Abstract: An optical waveguide member is inserted into a tubular member. The tubular member is elongated with heating and fusion-bonded to the optical waveguide member. Thus, a formed body is obtained. The formed body is cut into a predetermined length to obtain an optical waveguide member. The tubular member is preferably made of a crystallized glass with crystals deposited therein at least in the state of the formed body.

Abstract: A low-cost approach is provided for forming a low splice loss, low back reflection loss and mechanically robust angle-fusion splice between a standard silica fiber and a low-temperature non-silica glass fiber. This is accomplished by angle cleaving the silica fiber, square cleaving the non-silica fiber and then asymmetrically heating the fibers to form an angle fusion splice. A matched angle at the end of the non-silica fiber is generated in situ during the splicing process. The tip of the angle-cleaved silica fiber may be polished flat back to the edge of the core to reduce the range of motion of the non-silica fiber during splicing thereby further reducing splice loss and enhancing the mechanical strength of the joint.

Abstract: In an optical fiber array, an optical fiber, a bundle of optical fibers or an optical fiber ribbon is mounted on an array substrate with a V-groove or V-grooves. A bare fiber portion in which a fiber coating is removed is placed in the V-groove, pressed by a presser member 6 and bonded by adhesives. At the front end, the fiber(s) is/are accurately positioned to connect to optical components or PLCs. The bare fiber portion contains a spliced portion of the dissimilar optical fibers having different mode field diameters and a mode field converting portion. The spliced portion of the dissimilar optical fibers is mounted on the array substrate. A flexible protection member is provided in the fiber coating portion extending over a rear edge of the array substrate. The optical fiber is bonded onto the array substrate, employing three kinds of adhesives that are different in the Young's modulus after hardening and the viscosity before hardening.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for accurately locating ends of cords, wires cables or conduits, in particular in the fields of electricity, electronics, telephone and computer. It consists in providing, in or on each cord, (6), wire, cable or conduit, at least an optical fibre (10) extending from one end (7) to the other (8) of the cord (6) or the like. On first end (11) of the optical fibre (10) is accessible at the corresponding end (7) of the cord (6) so as to be illuminated (F) by light injecting means. The second end (12) of the optical fibre (10) is accessible at the other end (8) of the same cord (6), so as to restore (D) the light injected at the first end (7). Said device is useful for locating computer switching cords.

Abstract: An optical waveguide, such as an optical fiber, including a length of waveguide and at least one discrete longitudinal section having increased photosensitivity with respect to other portions of the waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for generating four-wave mixing to obtain idler light with high efficiency, in which the range of lengths of an optical fiber is appropriately set, and probe light and pumping light, having different frequencies, are launched into the optical fiber. When the nonlinear coefficient of the optical fiber, the loss per unit distance, and the wavelength and intensity of the probe light and pumping light are set to certain values, the idler light conversion efficiency at the output end of the optical fiber is a periodic function of an optical fiber having a maximal value and a minimal value. The maximum length of the optical fiber to be used to obtain four-wave mixing is set to be equal to or less than the length Lmax (Lmax=Lm+&Dgr;L) which is given by adding the length of the optical fiber Lm, at which the idler light conversion efficiency takes on the first maximal value in the aforementioned periodic function and distance &Dgr;L or 10% of L.

Abstract: An optical fiber having a chromatic dispersion of +1.0 ps/nm/km or more in a 1460 nm wavelength band, a dispersion slope of 0.04 ps/nm2/km or more in a 1550 nm wavelength band, and a cutoff wavelength of 1450 nm or less, comprises a relation of an RDS, which is a value of the dispersion slope to the chromatic dispersion, to a wavelength &lgr; is −1.67×10−5&lgr;+0.0300≧RDS(&lgr;)≧−1.67×10−5&lgr;+0.0285.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical waveguide fiber having a reduced PMD and a method of making the optical waveguide fiber. The optical waveguide fiber in accord with the invention has a particular spin pattern impressed upon the optical waveguide fiber during the drawing step. The spin pattern causes the fast axis of birefringence to rotate along the long axis of the optical waveguide fiber. The spin functions in accord with the invention provide for reduced PMD even in cases in which draw speed, spin magnitude, or modulation parameter vary while the spin pattern is being impressed upon the optical waveguide fiber.

