Abstract: Structural member bend radius sensor apparatus 90 comprises three fibre Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors 102 provided within three optical fibres 14, 16, 18. The optical fibres 14, 16, 18 and the FBGs 102 are embedded within a part-cylindrical shaped carrier member 92. The fibres 14, 16, 18 are provided at three spaced locations across the shaped carrier member 92 so that, in use, the three respective FBG strain sensors will be located at three different angular positions around the circumference of the structural member (pipe) 68. Structural member shape measurement apparatus 100 comprises four bend radius sensor apparatus 90 provided at four bend radius measurement positions along the pipe 68. The four bend radius sensor apparatus 90 shown share their optical fibres 14, 16, 18, and a single shaped carrier member 92. The shape measurement apparatus 100 further comprises FBG interrogation apparatus 104.

Abstract: A strain sensor includes an optical fiber with at least one optical fiber, a reflector body with a reflective surface, a housing affixed to the optical fiber probe and to the reflector body. The reflective surface is spaced apart at a distance d from the ends of the probe's fibers and receives light from the end of the fiber and to reflect at least a portion of the light into the end of the fiber. The housing is attached to the fiber probe at a first end of the housing and attached to the reflector body at a second end of the housing. The housing is affixed to the material to be measured, and in the material causes a change in gap between the fiber end and the reflective surface, modulating the amount of light received in the receiving fiber, detectable by a photodetector connected to the receiving fiber.

Abstract: An optical switch including an alignment head, a first fiber, a second fiber, a third fiber, a wedge, and a displacing means is provided. The alignment head has a base and a cover. The base has a first V-groove, a second V-groove, and a trench linked to the first and the second V-grooves. An end of the first fiber and that of the second fiber are mounted in the first and the second V-grooves, respectively. The cover is mounted on the base to secure the ends of the first and the second fibers. An end of the third fiber located in the trench is aligned to that of the first fiber. The wedge located beside the base has an incline. The displacing means set under the wedge is capable of aligning the end of the third fiber to that of the second fiber by moving the wedge.

Abstract: A flexible optical waveguide film comprises: two waveguide cores; and a clad surrounding the two waveguide core, wherein a light entrance/exit part is disposed at one end of each of the two waveguide cores, the waveguide film having an optical path converting part comprising an air void located inside the waveguide film, and a light entrance/exit end face of the light entrance/exit part is a plane surface facing an optical path converting surface of the optical path converting part, the optical path converting surface being an interface defining the air void.

Abstract: An optical device includes a waveguide immobilized on a base. The device includes a port configured to receive light signals from the waveguide such that the light signals travel through the port. The light signals enter the port traveling in a first direction. The port is configured to change the direction of the light signals from the first direction to a second direction that is toward a location above the device or below the device. The device also includes a wedge configured to receive the light signals from the port such that the light signals travel through the wedge and then exit the wedge traveling in a direction that is at an angle in a range of 88° to 92° relative to the device and that is toward a location above or below the device.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber gratings capable of removing or reducing birefringence and polarization-dependence caused by fiber gratings, and an optical fiber having the fiber gratings formed thereby. The method includes: selectively exposing an optical fiber to a light source, and generating first fiber gratings on the optical fiber; and selectively exposing the optical fiber to a light source on a region spaced apart from the first fiber gratings in a longitudinal direction at a different angle from the first fiber gratings about an axis of the optical fiber, and generating second fiber gratings that are the same as the first fiber gratings. Use of the method and apparatus for manufacturing fiber gratings may effectively remove or reduce birefringence or polarization effects.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber Bragg grating.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber cable that includes optical fibers and a deformable coupling element enclosed within a buffer tube. The coupling element is formed from a deformable yet substantially incompressible material and features a number of raised members projecting toward the optical fibers. The design of the coupling element layer permits coupling of the optical fibers to the buffer tube without the use of a compressive cushioning layer. This arrangement distributes the compressive force applied to discrete points along the outer perimeter of the optical fiber element.

