Abstract: A filling body is inserted together with a loose bundle of guide tubes during installation into the passage space of a protective duct, thus enlarging the bundle diameter (which reduces the buckling risk) and making crossing of the guide tubes impossible. The guide tubes are positioned along the outside of the filling body, providing access to the guide tubes during post-installation branching. The filling body may include radially projecting spacer ribs that separate the guide tubes, thereby preventing crossing movement and helical stranding. The guide tubes are thus constrained and carried along with the filling body in alignment with the spacer ribs, so that buckling, helical stranding and three-dimensional restrictions or tangles cannot occur.

Abstract: An optical device, such as optical coupling devices, optical switches, optical isolators, optical attenuators, laser diodes, photo diodes are provided having a substrate with a groove in order to locate a optical fiber. A lens, such as a graded index lens, is secured to the end of the optical fiber, with the lens located outside the groove, thereby avoiding difficulties with axial alignment of the lens caused by the interface of the optical fiber to the lens. In one implementation, the groove in the prototype is a V-groove, thereby providing stable positioning of the optical fiber within the groove.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pass guide for optical fibers. The guide (120a, 120b) comprises a plurality of adjacent grooves (122) each having a width adjusted to receive a single optical fiber and a height adjusted to receive stacking of a plurality of optical fibers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber providing high photosensitivity in the absence of hydrogen loading as well as a low numerical aperture. One aspect of the present invention relates to an optical fiber including a core, the core comprising silica doped with at least about 6 mol % germania and at least about 0.9 wt % fluorine; and a cladding surrounding the core. The optical fiber of the present invention is suitable for the production of fiber Bragg gratings.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical fiber, an optical fiber cable and a radiation detecting system at a low cost. Further, the radiation detecting system is provided which can adequately monitor the radiation leak without delay. The optical fiber cable comprises: an optical fiber including; a core 12 having lightwave guide property and extending along one direction; a clad layer 14 covering over a peripheral surface of the core 12; and a scintillator material dispersed in the clad layer 14 and emitting light when radiation is applied, a radiation-shielding layer 24 covering substantially over a periphery of the optical fiber 10, and a gap 26 located in at least one part of the radiation-shielding layer 24.

Abstract: A rod integrator includes a quadrangular prismatic light-guiding member with rectangular cross-sectional shape. The light-guiding member guides the beam from the first end surface to the second end surface opposing the first end surface while causing the beam to be reflected by the side surfaces such that the beam is outputted from the second end surface. The rod integrator includes a tube-shape body having the first open end portion tightly surrounding the end portion of the light-guiding member on the side of the second end surface, and having the second open end portion from which the beam is outputted while causing the beam from the first end portion to be reflected by inner mirror surfaces of the tube-shape body. The tube-shape body is arranged, in a pinwheel shape, a first, second, third, and fourth member, each of which is in plate shape and has a mirror surface on one side, onto the light-guiding member, such that the tube-shape body has the mirror surfaces facing inside thereof.

Abstract: An optical transmission device improved in optical coupling loss between light guides and optical elements and excelling in efficiency of light utilization is to be provided. The optical transmission device is provided with light guides having light incidence/emission sections on plural stepped portions, a substrate which fixes the light guides, and light receiving elements and light emitting elements arranged on the substrate to match the light incidence/emission sections of the light guides. The light receiving elements and the light emitting elements are arranged on the substrate by use of optical connectors. Coefficients of linear expansion and the rates of dimensional variation due to water absorption (or water absorption rates) of the light guides and the substrate here are substantially equalized.

Abstract: An optical guide and an image forming apparatus which uses the optical guide in an eraser or an auxiliary transfer device. The optical guide guides light incident through one side in a lengthwise direction, makes the light in an effective width range of the lengthwise direction uniform and outputs the light. The optical guide includes a first surface on which a plurality of reflective slopes each having a stripe shape and forming a predetermined angle with respect to the lengthwise direction are discretely formed. Either an angle formed between the slopes and the lengthwise direction or an interval between the reflective slopes is varied. The optical guide further includes a second surface which is opposite to the first surface and is used as an output surface from which light reflected from the reflective slopes is output.

