Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for providing personal safety for a user.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a system and method for providing personal safety for a user.

Abstract: A system and method for an interactive multi-media business listing delivery for use by businesses and customers, includes a geographically based database with fixed input attributes and terms, and a non-geographically based information set with fixed input characteristics and labels. A multi-media component business listing is produced with a plurality of media components from a business owner that has the geographically based fixed input term and attribute and the non-geographically based fixed input label and characteristic. Wherein a customer executes a query that selectively inputs a geographically based fixed input attribute and input term plus selectively inputs a non-geographically based fixed input characteristic and label, all as matched to the business owner geographically based fixed attribute and term plus the non-geographically based selected fixed input characteristic and label.

Abstract: Internet service is no longer distributed by large Internet Service Providers such as America Online. From hotel owners, coffee shops, airports, libraries, government offices, schools and community networks, the availability to “log-on” is becoming more accessible and from a variety of sources everyday. In one embodiment of the invention, before an Internet user can access the Internet, a default URL address and web page appears on the screen that has a “terms of use” agreement contained within a text box, and blank text box fields for inputting the address of where the Internet user is accessing the Internet. The action of clicking on an “I agree” or “Accept” button seizes the address, references a website database of addresses belonging to businesses and special interests that are germane to the Internet user.

Abstract: A grating assisted optical waveguide for use in free space optical detection is disclosed. High speed, high sensitivity, large field of view, and relaxed tolerance on alignment are enabled. The grating converts a free space incoming optical beam into guided mode. Converted optical signals propagate along the waveguide, and can be directed to an optical detector. As such, the optical intensity at the active area of the detector is increased significantly. A number of optical beam converter gratings for free space light collection can be used, including linear and ring structure gratings, chirped gratings, and multilayer gratings. Such a grating assisted optical waveguide can be used, for example, in a digital wireless multimedia system, where digital content is wirelessly transmitted from a source to a target destination, such as home-based video and audio entertainment systems.

Abstract: Embodiments provide single fiber bidirectional HDCP modules. A signal fiber module includes at least one laser and at least one detector and a waveguide combiner/splitter. An optical fiber is used as a cylindrical lens in order to partially collimate in the vertical axis the optical signals entering and leaving branches of a waveguide. The branches of the waveguide have lens-shape interfaces in order to at least partially collimate in the horizontal axis the beams entering and leaving the waveguide. Each branch of the waveguide tapers toward a join-section of the waveguide. At the join section, the cross-section of a laser branch is smaller than the cross-section of a detector branch. If more than one detector is present in a module, the cross-sections of the detector branches differ from each other. If more than one laser is present in a module, the cross-sections of the laser branches differ from each other.

Abstract: Techniques that provide cost effective optical fiber communication links for HDCP transmission systems and the like are provided. A single fiber for bidirectional communication is enabled, without wavelength selective unit to achieve the HDCP transmission. One embodiment of the present invention has a forward channel using a light source (e.g., VCSEL at about 850 nm) in the GHz modulation level (e.g., 1 GHz or greater), and a corresponding photodetector. The backward channel has a light source (e.g., LED at 630 nm) in the MHz modulation level (e.g., 10 MHz or less), and a corresponding photodetector. One application is for realizing a home entertainment system (e.g., DVD player and high definition television) that employs an HDCP-enabled communication link to transmit copy restricted digital content.

Abstract: This invention is a device (10) for releasing a therapeutic appliance, such as an embolic coil (12) inside an aneurysm (16). The device includes a coupling (24) of a shape memory alloy which is responsive to a change in temperature beyond a predetermined transformation point so as to change the shape of the coupling from a first configuration, wherein the coupling receives and holds the proximal end (72) of the coil, to a second configuration wherein the coil can be released from the coupling. An energy receiver (46) is operably associated with the coupling to heat the coupling to a temperature above the transformation point with laser or electrical energy received from an external source.