Abstract: An optical fiber comprises a singlemode core, and an inner cladding disposed around said core, an intermediate cladding disposed around said inner cladding and an outer cladding disposed around said intermediate cladding thereby forming a triple-clad geometry. The core is doped with rare-earth elements and represents the waveguide section of higher refractive index through which the signal is transmitted and amplified. A fiber coating is provided around said outer cladding. The core has a higher refractive index than said inner cladding, said inner cladding having a higher refractive index than said intermediate cladding, and said intermediate cladding having a higher refractive index than said outer cladding. The inner cladding has a fairly high refractive index to limit the numerical aperture (NA) of said core.

Abstract: An optical fiber unit has a core optical fiber that has a first coating layer formed on a circumference thereof, and a second coating layer formed on a circumference of the first coating layer, the first coating layer being composed of a thermoplastic elastomer, and the second coating layer being composed of a thermoplastic resin.

Abstract: A resin liquid is provided which is used to produce an optical fiber coating layer which does not degrade over time in long-period transmission characteristics of the optical fiber. An optical fiber in which long-period transmission characteristics do not degrade is also provided. In order to achieve these objects, the present invention provides a resin liquid for an optical fiber coating layer containing at least one resin, wherein the resin liquid contains fewer than 500 pieces of extraneous material per 1 ml of the resin liquid, which have a minimum length of 0.5 ,&mgr;m or more and a hardness greater than a hardness of the resin liquid after curing.

Abstract: A refractive-index grating fabricated in an optical fiber having a multilayer coating and a method for making refractive-index patterns such as gratings in optical fibers such that the mechanical properties of the original fiber are preserved. The patterns are written into the optical fiber by partially stripping away the outer coating of the fiber, exposing the core of the fiber through the remainder of the coating with an actinic radiation to form the pattern in the photosensitive core of the fiber, followed by recoating the fiber in the stripped area to provide protection of the newly formed pattern from corruption and to preserve the mechanical properties of the fiber.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide device including a substrate having a first coefficient of thermal expansion; a lower cladding layer formed on the substrate, the lower cladding layer having a second coefficient of thermal expansion smaller than the first coefficient of thermal expansion; a core formed on the lower cladding layer; an upper cladding layer formed on the lower cladding layer so as to cover the core, the upper cladding layer having the second coefficient of thermal expansion; and a plurality of grooves formed in the upper and lower cladding layers on the opposite sides of the core so as to extend along the core. The planar optical waveguide device further includes a contraction material filling each groove and fixed to the upper and lower cladding layers. The contraction material may be provided by a thermosetting resin.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two-dimensional (planar) optical waveguide comprises a first step of preparing a member having a thermoplastic structure (102) formed on a substrate (100), a second step of deforming the structure by heat treatment and a third step of forming an optical waveguide section (112) on the structure and the substrate.

Abstract: A package is described. In one embodiment, the package includes multiple optical elements and multiple flexures, with at least one optical element attached to each flexure. The optical elements may be in alignment with each other. In an alternative embodiment, multiple optical elements are attached to a single flexure.

Abstract: To hermetically seal a fiber optic light guide (1) in a stripped or de-coated state, i.e. the actual optical fiber (2), in a feedthrough sleeve (5) the actual optical fiber (2) is sealed together with the feedthrough sleeve (5) by means of glass solder with local heating. In order to make a permanent hermetic glass seal, the feedthrough sleeve (5) is made from an Invar alloy, i.e. an alloy with very low thermal expansion during heating and the glass solder employed is a low-melting glass solder with thermal expansion properties adapted to the metallic material. The glass solder is molded into prefabricated half-cylinder-shaped pressed parts (7), in which the stripped optical fiber (2) is inserted and sealed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of efficiently manufacturing a dielectric waveguide with high reliability and precision. In the method, a resist material is formed on the outer surface of a green compact provided with a removal inhibiting layer, and predetermined portion of the green compact defined by the resist material is removed by the sand blasting method using the resist material as a mask, until the removal inhibiting layer is exposed to obtain a shaped green compact structure. The thus-obtained structure is fired to obtain a sintered body which comprises a dielectric strip and a wing.

