Abstract: Disclosed is a document analysis system and method. The document analysis system includes an interim analyzer configured to perform an interim document analysis to identify a number of interim regions on a digital document at an interim pixels-per-inch (PPI). The document analysis system also includes a complete analyzer configured to perform a complete analysis on at least one of the interim regions at a second PPI, thereby generating at least one complete region therefrom. The document analysis system and method provides significant flexibility to the user with a number of options relative to the analysis of the regions of information of interest in a digital document and to limit analysis to such preferred regions.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and accurate process for extracting an object from an image, which is used to impose a great load for an operator. According to the present invention, an image processing apparatus comprises an object extracting unit, for performing a predetermined process for image data for a position or an area that is designated and for extracting a specific object from an image, an outline part deciding unit, for selecting and authenticating an arbitrary segment of an outline obtained by the extracting unit, and an outline synthesis unit, for linking and synthesizing together the outline segments that are authenticated. Since a closed curve is formed by synthesizing the outline segments obtained by repeating the above process, and the outline of the object is thus determined, the outline segment that is extracted from the image and matches the correct outline of the object is sequentially selected and authenticated.

Abstract: A method in the field of image enhancement is described for smoothing the staircase effect in electronic images. These staircases may be introduced by electronic zooming of an original image having a low spatial resolution or by the application of a lossy compression algorithm, such as JPEG, to the image data. According to one example, for each pixel of the image local gradients are computed according to four directions. A first direction associated with the highest local gradient is selected. In order to smooth the image in a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, the pixel value is changed according to the values of pixels situated along the second direction in the neighborhood of the pixel. Optionally, the smoothed image data may be subsequently sharpened by a method including the use of gradients.

Abstract: An edge detection algorithm may use contour tracing followed by boundary detection to improve the accuracy of the detected boundaries and to enable the detection of boundaries in cases where the image is either distorted or subject to the effects of noise. The contour tracing and boundary detection may result in an object identification, which if unsatisfactory, may be retried with different threshold values. A high pass gaussian filter may be applied before tracing contours, resulting in the selection of a band limited set of pixel values which are centered around a value of one half the bit depth.

Abstract: When a dispersion value of a shading value is equal to or more than a threshold value in the neighborhood of a standard point, it is determined that an image pattern has a texture dominant characteristic. When the value is less than the threshold value, a change of the shading value is determined to be moderate (S11). When the dispersion value is equal to or more than the threshold value (S11), a texture characteristic amount is loaded (S12), a characteristic amount suitable for area growth (e.g., texture energy) is calculated (S13), and a distance DT concerning the texture characteristic amount is obtained (S14). When the dispersion value is less than the threshold value (S11), a color component characteristic amount is loaded (S16), a characteristic amount suitable for the area growth (e.g., a characteristic vector obtained from a local histogram concerning a color component or a list of representative color components) is extracted (S17), and a distance DC concerning the color component is obtained (S18).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting edges by which the detection of the edges of a natural image from an image obtained by mixing the graphic or text and the natural image is suppressed, to thereby stably detect edges of the graphic or the text, are disclosed. In this method, the differences in pixel value between the first pixel of sequentially input images and eight pixels adjacent to the first pixel are obtained. If all of the differences between the first pixel and the eight pixels adjacent to the first pixel are greater than a maximum threshold value or less than a minimum threshold value, the first pixel is determined to be an edge pixel. Likewise, determinations are made as to whether a second pixel, positioned adjacent the first pixel along a first dimension (for example to the left of the first pixel), is an edge pixel and whether a third pixel, positioned adjacent the first pixel along a second dimension (for example above the first pixel), is an edge pixel.

Abstract: Color image quantization using a hierarchical perceptual color model is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method constructs a clustering space of an image having a number of pixels, based on a color perception model. The clustering space includes a number of significant pixels, where each of the significant pixels does not have a parent pixel within the clustering space. The colors of the image are quantized based on these significant pixels. The remaining pixels have their colors mapped to one of the quantized colors.

