Abstract: A method of correcting the tilt, or rotation, of a casually captured image is described. Having corrected the rotation of the original image, the image is cropped by determining a crop boundary by applying one or more rules of composition to the image. The resulting image is more satisfactorily composed compared with prior art methods.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for remote sensing is disclosed. The system method, and apparatus can capture raw image data from outer space at a first resolution and provide multiple resolution images from this raw image data without requiring multiple-resolution image data to be captured. The raw image data is utilized to provide both a high resolution image directly from the data and also aggregates the raw image data to provide a lower resolution image. The system, method, and apparatus can further utilize a red edge band of the near infrared band for remote sensing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for processing printed material to provide an index of locations within the printed material that can be associated with external actions such as displaying a graphical image, providing an audio or video output, or providing a multimedia output. The associations are stored in a database. Apparatus and methods are also disclosed that allow a user to image the printed material and by indicating a desired location within the printed material can cause one of the associated actions to be executed.

Abstract: The bag has a flap extending from a long edge of the bag opening. Detachable adhesive engagements secure the bag closed with the flap extending across the bag opening and down the bag side and also hold the flap out of the way during filling of the bag but readily accessible for closing the bag. In the secured open condition the end of the flap is adhesively secured to the inside of the bag side from which the flap extends.

Abstract: An article of manufacture is provided. The article of manufacture is a container. The container includes a body and a loop. The loop and body are configured so that the loop may act as two differently-sized handles for the container.

Abstract: A microwave cooking container includes a bag portion having an open end for access to an interior of the bag and a closure mechanism for sealing the open end having elongated interfitting elements extending adjacent the open end of the bag. The container also includes a valve assembly providing controlled discharge of pressurized fluid from the bag interior when a positive pressure equal to or exceeding a predetermined pressure is created within the bag interior. The valve assembly includes a vent member and a flow limiter. The vent member is located at the open end of the bag adjacent an end of the closure mechanism such that the first end of the internal passage is in fluid communication with the bag interior. The internal passage provides an exit path for discharge of a pressurized fluid from the interior of the bag. The flow limiter may include an end portion of a closure clamp adapted to receive the vent member.

Abstract: An area where a liquid substance, for instance, is present inside a bag, that is, the area where the liquid substance adheres to the inner surface of the bag, is ultrasonically sealed (thus forming an ultrasonically sealed area), and then an area that is separated from the ultrasonically sealed area by a predetermined distance toward the edge of the mouth of the bag is heat-sealed (thus forming a heat-sealed area), so that the a portion of the liquid substance, that is separated and is present above the ultrasonically sealed area, is sealed inside the space between the two sealed areas.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a bag with a flat bottom comprises: making a flattened tubular element with lateral bellows; obtaining a quadrilateral bottom of a single piece, the perimeter of which has a size equal to that given by the sum of the tubular element and the bellows; folding the bottom in a single piece along one of its first axes, keeping the outer sides parallel to the axis and of a size equal to the initial one; folding the other two sides to identify two opposite bellows, bringing a central folding line of the bellows thus identified into a position perpendicular to the first axis; inserting the bottom thus folded into the flattened tubular element, bringing the two opposite bellows of the bottom so that they are astride of the lateral bellows of the flattened tubular element; and welding the ends facing outwards of the flattened tubular element and of the corresponding lateral bellows respectively to the outer sides, which are parallel to the axis and are of a size equal to the initial size of the

Abstract: A pinch bottom bag construction, for a multiwall bag, incorporating an easy open feature, which permits the controlled opening of a portion of the mouth opening of the bag, to create a spout-like opening, with the use of a tear strip disposed on the upper step of the manufacturer's opening.

