Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultrafast optical waveform sampling based on temporal stretching of an input signal waveform. Temporal stretching is performed using a time lens based on four-wave mixing in a nonlinear medium. The signal is passed through an input dispersive element. The dispersed signal is sent into the time lens, which comprises a chirped pump pulse and a nonlinear medium. The chirped pump pulse is combined with the signal. The four-wave mixing process occurs in the nonlinear device or medium, which results in the generation of a signal at a new optical frequency (idler). The idler is spectrally separated from the signal and pump pulse using a bandpass filter and sent into an output dispersive element. The output dispersive element is longer than the input dispersive element and the temporal stretching factor is given by the ratio between the dispersions of these two elements.

Abstract: A phase-modulated optical link and methods are provided to suppress distortions in phase-encoded analog photonic links. The phase-modulated optical link includes a distortion compensation element. The distortion compensation element includes an optical comb generator that is seeded by a phase-encoded optical signal. The methods include generating an optical comb seeded by a portion of a phase-encoded optical signal and isolating desired peaks to be combined with a separate portion of the phase-encoded optical signal.

Abstract: There is set forth in one embodiment an apparatus and method for imparting a phase shift to an input waveform for output of a converted waveform. In one embodiment, a phase shift can be provided by four wave mixing of an input waveform and a pump pulse. In one embodiment, there is set forth an apparatus and method for generating a high resolution time domain representation of an input waveform comprising: dispersing the input waveform to generate a dispersed input waveform; subjecting the dispersed input waveform to four wave mixing by combining the dispersed input waveform with a dispersed pump pulse to generate a converted waveform; and presenting the converted waveform to a detector unit. In one embodiment a detector unit can include a spectrometer (spectrum analyzer) for recording of the converted waveform and output of a record representing the input waveform.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a moving headboard for use in connection with a reciprocating floor slat system. It is particularly well-suited for use in connection with load-hauling trailers that have built-in reciprocating floor slat conveyors for unloading the trailer. Trailers of this kind are used in lieu of hydraulic lifts and involve inching the load off the trailer. The moving headboard sweeps the trailer floor clean during the unloading process.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for preparing dry formulations of Glucose Binding Proteins (GBPs) are disclosed. The GBPs may be stored as a dry formulation without significant loss of activity. After reconstitution, the GBPs may be used to determine the glucose concentration of a sample.

Abstract: A toy recycling truck that shapes and extrudes formable material is described. A formable material is fed into a first opening, or door, on the top of the truck and is extruded out of a second opening at the back of the truck. The formable material is fed into a molding extruder having a molding device and an expeller. The molding device includes a first cylindrical roller and a second cylindrical roller with inset molds that are adjacent and that turn toward each other so that the formable material fills the molds with pushed into the molding device. A three dimensional figure is released from the molds and synchronized to be extruded by an expeller. The expeller includes a paddle wheel with one or more paddles that extrudes the three dimensional shape molded from the formable material.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here is a moving headboard for use in connection with a reciprocating floor slat system. It is particularly well-suited for use in connection with load-hauling trailers that have built-in reciprocating floor slat conveyors for unloading the trailer. Trailers of this kind are used in lieu of hydraulic lifts and involve inching the load off the trailer. The moving headboard sweeps the trailer floor clean during the unloading process.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A cover is mounted on an exterior portion of the housing that is pivotable between a closed position blocking the exit port and an open position unblocking the exit port. The cover is biased toward the closed position. An actuation mechanism is operatively connected to the cover to open the cover upon being actuated by an engagement feature in the image forming device.

Abstract: A toner cartridge for use in an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir. A cover is mounted on an exterior portion of the housing that is pivotable between a closed position blocking the exit port and an open position unblocking the exit port. The cover is biased toward the closed position. An actuation mechanism is operatively connected to the cover to open the cover upon being actuated by an engagement feature in the image forming device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the power of an electronic reader device is provided. The system for controlling the power of an electronic reader device may comprise a computing apparatus that may receive a command from a host system to change the power state a power controller. The system may also comprise a computing apparatus that may adjust the power state of the power controller by using one or more registers. The system may further comprise a computing apparatus that may adjust the power of one or more power supplies. The system may additionally comprise a computing apparatus that may instruct a display controller to perform an operation based on the change of the power state of the power controller.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for adjusting intensity, wavelength and higher and lower frequency components of an optical signal. Photonic apparatus receives a first and a second optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion the first optical signal or the second optical signal and adjusts intensity or wavelength of the first optical signal or the second optical signal, in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion. In some embodiments photonic apparatus receives an optical signal comprising a lower frequency component received an amount of time prior to a higher frequency component of the optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion for the optical signal and adjusts the amount of time between the higher frequency component and the lower frequency component in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion.

