Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-based loan decisioning system includes a data ingestion engine programmed for automatically ingesting information associated with making a financial decision for a borrower, and for receiving financial data associated with the borrower from a variety of file formats and from multiple external databases. A data extraction module may be used in the system for automatically parsing and classifying the ingested information and received data. Also, an analytic engine can be provided for performing calculations and financial analysis in response to the parsed and classified information and data. The analytic engine can assist with making financial decisions associated with the borrower.

Abstract: A side-emitting optical fiber system and an assembly are disclosed that utilize a side-emitting optical fiber and light-emitting jacket members operably disposed about the outer surface of the side-emitting optical fiber. The light-emitting jacket members receive side-emitted light having an input wavelength. Each light-emitting jacket member receives the side-emitted light and converts it to light having a different wavelength that the input wavelength. This converted light is then emitted from the light-emitting jacket members, thereby providing side-emitted light of different colors.

Abstract: A headphone system includes a first audio speaker assembly and a second audio speaker assembly, a connecting body extending between the first and second audio speaker assemblies, and a light-diffusing fiber coupled with the connecting body, the light-diffusing fiber having a glass core and a cladding. At least one of the glass core and a core-cladding interface includes a plurality of light scattering structures. A light source is optically coupled to the light-diffusing fiber and configured to emit light into the light-diffusing fiber. The light scattering structures are configured to scatter the emitted light and output the emitted light at least partially along a sidewall of the light-diffusing fiber.

Abstract: An illuminable transmission cable includes an electrical conductor, a light-diffusing fiber having a glass core and a cladding, at least one of the glass core and a core-cladding interface having a plurality of scattering structures. The light-diffusing fiber is configured to optically couple with a light source which emits light into the light-diffusing fiber. The scattering structures are configured to scatter the emitted light and output the emitted light along at least a portion of a sidewall of the light-diffusing fiber. A light transmissive jacket surrounds the electrical conductor and the light-diffusing fiber.

Abstract: Light diffusing optical fibers and light emitting apparatuses including light diffusing optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light emitting apparatus includes a base, a transparent or translucent enclosure affixed to the base, a light diffusing optical fiber including a coiled filament enclosed within the enclosure, and a light source optically coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber. The coiled filament includes a glass core, an outer surface, and a plurality of light scattering structures situated within the coiled filament for scattering light through the outer surface of the coiled filament. The coiled filament has a loss in a range of 0.5 dB/turn to 10.0 dB/turn at a turn radius of less than 50 mm.

Abstract: A side-emitting optical fiber system and an assembly are disclosed that utilize a side-emitting optical fiber and light-emitting jacket members operably disposed about the outer surface of the side-emitting optical fiber. The light-emitting jacket members receive side-emitted light having an input wavelength. Each light-emitting jacket member receives the side-emitted light and converts it to light having a different wavelength that the input wavelength. This converted light is then emitted from the light-emitting jacket members, thereby providing side-emitted light of different colors.

Abstract: A headphone system includes a first audio speaker assembly and a second audio speaker assembly, a connecting body extending between the first and second audio speaker assemblies, and a light-diffusing fiber coupled with the connecting body, the light-diffusing fiber having a glass core and a cladding. At least one of the glass core and a core-cladding interface includes a plurality of light scattering structures. A light source is optically coupled to the light-diffusing fiber and configured to emit light into the light-diffusing fiber. The light scattering structures are configured to scatter the emitted light and output the emitted light at least partially along a sidewall of the light-diffusing fiber.

Abstract: An illuminable transmission cable includes an electrical conductor, a light-diffusing fiber having a glass core and a cladding, at least one of the glass core and a core-cladding interface having a plurality of scattering structures. The light-diffusing fiber is configured to optically couple with a light source which emits light into the light-diffusing fiber. The scattering structures are configured to scatter the emitted light and output the emitted light along at least a portion of a sidewall of the light-diffusing fiber. A light transmissive jacket surrounds the electrical conductor and the light-diffusing fiber.