Abstract: A pouch has two sheet walls bonded to each other at peripheral edges thereof. A storage chamber is formed in between the sheet walls. The storage chamber has a main chamber and a sub-chamber. The sub-chamber connects to the main chamber and has a smaller size than the main chamber. A bonding potion is defined at an area on the pouch beside the sub-chamber. The sheet walls are fastening to each other at the bonding potion. A guiding line disposes at the bonding potion extending from the end thereof to the sub-chamber. The guiding line divides the bonding potion into a first segment and a second segment. A gap is disposed at the edge of the pouch at the distal end of the guiding line, whereby user can exert the first and the second segments of the bonding potion to tear them apart along the guiding line.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure bearing device, comprising:

Abstract: A first vehicle wheel bearing has a monolithic shaft including two inner races and has a monolithic outer race assembly. A second bearing has a monolithic shaft including a shoulder and at least one inner race, wherein the shaft is positioned within the bore of a vehicle knuckle member with the shoulder abutting the knuckle. A third bearing has an end cap attached to an outer race assembly and covering the bearing-cavity outboard opening. A fourth bearing has an inboard seal covering the bearing-cavity inboard opening and extending outside the cavity to define a target ring for an ABS speed sensor. A fifth bearing has an ABS speed sensor positioned in the bearing cavity and attached to a shaft proximate the outboard opening and has a target ring positioned in the bearing cavity and attached to the outer race assembly.

Abstract: A pair of threadably engaged sleeves are supported around a shaft, and engage the outer races of a pair of shaft mounted tapered roller bearings to apply a tensile preload on the outer races.

Abstract: The invention provides an all-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer in which the composition of one of the arms, which connect the couplers, or of a segment of such arm, is doped with dopants, such as GeO2, P2O5, B2O3 and F. The doping is adjusted to obtain a desired thermal dependence of the interferometer within a given temperature range. The segments can further be tapered with an adiabatic taper.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for an optical backplane in an electronic processor that comprises of a plurality of processing units. The backplane is comprising of a network of optical waveguides which can guide polarized light. Furthermore, the backplane has magneto optic routers for steering light at the vertexes of the network, and the backplane also has optical devices for operationally connecting the processing units to the network. The backplane network affords an optical interconnection amongst all of the processing units.

Abstract: An extendable four-port circulator includes a middle birefringent crystal, a first birefringent crystal, a first non-reciprocal device, a second birefringent crystal, and a second non-reciprocal device. The first non-reciprocal device is coupled to the first birefringent crystal. The second non-reciprocal device is coupled to the second birefringent crystal. The middle birefringent crystal includes a first surface, a second surface, a third surface, and a fourth surface. The first surface is coupled to the first non-reciprocal device. The second surface is coupled to the second non-reciprocal device. The third surface defines first and second extension interfaces. The fourth surface defines third and fourth extension interfaces. A multi-port circulator includes at least one extendable four-port circulator.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simultaneous detection of N gas species through laser radiation attenuation techniques is disclosed. Each of the N species has a spectral absorption band. N laser sources operate at a wavelength &lgr;N in a spectral absorption band separated by the cutoff wavelength for single-mode transmission. Each laser source corresponds to a gas species and transmits radiation through an optical fiber constructed and arranged to provide single-mode transmission with minimal power loss.

Abstract: A capillary waveguide fluorescence sensor which includes a capillary and an optical/fluid connector connected to an end of the capillary. The optical/fluid connector includes a fluid sample injection port for longitudinally injecting a fluid sample into the capillary bore and at least one optical fiber for either longitudinally delivering light energy into the capillary or longitudinally collecting fluorescence emission from the fluid sample injected into the capillary bore. The sensor may also include at least one capillary outer surface collection optical fiber for perpendicularly collecting fluorescence emission from the fluid sample injected into the capillary bore. The capillary outer surface collection optical fiber is positioned adjacent the outer surface of the capillary wall such that the central axis of the collection optical fiber is substantially perpendicular to the central axis of the capillary bore.

Abstract: A printed circuit board containing internal devices for optical generation, transmission and reception in the X and Y dimension of the plane and electrical connection of the plane. The printed circuit board may contain planes that are capacitively coupled upon which the optical devices may be formed for the reduction of electrical noise (EMI) and the removal of heat from the area of the optical devices. This printed circuit board is intended to internally transmit and receive data at faster rates than can be achieved by electrical transmission across the same distances.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component has at least one monolithically integrated laser diode and at least one monolithically integrated optical waveguide. At least one of the optical waveguides is functionally coupled to at least two electro-absorption modulators, and at least one electro-absorption modulator is assigned at least one optical amplifier. The assembly forms an active electro-optical device that can be driven efficiently.

