Abstract: The present invention provides a memory element for providing compatibility information and/or parametric data about a scanning beam device to a universal base station. The present invention provides a memory coupled to the scanning beam device that provides parametric data, such as an identifier code, compatibility information, and other characteristics of the scanning beam device that is coupled to the universal base station. A controller of the base station may use the parametric data to configure or generate a control routine so as to allow the base station to properly operate the device.

Abstract: This application describes, among others, wafer designs, testing systems and techniques for wafer-level optical testing by coupling probe light to/from the top of a wafer. A wafer level test system uses optical and electronic probes to search for and align with an optoelectronic alignment structure. The test system uses a located optoelectronic alignment structure as a reference point to locate other devices on the wafer. The system tests the operation of selected devices disposed on the wafer. The optoelectronic alignment loop is also used as an alignment reference of known performance for an adjacent device of unknown performance.

Abstract: A compact, light weight, efficient and cost-effective illumination system for optical displays is disclosed. The illumination system is capable of producing a self-luminous light beam of selected cross-section and spatial distribution in terms of intensity and angle. The illumination system can efficiently couple light from light sources having wide variety of sizes and shapes into light valves of various shapes and sizes. The illumination system includes a light recovery system or a polarization conversion system or a suitable combination of the foregoing.

Abstract: An optoelectronic circuit including: an IC chip made up of a substrate in which an optical waveguide and a mirror have been fabricated, the substrate having a first lens formed thereon, wherein the mirror is aligned with the optical waveguide and the first lens is aligned with the mirror to form an optical path connecting the first lens, the mirror, and the optical waveguide; and an optical coupler including a second lens, the optical coupler affixed to the substrate and positioned to align the second lens with the first lens so as to couple an optical signal into or out of the optical waveguide within the IC chip.

Abstract: An optical coupler having two refractive lenses for coupling an optoelectronic element and an optical medium to each other. One lens may be in contact with the optical medium. The refractive index of the one lens may be similar to the index of the optical medium. The optoelectronic element may be a light source or a detector. The light source may be a laser. The lenses may be glass ball lenses. One of the ball lenses may be a half ball lens. If the optical medium is an optical fiber, one of the lenses may a fiber stop for the fiber when inserted in a receptacle of the coupler.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolithic optical component (400) comprising a light-absorbing layer and a waveguide structure (2). The invention is more particularly adapted to a monolithic component (400) comprising an evanescent coupling photodiode (6) integrated with the waveguide (2). The monolithic optical component (400) comprises a light-absorbing layer and a waveguide (2) evanescently coupled with the light-absorbing layer, the waveguide (2) having one end coupled to an input face (12) of the component to receive an input wave, the 10 component (400) being characterized in that the input face is convex.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to improve polarization dependence of insertion loss (PDL) in an ultraviolet light induced optical fiber grating. In the invention, in a method of manufacturing an optical fiber grating with a plurality of grating sections arranged intermittently at a predetermined period along the longitudinal direction, by irradiating, from the side of an optical fiber having locations made of a material wherein the refractive index rises when irradiated by light of a specific wavelength, light of this specific wavelength along the length direction of the optical fiber at a predetermined period, causing the refractive index of the irradiated sections to rise, high refractive index sections are formed by irradiating light evenly onto the optical fiber around the circumferential direction thereof.

Abstract: A polarization splitting grating coupler (PSGC) connects an optical signal from an optical element, such as a fiber, to an optoelectronic integrated circuit. The PSGC separates a received optical signal into two orthogonal polarizations and directs the two polarizations to separate waveguides on an integrated circuit. Each of the two separated polarizations can then be processed, as needed for a particular application, by the integrated circuit. A PSGC can also operate in the reverse direction, and couple two optical signals from an integrated circuit to two respective orthogonal polarizations of one optical output signal sent off chip to an optical fiber.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a manufactured multi-fiber cable for optical systems. The multi-fiber cable is manufactured to include a plurality of individual fiber cables, each individual fiber cable including a single optical fiber surrounded by a protective covering. There is a main cable hose around the individual fiber cables, and there is a connector on each end of each individual fiber cable. The individual fiber cables in the multi-fiber cable are preconfigured to be visually distinct from each other. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical panel system including stackable waveguides is provided. The optical panel system displays a projected light image and comprises a plurality of planar optical waveguides in a stacked state. The optical panel system further comprises a support system that aligns and supports the waveguides in the stacked state. In one embodiment, the support system comprises at least one rod, wherein each waveguide contains at least one hole, and wherein each rod is positioned through a corresponding hole in each waveguide.

