Abstract: Optical network systems are disclosed, including systems having transmitters with a digital signal processor comprising forward error correction circuitry that provides encoded first electrical signals based on input data; and power adjusting circuitry that receives second electrical signals indicative of the first electrical signals, the power adjusting circuitry supplying third electrical signals, wherein each of the third electrical signals is indicative of an optical power level of a corresponding to one of a plurality of optical subcarriers output from an optical transmitter.

Abstract: Optical network systems and components are disclosed, including a transmitter comprising a digital signal processor receiving a plurality of independent data streams, and supplying a plurality of digital subcarrier outputs, based on the plurality of independent data streams, and configurable to vary the frequency spacing between two or more of the plurality of digital subcarrier outputs; the transmitter configured to output a modulated optical signal including a plurality of optical subcarriers based on the digital subcarrier outputs wherein based on first ones of the plurality of digital outputs, the first one of the plurality of subcarriers is spectrally spaced from the second one of the plurality subcarriers by a first gap, and based on second ones of the plurality of digital outputs, the first one of the plurality of subcarriers is spectrally spaced from the second one of the plurality of subcarriers by a second gap different than the first.

Abstract: Optical network systems and components are disclosed, including a transmitter comprising a digital signal processor that receives data; circuitry that generate a plurality of electrical signals based on the data; a plurality of filters, each of which receiving a corresponding one of the plurality of electrical signals, a plurality of roll-off factors being associated with a respective one of the plurality of filters; a plurality of DACs that receive outputs from the digital signal processor, the outputs being indicative of outputs from the plurality of filters; a laser that supplies light; and a modulator that receives the light and outputs from the DACs, and supplies a plurality of optical subcarriers based on the outputs, such that one of the optical subcarriers has a frequency bandwidth that is wider than remaining ones of the optical subcarriers, said one of the optical subcarriers carrying information for clock recovery.

Abstract: Optical network systems and components are disclosed including a transmitter comprising a digital signal processor receiving a plurality of independent data streams, the digital signal processor supplying outputs based on the plurality of independent data streams, the digital signal processor comprising a plurality of pulse shape filters corresponding to the plurality of independent data streams, the plurality of pulse shape filters configured to filter the independent data streams to produce a first subcarrier having a first frequency bandwidth and a second subcarrier having a second frequency bandwidth different than the first frequency bandwidth for the outputs.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for storing, in a non-transitory memory device, multi-layer network information comprising at least one of link availability, bandwidth availability, priority levels for paths in a multi-layer network, path status in the multi-layer network, and status for network elements in the multi-layer network; receiving, via at least one input component, a message from a network element in the network comprising information indicative of a failure of a working path in the network; determining, automatically, based at least in part on the multi-layer network information, an alternate path for transmission of the data traffic through the network; and transmitting, via at least one output component, at least one signal comprising configuration instructions to at least one optical line module, the configuration instructions directing the optical line module to switch and select the data traffic using the alternate path.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein for reconciling planned data for a network (such as a fiber optic network) with data describing the deployed network. Network probing and planning components obtain a snapshot of the deployed network and organize the snapshot into three “layers”: the “link layer,” which represents the physical links that underlie the network, the “digital layer,” which includes optical channel groups that divide the total capacity of the physical links, and the “service layer,” which includes the services delivered over the network. The techniques involve comparing the planned data to the deployed data in the order of link layer, digital layer, and service layer. Differences considered to be “minor” are reconciled automatically. Differences that are “major” are reconciled after receiving instructions from a planner or administrator regarding whether to update the planned data based on what was originally in the planned data or what is in the deployed network.

Abstract: A network device may receive an activation instruction. The network device may provide network resources. The activation instruction may request the network device to activate a particular network resource that is deactivated. The activation instruction may be associated with a license that identifies the particular network resource and identifies a resource request of a user. The network device may configure, based on the activation instruction, a component of the network device to activate the particular network resource. The component, after being configured to activate the particular network resource, may allow data flows, received by the network device, to be provided towards a destination device using the particular network resource. The network device may receive a data flow and provide, by the component of the network device, the data flow towards the destination device using the particular network resource.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, a bolt connectable to the hinge post for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the bolt being configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, and a nut threadable onto the bolt to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl, the nut having a first segment threadable onto the bolt, a second segment and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments, the shear segment having a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A method may include determining, by a device, a wavelength identifier graph corresponding to an optical network based on a set of lightpath conflicts, for a set of optical signals, associated with a set of links and a set of nodes of the optical network. One or more optical signals may be associated with transmission via a super-channel. The method may further include selectively assigning, by the device, a wavelength identifier to an optical signal, of the set of optical signals, based on the wavelength identifier graph. The wavelength identifier being associated with a set of wavelength identifiers and corresponding to a wavelength of a set of wavelengths. The method may further include causing, by the device, the optical signal to utilize the wavelength, of the set of wavelengths, for transmission via the optical network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a polymer hydrogel comprising the steps of: (1) preparing an aqueous solution of a water soluble polysaccharide derivative and a polycarboxylic acid; (2) optionally agitating the solution, for example, by stirring; (3) isolating a polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite from the solution; and (4) heating the polysaccharide derivative/polycarboxylic acid composite at a temperature of at least about 80° C., thereby cross-linking the polysaccharide with the polycarboxylic acid. The invention also provides polymer hydrogels produced by the methods of the invention.

