Abstract: The system and method of the present invention advantageously enable controllable light extraction from optical fiber waveguides and offer highly configurable light signal guidance and control capabilities, as well as additional advantageous features associated with waveguides, by providing, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and/or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided/controlled/extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention advantageously enable controllable light extraction from optical fiber waveguides and offer highly configurable light signal guidance and control capabilities, as well as additional advantageous features associated with waveguides, by providing, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and/or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided/controlled/extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc.

Abstract: The inventive configurable optical fiber polarization mode coupler is capable of providing a low-loss, high-coupling coefficient interface with high accuracy and easy alignment between a plurality of optical fibers (or other optical devices) with a first channel-to-channel spacing, and an optical device having a plurality of closely-spaced waveguide interfaces with a second channel-to-channel spacing, where each end of the optical fiber coupler array is configurable to have different channel-to-channel spacing, each matched to a corresponding one of the first and second channel-to-channel spacing, and that are preferably optimized for use with photonic integrated circuits, such as coupling to dense optical input/output interfaces, wafer-level testing, etc.

Abstract: The inventive configurable optical fiber polarization mode coupler is capable of providing a low-loss, high-coupling coefficient interface with high accuracy and easy alignment between a plurality of optical fibers (or other optical devices) with a first channel-to-channel spacing, and an optical device having a plurality of closely-spaced waveguide interfaces with a second channel-to-channel spacing, where each end of the optical fiber coupler array is configurable to have different channel-to-channel spacing, each matched to a corresponding one of the first and second channel-to-channel spacing, and that are preferably optimized for use with photonic integrated circuits, such as coupling to dense optical input/output interfaces, wafer-level testing, etc.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention advantageously enable controllable light extraction from optical fiber waveguides and offer highly configurable light signal guidance and control capabilities, as well as additional advantageous features associated with waveguides, by providing, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and/or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided/controlled/extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention advantageously enable controllable light extraction from optical fiber waveguides and offer highly configurable light signal guidance and control capabilities, as well as additional advantageous features associated with waveguides, by providing, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, a multitude of novel techniques by which the parameters relating to utilization of various light signals (such as direction of their emission, magnitude of the emission, physical surface area of the emission, etc.), can be readily controlled and configured as a matter of design choice. Additionally, the inventive system and method, in various exemplary embodiments thereof, also enable and facilitate selective configuration of, and/or control over, various characteristics of the light signals guided/controlled/extracted thereby, such as the signals' wavelength, polarization, intensity, amplitude, etc.

Abstract: The inventory tracking and purchasing method is deployed VOD interactive TV (STB-TV). Goods advertised with the shop on-demand (OD) process and the shop OD server, via the cable head end (HE) transmits an inventory sales indicator as metadata or configured VA to the STB-TV. The shop OD process displays the inventory scarcity indicia to the user. The shop OD server tracks goods available for sale based upon vendor supplied data or fictitious merchandising efforts. The sales indicator may be a time countdown to sell the goods. The time countdown is clock-based (STB) or metadata or VOD asset-based. Discount coupons may be sent as metadata or VA. The discount, time count and inventory scarcity indicator may be independent.

Abstract: A multi-channel process enrolls user-viewers via VOD inputs and supplemental communications channels (cell phone, VoIP, land-line telephone, Internet or fax). Goods are advertised for the shop on-demand (OD) process via user's interactive TV (STB enabled TV set). A buy-now command is sent with the STB-ID code to the cable head end (HE) and shop OD client application operative thereat and to the shop OD computer server. If the set ID code matches the approved list at the HE, a purchase-confirmation is sent to the user via the STB-TV from the cable HE. One methodology sends a local confirm via metadata or specially configured VA asset. Supplemental communications channels handle supplemental confirms to the user. If not enrolled, supplemental communications network gathers user-viewer profile data. The profile lists user-selectable supple-comm message format (email, voice, text, fax). Non-enrollees may be given discounts to enroll. PINs are also used to control purchasing processes.

Abstract: The shop on-demand (OD) purchasing method includes an on-line shopping list compiled via a supplemental communications channel (cell phone, land line, Internet, etc.) or compiled via the shop OD VOD process. The list is displayed on the interactive TV (STB-enabled TV) via VOD menu or asset metadata or VOD-VA assets from the cable head end (HE) or shop OD client application operative at the cable HE. To motivate the user-buyer, complementary advertisements for related purchased-ordered goods are (a) compiled at the shop OD server and (b) displayed to the user via metadata or VOD-VA assets. External marketing incentives are sent via supplemental channels (discounts, time-limited offers, limited inventory offers and special sales). A transaction ID is sent to the cable HE with a promoted goods tag. At the shop OD server, a report for promoted goods is created for vendors.

Abstract: The VOD purchasing method enables a user-viewer to purchase goods via a shop OD (on-demand) process on an interactive TV (STB enabled TV). The user selects shop OD goods and the STB-TV creates a transaction ID code with the STB-ID code or the cable head end (HE) or shop OD client application at the HE creates the trans-ID. The trans-ID is displayed on the user's TV. If created at the HE, the trans-ID is sent as metadata or configured VA to the STB-TV. Supplemental communications channels may deliver carry trans-ID to the user (cell phone, VoIP, land-line telephone, Internet or fax). User profile data is gathered via supple-comm channel lists purchasing limits (time, day, monetary, and PIN). The shop OD computer server limits purchases thereby. Financial fraud and abuse parameters are set at the OD server as are parental control parameters.

Abstract: A method for forming a sheet of label material is provided. The label material is used to form a label for placement on an object and for subsequent removal from the object without damaging the object. The method includes providing a paper substrate that has an adhesive receiving face and coating an adhesive on the adhesive receiving face of the paper substrate using a gravure coater to form a repetitive pattern of adhesive areas. For example, repetitive dots of adhesive assure a uniform, discontinuous coating of adhesive that allows repositioning of the label, that prevents tearing of or damage to a substrate when the label is removed, including from a newspaper, and that maintains sufficient adhesion to adhere to difficult substrates such as textured surfaces. The adhesive is a water based adhesive. In alternative embodiments, the adhesive is coated on an adhesive receiving face of a release liner, and the adhesive receiving face of the paper substrate removably adheres to the release liner.