Abstract: A fully light-controllable integrated optical switch applicable in a slab geometry configuration includes a waveguide and an ad-medium in contact with the waveguide. The the ad-medium comprises a photochromic protein as a material of non-linear optical property, wherein switching of a light propagating in the waveguide is effected by a change of an optical property of the ad-medium caused by a light-induced transition of the photochromic protein from one defined molecular state to another.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the use of a recording medium of an AV (audio-video) system. The system and method perform the operations of calculating storage capacity remaining in the recording medium, recording to the recording medium, and displaying the storage capacity remaining in the recording medium when the storage capacity remaining in the recording medium is less than a predetermined level. Accordingly, a user can be informed that the storage capacity remaining in the recording medium is less than a predetermined level when the recording is performed in the AV system, and the user can delete files already stored in the recording medium to enable the recording to continuously operate without interruption due to lack of storage space.

Abstract: Time-series data are recorded retroactively from a time point precedent to a time point of definitively starting recording. Provided is a time-series data recording device for recording time-series data, which includes, a control unit having first characteristic detecting means for detecting a first characteristic to be a candidate for a record starting time point of the time-series data, a temporary storage unit for storing information concerning a first time point representing occurrence of the first characteristic, and second characteristic detecting means for detecting a second characteristic to determine record starting of the time-series data, a first recording unit for recording the time-series data after a second time point representing detection of the second characteristic, and a second recording unit for recording the time-series data between the first time point and the second time point.

Abstract: In a digital recording device, image data recorded in a recording portion has its resolution decreased to be recorded in the recording portion when it is determined that the digital recording device is not being used. In other words, when it is determined that a power switch is turned off, a system portion allows an MPEG decoder to convert a bit stream of a program data at high definition recorded in a hard disk drive to image data at low resolution and allows an MPEG encoder to convert the converted image data at low resolution to a bit stream to be stored in the hard disk drive.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of the invention allows the user to assign one or more parameter from a list of parameter to a cut of video footage during its recording. Afterwards, the cut of video footage may immediately be selected according to those parameters and reviewed. Other parameters may also be assigned to the cut of video footage either before or after the recording of that footage. The assignment of parameters may be accomplished via a specialized control box with toggles, knobs, and buttons, or via a touch screen display, or both. Another embodiment allows the recording of video footage onto the hard disk of a computer, after which the computer may act as a server of a wireless network and allows client devices (computers, handheld devices) to access the video footage.

Abstract: A method and system for providing the creation of a visual summary of a video source during fast forward/rewind of the video can be created by using extracting frames either automatically or manually to create an initial visual summary. A series of weights may be assigned to the extracted frames, which are then filtered according to the relative weights to create a modified visual summary. The keyframe display rate is then adjusted according tot he fast forward/rewind speed, which can be either a standard speed or user selected speed, so as to display the keyframes while the video source is being fast forwarded/rewound. The keyframes may be substituted by selected images and audio, so that an advertiser can substitute an image of the product and a brief audio summary while the user is fast forwarding/rewinding past the commercial message.

Abstract: A system for providing scrambled content, comprising a control word generator, each control word including a control word identifier, a scrambler for providing a stream of scrambled data packets, and an encryption device for providing entitlement control messages (ECM's). One or more consecutive packets are scrambled using the same control word (CW). Each packet includes a control word identifier identifying the control word used. The ECM encryption device provides ECM's including a previous control word (CWP), a current control word (CWC) and a next control word (CWN). A system for descrambling scrambled content comprises a descrambler for descrambling the scrambled content and a decryption device for decrypting ECM's to obtain control words.

