Abstract: A musical garment has a plurality of interior pockets disposed on two interior portions of the garment for generating extemporaneous music by hand-impact with a selective pocket portion. Each interior pocket is secured via hook and loop fasteners and includes a sound generating piezoelectric transducer electrically connected thereto for producing multiple signals to a sound generating module. The piezoelectric transducers are sensitized or calibrated to produce a sound having a different sound characteristic compared with other piezoelectric transducers. The sound generating module is removably housed within an interior auxiliary pocket of the garment and utilizes a multiplexer to provide serial output or music for subsequent recording or listening. An acoustic screen is disposed on an exterior surface portion of the garment pocket for acoustically transmitting sound generated from the module. A set of auxiliary piezoelectric transducers are also used for attachment to a user's feet for foot generated sound.

Abstract: A method and system to identify mail pieces that have similar attributes to mail pieces suspected of being contaminated are provided. A data center communicates with each postal unit where mail enters into the postal system. When a postal unit detects a mail piece that may be contaminated, a record of the mail piece is made and sent to the data center. The data center archives the record of the suspect mail pieces in a database, and provides each record to all postal units on a real-time basis. As mail is inducted by each of the postal units, an image is taken of each mail piece and the image is compared to the records of suspect mail pieces stored in the data center. If a mail piece has similar attributes to a suspect mail piece, it will be immediately identified, regardless of the postal unit where it is entering the postal system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an embedded chip which contains data indicative of a person, which chip is embedded on the body of a person and therefore cannot easily be removed. In any event, the chip contains data, which is intimately associated with the individual, such as the individual's voice print, retina scan, fingerprint, ear print or heart sounds. The chip can also include data concerning the name of the person and other pertinent data, such as social security numbers, personal medical data and so on. The fact that the chip is embedded enables it to be scanned by many devices and therefore, to obtain a visual or other read-out of the person's identification indicia, such as the voiceprint or retina scan and so on. The actual, the physical indicia is compared with the stored indicia on the chip. This is done by a computer using a comparison algorithm or some other data comparator which is quite well known. If the data compares, then a positive identity of the person has been made.

Abstract: In this invention, a facial image is sensed from different directions, pupil and nasal cavity regions are detected from the sensed facial image, feature points are detected from the detected regions, a feature pattern is extracted on the basis of the feature points, and the feature pattern is registered or is verified with a registered feature pattern to identify a person.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for configuring computer tasks which construct data objects. The system user is able to configure these tasks by the simple expedient of clicking on a toggle switch displayed on a user interface screen or menu. In response to operation of the toggle switch, a selected one of a pair of attribute control files associated with the particular task will be utilized during object construction. The menu contains a list of the activated configured remote devices for the particular imaging system. Next to each device name is a virtual toggle switch (defaulted to OFF). In the OFF state, the task will be configured in accordance with the first attribute control file which is compliant with a first communications standard. If the user toggles the switch for a particular device to ON (this can be done on a per device basis), then the task will be configured in accordance with the second attribute control file which is compliant with a second communications standard.

Abstract: The invention concerns an image information apparatus that stores a plurality of image information corresponding to a plurality of images. The apparatus includes a receiving section to receive the plurality of image information, an ID information reading section to read the ID information corresponding to the image information, a memory section to store the plurality of image information and the ID information read by the ID information reading section relatively, and an ID distinction section that outputs an ID distinction-signal when detecting that the second ID information does not coincide with the first ID information. The memory section stores a plurality of the image information corresponding to the first ID information, before the second ID information is received, when the memory section receives the ID distinction-signal outputted by the ID distinction section.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image of an object includes unwrapping a reduced field of view image, and estimating edge boundaries using the unwrapped reduced field of view image. The estimated edge boundaries are used to calculate the number of aliasing replicates in the reduced field of view image. The number of aliasing replicates is used to unwrap the reduced field of view image.