Abstract: An optical waveguide plate for a surface light emitting apparatus and a surface light emitting apparatus using the optical waveguide plate that provides excellent uniformity in surface emission is disclosed. The optical waveguide plate comprises an end face introducing light emitted from a light source, and a light emitting surface outputting light introduced from the end face. The end face has a light introducing portion comprising a plurality of notched prisms which disperse incident light. The intervals between two adjacent prisms are set to become greater in proportion to the distance from the center of the light introducing portion. The angles of the prisms are also adjusted to provide uniform surface emission.

Abstract: A method for introducing errors into a digital fiber optic communication link so that small analog changes in optical transmission efficiency can be determined by changes in the audible error rate. The method comprises providing a transmitter with a test channel that provides a pseudorandom encoded optical transmission through coupled fiber optic cables. The signal is sent through the cables and received by a receiver which introduces and measures errors. The received signal is split and processed by a clock recovery circuit and a lowpass filter. The clock recovery circuit obtains the optimal sampling point. The lowpass filter filters the data and provides a timing adjustment relative to the recovered clock signal. The clock retimes the filtered data with a sampling comparator. The variable timing introduces errors allowing optical transmission efficiency measurements. A bit error rate tester produces audible sounds whose frequency content is related to the bit error rate.

Abstract: A data management method for recorded programs stored on a digital recording device. A portion of a first recorded program is rendered to an audio/video device. A user command is received for releasing memory associated with a rendered portion of the first recorded program. In response to the user command, the memory associated with the rendered portion is released, wherein the memory is available to store data associated with a second recorded program and a remaining portion of the first recorded program is available for presentation to the audio/video device. The present invention provides a method for maximizing the storage space of a digital recording device, such as a personal video recorder (PVR) or a digital video recorder (DVR), by allowing for partial deletion of a recorded program. The remaining portion of the recorded program may be presented in response to a second user command.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an integrated circuit for signal input switching which can record a video or the like on a recording unit and can output the video or the like to a monitor unit, and can reduce a cross talk. An integrated circuit (20) for signal input switching is constituted as follows. The integrated circuit (20) comprises a recording input switching section (2), a monitor input switching section (3), and wirings for leading signals output from signal sources (21), (22), (31) and (32) to the recording input switching section (2) and the monitor input switching section (3). The recording input switching section (2) switches a connection of the signal sources (21), (22), (31) and (32) and a recording unit (26). The monitor input switching section (3) switches a connection of the signal sources (21), (22), (31) and (32) and a monitor unit (27).

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a computer-assisted motion video editing system directs a user through the process of editing a video program. The graphical user interface may also enables a user to plan a video program. Alternatively selectable interfaces within a single window interface, each of which provide a group of planning, capturing, editing, and recording functions can provide such an interface for producing a video program. Other simplifications to the user interface can be provided to assist in editing, such as by maintaining a video display window for displaying the edited video program at a fixed position for all available editing operations. Additionally, video information can be captured directly into a timeline representation of a video program, rather than a bin. Using a storyboard tied to the capturing process, a user is directed through the process of collecting and capturing the video clips to be used in the video program.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing recording of data transferred from a video source device to a recording device is disclosed. The method and system include analyzing an input signal from the source device based on a set of rules. In response to detecting a source device state change, the behavior of the recording device is automatically synchronized to the detected source device state without real-time user-interactive control. More particularly, when normal play mode is detected, the recording device automatically begins recording the input signal without user control or an extra control channel.

Abstract: A reproducing method and apparatus for receiving and reproducing data and outputting the data into an external device. After reproducing the data, a descrambler corresponding to a type of the reproduced data is selected from a plurality of descramblers and the external device is authenticated by a selected authenticator which is included in a plurality of authenticators for authenticating the external device and corresponds to the selected descrambler, and the data is outputted.

Abstract: An information record medium (1: DVD) having a record track (1a) recorded with at least video information is to be reproduced by a reproducing apparatus (S2), which has a read device (80) and reproduces at least video information while relatively moving the read device along the record track. In the information record medium, at least video information and control information (41: NAVI-PACK, 50: PCI, 51: DSI) comprising access information to access the video information are recorded on the record track such that the video and control informations are divided into a plurality of first data groups (30: VOBU), each of which is a unit able to be accessed by the reproducing apparatus and each of which comprises the video and control informations.