Abstract: Purging interior regions of a cable reduces or prevents hydrogen darkening of an optical fiber located in the cable. While hydrogen may permeate through an outer surface of the cable, fluid circulating through the cable purges the hydrogen from within the cable. This circulation of the fluid occurs between an inner tube containing the fiber and an outer tube surrounding the inner tube.

Abstract: An optical fiber telecommunications cable includes micromodules positioned with a longitudinal central cavity formed by a jacket. Two strength members are arranged longitudinally in the jacket and define a bending axis of the cable. Each strength member has an elongated oval cross-sectional shape with a height perpendicular to the bending axis and a width parallel to the bending axis. The height-to-width ratio of each strength member is more than one and no more than two. The optical fiber telecommunications cable has a reduced diameter and good robustness, and can be manufactured at lower cost.

Abstract: An optical multimode fiber including a graded index core and an extended gradient core which has a negative refractive index difference with respect to the cladding. The fiber improves the bandwidth, reliability and complexity of the telecommunication systems that are based on multimode fibers. The fiber reduces the differential mode delay among modes. The fiber thereby allows achieving large bandwidth even in the case when the highest order modes are excited. This has positive effects to the conditions that need to be fulfilled by the components such as optical sources, connectors, fiber couplers, other optical components, cables, etc. The fiber eliminates negative impact of the cladding that allows for reduction of fiber core size and the difference between the cladding and the core and thereby allows for achieving the larger bandwidth of optical fiber at lower fiber production cost.

Abstract: An optical waveguide sheet that has an auxiliary layer for preventing light transmitted through the waveguide sheet from leaking or being lost and a manufacturing method thereof. The waveguide sheet transmits light from a light emitting element thereinto, and has a reflecting pattern for reflecting light forward. At least one auxiliary layer for providing a total reflection condition for preventing the light from leaking or being lost when the light is transmitted into the waveguide sheet is coated on the waveguide sheet.

Abstract: A multiple-core optical waveguide comprises: a substrate; lower and upper waveguide core layers; a waveguide core between the upper and lower waveguide core layers; upper and lower cladding; and middle cladding between the upper and lower waveguide core layers substantially surrounding the waveguide core. Each of the lower, middle, and upper claddings has a refractive index less than refractive indices of the lower waveguide core layer, the upper waveguide core layer, and the waveguide core. Along at least a given portion of the optical waveguide, the upper and lower waveguide core layers extend bilaterally substantially beyond the lateral extent of a propagating optical mode supported by the optical waveguide, the lateral extent of the supported optical mode being determined at least in part by the width of the waveguide core along the given portion of the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A method for configuring an enclosure used in a communications network is described. The method may include providing a group of pigtails. The method may further include routing the group of pigtails circumferentially around a subscriber termination field, where the group of pigtails is associated with an optical splitter module used to convey optical signals to a destination, and where the routing is performed in a manner that does not substantially obstruct access to at least one of a group of subscriber terminations that are associated with the subscriber termination field.

Abstract: A POF (12) comprises a core (65) having a radius of R1, an outer shell (66) and an outermost shell (67). The core (65) includes concentric layers. A first layer (61) is at the periphery side and an nth layer (64) is at the center of the core (65). The refractive index increases from the first layer (61) to the nth layer (64). The refractive index N(r) at a position where a distance r apart in a radius direction from the center of the core (65) having a radius of R1 is satisfied following equations (1) and (2) when the center of a cross-sectional circle of the core (65) has the refractive index of N1, the outermost part of the core (65) has the refractive index of N2, and a refractive index distribution coefficient is shown as g: N(r)=N1[1?2?(r/R1)g]1/2??[Equation (1)] ?=(N12?N22)/(2N12).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that, in an embodiment, calculate scores for cells within a program based on a speed at which the cells were presented and a frequency that the cells were presented. A cell includes one or more frames of presentable data. Chapters within the program are then determined and located within the program based on gradients of the scores that exceed a threshold. The scores are calculated based on incrementing a score for each cell each time the cell is presented and by different amounts depending on the speed at which the cell is presented. In an embodiment, the score is incremented by a larger amount in response to a slower presentation speed of the associated cell. In an embodiment, scores may be received from multiple clients where the program was presented, the scores may be aggregated for all the clients, and the chapters may be determined based on the aggregated scores.