Abstract: An optical disc recording/reproducing apparatus, comprises: a thumbnail data production portion for extracting the head pictures of all video data recorded, as thumbnail data; a memory portion of the thumbnail data; a thumbnail list production portion for producing thumbnail list display data upon the basis of the thumbnail data from the memory portion; and a thumbnail controller portion for controlling the above, wherein finalizing process is executed from a list displayed on a screen of the thumbnail pictures, thereby enabling a user to confirm the recorded contents on the pictures thereof.

Abstract: In a system for reproducing AV information from a recording medium, such as a DVD, not only are usual titles reproduced, but also related information relevant to specific stream information is acquired easily by making use of resources on a computer network. In a reproducing system with the function of reproducing the title information recorded on a DVD and displaying it on the screen of a display section, when the user clicks a Web mark on the screen, the CPU links to a Web server on the Internet via a modem and accesses the Web page related to the stream information on the screen. At that time, the related Web page is the selected information conforming to parental information, or attribute information, set in the system.

Abstract: Digital compressed codes, associated with advertisements enable a user to selectively record additional information, which would be broadcast on a television channel at a later time. The advertisement could be print advertisement or broadcast advertisement on television or radio. The user enters the digital code (I code) associated with an advertisement into a unit with a decoding means which automatically converts the code into CTL (channel, time and length). The unit within a twenty four hour period activates a VCR to record information on the television channel at the right time for the proper length of time. The decoded channel, time and length information can be communicated directly to a VCR and used by the VCR directly to automatically activate the VCR to record a given television information broadcast corresponding to the communicated channel, time and length.

Abstract: A data playback apparatus for playing back a recording medium in which a signal having digital watermark information embedded therein is recorded, the digital watermark information including copy control information, includes a reading unit, a signal detection unit, and a digital watermark information detection unit. The reading unit reads a signal from the recording medium. The signal detection unit determines whether or not the signal read by the reading means is the signal having digital watermark information embedded therein. When the start of the signal having digital watermark information embedded therein is detected by the signal detection unit, the digital watermark information detection unit detects the digital watermark information using the detected start as a trigger.

Abstract: Disclosed are: an information recording technology capable of shortening the termination process time when the recording ends; and an information recording technology capable of recording independently of limitations due to the maximum number of video title sets and titles, wherein information is recorded on a recording medium according to recording instructions such as a recording start instruction and a recording stop instruction. During a finalization process, management information is generated and is recorded on the recording medium. Based on this management information, the information generated by a single recording instruction is managed as one chapter. At least one chapter is managed as one title. At least one title is managed as one video title set.

Abstract: In audio contents which have cells for defining an audio title playback unit and whose actual playback sequence is determined by defining the playback sequence of the cells, cell information to specify the cells is provided with identification information to identify the types of the cells according to the difference in the contents of the data included in the cells. One type of the contents of the data in the cells is for obtaining the length of the silent period of time. The identification information corresponding to the cell indicates a silent cell.

Abstract: When switching between a DVD-video mode and a DVD-audio mode in a DVD-A/V player, a current video frame is stored in a current display buffer portion of the memory during the DVD-video mode. The DVD-A/V player is paused in the DVD-video mode and set in the DVD-audio mode. If it is determined that the current display buffer portion of the memory is a reserved display buffer portion of the memory, then the current video frame is copied to a reconstructed display buffer portion of the memory. At least the current display portion of the memory is designated as an ASV buffer and a frame buffer management scheme is changed so as to preserve the ASV buffer.

Abstract: A format converting unit includes a data analysis unit for analyzing the data configuration of each pack, a data obtaining unit for obtaining data in each process, a checking unit for checking data, an RDI data obtaining unit for obtaining predetermined RDI data, a first arithmetic process unit for converting time information, a second arithmetic process unit for performing a PES extension deleting process, a third arithmetic process unit for performing an audio pack converting process, and an arithmetic unit and a second buffer for converting RDI data into a navi-pack. The unit converts the format of the data in the video recording system into one in the video system.