Abstract: An integrating optical system for measuring optical radiation. The system has a first sphere (forming a “primary” integrating cavity) and a second sphere (forming a “secondary” integrating cavity). An optical fiber interfaces to an input aperture of the first sphere so that light from the fiber enters the first sphere. A detector interfaces with the second sphere such that light from the first sphere couples to the detector by scattering within the first and second spheres and without a direct line of sight between the detector and the input aperture. The secondary integrating cavity has a smaller volume than the primary integrating cavity. The secondary integrating cavity is made smaller so as to decrease losses incurred by light scattering transmission through the first and second spheres. The detector is preferably configured so that it does not receive “specular” radiation (i.e., radiation from a single reflection) from the walls of the primary cavity.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical switch (10) switches light signals from a plurality of input fibers (101) between different permutations of output fibers (201). The optical switch includes an input assembly (100), an output assembly (200), a lightpath-changing assembly (300) and a driving assembly (400). The input assembly is identical to the output assembly. The lightpath-changing assembly comprises two prisms (301,302) which can be rotated by the driving assembly. The light paths from the input fibers to the output fibers are changed by rotation of the two prisms.

Abstract: An all-optical switch includes a microsphere optical resonator coated with a conjugated polymer. A signal light beam propagating along a first SPARROW waveguide defining a throughput channel is evanescently coupled into the resonant whispering gallery modes (WGM) of the microsphere, and out of the microsphere onto a second SPARROW waveguide defining a drop channel. A secondary switching light beam is used to heat the microsphere resonator, thereby shifting its resonant frequency so that it no longer overlaps with the signal beam frequency. Light coupling into the microsphere and onto the drop channel is thus eliminated, and the signal beam is switched from the drop channel to the throughput channel. The time constant for the WGM resonant frequency shifting was about 165 ms, indicating thermo-optic switching capabilities at speeds on the order of 100 microseconds for high-Q modes. Multiple frequencies or channels can be routed using a switch configuration with multiple microspheres and drop channels.

Abstract: An optical switch comprising an array of voltage-controlled interferometric switching elements. Different configurations and modes of operation are possible, but in each configuration the elements are arranged relative to the input and output fibers, such that a beam of light is incident or outgoing at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of a corresponding element. This permits each element to be electronically controlled to either transmit or reflect light, such that the output beam exits the switch either parallel to or perpendicular to the input beam.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical switching element that uses reversible electroplating mirrors includes a trench with transparent sidewalls located at the intersection of two waveguides A and B. The trench has two electrodes; one, which is transparent, is placed on the trench sidewall and the other is placed on the trench floor. The trench is filled with an index-matching electrolytic solution containing ions of a metal that can electro-deposit on these two electrodes. To actuate the switching element, a negative electrical potential is applied to the sidewall electrode. Actuation causes metal deposits to form on the sidewall electrode, creating a mirror that reflects light from waveguide A to waveguide B. To deactivate the switching element, a positive electrical potential is applied to the sidewall electrode. Deactivation causes metal deposits move off the sidewall and form on the trench floor.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching multiple beams from a plurality of input optical fibers among a plurality of output optical fibers includes a mounting frame (26), an input optical device (21) for emitting light signals and an output optical device (22) for receiving the emitted light signals out of the optical switch. A parallel first and second prism holders (251), (252) are movably mounted between the input optical device and the output optical device. A first prism array (23) including a plurality of first prisms is attached to the first prism holder and a second prism array (24) is attached to the second prism holder. A driving device assembly (27), which comprises a pair of driving devices (271) and two pairs of connecting poles (272), and drives the first and second prism holders to slidably move relative to the mounting frame and each other.