Abstract: There is set forth in one embodiment an apparatus and method for imparting a phase shift to an input waveform for output of a converted waveform. In one embodiment, a phase shift can be provided by four wave mixing of an input waveform and a pump pulse. In one embodiment, there is set forth an apparatus and method for generating a high resolution time domain representation of an input waveform comprising: dispersing the input waveform to generate a dispersed input waveform; subjecting the dispersed input waveform to four wave mixing by combining the dispersed input waveform with a dispersed pump pulse to generate a converted waveform; and presenting the converted waveform to a detector unit. In one embodiment a detector unit can include a spectrometer (spectrum analyzer) for recording of the converted waveform and output of a record representing the input waveform.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for ultrafast optical waveform sampling based on temporal stretching of an input signal waveform. Temporal stretching is performed using a time lens based on four-wave mixing in a nonlinear medium. The signal is passed through an input dispersive element. The dispersed signal is sent into the time lens, which comprises a chirped pump pulse and a nonlinear medium. The chirped pump pulse is combined with the signal. The four-wave mixing process occurs in the nonlinear device or medium, which results in the generation of a signal at a new optical frequency (idler). The idler is spectrally separated from the signal and pump pulse using a bandpass filter and sent into an output dispersive element. The output dis persive element is longer than the input dispersive element and the temporal stretching factor is given by the ratio between the dispersions of these two elements.

Abstract: A system for and method of providing secure sign-in on a touch screen device that comprises an electronic device in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include receiving, from a user, password data in a first input format, determining that the password data is associated with a valid user by at least comparing the first input format of the password data to a second input format and comparing the password data to valid character element data, wherein the second input format is derived in accordance with one or more password format rules, and providing the valid user with access to one or more functions of the touch screen device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for adjusting intensity, wavelength and higher and lower frequency components of an optical signal. Photonic apparatus receives a first and a second optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion the first optical signal or the second optical signal and adjusts intensity or wavelength of the first optical signal or the second optical signal, in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion. In some embodiments photonic apparatus receives an optical signal comprising a lower frequency component received an amount of time prior to a higher frequency component of the optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion for the optical signal and adjusts the amount of time between the higher frequency component and the lower frequency component in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for adjusting intensity, wavelength and higher and lower frequency components of an optical signal. Photonic apparatus receives a first and a second optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion the first optical signal or the second optical signal and adjusts intensity or wavelength of the first optical signal or the second optical signal, in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion. In some embodiments photonic apparatus receives an optical signal comprising a lower frequency component received an amount of time prior to a higher frequency component of the optical signal. A waveguide provides an anomalous group velocity dispersion for the optical signal and adjusts the amount of time between the higher frequency component and the lower frequency component in response to the anomalous group velocity dispersion.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a hybrid mounting card is disclosed that includes one or more receptacles adapted to receive a portion of a medical device and secure the portion of the medical device therein and a mounting card adapted to receive and secure the one or more receptacles. The one or more receptacles are configured on the mounting card to secure the medical device to the mounting card in a defined configuration. The use of the receptacles increases the types of medical devices that can be secured to mounting cards. The use of mounting cards enables medical devices to be stored in sterile barrier packaging systems that do not require custom thermoforming of an entire medical tray, such as medical pouches and standard blank medical trays. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

Abstract: An entertainment apparatus and methods propelling toy vehicles about multiple tracks providing a variety of play modes while mechanically driven by a single motor and simple belt sub-system. A motor and a plurality of adjacent discs disposed in the same horizontal plane are mechanically engaged with the motor for rotating the discs simultaneously in the same direction. An object alternately engages each of the plurality of discs and at least one transition area is adjacent the plurality of discs and disposed in the same horizontal plane for facilitating the action of the object about the plurality of discs. One or more objects are propelled about one or more tracks providing a variety of play modes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems, and apparatus of improved fiber-based optical parametric oscillators (FOPOs). These oscillators can be used in the creation of short pulsed laser radiation, which are useful in numerous applications, such as characterization of materials and molecules. A relationship between fiber length and performance is realized, where shorter lengths counterintuitively provide greater power and width of output bands. This relationship is used to develop improved FOPOs. For example, fibers of 10 cm or less may be used to obtain superior performance in terms of wavelength tunability (e.g. bandwidth of 200 nm and greater) and output power (e.g. pulse power of 1 nJ). Other realized relationships between length and wavelength position of output bands are also used to select the wavelength range output from the FOPO. The diameter of the fiber may be selected to provide positioning (e.g. a centering) of the range of attainable output wavelengths.