Abstract: A coffin comprising a first side wall, a second side wall, a first end wall, a second end wall, a composite base and reinforcing layers along the sides, ends and the corners, wherein the composite base and the reinforcing layers are adapted to provide structural enhancement to the coffin.

Abstract: Techniques for automating insurance claim processing are provided. The techniques include obtaining at least one rule from historical data, using the at least one rule to segment a dataset, wherein segmenting the dataset comprises using an iterative process involving a pattern classification technique, using the segmented dataset to determine if a claim can be automatically settled, and automatically settling a claim if it is determined that the claim can be automatically settled.

Abstract: Techniques for automating insurance claim processing are provided. The techniques include obtaining at least one rule from historical data, using the at least one rule to segment a dataset, wherein segmenting the dataset comprises using an iterative process, and wherein the iterative process comprises a decision tree, using the segmented dataset to determine if a claim can be automatically settled, and automatically settling a claim if it is determined that the claim can be automatically settled.

Abstract: An integrated optical receiver device includes a substrate. At least one polycrystalline indirect band-gap detector capable of detecting the photons of impinging light and outputting a signal in response thereto is disposed on the substrate. At least one electronic device, electrically coupled to the at least one polycrystalline indirect band-gap detector, capable of processing the signal output by the at least one polycrystalline indirect band-gap detector is monolithically integrated with the detector on the substrate.

Abstract: A mode transformer that enables low-loss coupling between optical modes of two waveguides with different index difference. The mode size and the effective index are gradually changed between two waveguides to gradually transform the mode shape, size, and speed with minimum power loss. The mode transformer is useful for coupling the mode of an optical fiber waveguide with low index difference to the mode of a planar high index difference waveguide, and vice versa.

Abstract: A planar waveguide that has a graded index layer at the core/cladding interface to reduce scattering losses due to core/cladding interface roughness. The refractive index at the core/cladding interface is changed from that of the core to that of cladding gradually by having a graded index layer. The graded index layer reduces the scattering of light traveling in the waveguide by reducing the effect of the roughness at the abrupt interface between the core and the cladding. Using a proper design, the graded index layer also minimizes the modal and polarization dispersion of the optical mode traveling in the waveguide.

Abstract: A mode coupler that enables low-loss coupling between optical modes of two waveguides with different index difference. The mode size and the effective index are gradually changed between two waveguides to gradually transform the mode shape, size, and speed with minimum power loss. The mode coupler is useful for coupling the mode of an optical fiber waveguide with low index difference to the mode of a planar high index difference waveguide, and vice versa.

Abstract: A mode transformer that enables low-loss coupling between optical modes of two waveguides with different index difference. The mode size and the effective index are gradually changed between two waveguides to gradually transform the mode shape, size, and speed with minimum power loss. The mode transformer is useful for coupling the mode of an optical fiber waveguide with low index difference to the mode of a planar high index difference waveguide, and vice versa.

Abstract: A mode coupler that enables low-loss coupling between optical modes of two waveguides with different index difference. The mode size and the effective index are gradually changed between two waveguides to gradually transform the mode shape, size, and speed with minimum power loss. The mode coupler is useful for coupling the mode of an optical fiber waveguide with low index difference to the mode of a planar high index difference waveguide, and vice versa.