Abstract: The invention refers to a safety procedure for optical fiber systems. Such systems are widely used in telecommunication to transport optical signals between a transmitter terminal and a receiver terminal. By the invented safety procedure the optical input power fed into said optical fiber system is automatically shut off or at least reduced in case of an unintended escape of light from at least one fiber. A safety interface, provided in the transmission line detects changes of the total optical output power in at least one fiber and initiates a shut-down of the input power as soon as a decrease of the total output power is detected, that exceeds a predefined value within a predefined time window. Thus the slope of the total output power is measured and evaluated rather than its absolute value.

Abstract: A number of holes (3) are formed in the outer circumferential wall (2) of a tubular metallic pipe (1) at regulator intervals in both circumferential and axial directions. Each of the holes (3) consists of a polygonal opening (4) and raised pieces (5) formed by bending the material from the peripheral edge surrounding the opening (3). This pipe may be used as an insert pipe in injection molding an article such as a lead screw, an optical fiber ferrule or the like. The raised pieces reinforce the part of the pipe surrounding each hole, and enhances the bonding between the molding material and insert pipe.

Abstract: A micro-optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer with a differential delay of n bit periods, where n is an integer number, and thermal bias control is useful as a spectral filter in front of a differential detection system to accomplish a balanced receiver. The interferometer may also be arranged as a Michelson interferometer or a dual-plate interferometer.

Abstract: A high-order compensator including a first tuning element that adjusts the first order polarization mode dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal and a second tuning element that adjusts the second order polarization mode dispersion component and the variable chromatic dispersion component of the polarization controlled signal. The compensator may further include a polarization controller that converts incoming light of an arbitrary polarization to a polarization controlled signal having a desired state of polarization. The first tuning element may include a differential higher-order delay line including a polarization beam splitter/combiner coupled to receive the polarization controlled signal, where the polarization beam splitter splits the polarization controlled signal into a first polarization component and a second orthogonal polarization component.

Abstract: A method for compensating for higher-order dispersion of an incoming optical communications signal in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of compensating the signal for first order polarization mode dispersion; compensating the signal for second order polarization mode dispersion; and compensating the signal for variable chromatic dispersion. Additionally, the method may include the steps of compensation for fixed chromatic dispersion and controlling the polarization of the incoming signal. The signal may be monitored after the compensating steps and the degree of compensation may be tuned based on the monitoring.

Abstract: A high-order dispersion compensator having a first order and a second-order polarization mode dispersion compensation elements including a polarization beam splitter coupled to receive the polarization controlled signal, where the polarization beam splitter splits the polarization controlled signal into a first polarization component and a second orthogonal polarization component. A first waveguide is optically coupled to receive the first polarization signal, the first waveguide having a first non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the first polarization signal and having a first reference reflection point. A second waveguide is optically coupled to receive the second polarization signal, the second waveguide having a second non-linearly chirped grating tuned to reflect the second polarization signal and having a second reference reflection point.

Abstract: An optical delay line of a configuration in which a number of components such as a circulator and an optical coupler is reduced is to be provided. To this end, the optical delay line has a configuration in which, after an optical fiber diffraction grating having a core subjected to refractive index modulation and a cladding partly cleared of its outer circumference and an optical fiber having a cladding partly cleared of its outer circumference are brought close to each other so that the cores have mutually parallel directions of an optical axis to fabricate a directional coupler, both ends of the optical fiber are connected into an optical fiber loop. In this way, an optical delay line to generate a specific time delay for controlling optical signals can be provided in small dimensions and with a small number of components.

Abstract: Through the introduction of an imaging multimode interference device in an integrated optical circuit, such performance degradations as lateral waveguide field oscillations and backreflections may be suppressed. The suppression of lateral waveguide field oscillations (that may occur due to misaligned optical coupling), in particular, can significantly reduce variations in the power splitting ratio of an optical power splitting structure, such as those employed by a Mach-Zehnder modulator.

