Abstract: An optical add/drop module of a reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer node includes a first set of optical switches configured to receive respective first optical signals, at respective channel receive ports, to be added to a first wave division multiplexed optical signal and to direct the first optical signals to, in a first state, at least one fully functional transmit degree port, and in a second state, to at least one partially functional transmit degree port; and a second set of optical switches configured to receive respective second optical signals to be dropped from a second wave division multiplexed signal via, in a first state, a fully functional receive degree port, and in a second state, via a partially functional receive degree port, and to direct the second optical signals to respective channel transmit ports. An auxiliary device can be used to make the partially functional ports fully functional.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a first optical switching complex, a second optical switching complex in optical communication with the first optical switching complex, and an optical add/drop module in optical communication with the first optical switching complex and the second optical switching complex. At least one of the optical switching complexes includes a wavelength selective switch that is configured to be arranged in a cascaded configuration that, when so configured, results in an increase in a number of available transmit and receive ports available per degree of the apparatus.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, an interconnection node may be configured to dynamically provide interconnection access between a first optical network (e.g., a core optical network) and at least either a second optical network (e.g., an access optical network) or a third optical network (e.g., another access optical network) in a purely optical fashion. The interconnection node may include a first network portion and a second and third network portions. The first network portion may be coupled with the first network that includes a first pair of wavelength cross-connect (WXC) units coupled between a first transmission path of the first network, and providing a plurality of add and drop ports, and a second pair of wavelength cross-connect (WXC) units coupled between a second transmission path of the first network, and providing a plurality of add and drop ports.

Abstract: A battery charge management method and device operable to perform that method. The battery charge management method comprises the steps of determining charge delivered to or from a battery based on Coulomb counting and updating an estimated battery state of charge based on the amount of delivered charge and measuring the battery current. Then comparing the updated estimated battery state of charge with a predetermined state of charge value of less than 100%, such that each predetermined state of charge value being associated with an expected battery current for that predetermined state of charge value. The method also includes modifying the updated estimated battery state of charge when the updated estimated state of charge is greater than the predetermined state of charge value and the measured battery current is greater than the expected battery current associated with the predetermined state of charge.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, an interconnection node may be configured to dynamically provide interconnection access between a first optical network (e.g., a core optical network) and at least either a second optical network (e.g., an access optical network) or a third optical network (e.g., another access optical network) in a purely optical fashion. The interconnection node may include a first network portion and a second and third network portions. The first network portion may be coupled with the first network that includes a first pair of wavelength cross-connect (WXC) units coupled between a first transmission path of the first network, and providing a plurality of add and drop ports, and a second pair of wavelength cross-connect (WXC) units coupled between a second transmission path of the first network, and providing a plurality of add and drop ports.

Abstract: A screening assembly 10 includes at least one rail 14 to be secured to a support member of a screening machine to lie parallel to, and intermediate, side members of the screening machine. At least one retaining formation 18 stands proud of an operatively upper surface of each rail 14. The assembly includes a plurality of screening modules 12. Each screening module 12 comprises a supporting structure 64 and a removable screening element 66. The supporting structure 64 has an end supported on the rail 14 so that a pair of supporting structures 64 lie in end-to-end abutting relationship with the abutting ends, in use, overlying the rail 12 and defining a receiving formation through which the retaining formation 18 protrudes to project beyond the receiving formation into a recessed region defined by the abutting ends of the pair of supporting structures 64.

Abstract: A reconfigurable WDM add/drop multiplexer and its method of operation at an add/drop node on an optical fiber carrying a plurality of WDM signals is described. The WDM add/drop multiplexer has a coupler and a demultiplexer element dropping WDM signals from the optical fiber to a plurality of drop terminals, and a wavelength-selective switch adding WDM signals from a plurality of add terminals onto the optical fiber. The coupler splits the WDM signals received from the optical fiber and passes the split WDM signals to the first and second output terminals. The demultiplexer element separates the split WDM signals at the plurality of drop terminals. The wavelength-selective switch, which has an input terminal for connection to the second coupler output terminal and an output terminal for connection to the optical fiber, selectively adds WDM signals on the plurality of add terminals to the optical fiber responsive to control signals.

Abstract: A mesh optical network node has switch cards which carry active components, such as wavelength routers to switch the paths of optical signals through the node and a fiber organizer handles the numerous optical fiber interconnections among the switch cards. The fiber organizer has no active components and can include optical paths to verify not only that a switch card connection to the fiber organizer has been made but that the connection is properly made.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add/drop multiplexer (ROADM) with a multiplexer, demultiplexer, and a wavelength cross-connect unit provides directionless capabilities. The ROADM allows a signal not to be limited to a particular direction when added at an optical network node, for example. The signal can be sent to other directions of the optical network node. Furthermore, the ROADM allows the wavelengths of add and drop signals to be changed and hence is “colorless.

Abstract: A mesh optical network node has switch cards which carry active components, such as wavelength routers to switch the paths of optical signals through the node and a fiber organizer handles the numerous optical fiber interconnections among the switch cards. The fiber organizer has no active components and can include optical paths to verify not only that a switch card connection to the fiber organizer has been made but that the connection is properly made.

