Abstract: A residential key may be programmed by a computer with access rights information. A lock device may receive the access rights information from the residential key. The lock device may store and utilize the access rights information if the lock determines that the residential key is authorized to update the lock device.

Abstract: An integrated optical tap monitor takes the form of a highly-reflective outer coating disposed over the active region of an associated photodetector. The coating is of a material that allows for a majority of the impinging optical signal to be re-directed into an output path, while passing a small portion of the signal into the photodetector's active region for monitoring purposes. The integrated configuration is small enough to be housed within a standard TO can, and additional optical components (filters, attenuators, etc.) may be co-located with the integrated tap monitor. By virtue of incorporating the monitoring function with a reflective surface, the integrated tap monitor may be substituted for a turning mirror at any place along a signal path and provide the benefit of power monitoring while also performing signal re-direction.

Abstract: A multiport optical switch is used to controllably select a specific incoming optical signal that is to be processed by an associated optical channel monitor (OCM). The OCM includes a tunable optical filter and photodetector arrangement, and is configured to measure the optical spectrum of the incoming optical signal and extract information associated with the various optical channels forming the incoming optical signal (i.e., power, wavelength, OSNR, etc., per channel in the signal). The OCM also includes a processor that generates a pair of output control signals, a first signal to control the wavelength scanning process of the tunable optical filter and a second signal to control the setting of the multiport optical switch. The second signal may also be used to perform “detuning” of a selected input of the multiport optical switch, providing the ability to adjust the power level of an input signal prior to entering the OCM.

Abstract: A lock device is configured to receive a credential from a mobile device. The lock device is configured to monitor the distance between the mobile device and the lock device. The lock device is configured to detect an intent action by a user of the mobile device and unlock the lock device if the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device and the intent action is an approved intent action.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to enable control and placement of data repositories. In some embodiments, the system segments data into zones. A website, for example, may need to segment data according to location. In this example, a zone may be created for North America and another zone may be created for Europe. Data related to operations executed in North America, for example, can be placed in the North America zone and data related to transactions in Europe can be placed in the Europe zone. According to some embodiments, the system may use zones to accommodate a range of deployment scenarios.

Abstract: A residential key may be programmed by a computer with access rights information. A lock device may receive the access rights information from the residential key. The lock device may store and utilize the access rights information if the lock determines that the residential key is authorized to update the lock device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to enable control and placement of data repositories. In some embodiments, the system segments data into zones. A website, for example, may need to segment data according to location. In this example, a zone may be created for North America and another zone may be created for Europe. Data related to operations executed in North America, for example, can be placed in the North America zone and data related to transactions in Europe can be placed in the Europe zone. According to some embodiments, the system may use zones to accommodate a range of deployment scenarios.

Abstract: An integrated optical tap monitor takes the form of a highly-reflective outer coating disposed over the active region of an associated photodetector. The coating is of a material that allows for a majority of the impinging optical signal to be re-directed into an output path, while passing a small portion of the signal into the photodetector's active region for monitoring purposes. The integrated configuration is small enough to be housed within a standard TO can, and additional optical components (filters, attenuators, etc.) may be co-located with the integrated tap monitor. By virtue of incorporating the monitoring function with a reflective surface, the integrated tap monitor may be substituted for a turning mirror at any place along a signal path and provide the benefit of power monitoring while also performing signal re-direction.

Abstract: A lock device is configured to receive a credential from a mobile device. The lock device is configured to monitor the distance between the mobile device and the lock device. The lock device is configured to detect an intent action by a user of the mobile device and unlock the lock device if the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device and the intent action is an approved intent action.

Abstract: A lock device is configured to receive a credential from a mobile device. The lock device is configured to monitor the distance between the mobile device and the lock device. The lock device is configured to detect an intent action by a user of the mobile device and unlock the lock device if the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device and the intent action is an approved intent action.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate retail transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a retail terminal includes: a user interface to receive a phone number of a customer; a memory; a data communication interface; and a processor coupled with the memory and the data communication interface to transmit the phone number to a server computer to cause the server computer to communicate with a mobile phone at the phone number to confirm a transaction at the retail terminal and to transmit one or more premium messages to the mobile phone to collect funds for the transaction, and to receive from the server computer a message indicating that the funds are available for the transaction. The retail terminal is to perform the transaction in response to the message from the server computer.