Abstract: A dictionary based method of lossless compression and encryption of small redundancy data. A sequence of integer samples equivalent to a group of bits of input data, compared with samples of several dictionaries produced by random number generators. Frequency distribution of the samples of the dictionary transformed to be similar to the distribution of the samples of the input sequence. The sequence of the least distances obtained between every input numerical sample and the samples of the dictionary. The output sequence created with the sequences of these distances and the indexes of the samples of the dictionary, and used for a statistical compression. Calculated and assigned parameters accumulated in a protocol, providing lossless decompression. The process of substitutions of the output sequence for the input sequence repeated for compression or for encryption.

Abstract: In an MPEG data processing apparatus comprising a particular picture searching section which comprises a particular picture detector for detecting a current particular picture datum in MPEG video data, a particular picture interval holding section holds, as an estimated interval, an interval between the current particular picture datum and a predicted next particular picture. A next particular picture address calculating section calculates the predicted next particular picture on the basis of the estimated interval and a current address on reception of the estimated interval to produce the estimated address as a calculated address. A address controller accesses a memory at the calculated address to make the memory read a datum for the calculated address in a buffer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for image-compression encoding and decoding using an adaptive transform in which, where different transform coefficients are outputted in accordance with a change of the transform direction order for an input image signal block, encoding and decoding procedures are conducted, based on the transform direction order selected in accordance with the characteristics of the input image signal block. In accordance with the present invention, an orthogonal transform and a inverse orthogonal transform for blocks are controlled, based on a determination made about whether signals within a block, to be currently encoded, have a higher correlation in a vertical direction or in a horizontal direction, using information about blocks encoded or both information about blocks encoded and information about the current block.

Abstract: A data structure in a computer memory for use in encoding and decoding an N-dimensional subband decomposition of data points includes, after initialization, three lists: a list of insignificant sets of points (LIS); a list of significant points (LSP); and a list of insignificant points (LIP). The LIS is populated with sets, each of the sets being designated by a root node within the N-dimensional subband decomposition and having a corresponding tree structure of points within the N-dimensional subband decomposition, which tree structure of points is organized as descendants and offspring of the root node but not including the root node, the LIP is populated with points from within the highest designated subband of the N-dimensional subband decomposition, while the LSP is initially empty. The data structure permits encoding and decoding of any N-dimensional data set, i.e., any data set where N is a positive integer. Method and software for employing this data structure are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high speed MMR compression processing method by reducing the number of times of repeating a process of finding the positions of changing pixels a1, a2, b1, and b2. According to this method, first, a bit string corresponding to pixel data is obtained from an image. Then, data are sequentially fetched from the bit string byte by byte. Subsequently, a search is made of a table that describes the number of consecutive bits that are arranged to the right of and have the same color as each of bits of each byte of all bit patterns represented by bits included in the fetched 1 byte. Then, the number of consecutive bits, which are arranged to the right of and have the same color as each of bits of each of the fetched bytes, is detected according to the bit patterns represented by bits of the fetched byte. Subsequently, a pixel placed at the position corresponding to the number obtained by adding 1 to the detected number of consecutive bits is determined as a color changing pixel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining high-resolution images of rotating targets by using an image reconstruction algorithm without interpolation, are provided. The method comprises the steps of: a) acquiring initial information; b) calculating parameters; c) computing a start frequency ƒsk and a step frequency &dgr;ƒk; d) measuring data for the target to store them; e) determining whether or not the step d) is completed; f) if the determination result is negative, repeating the steps a) to e); and, if otherwise, obtaining the image; and g) displaying the image.

Abstract: A grayscale morphological erosion operator image processor which operates on images of any size and dimension with a structuring element of any dimension and shape. The present invention performs all 1D erosion operations in the domain by first decomposing an image and structuring element into a series of 1D slices, and then further segmenting the structuring element into a plurality of shorter 1D segments. These segments are processed in parallel using an array of parallel processors. Once the erosion operations are complete, the resulting one dimensional slices are composed into a final eroded image.