Abstract: An optical module includes a planar microlens having a lens substrate and a microlens body. The microlens body is arranged in one end face of the lens substrate and has an optical axis. The optical module further includes an optical fiber having a core axis and an emission end face. The emission end face is inclined relative to the core axis. The optical fiber and the planar microlens are spaced apart by a predetermined distance such that the optical fiber emits light that enters the microlens body at a point that lies along the optical axis of the microlens body and travels along the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention comprises three parts: The first parts provides a miniaturized functional optical module, which is provided with a lens-exchange type collimator enabling rapid and easy exchange of an optical functional component and/or lenses and being compact in size and excellent in durability.

Abstract: A filter module includes a first optical fiber collimator, a second optical fiber collimator, and a filter located between the first and second optical fiber collimators. The first optical fiber collimator includes a first optical fiber, a first optical fiber chip for holding the first optical fiber, and a first lens. The second optical fiber collimator includes second optical fibers, a second optical fiber chip for holding the second optical fiber, and a second lens. The filter is located between and coaxial with the first and second lenses. The filter, the first lens, and the second lens form a center piece of the filter module.

Abstract: An assembly and an optical element have fiducials for alignment of multiple beam paths during fabrication of an optical device. In an assembly including a substrate with machined grooves for optical fibers, a fiducial can be a carbon-coated fiber or other object disposed in one of the grooves. In an assembly including a collimator array, a fiducial can be an opaque collimator lens. Alternatively, photolithographic processes can provide the required positional accuracy for fiducials on the assembly and/or the optical element. During alignment, a computer-controllable process can use machine vision or distance measurements to identify the position and the orientation of the assembly relative to the optical element. Based on the identified position and orientation, the process moves the assembly to the target position and orientation that provide sufficient optical power flow through the optical element for a fine alignment process.

Abstract: The waveguide-type optical device comprises a optical transmission element 12, an optical waveguide 20 optically connected to the optical transmission element, and a slab optical waveguide 30 formed of an electrooptic material and optically connected to the optical waveguide 20. In the waveguide-type optical device, a mode field width of the optical waveguide 20 has a value which is between a mode field width of the optical transmission element and a mode field width of the slab optical waveguide, whereby the connection loss between the optical transmission element 12, such as an optical fiber, etc. and the slab optical waveguide 30 can be small.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for aligning an optical array with a substrate. The method includes the steps of aligning the substrate with a set of alignment structures on an alignment fixture, transmitting a plurality of optical signals from the fixture through the substrate, and automatically aligning the optical array to the substrate using the transmitted plurality of optical signals and a pick and place machine.

Abstract: A fiber-optic module having a housing/shielding unit and a module chassis frame having optical, electrical and electro-optical components. The housing/shielding unit functions both as a protective outer housing and an electromagnetic shield. The housing/shielding unit includes forward fingers and backward fingers. The forward fingers provide an EMI seal around an opening in a bezel, face-plate, back-plate, wall, or panel of a host system and thereby can ground the housing/shielding unit to a chassis ground. The backward fingers can contact host tabs of the host system and can also thereby ground the housing/shielding unit to a chassis ground. The module chassis frame may be formed of a conductive material and can be grounded as well through a host system faceplate or otherwise to the chassis ground.

Abstract: A fiber array (1) includes a plurality of ferrules (30), a plurality of optical fibers (36), a press plate (40), a holder plate (50), and a housing (10). Each ferrule defines a channel for retaining the corresponding optical fiber and an annular groove (32) for engagingly receiving a ring (38). The press plate defines a plurality of first through holes (46), and a plurality of posts (45) corresponding to the first through holes movably turn therein to abut against the ferrule. The holder plate (50) is secured together with the press plate and defines a plurality of second through holes (52) corresponding to the first through holes of the press plate for receiving and holding corresponding said ferrules. A plurality of springs (42) are interposed between the corresponding rings and the holder plate, and abut against the ring and the holder plate.

Abstract: An optical fibre connector comprises a housing and an internal core member defining a channel means for receiving an optical fibre, a chamber for receiving a quantity of curable adhesive being in communication with the channel means, the connector including plunger means to reduce the volume of the chamber, whereby adhesive contained in the chamber in use is urged around an optical fibre disposed in the channel before the adhesive cures. The connector may include a ferrule at the front end, the ferrule carrying an optical fibre as a stub having a distal end flush with the front face of the ferrule and a proximal end extending from the rear face of the ferrule and terminating in an alignment tube coaxial with the channel means of the internal core member.