Abstract: Light diffusing optical fibers and light emitting apparatuses including light diffusing optical fibers are disclosed. In one embodiment, a light emitting apparatus includes a base, a transparent or translucent enclosure affixed to the base, a light diffusing optical fiber including a coiled filament enclosed within the enclosure, and a light source optically coupled to the light diffusing optical fiber. The coiled filament includes a glass core, an outer surface, and a plurality of light scattering structures situated within the coiled filament for scattering light through the outer surface of the coiled filament. The coiled filament has a loss in a range of 0.5 dB/turn to 10.0 dB/turn at a turn radius of less than 50 mm.

Abstract: A luminary fabric, useful for a variety of applications including signage, has at least one light-diffusing optical fiber woven, knitted, crocheted or otherwise integrated into the fabric. The light-diffusing optical fiber is coupled to at least one light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode. At least one coating is applied over at least a section of the outer surface of the optical fiber along its length. The coating contains at least one luminophore that absorbs energy from the light source and luminesces at a different higher wavelength. Multiple coatings containing one or more luminophores, one or more pigments, and/or one or more dyes may be employed to provide a variety of interesting visual effects.

Abstract: Light diffusing optical fiber bundles, illumination systems including light diffusing optical fiber bundles, and methods of affixing light diffusing optical fiber bundles to polymer optical fibers are disclosed. A light diffusing optical fiber bundle includes an optically transmissive jacket and a plurality of light diffusing optical fibers disposed within the optically transmissive jacket. Each of the plurality of light diffusing optical fibers includes a glass core including a plurality of nano-sized voids. The plurality of light diffusing optical fibers extend along a length of the optically transmissive jacket such that the plurality of diffusing optical fibers are not interwoven.

Abstract: An apparatus including: an illumination source; and a climate controlled enclosure having at least one light diffusion element situated within the enclosure, the at least one light diffusion element being in photonic communication with the illumination source, and the illumination source being remote to the enclosure. The disclosure also provides a method of using the apparatus to illuminate the interior of the apparatus and optionally the contents of the apparatus.

Abstract: Light diffusing optical fiber bundles, illumination systems including light diffusing optical fiber bundles, and methods of affixing light diffusing optical fiber bundles to polymer optical fibers are disclosed. A light diffusing optical fiber bundle includes an optically transmissive jacket and a plurality of light diffusing optical fibers disposed within the optically transmissive jacket. Each of the plurality of light diffusing optical fibers includes a glass core including a plurality of nano-sized voids. The plurality of light diffusing optical fibers extend along a length of the optically transmissive jacket such that the plurality of diffusing optical fibers are not interwoven.

Abstract: A three way lighting unit is provided for insertion in a lighting socket. The unit includes first and second lamps for selectively providing either wider area illumination of a first intensity and/or narrower area illumination of a second intensity. The first intensity is a lower intensity and the second intensity is a higher intensity in response to a concurrent energizing of the first and second lamps by a three-way switch.

Abstract: A halogen lamp includes a mains base and a converter operably connected to the mains base. The converter has a lamp socket, a toroid transformer, and a heat sink disposed within a center opening of the toroid transformer. A lamp is removably disposed in the lamp socket. The converter has a power density between 0.75 and 3.75 Watts/cm3. In an alternate embodiment, the halogen lamp includes a low voltage, low pressure IRC lamp operably connected to the converter.

Abstract: A halogen lamp (28) includes a mains base (34); a converter (32) operably connected to the mains base (34), the converter (32) having a lamp socket (38); and a lamp (36) removably disposed in the lamp socket (38); wherein the converter (32) has a power density between 0.75 and 3.75 Watts/cm3. In an alternate embodiment, the halogen lamp (28) includes a mains base (34), a converter (32) operably connected to the mains base (34), and a low voltage, low pressure IRC lamp (36) operably connected to the converter (32).

Abstract: A device for manipulation of acoustic waves is provided, comprising a functionally-graded material for interposing between a source of the acoustic waves and a target, which may be a detector of manipulated acoustic waves. The functionally-graded material has a gradient in acoustic wave velocity which is obtained by the generation of a gradient in at least one of the following properties: elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and density, that is perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the acoustic waves. The gradient is axial. Biaxial acoustic velocity gradients may be used for focusing/waveguiding (high-low-high) or dispersing (low-high-low), while monoaxial acoustic velocity gradients may be used for wave steering. Also in accordance with the present invention, a method of making the device is provided, comprising: (a) providing the source of acoustic waves; (b) providing the target for acoustic waves, e.g.