Abstract: A device may receive information that identifies an initial network topology, to be used to reconfigure a network. The initial network topology may describe an optical layer and an internet protocol layer of the network. The internet protocol layer of the network may include an internet protocol node. The device may determine a reconfiguration criterion associated with the initial network topology. The device may determine a reconfiguration technique to be used to reconfigure the network. The device may perform the reconfiguration technique. The device may generate a reconfigured network topology based on performing the reconfiguration technique. The reconfigured network topology may describe a reconfigured internet protocol layer and a reconfigured optical layer. The reconfigured internet protocol layer may be reconfigured based on the optical layer. The reconfigured network topology may be reconfigured based on the initial network topology. The device may provide the reconfigured network topology.

Abstract: A method may include determining, by a device, a wavelength identifier graph corresponding to an optical network based on a set of lightpath conflicts, for a set of optical signals, associated with a set of links and a set of nodes of the optical network. One or more optical signals may be associated with transmission via a super-channel. The method may further include selectively assigning, by the device, a wavelength identifier to an optical signal, of the set of optical signals, based on the wavelength identifier graph. The wavelength identifier being associated with a set of wavelength identifiers and corresponding to a wavelength of a set of wavelengths. The method may further include causing, by the device, the optical signal to utilize the wavelength, of the set of wavelengths, for transmission via the optical network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, devices and methods for improving the efficient deployment and configuration of networking equipment within a network build-out. In certain embodiments of the invention, an iterative analysis of inter-node equipment placement and connectivity, and inter- and intra-node traffic flow is performed to identify a preferred deployment solution. This analysis of deployment optimization takes into account both configurations from a network node perspective as well as from a network system perspective. Deployment solutions are iteratively progressed and analyzed to determine a preferred solution based on both the cost of deployment and satisfaction of the network demands. In various embodiments of the invention, a baseline marker is generated from which the accuracy of the solution may be approximated that suggests to an engineer whether the deployment is approaching an optimal solution.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post and a fastener for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl. The fastener includes a threaded portion configured to extend into a bore of the toilet bowl, a first segment coupled to an end portion of the threaded portion, a second segment configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the fastener, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The hinge assembly also includes a nut threadably coupled to the threaded portion of the fastener. The threaded portion, the first segment, the second segment, and the shear segment of the fastener are unitary.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a bolt having a head and a threaded shaft configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl for securing the hinge post to the toilet bowl, and an adaptor having a first segment coupled to the head of the bolt, a second segment, and a shear segment connecting the first and second segments. The first and second segments are both configured to be engaged by a tool to rotate the bolt. The shear segment has a lower torque resistance than the first and second segments such that the shear segment breaks when a torque applied to the second segment reaches a predetermined amount. The head of the bolt is fit into the adaptor such that the first segment of the adaptor surrounds the head.

Abstract: A hinge assembly for mounting a toilet seat to a toilet bowl includes a hinge post, a threaded fastener extending through the hinge post and configured to extend into a bore in the toilet bowl, a bushing positioned around a portion of the threaded fastener, and a nut threadably coupled to the threaded fastener. The nut includes an expandable section configured to extend into the bore in the toilet bowl. The nut has a surface that is engaged by a surface of the bushing so that the expandable section of the nut expands as the nut moves relative to the threaded fastener to secure the hinge post to the toilet bowl.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for storing, in a non-transitory memory device, multi-layer network information comprising at least one of link availability, bandwidth availability, priority levels for paths in a multi-layer network, path status in the multi-layer network, and status for network elements in the multi-layer network; receiving, via at least one input component, a message from a network element in the network comprising information indicative of a failure of a working path in the network; determining, automatically, based at least in part on the multi-layer network information, an alternate path for transmission of the data traffic through the network; and transmitting, via at least one output component, at least one signal comprising configuration instructions to at least one optical line module, the configuration instructions directing the optical line module to switch and select the data traffic using the alternate path.

Abstract: Optical autodiscovery is provide between two optical modules to insure that when an optical signal is coupled between the two optical module, the optical signal from a first module does not interfere with operation of a second module. The autodiscovery is implemented by sending an optical identification signal from the first optical module via the coupling to the second optical module from which signal, the second optical module can verify and determined acceptance of the coupled first optical module. During this autodiscovery process, the optical identification signal from the first optical module may be attenuated or shifted in optical spectrum so as not to interfere with the operation of the second optical module. Autodiscovery may also be employed in cases where a first optical module is to receive an optical signal from a second module.

Abstract: A network device may receive an activation instruction. The network device may provide network resources. The activation instruction may request the network device to activate a particular network resource that is deactivated. The activation instruction may be associated with a license that identifies the particular network resource and identifies a resource request of a user. The network device may configure, based on the activation instruction, a component of the network device to activate the particular network resource. The component, after being configured to activate the particular network resource, may allow data flows, received by the network device, to be provided towards a destination device using the particular network resource. The network device may receive a data flow and provide, by the component of the network device, the data flow towards the destination device using the particular network resource.