Abstract: A method of adjusting image descriptors when using steerable pyramid to extract features for content-based search is disclosed in this invention. Using steerable pyramid, the original image is filtered to produce Gaussian images and Laplacian images. The image descriptors are formed by filtering the Laplacian images. The filtering of the Laplacian images provides orientation data and energy data. From the orientation data, a first set of global information and local information is generated. From the energy data, a second set of global information and local information is generated. The descriptors are extracted from the respective sets of global information and local information associated with the orientation data and the energy data. The descriptors associated with the orientation data and the descriptors associated with the energy data are combined to form an image descriptor. The Laplacian image may be adjusted prior to the application of the filter.

Abstract: A method of mapping a chosen point in real space to its corresponding location in image space includes obtaining a diagnostic medical image of a subject including multiple rigid objects, and individually computing separate transforms which register each of the rigid objects in real space with their corresponding locations in image space. After choosing a target point in real space, the target point is mapped to image space using a designated transform. A number of the rigid objects are selected which are closest to the target point in image space, and an interpolated transform is generated from the separate transforms which correspond to the selected rigid objects. The target point is re-mapped in image space using the interpolated transform, and the interpolated transform is set as the designated transform for subsequent mappings.

Abstract: Light sources are disposed at a plurality of different positions for an object body to be photographed, and a plurality of images corresponding to respective light source positions are photographed, and from the change in the direction or the color on the surface of the object body to be photographed, the parameters to be the coefficient for introducing the direction or the color on the surface of the object body observed from the light source position are measured, and an image can be synthesized for any light source position using the above-mentioned data. Thereby, it is made possible to synthesize an image for any light source position with the data which can be easily available as the images of an object body photographed with a camera and so on, without needing many hands or special tools.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for synthesizing images from two or more existing images are described. The described embodiment makes use of an illumination model as a mathematical model to combine the images. A first of the images is utilized as an object color or color source (i.e. the foreground) for a resultant image that is to be formed. A second of the images (utilized as the background or texture) is utilized as a perturbation source. In accordance with the described embodiment, the first image is represented by a plane that has a plurality of surface normal vectors. Aspects of the second image are utilized to perturb or adjust the surface normal vectors of the plane that represents the first image. Perturbation occurs, in the described embodiment, by determining individual intensity values for corresponding pixels of the second image. The intensity values are mapped to corresponding angular displacement values.

Abstract: A method of calculating a skew angle for a two-dimensional barcode, in which the horizontal or vertical edges within the barcode are located, preferably using a finite state recognizer, and an edge array identifying the horizontal or vertical edges is generated. Next, the edge lines within the edge array are identified and traced, and any segments of edge lines within the edge array which are perpendicularly connected are separated. The slope for each edge line within the edge array is calculated, preferably using linear regression techniques. In the preferred embodiment, a discrete histogram of the slopes is generated and the skew angle is then set as the highest value within the discrete histogram. In a preferred embodiment, edge lines within the edge array which are located within a first predetermined threshold of each other are merged with each other and edge lines within the edge array having a length less than a second predetermined threshold are eliminated from the edge array to speed processing.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus which outputs image data by electrically scaling an image in synchronism with a prescribed clock includes a memory with a one-line capacity for storing image data. A write address in the memory is initialized on a page by page basis and is incremented in accordance with a specified magnification ratio and with the position of a specified region, while a read address in the memory is initialized on a page by page basis and is incremented in accordance with the specified. magnification ratio and with the position of a specified region. The incrementing of the read address is started with a delay of one line with respect to the write address, with provisions made to generate an equal number of write addresses and read addresses per line. This makes scaling and translational transformations in the main scanning direction possible while allowing memory write and read operations to be performed simultaneously with a memory capacity of only one line.