Abstract: A recording time setting process, performed by a data recording and reproduction apparatus capable of readily setting a recording start time and a recording finish time, includes: the step of detecting execution of a meter recording setting mode, the step of detecting an input of recording start position, the step of calculating a time from the recording start position, the step of storing the recording start time in a memory, the step of detecting an input of recording finish position, the step of calculating a time from the recording finish position, the step of calculating a recording time period when the recording finish position is determined, and the step of storing the recording finish time in the memory if the recording time period has not yet been selected for another recording and if the required capacity does not exceed the storage capacity of the HDD.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording multiple copies of a program are provided. The method may include receiving a user instruction to record a program. A determination may be made to record multiple copies of the program. In response to the determination, multiple copies of the program may be recorded. A user instruction to display the recorded program may be received. A copy of the program may be played back. The user may switch to another copy of the recorded program if the original copy lacks desirable recording attributes, or the interactive television application may automatically switch to another copy of the program.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises an extracting means for extracting main information including first copy control information and auxiliary information representing attributes of the main information from input information; a first generating means for generating second copy control information based on the auxiliary information extracted by the extracting means; and an adding means for adding the second copy control information generated by the first generating means to the main information extracted by the extracting means. As a result, even an apparatus not capable of analyzing first copy control information is capable of executing copy control.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus and a monitor apparatus are interconnected by one cable connector, which transmits an image and/or audio signal, a first control signal, and a power signal between the reproduction apparatus and the monitor apparatus. A controller in the monitor apparatus generates the first control signal to control the reproduction apparatus and generates a second control signal to control an output unit in the monitor apparatus. The output unit outputs the image and/or the audio signal from the reproduction apparatus as a visual and/or auditory signal in response to the second control signal. A power unit receives the power signal from the reproduction apparatus and supplies power to each component of the monitor apparatus. Thus, the reproduction apparatus and the monitor apparatus can be driven through the monitor apparatus using one remote controller. Similarly, the reproduction apparatus and the monitor apparatus can be driven through the reproduction apparatus using the remote controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recording medium containing moving picture data and additional information thereof and to reproducing method and apparatus of the recording medium. The present recording medium has script files including additional information about moving picture data, e.g., scene descriptive text and introduction of characters, etc. In addition, information linking each script file with a section of moving picture data to be presented with contents of the script file is included in a link data file or is contained in a filename of the script file. In reproduction of the recording medium, a script file linked with presently reproduced moving picture data section is determined and searched for based on the link data file or every filename of the script files, and contents of the found script file are presented together with the presently reproduced moving picture data. Furthermore, previously presented additional information is removed depending on data or filename of the found script file.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for creating, updating, and recording information for seamless presentation of moving picture data in a rewritable recording medium. When recording moving picture data on a rewritable recording medium, seamless presentation information, a part of navigation data, is recorded along with the picture data for seamless presentation of the recorded picture data. The method for creating and recording seamless presentation information of the present invention can effectively reduce the amount of created seamless presentation information by omitting some fields of the seamless presentation information when they are unnecessary. If some video objects of recorded picture data are erased, navigation data related to the removed video objects should be erased and seamless presentation information should also needs proper modification.

Abstract: An AV stream, as an entity of contents, is managed by ClipInformation. The reproduction of the AV stream is managed by PlayList. The attribute information of the AV stream is recorded in the ClipInformation, whereby the attribute information may include address information corresponding to the discontinuous point in the AV stream, information correlating the time information in the AV stream and the address information, and the time information corresponding to a characteristic picture in the AV stream. This enables a preset mark to be retrieved promptly.

Abstract: An embedded digital versatile disk recording system operable to selectively record a menu with a user generated background image on a digital versatile disk.

