Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080253764 | Methods and systems to stabilize an optical network against nodal gain changes - The present invention provides methods and systems to stabilize an optical network against nodal gain changes through two nested control loops for controlling node gain and node output power. The present invention includes two nested control-loops running at different update speeds including: an inner, faster, control-loop which sets the gains and losses within a node to achieve a node-gain target, and a node-gain target for the inner loop is set by an outer, slower, control loop that whose target is the node output power. Advantageously, the present invention reduces the problem of concatenated overshoot by minimizing the control-loop response to events that occur at other nodes. | 10-16-2008 |
20080267631 | Systems and methods for a multiple-input, multiple-output controller in a reconfigurable optical network - The present invention provides systems and methods to convert a reconfigurable optical node multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system to a single-input single-output (SISO) system suitable for a proportional-integral-differential (PID) control process. Advantageously, the present invention allows PID control to apply to a MIMO optical node by modeling the node as two SISO systems. The present invention optimizes the division of gain and loss between components in the reconfigurable optical node. This provides means to control the net gain and loss of a series of components when the component chain being controlled includes those components that have a single action affecting multiple channels and components that affect only one channel. The present invention utilizes control of a single quantity of amplifier gain minus attenuation for each channel, and the coupling together of all channels in the amplifier which makes the channels inter-dependent. | 10-30-2008 |
20110103793 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO STABILIZE AN OPTICAL NETWORK AGAINST NODAL GAIN CHANGES - The present invention provides methods and systems to stabilize an optical network against nodal gain changes through two nested control loops for controlling node gain and node output power. The present invention includes two nested control-loops running at different update speeds including: an inner, faster, control-loop which sets the gains and losses within a node to achieve a node-gain target, and a node-gain target for the inner loop is set by an outer, slower, control loop that whose target is the node output power. Advantageously, the present invention reduces the problem of concatenated overshoot by minimizing the control-loop response to events that occur at other nodes. | 05-05-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100028005 | BULK MODULATION OF MULTIPLE WAVELENGTHS FOR GENERATION OF CATV OPTICAL COMB - A system for generating an optical CATV comb comprising a plurality of wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical CATV signals. A set of one or more lasers generate a plurality of narrow-band continuous wave (CW) lights, each CW light having a respective predetermined wavelength and optical power level. An optical MUX couples the plurality of CW lights into a WDM continuous wave light. A broadband optical modulator responsive to a CATV signal modulates the WDM continuous wave light to generate the optical CATV comb. | 02-04-2010 |
20100266283 | WDM PON WITH DISTRIBUTION VIA CYCLIC ARRAY WAVEGUIDE GRATING - In a Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) including, a system for distributing uplink, downlink and RF/Video broadcast signalling. An Array Waveguide Grating (AWG) couples respective wavelength channels between a trunk fibre of the WDM-PON and a plurality of branch fibers of the WDM-PON. The AWG has a predetermined free spectral range and implements a channel plan comprising at least three spectral segments, each segment having a width equal to the free spectral range of the AWG. An Optical Line Terminal of the WDM-PON receives wavelength division multiplexed uplink signals within a first one of the spectral segments, and transmits wavelength division multiplexed downlink signals within a second one of the spectral segments. Respective channel plans within the first and second spectral segments are identical. An RF/Video broadcast transmitter generates an RF/Video broadcast signal within a third one of the spectral segments. | 10-21-2010 |
20110064410 | COLOR FREE WDM PON BASED ON BROADBAND OPTICAL TRANSMITTERS - A Wavelength Division Multiplexed Passive Optical Network (WDM-PON) includes a plurality of broadband light sources, each broadband light source being connected to receive a respective data signal and generating a corresponding modulated broadband optical signal. An Array Waveguide Grating (AWG) is connected for receiving each modulated broadband optical signal through a respective branch port and for generating a filtered broadband signal. The AWG implements a filter function comprising a respective pass-band associated with each branch port such that the filtered broadband signal exhibits a respective intensity peak associated with each pass-band. Each intensity peak is modulated with data from a respective one of the broadband light sources. A bandwidth of the respective modulated broadband optical signal generated by each broadband light source is at least equal to the width of a channel-band of the AWG. | 03-17-2011 |