Abstract: The invention relates to in particular to a device for optically regenerating pulses, the device comprising an optical bandpass filter adapted for providing time synchronization and intensity stabilization of dispersion-managed soliton pulses. The device further comprises noise suppression means distinct from the bandpass filter.

Abstract: An SOI-based photonic bandgap (PBG) electro-optic device utilizes a patterned PBG structure to define a two-dimensional waveguide within an active waveguiding region of the SOI electro-optic device. The inclusion of the PBG columnar arrays within the SOI structure results in providing extremely tight lateral confinement of the optical mode within the waveguiding structure, thus significantly reducing the optical loss. By virtue of including the PBG structure, the associated electrical contacts may be placed in closer proximity to the active region without affecting the optical performance, thus increasing the switching speed of the electro-optic device. The overall device size, capacitance and resistance are also reduced as a consequence of using PBGs for lateral mode confinement.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distribution cabinet (10) for optical fibers, comprising a housing (11) and a frame (18) that is pivotally mounted inside the housing (11). Cables encompassing optical fibers that are guided therein can be routed into and/or directed out of the distribution cabinet, the cables being routed to the frame (18) from a rear side (14) of the housing (11) and being routed away from the frame in the direction of the rear side. Subassemblies are fastened to the frame (18) in order to connect the optical fibers that are guided within the cables. At least one holding device (23) for the cables is fastened to the pivotally mounted frame (18), the cables being fixable to the holding device (23). The holding device (23) is configured so as to be pivotable relative to the housing (11) along with the frame (18), while also being pivotable relative to the frame (18).

Abstract: A cable management device, and associated assembly including a panel. The device including a segmented cable-managing arrangement having a plurality of radius limiting surfaces vertically and forwardly offset from one another. The device provides a number of incremental slack cable storage lengths that accommodates storage of slack cable without the occasion of loose slack. The assembly can include a single device used in combination with one or more other cable management devices, or nested devices to add to the versatility in accommodating various slack cable lengths.

Abstract: Interconnect cabinets for optical fibers include an enclosure and a splitter and termination panel mounted in the enclosure. The splitter has a plurality of optical fiber-connectorized pigtails extending therefrom. Each of the connectorized pigtails is associated with an optical fiber feeder cable to be coupled to a central office. The termination panel has a plurality of optical fiber connection members, ones of which are associated with respective subscriber locations. The connectorized pigtails have a cable length sufficient to allow connection to the plurality of connection members.

Abstract: An optical element (3) is mechanically retained within a slot of (2) in a rigid substrate (1), e.g. of a ceramic or crystalline material, by contact with the sides of the slot. Where the difference between a dimension of the optical element and the slot width at ambient temperature is a very small and positive, it may be removed by heating the substrate and/or cooling the element (differential thermal expansion) to allow insertion of the element. Then the temperature difference is removed so that the element is mechanically retained under compression by the slot sides. Alternatively, where the element may be directly inserted so that it is in contact with or immediately adjacent the slot wall, the material of the substrate and/or the optical element is the oxidized in the region of contact so as to increase the dimension of the oxidized material and mechanically retain the element.