Abstract: A method and system for limiting the motion of components such as the optics of a camera are disclosed. The system can comprise a stage and a snubber assembly for controlling motion of the stage in six degrees of freedom. For example, the snubber assembly can permit movement in one translational degree of freedom while substantially limiting motion in the other five degrees of motion so as to facilitate focusing and/or zooming of a camera while inhibiting misalignment of the optics and while providing some protection against shock and vibration. Such motion control can be achieved while mitigating costs associated with precision manufacturing of the snubber assembly.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus on which a plurality of lens units are interchangeably mountable includes a system controller configured to acquired information specific to a mounted lens unit from the mounted lens unit, a detection unit configured to detect a focus shift amount of the mounted lens unit, a display circuit configured to display the specific information acquired by the system controller in association with a focus correction value for correcting the focus shift amount detected by the detection unit, an operation switch configured to be operated by a user, and a setting unit that sets the focus correction value according to an operation on the operation switch.

Abstract: A system receives an input with a light sensor of a device, determines a luminance of a subject based on the received input, and adjusts an output of an assist light of the device based on the determined luminance.

Abstract: A camera described herein captures a plurality of images at different focus settings to improve the probability that the camera captures a clear representation of a desired object in a potentially ambiguous scene. According to one exemplary embodiment, the camera selects a plurality of focus settings corresponding to different focal points in a range of focal points. Subsequently, the camera automatically captures successive images of the scene at the selected focus settings in response to a single activation of a shutter control. The user may select one or more of the captured images for storage, transmission to a remote device, and/or further processing.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for hand-held portable illumination, sensing and evidence collection is described. A uniquely configured multi-functional device selectively provides multi-purpose lighting and sensing in a hand-held portable device which is usable as a flashlight, camera and as an integrated device for evidence collection.

Abstract: A device may include a camera to capture an image, a sensor to measure information indicative of a color characteristic of light in an environment, and a processor to adjust a color characteristic of a flash based on the color characteristic of the light in the environment and activate the flash for capturing the image according to the adjusted color characteristic.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an exterior ease to which a lens device is attached, a base plate supported in the vicinity of an objective lens of the lens device, a flashlight device pivotally connected to the base plate and capable of moving between a pop-up position and a storage position through a turning arm, a spring device that makes the flashlight device pop up to be urged to the pop-up position with the spring device in contact with the base plate and the flashlight device and a holding device for holding the flashlight device in the storage position with the holding device fixedly connected to the base plate and releasably connected to the flashlight device in the storage position. The pop-up angle of the flashlight device is set at 20 degrees or less and a light emitting portion faces the front of a subject in the pop-up position.

Abstract: A digital camera includes an imaging device for capturing images of an object, a signal processor which performs signal processing on a signal captured by the imaging device to obtain an image signal, and a single measuring device for measuring color of at least a part of the object, and for measuring a color temperature of the object to adjust white balance of the image signal.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided to enable automatically taking a series of depth of field bracket photos by varying the f-stop and shutter speed for a particular scene to keep the exposure constant. The method may be practiced on a digital camera which has been equipped with software in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Various methods, systems, and apparatuses in which a wavelength-division-multiplexing passive-optical-network includes a first broadband light source and a second broadband light source. The first broadband light source supplies an optical signal containing a first band of wavelengths to a first plurality of optical transmitters. The second broadband light source supplies an optical signal containing a second band of wavelengths to a second plurality of optical transmitters. A fiber is used for bi-directional transmission of optical signals in at least two different wavelength bands.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously transmitting and receiving multiple data messages on a unidirectional ring having a plurality of nodes coupled thereto is described. This technique utilizes a medium access (MAC) protocol for a multi-gigabit-per-second local-area optical wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) network that is particularly well suited for high-performance computing environments that need a network that provides quality of service and the ability to enforce service level agreements. The protocol uses an asynchronous, unslotted, tokenless, and collision-free access scheme that is arbitrated by a centralized scheduler. The embodiment is based on a folded-bus unidirectional ring that is passively optically tapped by the nodes to both transmit data onto the network and to receive data from the network.