Abstract: An method for generating intra-particle morphological concentration/density maps and histograms of a chemically pure particulate substance. Spectral imaging, in general, and focus-fusion multi-layer spectral imaging, in particular, combined with pattern recognition classification analysis are performed on individual particles for forming sets of single-particle spectral fingerprint data, characterized by single-particle spectral fingerprint spectra. Spectral shifts are identified in the single-particle spectral fingerprint data, for forming intra-particle region groups featuring sub-sets of intra-particle spectral fingerprint pattern data, each characterized by an intra-particle spectral fingerprint pattern spectrum.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a vision system to provide a desired illumination wavelength for an inspection operation on workpiece include illuminating a workpiece using narrowband illumination from a continuously variable filter, and modifying the narrowband illumination and evaluating resulting images until a narrowband illumination is found that reliably supports the inspection operation. The initial narrowband illumination may be based on spectral sensing.

Abstract: Provided herein are a method and an apparatus for examining foreign matters in through holes, which can quickly conduct an examination of foreign matter in through holes with low costs and high accuracy. Light passing through a plurality of through holes having a uniform size is simultaneously taken as image data, the number of areas of the imaged masses corresponding to the plurality of the respective through holes is initially counted, and a process to determine presence or absence of foreign matters is conducted by mutually comparing areas of adjacent masses for only a work piece with a counted value of the masses being concurred with a specified value.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for creation of an optimized depth map through iterative blending of a plurality of hypothetical depth maps in a Bayesian framework of probabilities. The system begins with an estimate of a depth map for a reference image, the estimated depth map becoming the current depth map. The system also has available to it a plurality of hypothetical depth maps of the reference image, derived from any of several known depth map generation methods and algorithms. The current depth map and each hypothetical depth map are compared iteratively, a pixel or pixel pair at a time, relying on minimizing reprojection and discontinuity energies through a graph cut process within a Bayesian probability framework to calculate the optimum assignment of depth map values to the reference image pixels.

Abstract: Images sensed through object lenses 100R and 100L, having zoom lenses, with image sensors 102R and 102L are processed by image signal processors 104R and 104L, and an image of an object in each of the sensed images is separated from a background image on the basis of the processed image signals. The separated image signals representing the image of the object enter the image processor 220, where a three-dimensional shape of the object is extracted on the basis of parameters used upon sensing the images. The parameters are automatically adjusted so that images of the object fall within the both image sensing areas of the image sensors 102R and 102L and that they fall within the both focal depths of the image sensors 102R and 102L.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a replacing method of an object in a dynamic image, wherein the dynamic image is a dynamic image file or a real time dynamic image. The replacing method of the present invention is to replace an object of the dynamic image by using a program, wherein the program comprises the first database, the second database, and a user interface. Saved contents of the first database are plural characteristics of the first object which will be replaced, in the dynamic image. Saved content of the second database is the second object, which will be used to replace the first object. When the dynamic image is showed, the program of the present invention will start to detect the first objects, which are in the dynamic image, by using the plural characteristics of the first objects and will start to proceed an object characteristic comparing procedure.

Abstract: A method for determining an adjacency relation for analyzing a business card containing data blocks. A target data block and a comparison data block is selected from the data blocks. Then, the method checks whether the comparison data block is topologically overlapped with the target data block. If they are topologically overlapped, then it checks whether the comparison data block has the shortest distance to the target data block, in comparison with data blocks that are topologically overlapped with the target data block. If the distance is shortest, then it checks whether there exists an interrupted data block between the comparison data block and the target data block. If there exists no interrupted data block, it is determined that there exists an adjacency relation between the comparison data block and the target data block. A computer readable recording medium is also disclosed, which executes the method as mentioned above.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for outputting a codestream as multiple tile-part outputs with packets from tiles being output in each tile-part is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises coding of each tile of an input codestream, outputting packets of each tile as part of an output codestream as a first complete tile-part, storing remaining layers of each tile in a buffer, and outputting additional packets of each tile from the remaining layers as a second complete tile-part.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method compressing image data, more particularly to a method for compressing image data by using characteristic values. At first, input image data are executed by using a pre-processing process of the present invention. The pre-processing process is to use a mathematical calculation method, a filter, or a database to differentiate outlines of objects and to classify different objects of the image data. Then different colors, which are in the outlines of the different objects, are acquired by using a color classifying method and the different colors are used to be different characteristic values of the image data. At last, the different characteristic values are saved individually in a memory to finish the method for compressing image data by classifying colors.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to encoding techniques that can be used to improve encoding of digital video data. The techniques can be implemented by an encoder of a digital video device in order to reduce the number of computations and possibly reduce power comsumption during video encoding. More specifically, video encoding techniques are describe which utilize one or more programmable thresholds in order to terminate the execution of various computations when the computations would be unlikely to improve the encoding. By terminating computations prematurely, the amount of processing required for video encoding can be reduced, and power can be conserved.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method therefor for presenting an image corresponding to the capability of equipment to which an image is supplied, and the needs of users. The apparatus present the image by inputting external information represents desired scalability from external equipment, encoding the image data with the desired scalability according to the external information, and outputting the encoded data to external equipment.