Abstract: A screening module retaining member 10 includes a body member 12 defining a passage 16. A retaining element 14 is displaceably arranged in the passage 16. The retaining element 14 is displaceable between a first, non-retaining position in which the retaining member is accessible from a first end of the body member 12 and a second, retaining position in which the retaining element 14 is received within the passage 16 and acts on at least a part 20 of the body member 12 for retaining the body member 12 in position relative to a component of a screen deck. A locating arrangement 22 is associated with the first end of the body member 12 for locating a screening module relative to the screen deck and for inhibiting lateral movement of the screening module relative to the body member 12.

Abstract: A generally cylindrical shaped tool handle holds multiple sizes of tools. The handle includes one or more holding slots each positioned on one of multiple outer surface faces into which tools are inserted and held. Each holding slot includes one or more contoured compartments in which tools rest when engaged with the handle. Each contoured compartment is of a size and dimension which corresponds to one or more tool sizes. In the preferred embodiment of the tool handle, three of its outer surface faces have a continuous holding slot with multiple receiving holes for inserting therein hexagonal wrenches of multiple sizes. The continuous holding slots of the preferred embodiment of the handle include multiple contoured compartments for holding an inserted hexagonal wrench. Each contoured compartment is formed about a corresponding receiving hole. A lock is positioned over the contoured compartment to irremovably confine the short leg of the hexagonal wrench within the contoured compartment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing a dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM) line card w to function as an add/drop multiplexer (ADM), a transponder, and a muxponder are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a line card suitable for use in a network to aggregate signals of different line rates for transport includes a first arrangement having ADM functionality, a second arrangement having transponder functionality, and a third arrangement having muxponder functionality. The line card also includes hardware that facilitates communication between the arrangements, as well as a plurality of ports arranged to receive a signal and to provide the signal to the hardware.

Abstract: A utility tool comprising a body having a first end and a second end positioned on opposite ends of the body; a removable device; as well as a first tool and a second tool configured to be selectively coupled to each other or one of either the first end and second end of the body.

Abstract: A screening module 10 comprises a frame component 12 to be secured to an underlying screen deck, in use. A screening panel 14 is carried by the frame component 12. The screening panel 14 comprises an operatively upper screening surface 16 and a support structure 18 underlying the screening surface 16 with a plurality of spaced protrusions 20 being supported by and standing proud of the support structure 18. Operatively upper ends of the protrusions 20 lie substantially in a plane of the screening surface 16 and the protrusions 20 define a plurality of screening apertures 22 in the screening surface 16.

Abstract: An assembly for supporting a home appliance includes a support base and two roller assemblies mounted on the support base. Each roller assembly includes a roller rotatable about a first axis and a rod coupled with the roller assemblies. Each roller assembly is rotatable with respect to the rod about a second axis different than the first axis. The appliance includes a cabinet having a top panel, a bottom panel, side panels, a front panel, and a back panel.

Abstract: A light bulb changing tool comprising a holding structure configured to engage a light bulb, the holding structure configured along an axis, the motorized holding structure configured to actuate in a first direction and a second direction. The light bulb changing tool further includes a force generator configured to selectively force the light bulb against the holding structure and a control unit configured to remotely communicate with the holding structure and the force generator, wherein the electronic control unit sends control signals to drive the holding structure to selectively move in the first direction and the second direction and/or to activate the force generator. The tool further comprising an arm member for positioning the holding structure in a desired configuration to engage the light bulb, wherein the arm member is coupled to the holding structure. The holding structure further comprises a rotator mechanism configured to rotate the holding structure in the first direction about the axis.

Abstract: A screening module for a screening assembly includes a panel member having a periphery defined by a pair of opposed, parallel sides and a pair of opposed parallel ends. A mounting formation is arranged about at least a part of the periphery of the panel member for mounting the panel member on an underlying frame. A plurality of discrete aperture arrays are defined in a surface of the body member. A skirt portion circumscribes each aperture array, each skirt portion depending from a lower surface of the panel member. A reinforcing arrangement is arranged beneath each aperture array, the reinforcing arrangement being bounded by its associated skirt portion.

Abstract: A system and apparatus which includes one or more locking container devices comprising a closeable container for holding at least one object; lock coupled to the container and moveable between a lock position and an unlock position; and programmable timer circuit for actuating the lock at a programmed time which is either specified or randomly set. The container device alternatively includes a receiving component for sensing a change an external condition including but not limited to, geographic location, temperature, sound and one or more predetermined operations. The timer circuit is alternatively unlocked by receiving an unlock signal via an appropriate communication medium from a remote source. The container device also includes a transmitter for transmitting an appropriate signal to the remote source. An interface terminal is coupled to the remote source and configured to accept at least one external condition instruction to be transmitted to the receiving component.

Abstract: A screening assembly 10 includes at least one rail 14 to be secured to a support member of a screening machine. At least one locating formation 16 extends from an operatively upper surface of the rail 14. Each locating formation 16 includes a catch member 32. The assembly 10 further includes a plurality of screening modules 12, each screening module 12 having an end supported on the rail 14. A pair of modules 12 lie in end-to-end abutting relationship with the abutting ends overlying the rail 14 so that the catch member 32 of each locating formation 16 protrudes beyond an upper surface of the screening modules 12. Further, a locking member 18 engages the catch member 32 of the locating formation 16 for locking the pair of modules 12 with respect to each other and with respect to the rail 14.