Abstract: A digital processor to synchronize ancillary information with film images during a film conversion session is described. The ancillary information includes metadata information and audio information. The digital processor advantageously processes the ancillary information at a speed to support faster than real-time film conversion. The ancillary information can come from various sources and in various forms. Information from analog sources is digitized for processing using digital technology. A pitch adjuster frequency shifts digitized analog signals and digital input signals to achieve a selected data rate that matches the rate of film conversion. Digitally encoded input data can be decoded and re-encoded to achieve the selected data rate. A formatter manipulates the ancillary information at the selected data rate to conform to a standard format and combines the formatted ancillary information with film images conforming to a standard motion picture format.

Abstract: A recordable optical disc stores one or more video objects. A video stream, a first audio stream, and a second audio stream which is used for dubbing are multiplexed into each video object. Also, an optical disc recording apparatus generates the second audio stream by an audio stream generating means, and multiplexes the generated second audio stream into each video object together with the video object and the first audio stream by a multiplexing means. The generated video objects are recorded onto the recordable optical disc by a recording means. The optical disc in which such video objects are stored facilitates dubbing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for recording coded digital audio-visual data. On recording coded digital audio-visual data the problem occurred that predictions about the remaining available recording time on a mass storage medium being used were not possible because the applied coding causes the data rate of the coded digital audio-visual data to vary considerably. According to the invention, said problem may be avoided, whereby information on average data rates for programme sections is determined for the coded digital audio-visual data, which permits a prediction of the amounts of data to be expected for each programme section.

Abstract: A recording medium with the increased recording efficiency is provided. Depending upon the size of the remaining area of a sector, a transport stream unit is recorded across two sectors with the result that sectors contain no null data. If the size of the remaining area of the last sector of a stream object unit is less than the size of a transport stream unit, the remaining area is padded with null data.

Abstract: A coding and/or decoding system includes: a code-word table for storing therein a plurality of code words, which are capable of being decoded both in forward and backward directions and which are formed so that delimiters of the code words are capable of being identified by a predetermined weight of the code words, so that the code words correspond to different source symbols; an encoder for selecting code words corresponding to inputted source symbols from the code-word table; and a synchronization interval setting part for preparing coded data every predetermined interval using the code words selected by the encoder and for inserting stuffing codes capable of being decoded in the backward direction. Thus, it is possible to decrease useless bit patterns to enhance the coding efficiency by smaller amounts of calculation and storage, and to decode variable length codes both in the forward and backward directions even if the synchronization interval is set every interval using the stuffing bits.

Abstract: A coding and/or decoding system includes: a code-word table for storing therein a plurality of code words, which are capable of being decoded both in forward and backward directions and which are formed so that delimiters of the code words are capable of being identified by a predetermined weight of the code words, so that the code words correspond to different source symbols; an encoder for selecting code words corresponding to inputted source symbols from the code-word table; and a synchronization interval setting part for preparing coded data every predetermined interval using the code words selected by the encoder and for inserting stuffing codes capable of being decoded in the backward direction. Thus, it is possible to decrease useless bit patterns to enhance the coding efficiency by smaller amounts of calculation and storage, and to decode variable length codes both in the forward and backward directions even if the synchronization interval is set every interval using the stuffing bits.

Abstract: A coding and/or decoding system includes: a code-word table for storing therein a plurality of code words, which are capable of being decoded both in forward and backward directions and which are formed so that delimiters of the code words are capable of being identified by a predetermined weight of the code words, so that the code words correspond to different source symbols; an encoder for selecting code words corresponding to inputted source symbols from the code-word table; and a synchronization interval setting part for preparing coded data every predetermined interval using the code words selected by the encoder and for inserting stuffing codes capable of being decoded in the backward direction. Thus, it is possible to decrease useless bit patterns to enhance the coding efficiency by smaller amounts of calculation and storage, and to decode variable length codes both in the forward and backward directions even if the synchronization interval is set every interval using the stuffing bits.