20110116521 | TRACKING INJECTION SEEDING POWER BASED ON BACK FACET MONITORING (BFM) OF AN INJECTION SEEDED LASER - A method of estimating an injection power of seed light injected into an injection-seeded transmitter. A back face monitoring (BFM) response of the injection-seeded transmitter is determined, and data representative of the BFM response stored in a memory. During run-time, a controller of the injection-seeded transmitter, detects a temperature of the injection-seeded transmitter and an instantaneous BFM current. BFM response data is obtained from the memory based on the detected temperature, and the seed light injection power estimated based on the obtained data and the detected instantaneous BFM current. | 05-19-2011 |
20110182307 | TRACKING INJECTION SEEDING POWER BASED ON BACK FACET MONITORING (BFM) OF AN INJECTION SEEDED LASER - A method of estimating an injection power of seed light injected into an injection-seeded transmitter. A back face monitoring (BFM) response of the injection-seeded transmitter is determined, and data representative of the BFM response stored in a memory. During run-time, a controller of the injection-seeded transmitter, detects a temperature of the injection-seeded transmitter and an instantaneous BFM current. BFM response data is obtained from the memory based on the detected temperature, and the seed light injection power estimated based on the obtained data and the detected instantaneous BFM current. | 07-28-2011 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140050236 | DISCRETELY TUNABLE LASER DEVICE - A discretely tunable laser device is provided. The discretely tunable laser device comprises: a laser comprising a plurality of discrete output modes; an optical filter for receiving output from the laser but otherwise optically isolated from the laser, the optical filter comprising a plurality of transmission peaks, each separated by a transmission spacing different from a spacing of the plurality of discrete output modes such that only one discrete output mode can predominantly align with one transmission peak when the plurality of discrete output modes are tuned; and, a control apparatus for tuning the discrete output modes of the laser to align a given output mode of the plurality of discrete output modes with a given transmission peak of the plurality of transmission peaks, such that the given output mode comprises a dominant output of the optical filter. | 02-20-2014 |
20140050237 | DISCRETELY TUNABLE LOCALLY SEEDED LASER DEVICE - A discretely tunable locally seeded laser device is provided. The discretely tunable locally seeded laser device comprises: a first tunable laser comprising first discrete output modes; and, a second tunable laser arranged to receive output from the first tunable laser, but otherwise optically isolated from the first tunable laser, the second tunable laser comprising second discrete output modes, such that one first discrete output mode can optically seed an aligned second discrete output mode in a given position of one or more of the first discrete output modes and the second discrete output modes, the aligned second discrete output mode comprising a dominant output. | 02-20-2014 |
20150311978 | OPTICAL DISPERSION COMPENSATION DEVICES - Optical dispersion compensation devices are provided herein that are based on one or more optical ring resonators. The degree of dispersion compensation can be selected by controlling the degree of under-coupling and by tuning physical properties of the optical ring resonators. In a first implementation, an optical ring resonator under-coupled to an optical throughput bus can be used to provide positive or negative dispersion compensation depending on tuning of the optical ring resonator, which widens the dispersion window. In a second implementation, an over-coupled optical ring resonator can be added to the optical throughput bus to provide a cascaded filter. In a third implementation optical ring resonators arranged in series between an optical input bus and an optical output bus can be used to both tune dispersion compensation and provide demultiplexing. | 10-29-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130103307 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING GEOFENCE DATA BASED ON ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL - An apparatus, method, and system for determining geofence data based on estimated time of arrival are provided. At a computing device, geofence data is determined, wherein geographic boundaries associated with the geofence data are based on a given estimated time of arrival (ETA) from one of the given location and a current location of a handheld communication device. Given location data associated with the given location is transmitted to the handheld communication device, via a communication interface, when the current location of the handheld communication device and the given location are each within the geographic boundaries such that the handheld communication device is transportable to the given location within the given estimated time of arrival. | 04-25-2013 |
20140038573 | Managing Of Application Access To Centrally Stored Place-Related Data On A Mobile Device - A method of managing place data for a mobile device, the method comprising storing place data for a place in a centralized place database and receiving input to specify which one or more applications on the mobile device are to have access to the place data for the place. In response to a place data request from a data-requesting application executing on the mobile device, the device determines if the data-requesting application has access to the place data for the place and provides the place data to the data-requesting application only if the data-requesting application has access. This technology enables the device to control the sharing of place data among applications on the device. | 02-06-2014 |
