Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a diffractive ophthalmic lens (e.g., a diffractive IOL) that includes an optic having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, where the optic provides a far focus. A frustrated diffractive structure comprising a plurality of diffractive zones is disposed on at least one of those surfaces so as to provide a near focus. Each zone is separated from an adjacent zone by a zone boundary that imparts an optical delay to the incident light. Further, at least two consecutive zone boundaries are configured such that a difference between their associated phase delays for at least one wavelength of the incident light is greater than about 1/4 wavelength so as to direct a portion of the incident light to a location between the near and far foci.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for early detection of in-band DTMF signals in voice transmissions over an IP network are disclosed. Using a digital signal processor, whenever any indication of signals possibly corresponding to the signals characteristic of DTMF tones are detected, packets of data that would otherwise be sent over the IP network are delayed and temporarily stored in a buffer. Buffering the data packets provides a period of time for digital signal processing techniques to reliably determine whether the characteristics of the detected signal are sufficient to characterize it as a DTMF signal. If a determination is made that the signal has the necessary characteristics of a valid DTMF signal, the buffered packets are discarded and a special control packet is sent formatted to convey to the recipient characteristic information for the detected DTMF signal sufficient to allow the DTMF signal to be generated by a DTMF generator.

Abstract: The present invention provides monofocal ophthalmic lenses that exhibit extended depth of field while providing sufficient contrast for resolution of an image over a selected range of defocus distances. In some embodiments, a lens of the invention can include a refractive surface having controlled surface modulations relative to a base profile. The surface modulations are designed to extend a depth of field of the lens such that a single image can be resolved, albeit with somewhat less contrast, over a range of distances greater than the focal region of a conventional lens. The ophthalmic lenses of the invention can be employed in various vision correction applications, including, but not limited to, intraocular lenses, contact lenses, instrastromal implants and other refractive devices.

Abstract: A computer-based method and apparatus for electronically preparing extensible markup language (XML) files includes means for preparing extensible markup language files (XML) from native word processing source files, such as MICROSOFT® Word (.doc) or COREL® WORDPERFECT® (.wpd), electronically transmitting the extensible markup language (XML) files to an intended recipient via a global information network and means for accounting for fees related to the electronic submission of the files to the intended recipient. In a preferred embodiment the computer based means and methods may be utilized to electronically prepare and file intellectual property related correspondence with the United States Patent and Trademark Office or other intellectual property offices.

Abstract: The present invention provides monofocal ophthalmic lenses that exhibit extended depth of field while providing sufficient contrast for resolution of an image over a selected range of defocus distances. In some embodiments, a lens of the invention can include a refractive surface having controlled surface modulations relative to a base profile. The surface modulations are designed to extend a depth of field of the lens such that a single image can be resolved, albeit with somewhat less contrast, over a range of distances greater than the focal region of a conventional lens. The ophthalmic lenses of the invention can be employed in various vision correction applications, including, but not limited to, intraocular lenses, contact lenses, instrastromal implants and other refractive devices.

Abstract: A computerized docketing system for legal matters, comprising a database operatively arranged to store information related to the legal matters, including actions to be taken with respect to the legal matters, and due dates associated with the actions to be taken, an arithmetic logic unit operatively arranged to scan the database, compare each of the due dates with a reference date, and classify the due dates according to proximity of each of the due dates to the reference date, and, means for displaying different classifications of the due dates in different colors for the purpose of alerting a user of the system of matters requiring attention.

Abstract: A wayside Ethernet communications system is presented for use with an optical network. The wayside Ethernet communication system includes a first and second optical network element connected to the optical network. The first optical network element having is adapted to map the Ethernet frames into at least one optical network frame and operable to transmit the optical network frames over an optical supervisory channel of the optical network. The second optical network element is adapted to receive the optical network frames over the optical supervisory channel of the optical network and to extract the Ethernet frames from the optical network frames.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for toric lenses is disclosed. The method comprises determining the tack of the material.

Abstract: A diffractive optical ICL made from two different hydrogel materials that are biologically acceptable for long term implantation in the cornea. The first material has a higher refractive index than the cornea and it is bound to the second material which has a refractive index similar to corneal tissue. The interface between the two materials consists of a microstructured diffractive surface. The adequate permeability of metabolites through both of the hydrogels of the diffractive ICL yields a safe implant for the cornea. Alternatively, the lens may be made of a single material and/or have an edge geometry that minimizes corneal irritation and allows the lens to sit within the corneal tissue smoothly and relatively flat.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for toric lenses is disclosed. The method comprises determining the tack of the material.

Abstract: A method of selecting an intraocular lens material for toric lenses is disclosed. The method comprises determining the material's Collagen IV Index.

Abstract: Multiple speech bit-stream frame buffers are used between the controller and the speech decoder. Whenever excessive or missing speech packages are detected, the speech decoder switches to a special corrective mode. If there is too much, the buffered frames are played out fast; if there is too little the buffered frames are played out slowly. For the fast play, some speech information has to be discarded, while for the slow play some speech-like information has to be synthesized. The speech may be handled in sub-frame units, which may be 52 samples at a time. Low energy, silent or unvoiced sub-frames, which also indicate non-periodicity, are detected and manipulated. Moreover, the decoded signal is manipulated at the excitation phase, before the final LPC synthesis filter, resulting in a transparent perceptual effect on the manipulated speech quality. Additionally, the buffers are enlarged such that the problem caused by controller asynchronicity is eliminated.

Abstract: A diffractive, multifocal ophthalmic lens including an apodization zone with echelettes having a smoothly reduced step height to shift the energy balance from the near image to the distant image and thus reduce the glare perceived when viewing a discrete, distant light source.

Abstract: A lens according to the invention has diffractive power and two primary foci, where one focus is associated with the first diffractive order and one with the second diffractive order.

Abstract: An ophthalmic lens exhibiting diffractive power has a plurality of diffractive zones and smooth surfaces. The zones are arranged such that R.sub.0.sup.2 does not equal R.sub.1.sup.2 -R.sub.0.sup.2 where R.sub.0 is the radius of the central zone and R.sub.1 is the radius of the first annular zone.

Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens has diffractive power produced by a plurality of concentric zones. The zones have radii that meet the conditionR.sub.0.sup.2 is not equal to R.sub.1.sup.2 -R.sub.0.sup.2where R.sub.0 is the radius of the central zone and R.sub.1 is the radius of the first annular zone.

Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens has diffractive power produced by a plurality of concentric zones. The zones have radii that meet the condition R.sub.0.sup.2 <R.sub.1.sup.2 -R.sub.0.sup.2 where R.sub.0 is the radius of the central zone and R.sub.1 is the radius of the first annular zone.