Abstract: The invention is directed toward a variable spectral phase encoder. The variable spectral phase encoder includes a plurality of switches and at least one encoder. The encoder is coupled between a first switch and second switch among the plurality of switches. The first switch selectively routes an optical signal to some combination of fixed encoders such that their collective product applies one of the Hadamard sequences to the optical signal.

Abstract: A WDM optical system includes first and second WDM's including an optical link therebetween. Each WDM includes circuitry for linking multiplexer and demultiplexer circuitry to a plurality of modular elements. The modular elements include a first set of modules for converting between native protocol media signals and common format signals. A second set of modules converts between the common format signals and optical signals at separate wavelengths for communication with the multiplexers and demultiplexers. A dual path transmit and receive optical link is provided between near and far end WDM's.

Abstract: A chromatic dispersion compensator of present invention includes a high-refractive-index VIPA plate, a three-dimensional mirror, and a control unit. The high-refractive-index VIPA plate is made of a material such as silicon having a refractive index higher than that of optical glass and is able to output incident lights toward different directions according to wavelength. The three-dimensional mirror reflects the light of each wavelength emitted from the high-refractive-index VIPA plate, at a predetermined position and returns the light to the VIPA plate. The control unit controls a temperature of the high-refractive-index VIPA plate at a constant level while controlling the position of the three-dimensional mirror corresponding to a chromatic dispersion compensation amount. Thereby, larger chromatic dispersion can be compensated while a decrease in transmission bandwidth is suppressed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method directed to testing and optimizing performance of an optical transmission system is disclosed, including at least one broadband dispersion compensation unit (DCU) or at least one depolarization device. The depolarization device may be used alone or in combination with the at least one broadband DCU. A method for optimizing performance of data channels in initial loading (IL) and full loading (FL) configurations of the optical transmission system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of an integrated circuit are described. This integrated circuit includes: a clock-generator circuit configured to provide a clock signal; an optical clock path coupled to the clock-generator circuit; and a latch coupled to the optical clock path. This optical clock path is configured to distribute an optical signal corresponding to the clock signal. Furthermore, the optical clock path is configured to optically set a skew value for the optical signal, and is configured to selectively gate distribution of the optical signal to the latch based on activity of the latch. Note that the selective gating is performed optically.

Abstract: The present invention is an optical clock signal extraction device, comprising first conversion means and second conversion means for enabling to extract an optical clock signal without depending on the polarization direction of an input optical signal. The first conversion means comprises a first optical converter and a continuous wave light source of which wavelength is ?2, where an input optical signal of which wavelength is ?1 and continuous wave light of which wavelength is ?2 are input to the first optical converter, and an intermediate optical signal of which wavelength is ?2 is generated and output without depending on the polarization direction of the input optical signal. The second conversion means has a second optical converter, where the intermediate optical signal is input to the second optical converter, and an optical clock signal of which wavelength is ?3 is generated and output by the passive mode locking operation of the second optical converter.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical receiving device, in which a portion of an optical signal is deflected for optical axis detection only when the optical axis is misaligned to thereby achieve a high S/N ratio of a received signal. A condensing section 100 condenses a received optical signal. An optical element 110 includes a transmission region 111 and a deflecting region 112, and receives the optical signal, which has been condensed through the condensing section 100. A signal light receiving section 120 receives the transmitted light, which has been transmitted through the transmission region 111. A detection light receiving section 130 receives deflected light, which has been deflected through the deflecting region 112 and performs a photoelectric conversion on the received light to thereby output a detection intensity signal that indicates an intensity of the deflected light.

Abstract: An open-path optical communication system has either optical or laser sources and communicates between the source and a detector. In a first embodiment, the laser source includes a gas cell in the laser cavity to regulate laser wavelengths based on the minimum absorption between spectral lines of the gas in the cell. The laser is tuned close to a minimum absorption wavelength and the minimum absorption line locks the laser wavelength to the minimum position. In a second embodiment, the strong absorption lines of a gas in a gas cell positioned at a receiver site are used to provide channel isolation of the receiver. In a third embodiment, an atmospheric gas provides the channel isolation. In the fourth embodiment, individual wavelength channels are positioned between the absorption lines of atmospheric or non-atmospheric gases to prevent cross-talk between adjacent channels.