Abstract: A multiport optical switch is used to controllably select a specific incoming optical signal that is to be processed by an associated optical channel monitor (OCM). The OCM includes a tunable optical filter and photodetector arrangement, and is configured to measure the optical spectrum of the incoming optical signal and extract information associated with the various optical channels forming the incoming optical signal (i.e., power, wavelength, OSNR, etc., per channel in the signal). The OCM also includes a processor that generates a pair of output control signals, a first signal to control the wavelength scanning process of the tunable optical filter and a second signal to control the setting of the multiport optical switch. The second signal may also be used to perform “detuning” of a selected input of the multiport optical switch, providing the ability to adjust the power level of an input signal prior to entering the OCM.

Abstract: A multiport optical switch (such as an N×1 switch) is used to controllably select a specific incoming optical signal that is to be processed by an associated optical channel monitor (OCM). The OCM includes a tunable optical filter and photodetector arrangement, and is configured to measure the optical spectrum of the incoming optical signal and extract information associated with the various optical channels (wavelengths) forming the incoming optical signal (i.e., power, wavelength, OSNR and the like for each channel). The OCM also includes a signal processing component that generates a pair of output control signals, a first signal to control the wavelength scanning process of the tunable optical filter and a second signal to control the setting of the multiport optical switch.

Abstract: According to one aspect, methods and systems are provided for selectively employing storage engines in a distributed database environment. The methods and systems can include a processor configured to execute a plurality of system components, wherein the system components comprise an operation prediction component configured to determine an expected set of operations to be performed on a portion of the database; a data format selection component configured to select, based on at least one characteristic of the expected set of operations, a data format for the portion of the database; and at least one storage engine for writing the portion of the database in the selected data format.

Abstract: A multiport optical switch (such as an N×1 switch) is used to controllably select a specific incoming optical signal that is to be processed by an associated optical channel monitor (OCM). The OCM includes a tunable optical filter and photodetector arrangement, and is configured to measure the optical spectrum of the incoming optical signal and extract information associated with the various optical channels (wavelengths) forming the incoming optical signal (i.e., power, wavelength, OSNR and the like for each channel). The OCM also includes a signal processing component that generates a pair of output control signals, a first signal to control the wavelength scanning process of the tunable optical filter and a second signal to control the setting of the multiport optical switch.

Abstract: A lock device is configured to receive a credential from a mobile device. The lock device is configured to monitor the distance between the mobile device and the lock device. The lock device is configured to detect an intent action by a user of the mobile device and unlock the lock device if the mobile device is within a predetermined distance from the lock device and the intent action is an approved intent action.

Abstract: A residential key may be programmed by a computer with access rights information. A lock device may receive the access rights information from the residential key. The lock device may store and utilize the access rights information if the lock determines that the residential key is authorized to update the lock device.

Abstract: A method of monitoring optical power in an optical channel includes directing a portion of a broadband optical signal propagating through an optical channel to an optical input of an electrically controllable tunable optical filter. The portion of the broadband optical signal is filtered with the electrically controllable tunable filter to select an optical channel for optical power monitoring. The selected optical channel is detected and an electrical signal that represents the selected optical channel is generated. An optical power of the selected optical channel is estimated from the electrical signal that represents the selected optical channel by performing an iterative deconvolution of the selected optical channel signal with a predetermined response function of the electrically controllable tunable optical filter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate online transactions via mobile communications. In one aspect, a system includes a communication interface to receive an input from a merchant; a plurality of converters to interface with a plurality of controllers for delivery of premium messages sent by the system to collect funds for purchases made by customers; and a common format processor coupled with the plurality of converters to send the premium messages. The common format processor determines a combination of one or more premium messages, in response to a first customer making a first purchase from the merchant at a first price. The total price of the one or more premium messages is based on the first price and a portion of service charges associated with the one or more premium messages, where the portion is specified by the input received via the interface.

Abstract: An optical receiver includes an optical detector that generates a photocurrent at an output. A transimpedance amplifier generates an amplified voltage signal corresponding to the photocurrent generated by the optical detector. An offset voltage generator generates an offset voltage that biases the voltage signal generated by the transimpedance amplifier. A switch having a first input electrically connected to the output of the transimpedance amplifier and a second input electrically connected to the output of the offset voltage generator switches between the offset voltage and the voltage signal generated by the transimpedance amplifier.