Abstract: A video image file constituted by video data and attendant data formed by an image pickup device is input to an image service providing apparatus. Image services such as image distribution, medium recording, and printing are described in the attendant data. In the image service providing apparatus, an image service type is specified by a service selecting device on the basis of the attendant data, and a service switching device is switched to output the video data to any one of a distribution device, a recording device, an image forming device, and a video editing device. Therefore, any one of distribution, recording, image formation, and image editing of the video image file can be easily executed.

Abstract: A method for producing an interactive presentation for a DVD video player, based upon a slide presentation, like a PowerPoint presentation in which the slide presentation is received, slide content is extracted and associated with a video frame at a position within the video frame based upon the slide presentation. The video frame may be linked with another video frame to provide a user-navigable path between the video frames. The slide content may be positioned within a safe area of the video frame to facilitate display of the presentation on different monitors and televisions. The video frame may be combined with a video clip that loops indefinitely, drawing the audience's attention to the slide content. In one embodiment, an image of a navigation bar is inserted into a title layer and controls are associated with the navigation bar.

Abstract: On a host computer (300), writing software for controlling recording and image forming operations of an optical disc recording apparatus (10) is installed. When the writing software is activated, the host computer (300) requests the user to input various settings relating to record information and image information before giving instructions for starting recording and those for starting image formation to the optical disc recording apparatus (10), and, in accordance with various settings which are input in response to the request, determines the recording and image forming operations of the optical disc recording apparatus (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a hot air appliance (1.1) comprising an electric heating body (4) and a fan (9) for producing a hot air flow (28). The inventive hot air appliance (1.1) is provided with a catalytic odour filter (21) which is subjected to the airflow (27) from the fan.

Abstract: The present invention suitably provides a method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a liquid vaporizer heating element, and thereby the rate of evaporation and level of fragrance delivery from the same. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the device may include a switch that suitably allows the temperature of various types of heating elements to be controlled for different levels of fragrance output. For example, an exemplary embodiment may include a two-pronged plug adaptable to typical outlets that might be found in residential homes or businesses. In accordance With another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electrical switch generally provides varying resistance values to the electric circuitry of the vaporizer such that, by changing the switch setting, the operating temperature of the wick is controlled and thus the rate of fragrance evaporation from the vaporizer.

Abstract: In a pair of photometric sensors which receive an object light flux through a pair of the light-receiving lenses are formed on a semiconductor chip on which a pair of the sensor arrays are formed. Further, one of a pair of the photometric sensor performs photometry at an upper part of the footage, and the other photometric sensor carries out photometry at a lower part of the footage.

Abstract: A computation expression is stored by which an emission time period for obtaining a predetermined amount of emitted light is obtained by using temperature as a variable. An emission time period is obtained from a temperature on the basis of this computation expression. When a red-eye prevention mode is selected and when preliminary light emission and main light emission are performed continuously, the emission time period for main light emission is adjusted by detecting the voltage across a main capacitor through a voltage monitor. If a reference emission time period Tf is shorter than a predetermined time period of 30 &mgr;sec, the emission time is adjusted according to information including t0 corresponding to an emission delay time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera with a built-in strobe which can reduce its whole size, while having a pop-up mechanism that enables a strobe casing attached to a camera body to be shiftable. The camera is provided with a camera body (2), a support unit (3) which has a first turning section (11) and a second turning section (12) and which is turnably supported on the camera body (2) through the first turning section (11), a strobe casing (4) turnably supported at one side thereof on the support unit (3) through the second turning section (12), a first engaging section (15) for engaging the support unit (3) at a second position, and a second engaging section (16) for engaging the strobe casing (4) at the second position.

Abstract: To realize a wireless imaging apparatus having excellent sensitivity to an environmental change, a wireless imaging device has an imaging unit with a function of imaging a subject and a communication unit with a wireless communication function. The imaging unit has, at least, an optical lens, an aperture 2 to limit incident light from the optical lens, an optical sensor 4 to convert the incident light passed through the aperture 2 into an electric signal, and an antenna for wireless communication, integrally formed with the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a camera including a writer adapted to couple information to a film in use in the camera, the information relating to an ISO rating setting for a particular image captured by the camera. The invention also relates to photographic processing system, comprising reading means to identify from magnetic information stored on a film to be processed the ISO rating setting at which images on the film were captured and a developer stage to receive the film to be developed. The photographic processing system also includes a control unit to select a development time for the film in dependence on the identified ISO rating setting. The invention enables optimisation of image quality to be achieved.