Abstract: An active linear amplifier circuit mounted in an optoelectronic package includes input nodes for receiving a differential signal pair, a first bipolar transistor, a second bipolar transistor, an electro-optical transducer and a decoupling circuit. A base terminal of the first bipolar transistor is coupled to the two input nodes and an emitter terminal of the first bipolar transistor is coupled to a base terminal of the second bipolar transistor. A collector terminal of the first bipolar transistor is coupled to a first terminal of the electro-optical transducer, the first terminal of the electro-optical transducer also being configured to be coupled to a voltage source. A collector terminal of the second bipolar transistor is coupled to a second terminal of the electro-optical transducer and an emitter terminal of the second bipolar transistor is coupled to a signal ground which is not the header ground.

Abstract: A light emitting element driving device of the present invention comprises at least one light emitting element and a power supply device for generating a driving current of the light emitting element. The power supply device has a step-up type DC-DC converter circuit. The step-up type DC-DC converter circuit has a soft-start function for gradually increasing the driving current at a rise of the driving current in generation of the driving current. Thus can be provided a light emitting element driving device which is capable of suppressing an inrush current to be generated at turn-on of the main power supply of the power supply device.

Abstract: A circuit for detecting optical failures in a passive optical network (PON) wherein digital burst data transmitted by an optical transmitter is monitored by a photodiode, includes a power determination unit coupled to the photodiode for providing measurements of an output optical power of a high logic level and a low logic level of the digital burst data during ON times of the optical transmitter and for providing a measurement of an output optical power during OFF times of the optical transmitter. A logic unit coupled to the power determination unit is responsive to the measurements for generating control and calibration signals. Such a circuit may be used for detecting rogue optical network unit (ONU) failure or eye safety hazards in a passive optical network (PON) wherein digital burst data transmitted by an optical transmitter is monitored by a photodiode.

Abstract: An optical transmitter produces electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light) of at least one frequency (e.g., at a particular color frequency) by utilizing a resonant structure that is excited by the presence a beam of charged particles (e.g., a beam of electrons) where the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted along a communications medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable). In at least one embodiment, the frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is higher than that of the microwave spectrum.

Abstract: In a method for outputting data of a diagnosis data stream of a printer or copier, the diagnosis data stream comprises first data of a first data type and at least second data of the second data type, the first data and the second data each including structure date and use data corresponding to the respective data type. The diagnosis data stream is supplied to an evaluation program of an evaluation unit for evaluating the first and the second data. The structured data of the first data is analyzed with aid of the evaluation program, a first identification which is characteristic of the first data type being determined. Upon the determination of the first identification, selecting a first evaluation instruction from a plurality of evaluation instructions with aid of the evaluation program and loading it, the use data of the first data being evaluated with aid of the first evaluation instruction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, for example, that is capable of accurately writing information into a developing unit or the like having an element is achieved. An image forming apparatus comprises: an attach/detach section to and from which a developing unit having an element into which information can be written and a developer containing section can be attached and detached; a photoconductor on which a latent image can be formed; a writing member for writing information into the element; and an AC voltage supply section for supplying an AC voltage. During a period from a start to an end of an image forming process, the writing member writes information into the element of the developing unit attached to the attach/detach section when the AC voltage supply section is not supplying an AC voltage.

Abstract: A waste toner transfer device of an image forming apparatus includes a waste toner transfer unit which is disposed in proximity to a cleaning member to transfer waste toner removed from a photoconductive medium by the cleaning member, and includes a plurality of protrusions at one end, a driving unit which horizontally reciprocates the waste toner transfer unit, and a plurality of ribs which constrain the plurality of protrusions when the waste toner transfer unit moves, so that the waste toner transfer unit vibrates vertically.