Abstract: An improved waveguide shuttle optical switch design which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a waveguide shuttle platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alternative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup element comprises: a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric converting portion formed in the semiconductor substrate; a reflective material portion comprising a hole portion wherein the hole portion is located on a surface, on an area in which the photoelectric converting portion is formed, of the semiconductor substrate, the reflective material portion being formed so as to cover a surface of the semiconductor substrate; and an optical waveguide that propagates incident light while confining the light, to guide the light to the photoelectric converting portion, wherein the optical waveguide is configured by a transparent film formed in the hole portion, the transparent film having a light guiding function.

Abstract: The index of refraction in a length of doped and/or “doped-and-poled” electro-optic polymers is controlled so that a gradual transition from a low ?n to a high ?n, or vice versa, is achieved for use in, for example, a lightguide-to-fiber transition. Multiple methods for creating this gradual transition are disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the sagging of a power transmission cable hang between two towers. The cable has a first supporting portion and a second conductive portion. The method includes a first act of mounting the cable between the two towers, such that when mounted between the towers the cable has a cable load. The method further includes a second act of stretching the first portion to have a cable sag less than a desired sag, a third act of releasing at least some of the tension to obtain the desired sag, and a fourth act calculating a load magnitude carried by the first portion. If the load magnitude is less than a desired load magnitude the method includes repeating the second, third and fourth acts until the load magnitude is at the desired level.

Abstract: To provide a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus capable of automatically feeding a plurality of visual images by one picture feed operation. By pressing an operation button for picture-by-picture reproduction, a tape feed controller controls a capstan motor to feed a magnetic tape by n pictures specified by a picture feed amount setting means. As a consequence, n pictures are automatically fed by one button operation, always allowing picture-by-picture reproduction only for fixed camera visual images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing an MPEG-2 transport data stream with a conventional digital video (DV) recorder is described. The packetized MPEG-2 transport stream data is inserted into a data block of a digital video (DV) frame. The digital video frame is stored on the storage medium of the DV recorder. The DV frame may be inserted into an isochronous data transfer packet for transfer to the recorder over an IEEE 1394 serial bus. On the other hand, the MPEG transport stream data may be transferred to the recorder over the IEEE 1394 serial bus before the data is inserted into the DV frame for storage. For playback, the stored DV frame can be copied into an IEEE 1394 packet for transfer to the television receiver where the MPEG data is extracted from the frame, decoded and presented. On the other hand, the MPEG data may be extracted from the stored DV frame before transfer to the receiver over the IEEE 1394 bus.

Abstract: A request is received to create a program event to record a program from a broadcast start time through a broadcast end time on a broadcast channel. The program event is created to record the program in a recording for a playback of the program from the recording. Upon an occurrence of an incident likely to prevent the play back, a diagnostic descriptive of the incident is output.

Abstract: Extending the function of a conventional VCR to both do digital recording and to convert analog tape VCR cassette recordings to a digital format without any apparatus modification of the conventional VCR. A portable video recording device comprises a video cassette housing adapted to operatively engage a video cassette recorder, i.e. the VCR requires no modification; the VCR in effect thinks that it is receiving a conventional VCR cassette. The inserted cassette housing comprises a set of read-write heads for operatively engaging an opposing set of read-write heads in the video cassette recorder; disk-drive storage apparatus operatively connected to said cassette read-write heads; and apparatus for converting analog input from the VCR to digital data and storing the data in the disk-drive storage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which reduces or removes the effectiveness of commercial skip systems such as presently found in VCRs, PVRs, etc. which are designed to delete commercials from signal material upon playback of a previously recorded version of the signal material. In an embodiment, the effectiveness of the commercial skip system is reduced or removed by adding a flat field of selected signal level to active line portions of video lines of the signal material. Other embodiments modify the normal fade to black signal indicative of a commercial to provide a fade to non-black signal. In further embodiments, a fade to non-black signal is inserted in an overscan area of the signal picture. Still further embodiments modify audio signals or selected signals in the horizontal blanking interval which may be used in commercial skip systems to detect the presence of commercials.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for generating a time code compatible with 50P, 60P or 59.94P and having interchangeability with existing time codes. The apparatus includes: a microcomputer for dividing a frame number indicated by time address data in supplied code word data to obtain a quotient and a remainder; and the microcomputer and a time code reader for replacing the frame number indicated by the time address data in the code word data with the quotient and for generating a time code based on the code word data in which a value of a color frame flag is set to 0 if the remainder is 0 and for replacing the frame number with the quotient and for generating the time code based on the code word data in which the value of the color frame flag is set to 1 if the remainder is 1.