Abstract: An image data coding system comprises a screen-area determining means for determining the area of a screen reproduced on the basis of an input image data; a code-amount assigning control means for controlling regions to which data on the screen are to be assigned and the code amount assigned to each of the regions, on the basis of the results determined on the area of the reproduced screen; and a coding means for coding the image data signal inputted in accordance with the code amount assigned to each of the regions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for clipping coefficient values after application of each wavelet transform is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises applying an inverse wavelet transform to data repeatedly for a plurality of decomposition levels, and clipping, after each application of the inverse wavelet transform, any value generated as a result of application of the inverse wavelet transform that exceeds a predetermined range associated with that decomposition level subband of the inverse wavelet transform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided which improve the perceived quality of a digital image by introducing high frequency noise into the image. In particular, the product of random numbers and a weighting factor determined by the characteristics of the image to be modified are used to generate weighted noise image. When the weighted noise image is added to the image to be modified, the combined image is perceived as having improved image quality.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for converting a high-resolution image to a lower-resolution image with reduced visible errors. These systems and methods comprise a sub-pixel sampling simulation performed on a high-resolution image to determine an error introduced into the high-resolution image as a result of sub-pixel sampling. This error may be isolated from the high-resolution image to create an error image which may be modified with a visual model to remove invisible errors thereby creating a visible error image. The visual error image may then be combined with said high-resolution image to create a compensated image that will substantially cancel the error introduced as a result of subsequent sub-pixel sampling when the sub-pixel sampling occurs.

Abstract: An encoder, decoder, and corresponding method are disclosed for encoding pixel data as a plurality of block transform coefficients and decoding encoded block transform coefficients to provide reconstructed pixel data, the encoder and/or decoder includes a conditional deblocking filter for filtering only block transitions meeting pre-selected pixel brightness level criteria, where the conditional deblocking filter method includes receiving at least one first pixel adjacent to a block transition, providing a signal indicative of the brightness of the at least one first pixel, comparing the brightness signal with at least one of an upper brightness threshold and a lower brightness threshold, and conditionally filtering a plurality of adjacent pixels including the first pixel at the block transition in response to the brightness comparison.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and programmed computer system for processing image data as picture screen elements having colour components are provided which generate a three-dimensional space representing a colour spectrum containing said colour components, initiate a plurality of three-dimensional space transformation matrices and concatenate said three-dimensional space transformation matrices to initiate a single three-dimensional space transformation matrix. Said plurality of three-dimensional space transformation matrices are populated in reply to user input data and said image data is adjusted by means of processing each of said colour components with said single three-dimensional space transformation matrix.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus and method capable of decoding and varying at high speed encoded image data having an arbitrary image size by using a memory of a small capacity, and a recording medium storing programs executing such a method are provided. In the image processing apparatus and method, image data encoded in each of block units is decoded in the block unit basis. In order to convert the decoded block scan sequential image data into raster scan sequential image data, the decoded image data is divided in the horizontal direction and converted, and the divided and converted data is varied.

Abstract: A method for interpolating pixel data of an omitted line by use of pixel data from an interlaced scan, for de-interlacing an interlaced video image. Image edge direction is detected at the center position of every two neighboring scan lines in an interlaced scan. All the directions detected in a given field constitute an edge orientation map. Edge directions are filtered to remove false and unreliable edge directions from the edge orientation map. If an edge direction is removed, the vertical edge direction is used to replace that direction in the edge orientation map. For interpolating a new pixel at the center of two neighboring scan lines, the corresponding direction for that position is used as the interpolation direction to calculate the value of the new pixel. If the direction is vertical, a filter is used along the vertical direction to calculate the interpolation value.