Abstract: Personal care appliances, such as hair care appliances, facial care appliances and body appliances, and attachments therefor are disclosed. The personal care appliances and attachments therefor according to the present invention are made of a blended material of thermo-resistant material and ion powders by injection moulding such that far infrared radiation and negative ions can be emitted naturally and continuously during operation. The present invention further provides individual hair arranging appliances for adjusting, cleaning or confining hair.

Abstract: A vapor dispensing device is provided which is less noticeable as a dispensing device to observers of the device. For example, in this context, the dispensing device may have the general appearance of a standard electrical wall outlet and have the ability to use the outlets into which the dispensing device is plugged.

Abstract: A device for evaporating a liquid such as an air freshener or insecticide. The device comprises a housing, and a container disposed in the housing for receiving a liquid. A wick is immersed in the container and there is a heating element disposed in the housing in a fixed manner wherein this heating element is associated with the wick. To adjust the evaporation rate, the container, with the wick, is retained on the sliding part which can be displaced in relation to the housing and is guided with torsional strength. This sliding part is connected via non-linear transmission with an actuation element that can be manually adjusted.

Abstract: An automatic photograph seal vending method comprising providing a photographing process for creating a photographed picture image or images, wherein an illumination means illuminates one or more subjects in a photographing space and a photographing means takes a photograph; providing an editing process for creating an edited picture image or images, wherein an editing means edits a picture image or images as an object of editing; using an output means to output a predetermined picture image or images; and using a large-sized display means capable of displaying the one or more subjects substantially in life size to display tie predetermined picture image or images to facilitate the photographing process and/or the editing process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera which restrains a photosensitized material from being unstably discharged, while allowing a reduction in diameter of a pair of rollers that feed the photosensitized material out of the camera as well as a transport apparatus which restrains a transported material from being unstably discharged, while allowing a reduction in diameter of a pair of rollers that feed the transported material out of the camera. According to the present invention, an increase in interval between each roller gear fixed to a corresponding one of a pair of rollers and a corresponding one of two roller driving gears meshing with the respective roller gears is suppressed compared to an increase in interval between the roller gears, fixed to the respective rollers.

Abstract: A shutter device has a shutter drive lever striking a shutter blade to expose an exposure opening, a mooring lever, a cam, and a speed governor. The speed governor includes an escapement wheel with integrally formed two gear wheels, an anchor, and a movable mounting board on which the escapement wheel and anchor are mounted. One of the gear wheels of the escapement wheel is engaged with a claw of the anchor to slow down a rotational speed of the escapement wheel. The other gear wheel is engaged with a shutter speed adjustment gear formed in a periphery of the shutter drive lever. The shutter drive lever rotates at the same rotational speed as the escapement wheel, so that exposure time becomes long. When flash charge is turned off, the mounting board moves to an evacuation position in which the escapement wheel is disengaged with the shutter speed adjustment gear.

Abstract: In the present invention, by using a light-responsive component which can be used in photographing with a sensitivity thereof set to a sensitivity different from an indicated sensitivity, sensitivity information recorded at the light-responsive component by a photographing device can be read at a photo lab, and efficient printing operations can be carried out. While carrying out photographing on a film which can be used in photographing with a sensitivity thereof set to a sensitivity different from the indicated sensitivity in a camera, sensitivity information showing a set sensitivity at a time of photographing is recorded on the film. The film is developed at a photo lab, and the sensitivity information is read by a scanner component of an inputting machine. Printing is carried out by an outputting machine in accordance with the sensitivity information, and the sensitivity information is reflected in printed results.

Abstract: A method of recording a surface relief microstructure in a record medium comprises:

Abstract: The present invention relates to a barrier member slidably movable along the surface of a camera to a closing position for covering a lens barrel of a camera body and to an opening position for letting the lens barrel be exposed. The camera includes a pressing member for pressing the barrier member from the side of the camera body, and regulating the slide movement of the barrier member in the closing and opening positions. In the camera of the present invention, the barrier member is provided with a guide member abutting on the pressing member at a plurality of points with the center of the pressing member being interposed therebetween in a direction along the surface of the camera and in a direction orthogonal to a slide moving direction of the barrier member, thereby eliminating a backlash of the barrier member.