Abstract: Video data recording using a plurality of video camera devices can be performed more conveniently than in the conventional technique. A video camera device working as a parent device has a signal sending/receiving function and a control function for the whole system, and a video camera device working as a child device has a signal sending/receiving function. The parent device sends synchronization data for time synchronization, and each child device performs a shooting operation in time synchronization with the parent device in accordance with the received synchronization data.

Abstract: Often, during an event, such as a movie, play, concert, opera, etc., viewers of the event attempt to illicitly record the event. Such illicit recording attempts may be interfered with by using emitters that emit radiation that interferes with recording and/or operation of the recording devices. For example, infrared emitters may be used to saturate an event viewing area. The infrared, while non-visible to human viewers, is received and recorded by recorders using charge-coupled devices (CCDs), such as conventional digital cameras, movie cameras, television cameras, telescopes, etc. Other radiation can be emitted based on the type of recorder with which one desires to interfere. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, emitters may also be used to send commands to recorders, such as stop, rewind, eject, etc., to interfere with operation of the recorders.

Abstract: In a recording device, a playback buffer is provided between a TS decoder and an AV decoder and an internal memory is provided within the AV decoder. This being so, a video frame which is being played precedes a video frame which is being received, by about six frames. This time interval between reception and playback poses a problem when manual recording is performed. To solve the problem, the same video frames which are to be played by the AV decoder are stored in a record buffer. In this way, even if the time interval exists between reception and playback, the currently played video frame and subsequent video frames can be read from the record buffer and written onto an HDD.

Abstract: A method of interfacing an electromagnetic sensor with a controller in a motor control system, the method including: applying an excitation signal to the electromagnetic sensor; receiving a first electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the first electromagnetic sensor signal comprising an amplitude modulated signal corresponding to a position of a rotor of the electromagnetic sensor; and receiving a second electromagnetic sensor output signal based on the excitation signal, the second electromagnetic sensor signal comprising another amplitude modulated signal corresponding to the position of the rotor of the electromagnetic sensor.

Abstract: A representatively pumpless water heater system has an instantaneous water heater coupled in series with a storage water heater by piping circuitry incorporating a bypass valve and a mixing valve and useable to route pressurized incoming cold water sequentially through the instantaneous and storage type heaters. A control system (1) operates the bypass valve to cause a selectively variable portion of the incoming cold water to bypass the instantaneous heater and flow to the mixing valve, and (2) operates the mixing valve to blend the bypassed cold water with hot water exiting the storage heater to maintain a predetermined temperature of heated water exiting the system. Another system embodiment adds a directional bypass valve operable by the control system to selectively divert to the mixing valve a portion of the heated water exiting the instantaneous heater for delivery to the storage heater.

Abstract: An upright camera housing having an adjustable pan position and an upright front pane for at least one camera with adjustable lens and tilt includes a mount for installing the housing onto a vertical structure and for attaching the mount to the housing by fasteners at the horizontal axis of the housing. An adjustable tilt is provided for the camera within the interior of said housing through a screw guided movable slider driven by first adjustment tool and linked to said at least one camera and wherein said adjustment tool is accessed through first sealed access of said housing. An adjustable lens is provided for each camera for manual adjustment and remote control adjustment. A manual adjustment is accessed by second adjustment tool through a second sealed access of the housing and the remote control adjustment being provided by one geared motor.

