Abstract: An apparatus for network switching may include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns including some but not all of the possible interconnection patterns between the input ports and the output ports. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a network via the input ports and/or the output ports. The apparatus may be configured to switch to a first interconnection pattern and a second interconnection pattern from the subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern may each provide a set of connections between the input ports and the output ports. At least one signal between the input ports and the output ports may be transmitted via the first interconnection pattern and/or the second interconnection pattern. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: A downhole reciprocating pump configured for deployment within a tubing string. The reciprocating pump includes a pump barrel, a plunger inside the pump barrel, a lower seating nipple connected within a lower portion of the tubing string and a lower hold-down connected to the pump barrel. The lower hold-down is configured for a mechanical latching engagement with the lower seating nipple. The reciprocating pump also includes an upper seating nipple connected within the tubing string above the lower seating nipple. The upper seating nipple is longer than the lower seating nipple. The reciprocating pump further includes an upper hold-down that has one or more seals that contact an interior surface of the upper seating nipple.

Abstract: An apparatus for network switching may include a plurality of input ports, a plurality of output ports, and a subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns including some but not all of the possible interconnection patterns between the input ports and the output ports. The apparatus may be communicatively coupled to a network via the input ports and/or the output ports. The apparatus may be configured to switch to a first interconnection pattern and a second interconnection pattern from the subset of pre-configured interconnection patterns. The first interconnection pattern and the second interconnection pattern may each provide a set of connections between the input ports and the output ports. At least one signal between the input ports and the output ports may be transmitted via the first interconnection pattern and/or the second interconnection pattern. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a display. The display may include a waveguide layer, a first active layer, a redirecting layer, and a lenset layer.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a lens comprising a first medium having a first index of refraction and a second medium having a second index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than the second index of refraction; wherein an interface between the first medium and the second medium is convex, and wherein total internal reflection from the first medium to the second medium forms an aperture on light transmission with edges dependent on the angle of light incidence. Related system, methods, and the like are also disclosed.

Abstract: A downhole reciprocating pump configured for deployment within a tubing string. The reciprocating pump includes a pump barrel, a plunger inside the pump barrel, a lower seating nipple connected within a lower portion of the tubing string and a lower hold-down connected to the pump barrel. The lower hold-down is configured for a mechanical latching engagement with the lower seating nipple. The reciprocating pump also includes an upper seating nipple connected within the tubing string above the lower seating nipple. The upper seating nipple is longer than the lower seating nipple. The reciprocating pump further includes an upper hold-down that has one or more seals that contact an interior surface of the upper seating nipple.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a lens comprising a first medium having a first index of refraction and a second medium having a second index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than the second index of refraction; wherein an interface between the first medium and the second medium is convex, and wherein total internal reflection from the first medium to the second medium forms an aperture on light transmission with edges dependent on the angle of light incidence. Related system, methods, and the like are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a lens comprising a first medium having a first index of refraction and a second medium having a second index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than the second index of refraction; wherein an interface between the first medium and the second medium is convex, and wherein total internal reflection from the first medium to the second medium forms an aperture on light transmission with edges dependent on the angle of light incidence. Related system, methods, and the like are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a waveguide layer to guide an optical beam, and a lenslet layer, coupled to a surface of the waveguide layer, to focus a portion of the optical beam. The apparatus may further include a first active layer, coupled to another surface of the waveguide layer, to allow the portion of the optical beam to decouple from the waveguide layer by passing through the first active layer in at least one selectable region of the first active layer. The apparatus may further include a redirecting layer, coupled to or proximate to the first active layer, to redirect the portion of the optical beam decoupled from the waveguide towards the lenslet layer.

Abstract: An illuminator apparatus uses positional offset of an array of light emitting areas and a lens array to control resulting direction and diffusion of a combined overall beam of light. Specifically, translation of the lens array relative to the light emitting area array enables steering of the overall beam, and rotation of lens array relative to the light emitting area array controls overall beam divergence.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, there is provided an apparatus comprising a lens comprising a first medium having a first index of refraction and a second medium having a second index of refraction, wherein the first index of refraction is greater than the second index of refraction; wherein an interface between the first medium and the second medium is convex, and wherein total internal reflection from the first medium to the second medium forms an aperture on light transmission with edges dependent on the angle of light incidence. Related system, methods, and the like are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include a waveguide layer to guide an optical beam, and a lenslet layer, coupled to a surface of the waveguide layer, to focus a portion of the optical beam. The apparatus may further include a first active layer, coupled to another surface of the waveguide layer, to allow the portion of the optical beam to decouple from the waveguide layer by passing through the first active layer in at least one selectable region of the first active layer. The apparatus may further include a redirecting layer, coupled to or proximate to the first active layer, to redirect the portion of the optical beam decoupled from the waveguide towards the lenslet layer.