Abstract: In a photography method, a determination is made that a set of captured images includes one or more encoded captured images having a partial shading encodement. The partial shading is partial shadowing or partial filtering or a combination of the two. The encodement has a predetermined edge pattern and is disposed within a predetermined subarea of an image. An encoded captured image is digitized to provide a digital image having a plurality of pixels. A plurality of pixel templates of an edge pattern and the pixels in the subarea of the digital image are convolved to provide a plurality of template position metrics. Each pixel template has the same shape. Each pixel template is differently located in said subarea. The highest of the template position metrics and a predetermined threshold template position metric value of the edge pattern are compared.

Abstract: An audio photograph or picture 2 made of a photograph or picture material 6 having an image area 12 for providing at least one photographic or picture image and further having an audio system 4 embedded within the photograph or picture material 6. The audio system 4 comprises a recording system for recording and storing audio information and a playback system for playing audio information. The components of the audio system 4 are made from ultra-thin, compact, and flexible materials, and these components are made paper-thin.

Abstract: A camera has a body having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. The exposure frame has a window. A mask core is mounted in the body. The mask core has an axis of rotation extending transverse to the exposure frame. The mask core has a plurality of sectors arranged about the axis of rotation. Each sector has an active position adjoining the window. Each sector shades the window differently in the respective active position. A drive is coupled to the mask core. The drive selectively rotates the mask core between the active positions of each of the sectors.

Abstract: A camera has a body and a film holder having an exposure frame surrounding an exposure opening. A taking lens system is mounted to the body. The taking lens system has an optical axis. The taking lens system transmits a scene image through the exposure opening. A screener is mounted to the body. The screener is movable, relative to the exposure frame, between a primary position and a plurality of different secondary positions. The screener shadows the exposure frame differently in each secondary position. The exposure frame is unshaded when the screener is in the primary position.

Abstract: The optical splitter includes a diffractive optical element (DOE) to create a generally two-dimensional array of beams of light from an input light beam. Each beam carries substantially identical information content. The intensity and the position of each element of the array of beams may be controlled. In addition, an embodiment of the invention is an optical demultiplexer that comprises the above optical splitter.

Abstract: A method for powering up an optical network is provided. The method comprises remotely and safely increasing power to optical links in the optical network while monitoring signal levels in the network to discover installation errors, incorrect equipment configuration, and faulty components. In a modification to the method, attenuations of optical attenuators and gain values of optical amplifiers are set. The methods for powering up the optical network of the embodiments of the invention apply to both new optical networks and to new optical links added to pre-existing optical networks.

Abstract: An optical multi-ring network for burst data communication is disclosed. The multi-ring network includes a plurality of optical single-ring networks having a plurality of optical add/drop routers connected with each other through fiber links, and a core optical router for supporting communication between the optical single-ring networks. The core optical router includes a wavelength division demultiplexing section for demultiplexing optical signals received from the each single-ring network and outputting the demultiplexed optical signals as channels whose wavelengths are different from each other; a branching section for branching off and outputting a portion of each channel; and a switching section for switching each channel to a path directed to the destination of each channel according to a first control signal.

Abstract: An optical-inclusive, dWDM local area network and the accompanying signaling protocol necessary to facilitate communication between nodes in a network. This network architecture provides for a packet-oriented network, independent of the number of nodes and the number of supported wavelengths, and provides for scheduled access to the medium, which guarantees higher utilization.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for free space optical communication. The apparatus and method provide a free-space optical communication. The apparatus can include a link head configured to provide optical communication, a microroom cover positioned about and encasing the link head and a flexure support. The flexure support is secured at a first end with the microroom cover and extends away from the microroom cover, and is further secured at a second end with a structure, wherein the flexure support is configured to flex from a first position when a force is applied to the microroom cover. The present invention optically aligns a first and second free-space optical communication apparatuses. When a force is received on the first communication apparatus a portion of the first apparatus tilts to maintain the optical alignment between the first and second communication apparatuses.

