Abstract: The invention provides an optical connector for connecting a user circuit to an optical backplane, in use the connector being adapted for mounting on a user circuit. The connector comprises an active or passive photonic interface through which optical signals may be transmitted and received between a user circuit and a said optical backplane; a primary aligner for engagement with a corresponding aligner on a backplane to ensure alignment of the optical interface with the backplane; and a support for supporting the aligner and/or the optical interface on the connector. The support is selected to enable relative movement between a user circuit to which the connector is connected in use and the aligner and/or the optical interface. The support is preferably a flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: Connection apparatus for a network tester or analyser comprises at least two network connection devices for connecting the apparatus to a network and at least two solid state switches. Each connection device is constructed and arranged to output serial electrical signals corresponding to signals received from a network to which the connection is in use connected. Each solid state switch is constructed and arranged to receive serial electrical signals output by a respective one of the network connection devices and to output a corresponding serial electrical signal. Each solid state switch is controllable such that electrical signals corresponding to signals received from the network can selectively be output by the solid state switch and received at the other or another of the solid state switches for return to the network by said other or another of the solid state switches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a backplane for a data communication system. The backplane includes ports each for connection to a respective circuit, a common communication channel in communication with each of the ports for transmission of a multiplexed optical signal, and a tuned or tuneable coupler associated with at least one of the ports for selecting in use from the multiplexed signal an optical signal at a wavelength to which the respective coupler is tuned. Selective optical communication between the at least one port and another of the ports via the communication channel is thereby enabled.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for connecting at least a first Fibre Channel device to at least a second Fibre Channel device. The apparatus includes ports, buffers and bypass buffers that are arranged so that the second Fibre Channel device can operate at a physical link rate that is higher than the physical link rate of the first Fibre Channel device regardless of whether or not the first Fibre Channel device is sending data words to the second Fibre Channel device and regardless of whether or not the second Fibre Channel device is sending data words to the first Fibre Channel device.

Abstract: A sanitary pet waste disposal device of flexible polymer is both a bag and also a bandana. The substantially flat body of the bag has a planform/shape and two layers. The shape may be in a right triangle and the layers may be printed with a bandana pattern thereon. In use the device is first worn by a pet around the neck as a bandana, then removed as needed and used as a plastic bag to dispose of pet fecal matter. The device may also have stiffeners located along the edges near the opening of the bag to allow easier use of the bag.

Abstract: A high contrast remotely switchable target discriminator, particularly suitable for use with automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), is disclosed. A laser light source directs light through a first polarizer to reflect off a beam splitter toward a target, which may be an AGV guidepath. The target comprises a reflecting material overlaid with a polarization rotator so that the light then reflected from the target has a polarization different from that from the original light source. The reflected light transmits back through the beam splitter to a second polarizer that transmits only light of the rotated polarization. Light that passes through the second polarizer then strikes a detector. A second polarizer-detector combination may be set to transmit and detect only light of the non-rotated polarization so that a sufficiently large ratio of the two different polarizations may be tested.

Abstract: An electro-optical system for detecting selected geometrical properties of leads on circuit packages of the surface-mounted type. The system employs a vertically-arranged linear array of photosensitive elements which is carried horizontally parallel to a reference surface and operated to provide a series of one-dimensional scans vertically along the leads.

Abstract: An electro-optical system for detecting selected geometrical properties of leads of circuit packages of the surface-mounted type. The system employs a horizontally-arranged linear array of photosensitive elements which is moved in a direction perpendicular to a reference surface and operated to provide a series of one-dimensional horizontal scans along the leads.

Abstract: An object recognition system for detecting visible light of a predetermined wavelength emitted by a fluorescent material illuminated with modulated ultraviolet light produced by a self-modulated high pressure mercury vapor lamp. The lamp forms part of a resonant LC circuit which produces oscillations in the lamp intensity at a frequency higher than line frequency. The resulting visible light is detected, demodulated, and compared with a predetermined threshold to sense when the fluorescent material is present. Self-modulation of the UV lamp source eliminates external triggering, excitation or switching of the lamp power supply.