Abstract: A camera apparatus (10) has a zoom lens (12) having a zoom focus setting that is adjustable over a range of focus values and control circuitry for generating a variable voltage potential according to the zoom focus setting. A flash illumination apparatus (20) has a light source (26) and a variable focus lens (24, 40), the variable focus lens (24, 40) having a first and a second fluid (42, 44) in a chamber (36, 46), the fluids (42, 44) having different indices of refraction and being non-miscible and in contact over an interface surface (54) with variable shape. An electrode (50) applies a variable voltage potential within the chamber (36, 46) for shaping the interface surface (54) according to the zoom focus setting.

Abstract: A communication system includes nodes that exchange communications over optical fibers. In the event of a fault, the nodes implement ring protection for a first set of the communications and implement mesh protection for a second set of the communications. Ring protection may be used for two degree nodes and mesh protection may be used for higher degree nodes, or a customer may select between ring protection and mesh protection.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching communication light beams propagating through a plurality of optical fibers. The switch includes a plurality of input-side lenses, a plurality of moving mirrors, a plurality of output-side lenses, light emitting units, and light receiving units arranged for optical communication. The plurality of input-side lenses include first input-side lenses to which communication light beams coming from first external units and propagating through input-side optical fibers connect optically and second input-side lenses to which the light beams from the light emitting units connect optically.

Abstract: A modular reconfigurable multi-server system for use in a wavelength-division-multiplexed based photonic burst switched (PBS) network with variable time slot provisioning. An optical high-speed I/O module within the multi-server system enables it to serve as an edge node in the PBS network. The optical I/O module statistically multiplexes the incoming packets (e.g., IP packets or Ethernet frames) received from a legacy network, generates control and data bursts, which are then scheduled for transmission over the PBS network. The optical I/O module then optically transmits and receives the scheduled optical bursts according to traffic priority and available network resources.

Abstract: A fiber optic communication system includes a device of switching and setting wavelength of optical signals used in communication by network-node equipments, which sets the mapping of the wavelength of the optical signal used in communication by the network node equipments, and the input/output ports of an array waveguide grating (AWG), so as to construct a predetermined logical network topology by a plurality of network node equipments which are connected via optical fibers to the array waveguide grating that outputs optical signals inputted to optical input ports, to predetermined optical output ports in accordance with the wavelength thereof. As well as enabling a simple construction, it is easy to realize flexible network design, construction, and operation, and different network groups can also be easily connected to each other. Moreover, a fiber optic communication system having robust security and which can be stably operated even at the time of failure is realized at low cost.

Abstract: A method and system includes at least one interconnect hub, connecting the at least one interconnect hub to a plurality of audio connection devices to form a network of audio connection devices with the interconnect hub at the center of the ring. The audio connection devices are connected to each other through the at least one interconnect hub, and data is synchronously transmitted between at least two of the audio connection devices through the at least one interconnect hub.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical cross-connect device for communication between first and second optical networks communicating with each other using forward and backward optical signals each including of a plurality of channels. The device includes a first circulating part having first through fourth ports configured to output an optical signal, which is input to a higher-order port thereof, from a lower-order port thereof arranged adjacent to the higher-order port. The first circulating part is connected at the first and third ports thereof to a first optical network. A second circulating part has first through fourth ports configured to output an optical signal, which is input to a higher-order port thereof, from a lower-order port thereof arranged adjacent to the higher-order port.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to prevent a light-emitting diode from emitting light continuously in the case when the level at an input terminal is fixed high because of software or the like and to avoid various problems, such as battery exhaustion and breakdown of the light-emitting diode, in PDAs, cellular phones, etc. For these purposes, a high-pass filter 21 for passing the high-frequency components of an optical transmission input signal having a pulse waveform and a binary circuit 22 for binarizing the output signal of the high-pass filter 21 so as to be returned to a pulse waveform are provided in the preceding stage of a light-emitting device driving circuit 23 for driving a light-emitting diode 8 for optical transmission.