Abstract: Confirmation of the content of the images recorded on a CD-R or other storage medium is made easier. A data obtaining means obtains plural sets of image data recorded on a digital camera, etc. data storage medium, and an image processing means subjects the obtained image data to image processing and obtains processed image data. The processed image data is recorded onto a CD-R, etc. storage medium by an image recording means. A representative image selecting means selects images representative of the images represented by the image data. Then, thumbnail images of the selected representative images are attached to the surface of the storage medium disk by a representative image attaching means.

Abstract: A track assembly (10) comprises a seat track member (12) that in use is secured to the base of a vehicle seat, slidably engaged with a floor track member (14) that in use is secured to the floor of a vehicle. At least one bearing assembly (16) is form fittingly retained between engaging portions of the track members (12, 14) so as to facilitate sliding movement of the seat track member (12) along the length of the floor track member (14).The or each bearing assembly (16) comprises an elongate spacer (52) provided with a steel ball (54) at either of its ends. At least one plastic ball (56) is provided in a side by side arrangement with each of the steel balls (54) such that a steel ball (54) is located between each plastic ball (56) and the spacer (52). In preferred embodiments, two plastic balls (56, 58) are provided in a side by side arrangement with each steel ball (54). The use of plastic balls in the or each bearing assembly (16) reduces the formation of indentations in the track members (12, 14).

Abstract: The present invention is for providing an oil-impregnant sintered bearing, which can reliably preserve an oil film on a sliding face, and a method for manufacturing the oil-impregnant sintered bearing. An oil-impregnant sintered bearing is made by providing an internal diameter, which a rotating axis member is inserted through, in a bearing main body, formed by a porous sintered alloy having internal pores therein, and providing a sliding face in one region of the inner peripheral face of the internal diameter, the sliding face being obtained by closing the pores which have been opened in the inner peripheral face. The density in a section preserving oil pressure, which extends from the sliding face of the bearing main body toward the outer side of the diameter, is made higher than the density in other sections of the bearing main body.

Abstract: A connecting rod bearing including a housing with an attaching portion and a retaining portion releasably joined together so as to define a transverse passageway. The attaching portion and the retaining portion are each provided with a pair of bores. The bores are respectively located on opposite sides of the transverse passageway and can be brought into registry with one another. The bores also partially intersect the transverse passageway. A pair of alignment pins is positioned within a respective one of the bores and project into the transverse passageway. A sleeve is positioned within the transverse passageway and has notches for snugly receiving the alignment pins.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a compound bearing apparatus having arrangements for preventing the lubricant present around the rotating bodies from leaking out to the outside as well as the interior space between two rows of rotating bodies of the bearing apparatus. This is effected for the purpose of providing the compound bearing apparatus and a spindle motor and a swing arm assembly for a hard disk drive device including such bearing apparatus in which the sufficient amount of lubricant can be retained around the rotating bodies to obtain long life feature and having substantially no noise or vibration due to the loss of lubricant.

Abstract: A tool for pre-stressing of two races to be welded to one another includes a hub having a cylindrical lateral hub wall and a tubular chuck having a cylindrical lateral chuck wall coaxially received and movable in the lateral hub wall. One of the lateral walls has a cylindrical face of revolution for radially supporting and centering the two races. A first axial abutment is immovable with respect to the chuck and against which a first free axial face is engageable, while a second axial abutment is immovable with respect to the hub and against which a second free axial face is engageable. A coaxial mechanism for axially moving the chuck towards the hub and hence for tightening the second axial abutment axially towards the first axial abutment is provided such that the two races therebetween are tightened against one another until a pre-determined pre-stress value is obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modifying the extinction ratio of a modulated optical signal by adapting a modulator driver signal in response to differences in spectral regions of the modulated optical signal. In another embodiment for modifying the extinction ratio of a modulated optical signal, a modulator signal is adapted in response to differences between a profile of the modulated optical signal and a desired profile.

Abstract: An electro-optical deflector device, having a thin ferroelectric oxide film and a method of fabricating the deflector device is described. On embodiment of a thin film electro-optic deflector device includes: a planar optical waveguide, having a thin ferroelectric oxide layer; a first electrode, having a conductive substrate and a conductive epoxy; a second electrode coupled to the planar optical waveguide; a supporting substrate; a cladding layer attached to the second electrode deposited on the supporting substrate; and a hole through the supporting substrate and the cladding layer for connecting the second electrode to an external voltage source.