Abstract: A method of image sampling and an apparatus thereof. The apparatus comprises: an adder; a first register, the output of which is fed back to the adder; a first multiplexer, which outputs a ratio or a weighted parameter; a multiplier, which receives an input image value and the output of the first multiplexer; an adder/subtracter, which receives the output of the multiplier; a second multiplexer, which receives the output of the adder/subtracter and the multiplier; and a second register, which receives the output of the second multiplexer. By the method of approximation and recursion, the input image data can be processed in real time to produce the output image data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes recording unit which has recorded image information appended with quantized space information in units of pixels, setting unit for setting a resolution higher than that of the recorded image information, reconstruction unit for reconstructing an image by reading out image information from the recording unit at the recorded resolution irrespective of the resolution set by the setting unit, and interpolation unit for making pixel interpolation of the reconstructed image with the resolution of the reconstructed image matching the resolution set by the setting unit.

Abstract: A hard copy print, method and system for producing the hard copy print. The hard copy print has a print side and a back side. The print side has information thereon which identifies the electronic location at which a digital record of the image can be accessed electronically. This information is preferably written in a machine readable form so as to allow automatic accessing of the digitally stored images. The system includes a digital storage device for storing of a digital record file of the image on the hard copy print.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments, an apparatus and method for dynamic routing using dynamic data streams is disclosed. Dynamic routing using dynamic data streams facilitates the creation of a flexible paper gateway in a digital filing system that provides for receiving, processing and storing document images from a wide variety of sources. When thus implemented, dynamic routing allows the digital filing system to efficiently operate while providing digital filing services to a wide variety of users with different needs. Thus, the preferred embodiments provide for the efficient digital filing and efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage and image retrieval process.

Abstract: An object mask and a set of control points defined for a given frame are subjected to morphological processing to remove false edge points and provide a more robust mask for use in tracking the object in a next frame. The morphological processing is performed on a frame by frame basis corresponding to object tracking so that errors added in by the object tracker do not accumulate, and instead are filtered out. Rapidly moving objects which are troublesome for edge-based object trackers are more readily tracked. Also, regions of low contrast or regions locked onto in the background when trying to identify the object are more readily distinguished and eliminated from the object mask.

Abstract: A color image reading device, an output controller and a method of controlling an output from a color image reading device provide for an improved signal-noise ratio for the scanning of two-dimensional objects, as in document scanners. In the present invention, the position of a color image reading device with respect to an object to be read is oriented in order to optimize illumination in, for example, the blue wavelength. Pixel data for each line is read, generated in reverse order and/or re-phased so as to compensate for offset linear sensors on the color image reading device.

Abstract: In an optical modulator having an electric waveguide and an optical waveguide, a filter converts a modulating signal into a signal equalizing a frequency characteristic of an acting amount to be provided to the electric waveguide. Also, the filter approximates the frequency characteristic of the acting amount caused by a skin effect in the electric waveguide.

Abstract: A new optical sensing device containing fiber Bragg gratings, a scanning bandpass filter, an interferometer and multiple photodetectors is disclosed. The present invention also describes a new system and method for fibre Bragg grating (FBG) sensor interrogation and multiplexing. The new system combines a scanning Fabry-Perot (SFP) bandpass filter used to wavelength-multiplex multiple gratings in a single fiber, and an unbalanced Mach-Zehnder fibre interferometer made with a 3×3 coupler to detect strain-induced wavelength shifts. A passive technique for interferometer drift compensation using non-sensing FBGs is included in the system. A complete prototype system interrogates four gratings in a single fiber at a Nyquist sampling rate up to 10 kHz, with a noise floor measured near 4 n&egr; Hz−1/2 above 0.1 Hz. The inclusion of the interferometer drift compensation technique is shown to make quasi-static measurements feasible.

Abstract: An optical filter system is disclosed. The optical filter system includes a first filter configured to output light signals having wavelengths falling within a plurality of periodically spaced wavelength bands. A second filter in optical communication with the first filter and being configured to output light signals having wavelengths falling within a plurality of periodically spaced bands. The period of the bands associated with the first filter is different than the period of the bands associated with the second filter.