Abstract: A variety of lenses, lens assemblies, imaging devices, applications for such lenses, assemblies and devices, and related methods of operation and manufacturing are disclosed. At least some embodiments of the invention relate to a lens that includes first and second inward-facing surfaces that are each at least partly reflective. The lens further includes a first aperture that is positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward-facing surfaces, and a second aperture existing proximate a central region of the lens. The light proceeding within the lens between the first and second inward-facing surfaces is reflected at least twice on at least one of the first and second inward-facing surfaces as it travels between the first aperture and the second aperture.

Abstract: A variety of lenses, lens assemblies, imaging devices, applications for such lenses, assemblies and devices, and related methods of operation and manufacturing are disclosed. At least some embodiments of the invention relate to a lens that includes first and second inward-facing surfaces that are each at least partly reflective. The lens further includes a first aperture that is positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward-facing surfaces, and a second aperture existing proximate a central region of the lens. The light proceeding within the lens between the first and second inward-facing surfaces is reflected at least twice on at least one of the first and second inward-facing surfaces as it travels between the first aperture and the second aperture.

Abstract: A method of processing a ticket order requesting the production of an identification tag for an article of commerce can be accomplished in the following manner. In the first step, a ticketing services provider receives the ticket order placed by the client, the ticket order including, inter alia, order information (e.g., purchase order information) with respect to the article to which the tag is to be affixed. Having received the order, the ticketing services provider associates a unique identification code, such as an automatically-retrievable electronic product code (EPC), with the identification tag (e.g., by programming the IC chip of an RFID tag with the unique identification code). In turn, a file is stored in an electronically-accessible database which links the unique identification code for the ID tag with the order information for the article to which the tag is to be affixed.

Abstract: A system and a method for capturing solar energy are disclosed herein. In at least one embodiment, the method includes receiving light at a plurality of lenses, communicating the light from respective ones of the plurality of lenses toward respective ones of a plurality of dichroic mirrors, and transmitting respective first portions of the light through the respective ones of the dichroic mirrors toward respective first photovoltaic cells. The method also includes reflecting respective second portions of the light off of the respective ones of the dichroic mirrors toward respective adjacent ones of the dichroic mirrors, where the first portions are within a first wavelength range and the second portions are within a second wavelength range, and reflecting the respective second portions of the light off of the respective adjacent ones of the dichroic mirrors toward respective second photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A method of processing a ticket order requesting the production of an identification tag for an article of commerce can be accomplished in the following manner. In the first step, a ticketing services provider receives the ticket order placed by the client, the ticket order including, inter alia, order information (e.g., purchase order information) with respect to the article to which the tag is to be affixed. Having received the order, the ticketing services provider associates a unique identification code, such as an automatically-retrievable electronic product code (EPC), with the identification tag (e.g., by programming the IC chip of an RFID tag with the unique identification code). In turn, a file is stored in an electronically-accessible database which links the unique identification code for the ID tag with the order information for the article to which the tag is to be affixed.

Abstract: A method of processing a ticket order requesting the production of an identification tag for an article of commerce can be accomplished in the following manner. In the first step, a ticketing services provider receives the ticket order placed by the client, the ticket order including, inter alia, order information (e.g., purchase order information) with respect to the article to which the tag is to be affixed. Having received the order, the ticketing services provider associates a unique identification code, such as an automatically-retrievable electronic product code (EPC), with the identification tag (e.g., by programming the IC chip of an RFID tag with the unique identification code). In turn, a file is stored in an electronically-accessible database which links the unique identification code for the ID tag with the order information for the article to which the tag is to be affixed.

Abstract: A method of processing a ticket order requesting the production of an identification tag for an article of commerce can be accomplished in the following manner. In the first step, a ticketing services provider receives the ticket order placed by the client, the ticket order including, inter alia, order information (e.g., purchase order information) with respect to the article to which the tag is to be affixed. Having received the order, the ticketing services provider associates a unique identification code, such as an automatically-retrievable electronic product code (EPC), with the identification tag (e.g., by programming the IC chip of an RFID tag with the unique identification code). In turn, a file is stored in an electronically-accessible database which links the unique identification code for the ID tag with the order information for the article to which the tag is to be affixed.

Abstract: We describe a variable bandwidth tunable optical spectral filtering device and associated method for selectively directing a portion of a wavelength multiplexed input signal, entering through one or more optical fibers, into one or more output signals provided to one or more optical fibers and/or electronic outputs. The optical filtering is accomplished using free-space diffractive wavelength de-multiplexing optics combined with a fixed (permanent) patterned structure located in the spectrally dispersed image plane. The structure can direct a selected spectral portion of the optical signal to one or more separate outputs, such as an optical fiber or power detector. A single active element in the optical path is used to spatially shift, or steer, the entire input spectrum at the dispersed spectral image plane, to control the portion of the input spectrum illuminating specific features on the permanent patterned structure.