Abstract: An optical polarization modulator (OPM) for use in an optical communication system includes two polarizing beam splitters (PBSs) and an adjusting stage coupled between the PBSs. One PBS receives an input optical signal with an arbitrary state of polarization (SOP) and splits it into its TE and TM components. The adjusting stage can change the amplitude and/or relative phase between the TE and TM components to help achieve a desired state of polarization (SOP). The ACS and PCS may include MZIs to both adjust the amplitude and the relative phase difference between the TE and TM components. Alternatively, the OPM may include an amplifier and a phase shifter for each component. The second PBS combines the adjusted components to form the output signal with a desired SOP. Another embodiment of the OPM includes an Y-junction coupler, two plasma optical-effect silicon phase shifter stages, a 2×2 3-dB coupler and a PBS.

Abstract: The size and cost of fabricating fiber optic pressure sensors is reduced by fabricating the membrane of the sensor in a non-planar shape. The design of the sensors may be made in such a way that the non-planar membrane becomes a part of an air-tight cavity, so as to make the membrane resilient due to the air-cushion effect of the air-tight cavity. Such non-planar membranes are easier to make and attach.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for measuring a residual stress and a photoelastic effect of an optical fiber, which includes: a light source; a rotary type optical diffuser distanced from the light source in a predetermined distance for suppressing the spatial coherence of a light radiated in the light source; an optical condenser for condensing the radiated light passed through the optical diffuser into a spot where the optical fiber is located; a polarizer for polarizing the light passed through the optical condenser into a 45° linear polarized light from an axis of the optical fiber; a polarization analyzer, installed at 90° angle with respect to the polariscope and attached closely with the optical fiber, to prevent the penetration by the background image of the optical fiber; an optical fiber strain unit including a strain sensor for straining the optical fiber on the polarization analyzer toward a longitudinal direction and measuring the strain on the optical fiber; an object lens for magnifying the

Abstract: A photonic via is made in a substrate by making a hole in the substrate, heating the substrate, and inserting a fiber optic into the hole. In one embodiment, a lens can be made by applying a polymer on top of the photonic via and curing.

Abstract: Devices having one or more of the following: an input/output (I/O) interconnect system, an optical I/O interconnect, an electrical I/O interconnect, a radio frequency I/O interconnect, are disclosed. A representative I/O interconnect system includes a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate includes a compliant pillar vertically extending from the first substrate. The compliant pillar is constructed a first material. The second substrate includes a compliant socket adapted to receive the compliant pillar. The compliant socket is constructed of a second material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photonic multi-bandgap structure, herein also referred to as photonic bandgap quasi-crystal (“PBQC”), that can direct light, having wavelength components within a selected passband (&Dgr;&lgr;), from an input port, to a predefined output port, while providing an integrating element for Planar Lightwave Circuits. A photonic bandgap quasi-crystal of the invention combines in a planar waveguide spectrally selective properties of gratings, focusing properties of elliptical mirrors, superposition properties of thick holograms, photonic bandgaps of periodic structures, and flexibility of binary lithography. A photonic structure of the invention can be utilized, for example, as an integrating spectrally sensitive element in a variety of optical devices that can include, but are not limited to, optical switches, optical multiplexer/demultiplexers, multi-wavelength lasers, and channel monitors in Wavelength Division Mulitplexing (WDM) telecommunications system.

Abstract: An optical switch actuator moving an optical element into or out of an optical pathway. The optical element is coupled to a movable shuttle and driven by a motor between two rest positions. The motor includes two stationary coils and a magnet attached to the shuttle. The shuttle is magnetically latched in the rest positions. The optical element's position at the extended rest position is controlled with a stop that contacts the shuttle to provide accuracy and precision about multiple axes. The material used to construct the actuator's components aids in repeatedly positioning the optical element with precision.