Abstract: A photosensitive material processing apparatus includes a printer section for recording an image on photographic paper by exposure. There is a processor section for photographic development of the photographic paper. A drier section dries the photographic paper. A type bar code reader reads and inputs type information of a type of the photographic paper. A condition table memory is used to generate information of a transporting speed of the photographic paper and other processing conditions according to the type information being input, so as to control at least one of the printer section, the processor section and the drier section.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photo-stimulable imaging film restoration apparatus comprised of a housing defining a chamber for a light source and having an opening for a translucent plate member having a front surface including a member for positioning proximate the plate member imaging film for restoration and facile removal by grasping side portions of an imaging film.

Abstract: An optical transmission apparatus in which the reliability and quality of optical performance monitoring are improved. A light output unit selects and outputs light of one of a plurality of wavelengths. A digital information conversion unit converts a performance parameter for the light to digital information. A conversion map management unit manages a conversion map including a conversion format for converting the digital information indicative of values which vary according to the wavelengths of light with the same output power so that reference values at normal operation time for all the wavelengths will be the same and used for converting the digital information to a monitored value. A display control unit exercises control over the displaying of the monitored value corresponding to the digital information.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to optical signal devices that monitor the quality of an optical signal in a wavelength division multiplexing system by evaluating the information in the different wavelength channels.

Abstract: Arrangements are provided for multi-format information optical transport. A multi-format optical signal transport generator is designed to generate a multi-format optical signal based on information in different formats from heterogeneous information sources. Such generated multi-format optical signal is optically transported via an optical fiber. Upon receiving the optical at a receiving end, a multi-format optical signal transport receiver decodes the multi-format optical signal to recover the information of different formats.

Abstract: An optical communication system has an optical transmitter, an optical transmission line in optical communication with the optical transmitter, an optical receiver in optical communication with the optical transmission line, and a dispersion compensator disposed between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver along the optical transmission line. The optical transmitter is adapted to transmit an optical signal that includes multilevel encoding. The optical transmission line causes a first dispersion of the optical signal and the dispersion compensator causes a second dispersion of the optical signal. The second dispersion at least partially cancels the first dispersion.

Abstract: There is suppressed deterioration of transmission quality resulting from FWM generated in the optical fiber of an optical transmission apparatus which performs wavelength division multiplex transmission. A wavelength division multiplexing optical transmission system is not restricted by a wavelength division multiplex density. Intensity of FWM generated in an optical fiber transmission line for each span is observed by a receiver side to determine intensity of output light to send the span by a sender side, to thereby suppress deterioration of the transmission quality due to the FWM generated in the optical fiber of a WDM optical transmission apparatus.

Abstract: An optical line terminal (OLT) monitors and controls communications with a plurality of optical nodes (ONs), such as optical network units (ONUs) and/or optical network terminators (ONTs), within a passive optical network (PON), such as, but not exclusively, an Ethernet-based passive optical node (EPON). A tagging mechanism is implemented to identify an origin ON that introduces a frame into the PON segment linking the origin ON with the OLT. The origin ON produces a PON tag to associate its identifier (ON_ID) to the frame. The PON tag facilitates filtering and forwarding operations, and enables the physical layer interface (PHY) to the PON segment to emulate a point-to-point and/or shared communications link. The PON tag allows a MAC control layer to create virtual ports to traffic incoming and outgoing optical signals, and supply the virtual ports to a forwarding entity for frame filtering and forwarding.

Abstract: A microprocessor is used to control the temperature of a laser emitter and thereby regulate the wavelength of optical signals from the laser. A serial interface in the microprocessor provides input and output lines to a host device, and temperature lookup tables are stored in nonvolatile memory. Control logic processes information stored in the memory as well as information on operating conditions of the laser emitter to precisely control the temperature of the laser emitter. A thermoelectric cooler adjusts the temperature of the laser emitter.