Abstract: A method and system for pairing a remote control transmitter and receiver includes associating an identification (ID) code with the transmitter. The transmitter includes a light generator for generating a light signal in order to perform a primary function which is visually detectable by a human operator. The light generator may be a laser pointer or a status indicator LED. The light generator is modulated to encode the identification code onto the light signal while the light generator is performing the primary function. The receiver includes a light signal detector such as an LED for receiving the light signal from the light generator. The receiver associates itself with the ID code contained in the light signal in order to pair the receiver with the transmitter. By being paired with the transmitter, the receiver acts upon transmitted command signals received from the transmitter.

Abstract: The optical sampling system realizes the optical sampling by detecting the interference effect which is a linear correlation between the signal lights and the optical pulses, so that it suffices for both the signal lights and the optical pulses to have relatively low intensities, and the reception sensitivity is high. Also, the pulse width of the optical pulses and the amount of delay given to the optical pulses are the only factors that limit the time resolution, so that it is possible to provide the optical sampling system with excellent time resolution and power consumption properties, and it is possible for the optical sampling system to monitor not only the intensity of the signal lights but also the frequency modulation component as well.

Abstract: Disclosed is a duobinary optical transmitter, which includes a laser source for outputting light with a predetermined wavelength; a Mach-Zehnder interferometer-type optical intensity modulator for modulating the intensity of the light according to a three-level data signal inputted through a modulation terminal; a low-pass filter for converting an inputted two-level binary data signal into a three-level data signal through an interference among codes; and, a modulator driver/amplifier for amplifying the three-level data signal and then outputting it to the modulation terminal, wherein the overall bandwidth of the low-pass filter, the modulator driver/amplifier, and the optical intensity modulator corresponds to approximately ¼ of the clock frequency of the two-level binary data signal.

Abstract: An optical modulation processing section is provided which, in turn, includes a signal carrier-suppressed pulse modulating unit that performs signal carrier-suppressed pulse modulation on a light source signal to thereby create a CS-RZ signal, a phase modulating unit that performs phase modulation on a data signal based on the CS-RZ signal to thereby convert the data signal to a phase-modulated signal, and an optical filtering unit that filters out redundant frequency components included in the phase modulation signal.

Abstract: A control system for an image forming device includes a sensor mounted on an optical path unobstructed by elements that are subject to wear for detecting a time varying signal representing reflected light from both a photoconductive element and a transfer sheet internal to the image forming device, a memory storing reference values, and a controller to control an image forming operation based on the reference values stored in the memory and the time-varying signal received from the sensor. The controller reads the time-varying signal from the sensor and compares the time-varying signal read to the reference values to determine a condition of the image forming device.

Abstract: A charger charges a body with a voltage in which an AC voltage is superimposed on a DC voltage. The charger and the body have a small gap therebetween. A sensor measures a humidity in the gap between the charger and the body. A magnitude of the AC voltage to be superimposed on the DC voltage is determined based on the humidity detected.

Abstract: A developing device having a developing gap detecting function includes a photosensitive medium, a developer conveyer, a DC power source, an AC power source, a current detecting unit and a controller. The current detecting unit detects a DC current flowing on the developer conveyer when toner from the developer conveyer is attached to a desired area of an electrostatic latent image on a photosensitive body by enhancing a voltage outputted from a power supply gradually at proper intervals. The controller obtains a developing gap between the photosensitive medium and the developer conveyer based on current values detected by the current detecting unit. In accordance with the developing device having the developing gap detecting function, the developing gap is sensed easily and correctly by perceiving a discharge start voltage, and image forming conditions are controlled, thereby improving an image quality.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided with a controller which distinguishes the type of original from image data obtained by prescanning an original image and selects image processing parameters suited to the type of original. When automatic image forming mode is selected, the controller outputs, depending on whether a user has selected monochrome or multi-color image processing operation, a control signal indicating whether or not to prescan the original image to obtain information necessary for distinguishing the type of original to an image scanning unit.