Abstract: A thermo-optic switch is operated in a novel near-impulse mode in which the drive pulse width is shorter than twice the diffusion time of the switch. The drive pulse width is less than the rise time of the steady-state optical response and also less than the rise time of the deflection efficiency response to the applied drive pulse. The drive pulse can further include a sustaining segment following the initial short pulse segment, if it is desired to maintain the switch in an ON state for a longer period of time. A number of additional techniques are described for further reducing the response time of the switch. An array of thermo-optic switches operated in this manner can form a display which, due to the fast individual switch rise times, can operate at an overall fast refresh rate.

Abstract: In an optical cross-connect device for constructing a large scale optical network that supports an increase in the number of wavelengths, and an optical network using this optical cross-connect device, the optical cross-connect device comprises: a combination of any two of “a” units of wave multiplexers for multiplexing “n” waves of light signals directly received from an intra-office device to be transferred to a same destination, “L−a” threads of transmission lines each for transmitting an n-wave-multiplexed light signal, and “a” units of wave demultiplexers for demultiplexing the n-wave-multiplexed light signals bound for the same destination; and an L*L light switch for selecting the combination for transmitting the light signals to the same destination.

Abstract: An optical fiber switch in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a first plurality of ports, a second plurality of ports, a first plurality of mirrors disposed on a first surface, and a second plurality of mirrors disposed on a second surface. Each one of the first plurality of mirrors is individually controllable to direct light output from a corresponding one of the first plurality of ports to any one of the second plurality of mirrors. Each one of the second plurality of mirrors is individually controllable to direct to a corresponding one of the second plurality of ports light incident on it from any one of the first plurality of mirrors. Advantageously, optical fiber switches in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may couple more than a thousand input ports to more than a thousand output ports with an insertion loss of less than about 3 decibels.

Abstract: An algorithm for improving signals between two or more mirrors is described. The algorithm is used to determine the initial voltages for improved signal transmission and is also used to maintain improved transmission. The algorithm utilizes random jump when the signal is too low. The step sizes and bounding boxes for the algorithm can be determined from modeling. One by-product of the algorithm is the determination of the hill shape. This information can be used in a subsequent accelerated retraining procedure. An a priori quadratic approximation of the hill's shape is used to reduce the number of measurements used for retraining.

Abstract: A fiber optic circuit provides signal access and monitoring. A module housing the circuit and the module is mountable to a chassis. The module housing includes mounting flanges for mounting the module to the chassis; and a plurality of exposed adapters along at least one of the front and rear faces. Each of the plurality of adapters is connectable to a fiber optic connector external to the module. The plurality of adapters define first and second transmit signal ports and first and second receive signal ports. A transmit signal pathway is between the first and second transmit signal port. A receive signal pathway is between the first and second receive signal ports.

Abstract: An optical wavelength division multiplexer and de-multiplexer, for single or multi-mode fiber optic communications, includes a base plate that serves as a miniature optical bench, and a series of free-space optical components including collimators, narrow band filters, and highly efficient reflective mirrors mounted to the base plate. The free-space light beam is reflected off of each narrow band filter in a serial manner, whereby narrow bands of light matching the filter are focused into output optical fibers. Each component may be individually adjusted by computer-controlled robotics to achieve accurate optical alignment and provide compensation among the components. The angle of incidence of the light signals at the filters is kept below 10 degrees for DWDM applications, and below about 14 degrees for CWDM applications to minimize polarization dispersion loss. A simplified sealing system provides robust protection from environmental hazards, while further reducing costs and improving manufacturing yields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) apparatus for monitoring optical frequencies, allowing optical channel frequency monitoring using the crossover property of an arrayed-waveguide grating and pilot tones that are in wide use in optical communication networks and enhancing efficiency of operation, maintenance, and management of WDM optical communication networks.

Abstract: A compact add-drop multiplexer with low wavelength temperature sensitivity. In the present invention, a plurality of spacer rings is disposed between the optical elements of the add-drop multiplexer, and a heat curing epoxy or an ultraviolet curing epoxy adheres the optical elements to each other. The spacer rings are formed with a thermal expansion coefficient within a predetermined range to compensate for thermal stress of the WDM filter.

Abstract: A mid-infrared transmitter for providing a light signal in a free-space communication system includes an arrangement for producing electromagnetic radiation having a certain wavelength in a mid-infrared wavelength range. The mid-infrared transmitter further includes an arrangement for modulating the electromagnetic radiation so as to provide a train of light pulses having the certain wavelength as the light signal.