Abstract: A method introduces variable time offsets into a stream of optical pulses. The method includes receiving a plurality of coherent optical pulses, receiving a plurality of control signals, and forming a coherent pulse array (CPA) from each pulse in response to one of the received control signals. Temporal spacings between pulses of each CPA are responsive to the associated one of the received control signals. For optical control signals, response times can be very short. The method further includes transmitting each pulse through a dispersive optical medium. The act of transmitting makes pulses of each CPA overlap to form an interference pattern.

Abstract: An adaptive dispersion compensation device offered performs stably the dispersion compensation, inclusive of waveform shaping, for an optical fiber transmission line. The device comprises a plurality of basic units each including a chirp-bragg fiber grating which is formed in an optical waveguide, a reflection mirror which is disposed on the light input side of the chirp-bragg fiber grating by being detachable and an optical circulator which is connected to the reflection mirror, means of connecting the basic units in series, and means of controlling the dispersion characteristics of each chirp-bragg fiber grating by applying a temperature gradient to it along its axis. The individual chirp-bragg fiber gratings with the application of temperature gradients vary the dispersion quality of the lights passing through the basic units, thereby controlling the dispersion quality of the input signal light stably and releasing the compensated signal light.

Abstract: A molecular system is provided for electric field activated switches, such as a crossed-wire device or a pair of electrodes to which the molecular system is linked by linking moieties. The crossed-wire device comprises a pair of crossed wires that form a junction where one wire crosses another at an angle other than zero degrees and at least one connector species connecting the pair of crossed wires in the junction. The connector species comprises the molecular system, which has an electric field induced band gap change, and thus a change in its electrical conductivity, that occurs via one a molecular conformation change, based on a rotor/stator construction of the molecular system, involving a rotating portion (rotor) connected between to stationary portions (stators). Nanometer-scale reversible electronic switches are thus provided that can be assembled easily to make cross-bar circuits, which provide memory, logic, and communication functions.

Abstract: A system for manipulating optical signals in an optical switch utilizes a light-absorbing region. The region efficiently converts light to thermal energy and is in thermal communication with an index-matching fluid disposed within an intersecting gap between a first input optical waveguide and a first output optical waveguide. In one embodiment, exposing the region to optical radiation elevates the temperature of the fluid within the gap, resulting in vaporization of the fluid into gas. Filling the gap with gas creates a refractive index mismatch that causes light from the first input waveguide to be diverted to a second output waveguide. In another embodiment, the manipulation of optical signals is achieved by exposing a light-absorbing fluid to the source radiation.

Abstract: Pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switching is provided. In this regard, a pressure-actuated bi-stable optical switch includes an optical path and a cavity intersecting the optical path. The cavity defines a first position along the optical path and a second position displaced from the optical path. An index-matching liquid, which exhibits an index of refraction closer to an index of refraction of the optical path than to that of a vacuum, is arranged within the cavity. A pressure generator generates pressure that selective moves the liquid between the first and second positions. Additionally, a potential profile maintains the liquid in the one of the first and second positions to which it was most recently moved while the pressure generator is not generating pressure. Methods, systems and other switches also are provided.

Abstract: An optical connection arrangement is provided in an optical path to facilitate changing optical add/drop multiplexer (OADM) and other optical component modules while optical traffic is present on the optical path, with minimal interruption to such traffic. The connection arrangement has a plurality of optical ports to each of which an optical component can be coupled, and one or more optical switches which can be controlled to selectively include in the optical path or bypass each optical port. Such connection arrangements can be coupled in series and/or in parallel for convenient modular add/drop configurations and for opposite directions of transmission of optical traffic on respective optical paths.

Abstract: A system and method of compensating for optical polarization dispersion effects exhibited in a length of optical fiber in an optical network. The system and method exploits a wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology that detects a polarization mode dispersion characteristic of the optical signal and enables real time adjustment of the center wavelength of the optical in manner so as to minimize polarization effects in the optical fiber link. In another embodiment, the wavelength-locked loop servo-control circuit and methodology is implemented for enabling real time physical adjustment, e.g., X-Y dimension strain control, of the optical fiber link itself in accordance with the detected amount of polarization mode dispersion.