Abstract: A method for polishing an end face of a ferrule is disclosed herein. The ferrule includes an opening in which an optical fiber is positioned. The method includes the step of recessing an end of the optical fiber relative to the end face of the ferrule. The method also includes the step of polishing the end face of the ferrule after the end of the optical fiber has been recessed.

Abstract: A fixing sleeve for optical cables. According to the invention, said sleeve (10) comprises along a common axis (A), both a first portion (11) that is substantially cylindrical and a second portion (12) that is substantially conical, said first and second portions being pierced by an axial bore (13). The sleeve (10) carries along its entire length a continuous slot communicating with said axial bore (13), the slot comprising a longitudinal first slot (110) in the first portion (11) of the sleeve, and a spiral second slot (120) in the second portion (12) of the sleeve. The sleeve is applicable to laying optical cables inside buildings.

Abstract: The optical module of the invention for high-speed bidirectional transceiver consists of a signal receiving unit, a signal transmitting unit, a common receiving-transmitting optical fiber, and a fiber coupling unit. The laser diode and the photodiode are arranged parallel to each other in closely located recesses of the module housing. Such an arrangement makes it possible to shorten distances for guiding lead wires from the terminals of the PC board to the respective terminals of the transmitting and receiving diodes. The laser diode emits a first transmitting laser beam that passes through a microobjective that collimates the beam and directs into onto a full-reflection mirror located inside the module housing. The full-reflection mirror reflects the first transmitting beam at an angle of 90° and transmits it to the end face of an optical fiber through an optical fiber collimator that centers the beam with the fiber core.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved optical assembly for use in an optical telecommunications system and an improved method for aligning the optical assembly. The assembly uses a pair of ball bearings (7, 8) to support an optical fibre (2) on a baseplate (9). The optical fibre is aligned with respect to an optical device (15) and then the first ball bearing is inserted and welded in place. The fibre alignment is then fine tuned and the second ball bearing is inserted and welded in place. Advantageously, the present invention provides a simpler and more accurate method of aligning an optical fibre to an optical device.

Abstract: A parallel multichannel LD/PD module comprising a bench, a set of M (M; channel number) curving lightpaths (lightwaveguides or optical fibers) having a narrow width region, a width enlarging region and a wide width region which are formed upon the bench, a wavelength selective filter provided at the wide width region for reflecting receiving beams upward, a set of photodiodes installed in front of the wavelength selective filter at the wide width region above the bench and light emitting devices mounted behind the ends of the lightpaths with a wide pitch for yielding transmitting beams. Propagating in outer M-channel element fibers of a ribbonfiber, receiving signal beams go into the lightpaths via the narrow width region, expand horizontally in the width enlarging region, arrive at the wide width region, and are reflected by the wavelength selective filter upward. The receiving beams go into the photodiodes which yield photocurrents in proportion to the powers of the receiving beams.

Abstract: A fiber-optic module having a housing/shielding unit and a module chassis frame having optical, electrical and electro-optical components. The housing/shielding unit functions both as a protective outer housing and an electromagnetic shield. The housing/shielding unit includes forward fingers and backward fingers. The forward fingers provide an EMI seal around an opening in a bezel, face-plate, back-plate, wall, or panel of a host system and thereby can ground the housing/shielding unit to a chassis ground. The backward fingers can contact host tabs of the host system and can also thereby ground the housing/shielding unit to a chassis ground. The module chassis frame may be formed of a conductive material and can be grounded as well through a host system faceplate or otherwise to the chassis ground.

Abstract: An optical module of the present invention includes a housing containing a light receiving unit which is an optical subassembly, a notch is provided in a conductive bracket which covers lead pins of the light receiving unit, and a cylindrical stem portion of the light receiving unit having the maximum outer diameter juts out beyond a flat portion of the bracket and is thus exposed. Thus, the optical module has a configuration capable of containing the light receiving unit in the housing without interfering with the housing.