonic domain; and at least one blocking element configured to selectively block the at least one wavelength based on the computed loop-free path. A routing method photonic node are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing onsite support to technicians of a network include a hardware means for automatically detecting the presence of an onsite technician at the network node, and providing support to the onsite technician through a communications channel provided by the network node. The communications channel can be an optical service channel or a general communication channel (GCC) configured according to G.709 standard, for example. The hardware means can be further configured to determine an identity of the onsite technician and/or authenticate the onsite technician. The hardware means may comprise a dongle communicatively coupled to a network element or shelf at the network node via a universal serial bus (USB) port or Bluetooth connection.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing method comprises a first computer obtaining access to a digitally stored video program and causing playing the video program in a player window of a second computer, wherein the player window includes a linear graphical timeline representing the video program; the first computer receiving from the second computer location input data specifying a point in the video program and determining a time value of the point in the video program; receiving comment type input data indicating a particular comment type among a plurality of available comment types; receiving comment input data; creating and storing, in electronic digital storage coupled to the first computer, a record that associates an identifier of the video program, the time value, the comment type input data, and the comment input data; causing displaying, in the timeline at a position that is proportional to the point, a marker having a particular distinctive appearance from among a plurality of distinctive appearance

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of interconnected nodes utilizing an all-broadcast architecture for a plurality of wavelengths therebetween; a routing protocol configured to compute a loop-free path through the plurality of interconnected nodes, wherein the loop-free path is computed for at least one wavelength of the plurality of wavelengths using routing constructs adapted to a photonic domain; and at least one blocking element configured to selectively block the at least one wavelength based on the computed loop-free path. A routing method photonic node are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical node includes an optical routing apparatus including N ports, N is an integer greater than 2, the optical routing apparatus configured to direct light that is input to each of the N ports to all of the other N ports, and a configurable optical blocking element located in line with at least one of the N ports. A method includes broadcasting a plurality of optical signals over a plurality of ports using a broadcast element, selectively receiving a desired signal from all of the plurality of optical signals at one of the plurality of ports, and blocking the plurality of signals via a blocking element in line with one of the plurality of ports thereby preventing a multiple path of the broadcast plurality of optical signals.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods for optical networks to ascertain optical network health in a flexible and accurate manner. The present invention introduces accurate estimations for optical channel performance characteristics based either on existing channels or with a dynamic optical probe configured to measure characteristics on unequipped wavelengths. Advantageously, the dynamic performance monitoring systems and methods introduce the ability to determine physical layer viability in addition to logical layer viability.

Abstract: A photonic network includes a plurality of nodes each supporting add and drop of at least Y wavelengths, a plurality of optical links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, the plurality of optical links support up to X wavelengths and Y?X, an optical routing protocol configured to compute a loop-free path through the plurality of nodes on the plurality of links, the loop-free path is computed for one of the X wavelengths or a group of the X wavelengths using routing constructs adapted to a photonic domain, and optical components at each of the plurality of nodes configured to selectively block at least one of the X wavelengths based on the computed loop-free path. A photonic routing method and photonic node are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention creates an electronic marketplace where owners of Internet domain names can have multiple parties compete for the right to lease their domain names. A marketplace provider supplies a technology for redirecting Internet traffic from leased domain names to domain names specified by parties that win the right to lease domain names.

Abstract: A photonic network includes a plurality of nodes each supporting add and drop of at least Y wavelengths, a plurality of optical links interconnecting the plurality of nodes, the plurality of optical links support up to X wavelengths and Y?X, an optical routing protocol configured to compute a loop-free path through the plurality of nodes on the plurality of links, the loop-free path is computed for one of the X wavelengths or a group of the X wavelengths using routing constructs adapted to a photonic domain, and optical components at each of the plurality of nodes configured to selectively block at least one of the X wavelengths based on the computed loop-free path. A photonic routing method and photonic node are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical node includes an optical routing apparatus including N ports, N is an integer greater than 2, the optical routing apparatus configured to direct light that is input to each of the N ports to all of the other N ports, and a configurable optical blocking element located in line with at least one of the N ports. A method includes broadcasting a plurality of optical signals over a plurality of ports using a broadcast element, selectively receiving a desired signal from all of the plurality of optical signals at one of the plurality of ports, and blocking the plurality of signals via a blocking element in line with one of the plurality of ports thereby preventing a multiple path of the broadcast plurality of optical signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes.

Abstract: In one embodiment a thread management method identifies in a main program a set of instructions that can be dynamically activated as speculative precomputation threads. A wait/sleep operation is performed on the speculative precomputation threads between thread creation and activation, and progress of non-speculative threads is gauged through monitoring a set of global variables, allowing the speculative precomputation threads to determine its relative progress with respect to non-speculative threads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for forming a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces. Also described is a bale having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, which can be safely stacked vertically for transportation and storage purposes. The apparatus comprises upper and lower platens having a protruding surface for compressing the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of a compressible material.

Abstract: The present invention creates an electronic marketplace where owners of Internet domain names can have multiple parties compete for the right to lease their domain names. A marketplace provider supplies a technology for redirecting Internet traffic from leased domain names to domain names specified by parties that win the right to lease domain names.

Abstract: A low-power quadrature generator is provided for accurately generating in-phase signals and quadrature signals.

Abstract: In one embodiment a thread management method identifies in a main program a set of instructions that can be dynamically activated as speculative precomputation threads. A wait/sleep operation is performed on the speculative precomputation threads between thread creation and activation, and progress of non-speculative threads is gauged through monitoring a set of global variables, allowing the speculative precomputation threads to determine its relative progress with respect to non-speculative threads.