Abstract: The present invention comprises apparatuses and methods, for routing optical communication signals over all DWDM wavelength channels. Incoming wavelength channels are separated into a plurality of sub-groups having a smaller optical bandwidth. Wavelength channels within each sub-group are then acted upon independently by a filter, or switch, tunable and operable over the bandwidth of each sub-group. The invention may be embodied in a plurality of dynamic wavelength routing circuits including 1×N and N×N circuits. The 1×N circuit embodiments may be used when the filter free-spectral range is smaller than the full DWDM bandwidth. These embodiments are less complicated than the N×N circuit embodiments, but do not provide the same routing bandwidth. The N×N circuit embodiments may be used to route the full DWDM bandwidth and may be used for other routing operations having large bandwidth demand.

Abstract: An optical transmission equipment for use in an optical transmission system, having an optical amplifier (10A), comprising: a first optical doped fiber (1A); a second optical doped fiber (1B); a third optical doped fiber (1C); an optical isolator (6) of bringing loss in the optical signal, being provided between the first optical doped fiber and the second optical doped fiber; a dispersion compensator (7) being provided between the second optical doped fiber and the third optical doped fiber; and a pumping light source (2) being optically connected to so that the optical doped fibers (1A, 1B, 1C) are excited in common.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a delay unit for optically generating time delays in signals comprising: a delay entrance plane, the delay entrance plane comprising at least one row of signal input positions, wherein each signal input position is adapted to receive an optical beam from a source; a delay exit plane, the delay exit plane comprising a respective number of rows of signal output positions, each signal output position is adapted to output the optical beam; and wherein each signal input position of a given row is connected by an optical fiber to a corresponding signal output position, each optical fiber of a given row being the same length as every other optical fiber of that row. Also provided are apparatus and methods for generating time delays in signals.

Abstract: An optical fiber assembly has a microlens joined to the face of an optical fiber. The microlens is made from a material which, when liquid, adheres to the face. The microlens can have a focal point which defines an optical path between the surface of the microlens and the optical fiber's core. This assembly can be formed by applying liquid such a pre-dispensed droplets of liquid to the optical fiber so that the liquid adheres to the optical fiber as a droplet at the face, and solidifying the droplet to form the microlens. The droplet's shape can be altered as it solidifies.

Abstract: A method and system for coupling a laser (e.g., vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL)) to an optical fiber is disclosed. A plurality of optical modes associated with a laser, e.g., a VCSEL, are scrambled, and radiation from the VCSEL can be focused on a fiber facet associated with the optical fiber. Thereafter, the VCSEL can be coupled to the optical fiber to thereby improve coupling repeatability while reducing mode selective coupling of the VCSEL to the optical fiber. The optical modes can be scrambled utilizing an optical scattering surface. Such an optical scattering surface can produce a Lambertian-like scattering source such that optical modes thereof are combinable to form a plurality of optical modes. The VCSEL can be coupled to said optical fiber by butt-coupling said optical fiber to the multimode VCSEL through a receiver formed in a housing for the VCSEL and/or by utilizing at least one lens for imaging radiation/signals onto a particular spot.

Abstract: An optical collimator (20) includes an optical fiber (21), a metal ferrule (22), a Graded Index (GRIN) lens (23) and an outer metal tube (24). The optical fiber has an exposed end (211) which is coated with metal. The exposed end of the optical fiber is inserted into the ferrule and laser welded thereto. The GRIN lens is also coated with metal. A plurality of soldering holes (241) is defined in a periphery of the outer tube. Solder is applied to the ferrule and the GRIN lens through the holes to firmly connect the outer tube, the ferrule and the GRIN lens together. After assembly, if the position of the GRIN lens or the optical fiber is found to be inaccurate, the GRIN lens and the ferrule can be easily resoldered.

Abstract: A fused optical coupler has a PM and a non-PM fiber with equal clad diameters. The fibers are plaited together without applying torsional force on either fiber, fused and stretched to a degree resulting in a tap ratio not more than 10% and PER higher than about 20 dB.

