Abstract: The method can include acquiring response data including a digital representation of an actual physiological reflex response of a user to exposure to a stimuli sequence associated to the user ID, the stimuli sequence including personal images and generic images; providing response template data associated to the user ID, the response template data including a digital representation of a baseline physiological reflex response of a user corresponding to the user ID to exposure to the stimuli sequence; computing a normalization parameter based on a comparison between the response data associated to the generic images and the response template data associated to the generic images, and comparing the response data associated to the personal images to the response template data associated to the personal images, including factoring out a noise component based on the normalization parameter.

Abstract: Methods and systems for crowd surveillance in a public space are provided. The public space has one or more entry points each associated with a corresponding entry zone. Using an entry sensor network, each individual accessing the public space through one of the entry zones is tagged. Each tagged individual is then tracked using the entry sensor network and an interior sensor network. A mood analysis based on data acquired by at least the entry sensor network is performed and includes evaluating at least one physiological or behavioral parameter representative of an emotional state of the individual. A mood-based risk assessment of the individual is then performed based on the mood analysis.

Abstract: There is described a method for converting the wavelength of a pulsed optical signal. An input pulsed signal containing information and having an input wavelength is buffering by propagating the input pulsed signal in a closed-loop optical regenerative cavity. The propagation comprises converting the input pulsed signal at the input wavelength to a buffer pulsed signal at an adjustable wavelength and propagating the buffer pulsed signal within the cavity. The adjustable wavelength is set to a buffer wavelength different from the output wavelength and the buffer pulsed signal contains the information encoded in the input pulsed signal. The output wavelength is determined from the information encoded in the input pulsed signal. Upon determination of the output wavelength, the adjustable wavelength of the buffer pulsed signal is set to the output wavelength in order to; outputting the buffer pulsed signal at the output wavelength from the cavity.

Abstract: There is described a method for converting the wavelength of a pulsed optical signal. An input pulsed signal containing information and having an input wavelength is buffering by propagating the input pulsed signal in a closed-loop optical regenerative cavity. The propagation comprises converting the input pulsed signal at the input wavelength to a buffer pulsed signal at an adjustable wavelength and propagating the buffer pulsed signal within the cavity. The adjustable wavelength is set to a buffer wavelength different from the output wavelength and the buffer pulsed signal contains the information encoded in the input pulsed signal. The output wavelength is determined from the information encoded in the input pulsed signal. Upon determination of the output wavelength, the adjustable wavelength of the buffer pulsed signal is set to the output wavelength in order to; outputting the buffer pulsed signal at the output wavelength from the cavity.

Abstract: A fiber-optic temperature sensor assembly comprises a cap with an inner cavity. A sensor member is received in the inner cavity of the cap. The sensor member has light-transmitting properties adapted to change with temperature variations. An optical fiber has a first end received in the inner cavity of the cap, and a second end of the optical fiber being adapted to be connected to a processing unit for transmitting light signals between the sensor member and the processing unit. A pressing device is received in the cap and pressing against the sensor member such that the sensor member is in operational contact with the first end of the optical fiber for transmission of light therebetween during operation of the fiber-optic temperature sensor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and method for transmitting multiple optically-encoded stimulation signals to multiple stimulation sites, especially cell locations. The device uses a primary optical fiber to transmit specific wavelength components of an encoded light signal to output positions along the fiber where they are coupled out of the primary fiber to stimulation sites via electrodes for electrical stimulation of the sites or optical windows and/or secondary optical fibers for photo-stimulation of sites.

Abstract: A fiber-optic temperature sensor assembly comprises a cap with an inner cavity. A sensor member is received in the inner cavity of the cap. The sensor member has light-transmitting properties adapted to change with temperature variations. An optical fiber has a first end received in the inner cavity of the cap, and a second end of the optical fiber being adapted to be connected to a processing unit for transmitting light signals between the sensor member and the processing unit. A pressing device is received in the cap and pressing against the sensor member such that the sensor member is in operational contact with the first end of the optical fiber for transmission of light therebetween during operation of the fiber-optic temperature sensor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device and method for transmitting multiple optically-encoded stimulation signals to multiple stimulation sites, especially cell locations. The device uses a primary optical fiber to transmit specific wavelength components of an encoded light signal to output positions along the fiber where they are coupled out of the primary fiber to stimulation sites via electrodes for electrical stimulation of the sites or optical windows and/or secondary optical fibers for photo-stimulation of sites.

