Abstract: A digital camera comprising a first lens for focusing a first image, a second lens for focusing a second image, a first sensor for converting a light intensity and color pattern of the first image into a first electrical signal, a second sensor for converting a light intensity and color pattern of the second image into a second electrical signal, a processing unit for processing the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal and a switch for selectively coupling either the first electrical signal or the second electrical signal to the processing unit.

Abstract: A modular home information center includes a number of processing modules having substantially identical housings with each of the modules having an operating structure and a multi-bus connector within the housing of the module. Each multi-bus connector is connected to the operating structure within the housing and is engagable and disengageable to form a multi-bus network interface when engaged. The housings and the connectors are interchangeable relative to other housings and connectors, and the connectors when engaged constrain the housings to maintain a uniform parallel relation with each other.

Abstract: This invention is directed toward reducing substantially the loss incurred when two optical fibers of different mode diameters are coupled together. In this invention, the coupling of one fiber to that of another where the fibers are of different mode diameters is not with a tapered fusion, core-to-core splice, but with an evanescent field fiber coupler. Briefly, to achieve amplification of a weak optical signal, an amplifying fiber is inserted into the system at one or a plurality of locations. More specifically, at a desired location, the transmission fiber is severed to provide two sections and the severed sections are transversely coupled to the amplifying fiber. The weak signal from the first section of the transmission fiber is coupled into the amplifying fiber via a first evanescent field type of fiber coupler; and the amplified signal is coupled from the amplifying fiber to the second section of the transmission fiber via a second evanescent field type of fiber coupler.

Abstract: Wavelength tunability and single frequency output are achieved in a coherent light source employing an adjustably controllable reflector. The light source includes a gain medium coupled to a single-mode fiber having a partially reduced cladding region at a predetermined distance from the gain medium. A Bragg reflector is either formed on the reduced cladding region of the single-mode fiber or formed on an external element in close proximity to the reduced cladding region. A single resonant optical cavity is formed by placing another reflector on the side of the gain medium opposite the gain medium-to-fiber coupling. Wavelength tuning of the light source is accomplished by controllably adjusting the period or the Bragg reflector element.

Abstract: Narrow band, wavelength selective optical coupling is achieved in a device including first and second optical transmission media and a filter. The first and second optical transmission media are in substantially close proximity of each other in a predetermined interaction region to provide evanescent coupling therebetween. The filter is positioned on the first optical transmission medium in the predetermined region for causing the coupling to be wavelength selective and contradirectional from the first optical transmission means to the second optical transmission means. One exemplary embodiment of the coupler includes optical fibers as the transmission media and a Bragg reflection grating integrally formed on the first transmission medium as the filter. Other embodiments include the use of semiconductor waveguides as the optical transmission media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optimized guided wave microwave or lightwave communication system or network wherein a plurality of directional couplers (14, 17) (a) are disposed along a bus-like wave guiding means (13, 16), and (b) include separate coupling coefficients which are optimized. More particularly, the present invention relates to a guided wave communication system or network including, for example, a head-end unit (15) which is coupled to one end of a bus-like wave guiding means. Separate directional couplers are disposed along the wave guiding means to couple lightwave or microwave signals either (a) into the bus-like wave guiding means (13) from separate transmitters (11), or (b) from a bus-like wave guiding means (16) to separate receivers (12).