Abstract: The output beam from a laser may be modulated using a coupled waveguide modulator that may be endfire coupled to the laser, or integrally formed on a common substrate with the laser, thereby providing a monolithic laser/modulator system that may manufactured using a high-volume semiconductor manufacturing process. The coupled waveguide modulator includes a substrate having a coupler region and an output region. A first waveguide on the substrate is parallel to an optical axis. A second waveguide is formed proximate the first waveguide, is parallel to the optical axis, and is separated from the first waveguide by a coupling distance in at least the coupler region. The second waveguide is nonparallel to the optical axis and separated from the first waveguide by at least the coupling distance in at least part of the output region.

Abstract: An electric conductor incorporates at least one optical fibre and has a central axial element with at least one layer of elements helically stranded about it. At least one of the elements, preferably the central axial one, includes at least one optical fibre which is enclosed in a longitudinally extending welded metal tube (typically stainless steel). A second metal tube of greater thickness and higher conductivity than the welded metal tube and having an unwelded longitudinal seam surrounds the welded tube. The second tube is typically of aluminium and served to increase the diameter of the element so that a greater range of useful conductor sizes can be formed by using it in conjunction with appropriately chosen wire diameters.

Abstract: An optical cable (1) has at least two optical fibers (2, 3), composed of plastic, which are surrounded by a common sheath (6) made of insulating material. To ensure functional endurance, even with frequent bending, the optical fibers (2, 3) are stranded together with a short length of lay which is smaller than six times the diameter (D) of an optical fiber (2, 3). In addition, at least two layers of high tensile strength fibers (5) composed of insulating material are stranded around the optical fibers (2, 3), which are stranded together.

Abstract: A system of making high density optical fiber arrays that includes securing the optical fiber ends in the housing front mask openings, then lapping the fiber ends and front mask forward surface to angle the fiber end front surfaces so that reflected wave energy does not interfere with optical signal data when transmitted during use. The opening pattern is preferably 2×2 to 128×128 or higher. Several alternate lap tool designs are disclosed including translational and rotating laps formed from solid bodies or a series of stacked plates. Standard slurry grinding and polishing compounds can be applied as desired. If a layer of epoxy originally covers the mask front face, it is removed by the lap tool as the fiber ends are lapped.

Abstract: A optoelectronic module comprises one or more VCSELs electrically connected to an IC and optically connected to a fiber optic faceplate. The fiber optic faceplate, comprising a closely packed bundle of optical fibers, permits efficient capture of light from the VCSELs. Precise alignment of the faceplate with respect to the VCSELs is not needed since light not collected by one fiber is captured by another nearby optical fiber. One method of fabricating the module comprises forming substrate layers on both sides of the VCSELs such that features can be formed on the first substrate layer while the second temporary substrate layer provides structural support. The method further comprises forming apertures on the first substrate layer by etching. An etch stop buffer layer positioned between the first substrate layer and the VCSELs protects the VCSELs from being etched in the process. The second temporary substrate layer is removed after the fiber optic faceplate is mounted on the first substrate side.

Abstract: An active photonic crystal device for controlling an optical signal is disclosed. The device includes a planar photonic crystal with a defect waveguide bounded on the top and bottom by an upper cladding region and a lower cladding region. An optical signal propagating in the defect waveguide is confined in the plane of the photonic crystal by the photonic bandgap, and in the direction normal to the photonic crystal by the upper clad region and the lower clad region. The propagation of the optical signal in the defect waveguide is controlled by varying the optical properties at least one of the upper clad region or the lower clad region. The variation of the optical properties of the controllable regions may be achieved using a thermo-optic effect, an electro-optic effect, a stress-optic effect, or a mechano-optic effect, or by moving a material into or out of the controllable region.

Abstract: A photonic device including: at least first and second optical waveguides; and, a buffer at least partially interposed between the first and second optical waveguides where they at least partially overlie one-another so as to at least partially mitigate interference between optical signals traversing the first and second optical waveguides.