Abstract: In a method of multi-wavelength imaging internal structures of a highly turbid medium, the internal structures are imaged at each one of a set of at least two predetermined wavelengths, to generate a corresponding set of respective images. The set of images are then merged to generate a corresponding fused image.

Abstract: An optical sensor for volatile organic compounds includes a light transmission medium and a porous medium, having an interface therebetween. A light source directs a beam of light into the light transmission medium at an incidence angle with respect to the interface. A detector is provided for measuring an intensity of light reflected by the interface or transmitted by the porous medium. The light transmission medium and the porous medium have different mediums of refraction to create a total internal reflection condition. The condition is gradually deteriorated as the porous medium is exposed to volatile organic compounds, since the adsorption of the compounds modifying the index of refraction of the porous medium.

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided. The sensor includes an optical fiber having a free extremity on which a polymer layer is deposited normal to the longitudinal axis. A light source injects a analytical light beam in the fiber, which is reflected by the polymer layer. The reflected beam is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer, which determines the thickness of the polymer layer based on the Fabry-Perot effect. This thickness is related to a substance to be detected. An optical nose made from a plurality of such sensors is also provided, and may be used to detected a variety of substances.

Abstract: An optical sensor is provided. The sensor includes an optical fiber having a free extremity on which a polymer layer is deposited normal to the longitudinal axis. A light source injects a analytical light beam in the fiber, which is reflected by the polymer layer. The reflected beam is analyzed by a spectrum analyzer, which determines the thickness of the polymer layer based on the Fabry-Perot effect. This thickness is related to a substance to be detected. An optical nose made from a plurality of such sensors is also provided, and may be used to detected a variety of substances.

Abstract: A method for spatially controlling the period and amplitude of Bragg filters in an optical medium having a longitudinal axis that is sensitive to at least some wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. A phase mask of period .LAMBDA. is laid close to the optical medium at an angle .alpha. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical medium. A single beam of electromagnetic radiation is directed at an incidence angle .phi. with respect to normal incidence on the phase mask so that the radiation is diffracted, resulting in an interference pattern having a period P impinged into the optical medium so that the period P of the interference pattern may be altered by changing the incidence angle .phi. or the angle .alpha.. This method is simpler, more flexible and more suitable for mass production than existing methods.

Abstract: The most common method of determining whether a breast contains cancerous tissue utilizes ionizing radiation, i.e. x-rays, which possible have tissue damaging properties. It has been found that lasers can be used as a light source in a breast tissue transillumination process. However, due to the high scattering coefficient (or diffusing properties) of breast tissue, it is not possible to obtain images having good resolution using classical transillumination techniques, even when a laser is used as the light source. When passing through a diffusing medium, a laser pulse decomposes into three classes of photons, namely ballistic, snake-like and diffuse photons. In most practical situations, the ballistic photon portion of a laser pulse, which travels in a straight line, does not pass through the tissue, i.e. only snake-like and diffuse photons pass through the tissue.

Abstract: A method for spatially controlling the period and amplitude of Bragg filters in an optical medium having a longitudinal axis that is sensitive to at least some wavelength of electromagnetic radiation. A phase mask of period .LAMBDA. is laid close to the optical medium at an angle .alpha. with respect to the longitudinal axis of the optical medium. A single beam of electromagnetic radiation is directed at an incidence angle .phi. with respect to normal incidence on the phase mask so that the radiation is diffracted, resulting in an interference pattern having a period P impinged into the optical medium so that the period P of the interference pattern may be altered by changing the incidence angle .phi. or the angle .alpha. . This method is simpler, more flexible and more suitable for mass production than existing methods.

Abstract: A beam sampler comprises a substrate made of highly transparent fused silica or zinc selenide, both capable of sustaining high power laser beams. The substrate defines an outer surface through which the light beam being sampled propagates. A sinusoidal diffracting relief is etched on this outer surface directly into the light-propagating material of the substrate. When a light beam propagates through the outer surface of the substrate, the three-dimensional diffracting relief extracts from this light beam at least one pair of low power beam samples.