Abstract: An optical receiver in an optical communication system, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus for optimizing a decision level of a signal output from an optical receiver to obtain a minimum bit error rate (BER) by measuring output characteristics of the optical receiver and adjusting a reference voltage of the optical receiver based on a measurement result. The provided method includes measuring the strength of an electric signal at a modulated frequency out of the frequency elements of the output electric signal in the optical receiver, generating a reference voltage based on the strength data of the electric signal, inputting the reference voltage to the optical receiver and re-measuring the strength of the electric signal output from the optical receiver to determine whether the strength of the signal is minimum, and maintaining the reference voltage when the strength of the signal is minimum and adjusting the reference voltage in other cases.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, that includes a printer section having a sheet delivery portion at a top thereof, and a frame arranged at a top surface of the printer section so as to extend in substantially an L-shape to a rear side and one lateral side of the printer section. An image reader is optionally attached to the top surface of the frame, and a sheet can be pulled out of both a front side and another lateral side at which no frame is provided.

Abstract: A toner concentration control system for maintaining image quality in a developer structure, the toner concentration control system including: a transfer efficiency estimator for measuring a transfer efficiency estimate associated with a developed image on an imaging surface before and after transfer; and a toner dispenser, responsive to the transfer efficiency estimator, for adjusting a toner dispense rate.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a first fixing part having a heater disposed therein, a second fixing part, disposed to oppose to the first fixing part, for pinching a recording medium to form a first nip portion, a pair of transfer rollers, disposed at a downstream side of the recording medium, for forming a second nip portion, a guide for biasing the recording medium discharged from the transfer rollers towards the first fixing part side from one of the transfers rollers, and means part for biasing the guide towards the recording medium side.

Abstract: The type of printing medium on which an image will be formed is discriminated based upon the image of the medium surface read by an image reading unit for reading the surface as an image. If the discriminated medium type is other than a prescribed printing medium, the image is formed without changing an image formation parameter. When the type of printing medium and the state of the surface are discriminated, image formation can be performed in the most stable image forming mode if an abnormality occurs.

Abstract: The amount of lateral charge migration (LCM) on a photoreceptor is quantified by measuring the average potential of a latent image formed on the photoreceptor surface. The surface is first uniformly charged, then exposed a first time to an image. After a waiting period during which LCM may occur, the surface is exposed a second time to the image. After another waiting period, the average potential is measured. The amount of LCM may be quantified by varying the waiting periods.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a developer that develops a latent image to form an image, a separation unit that separates image information of a job image by color upon writing a latent image of the job image, a comparison unit that compares the image information by color separated by the separation unit with a threshold value previously set with respect to an image concentration, and a driving condition determination unit that determines a driving condition of the developer using a result of comparison by the comparison unit.

Abstract: In an image-forming apparatus, a temperature sensor is situated in the position where the sensor is insusceptible to steam. The position is, for example, a portion, of a discharge-sensor lever, where a printing material abuts on the discharge-sensor lever. Accordingly, the temperature sensor becomes insusceptible to steam, whereby the image-forming apparatus can more appropriately control the fixing temperature than conventional image-forming apparatuses. In other words, the image-forming apparatus can more reduce the incidence rate of defects, such as increase, due to excess heating, in the amount of hot-offsets and curls, deterioration of loading capacity, and defective fixing due to scarcity of the amount of heat, than the conventional image-forming apparatuses.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing, an operation panel movably installed at the housing via a rotary shaft and having multiple buttons provided thereon, and a position adjustment unit to move the operation panel at a predetermined angle with respect to the housing and to maintain the operation panel at the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A connector cover of the present invention serves a function as a cover for a connector when a postprocessing device is not fitted to a main unit of an image forming device. Further, when the postprocessing device is fitted to the main unit of the image forming device, the connector cover is secured at the other position while maintaining the function as a cover for the connector, and serves a function as a shock-absorbing member with respect to the actuator which is provided in the postprocessing device. This makes it possible to secure a good appearance of the image forming device and make effective use of resources.