20140038643 | Centralized Data Store For Providing All Place-Related Data To Applications On A Mobile Device - A method of managing place data for a mobile device, the method comprising storing place data for the mobile device in a centralized place data store, the centralized place data store storing location data for each of a plurality of places defined by the mobile device, and in response to place data requests from a plurality of applications executing on the mobile device, providing the place data from the centralized place data store to the plurality of applications. | 02-06-2014 |
20140038644 | Managing of Application Access To Centrally Stored Place-Related Data On A Mobile Device - A method of managing place data for a mobile device, the method comprising storing place data for a place in a centralized place database and receiving input to specify which one or more applications on the mobile device are to have access to the place data for the place. In response to a place data request from a data-requesting application executing on the mobile device, the device determines if the data-requesting application has access to the place data for the place and provides the place data to the data-requesting application only if the data-requesting application has access. This technology enables the device to control the sharing of place data among applications on the device. | 02-06-2014 |
20140066106 | Displaying Place-Related Content On A Mobile Device - A computer-implemented method of presenting place-related content on a computing device entails, in response to receiving input identifying a place, obtaining place-related content for the place from a place database that stores place-related data related to each one of a plurality of places and presenting the place-related content from the place database in a consolidated place-specific view. This technology provides a place-centric view that presents a consolidated view of place-related content for a selected place. | 03-06-2014 |
20140068451 | Displaying Place-Related Content On A Mobile Device - A computer-implemented method of presenting place-related content on a computing device entails, in response to receiving input identifying a place, obtaining place-related content for the place from a place database that stores place-related data related to each one of a plurality of places and presenting the place-related content from the place database in a consolidated place-specific view. This technology provides a place-centric view that presents a consolidated view of place-related content for a selected place. | 03-06-2014 |
20140074873 | Device, Method and Computer-Readable Medium For Recognizing Places - A computer-implemented place-recognition method comprises searching text for a place-indicating text string (word or character), identifying a place reference from the text based on the place-indicating text string, and looking up the place reference in a place database to determine if the place reference corresponds to a place for which place data is stored in the place database. If the place is already in the database, a menu of user-selectable actions may be presented. If the place is not in the database, the device may ask the user whether the place should be added to the database. Searching the text may also comprise searching the text for one of a plurality of frequent search terms. If a place reference corresponding to a frequent search term is in the database, the place is linked. If not, the place is still linked but only for local search. | 03-13-2014 |
20140135039 | METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING GEOFENCE DATA BASED ON ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL - An apparatus, method, and system for determining geofence data based on estimated time of arrival are provided. At a computing device, geofence data is determined, wherein geographic boundaries associated with the geofence data are based on a given estimated time of arrival (ETA) from one of the given location and a current location of a handheld communication device. Given location data associated with the given location is transmitted to the handheld communication device, via a communication interface, when the current location of the handheld communication device and the given location are each within the geographic boundaries such that the handheld communication device is transportable to the given location within the given estimated time of arrival. | 05-15-2014 |
20140213304 | MOBILE DEVICE FOR CREATING, MANAGING AND SHARING LOCATION INFORMATION - A method performed by a mobile device entails determining a current location of the mobile device, storing the current location as a breadcrumb (recorded) location of the mobile device, and performing an action with respect to the breadcrumb location when the mobile device has moved away from the breadcrumb location. The action may entail sharing the breadcrumb location with another device. Reverse geocoded address information may be provided for the breadcrumb locations. | 07-31-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130131505 | SURGICAL LOCATION MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING SKIN APPLIED FIDUCIAL REFERENCE - The present invention involves a surgical monitoring system and method for modeling surgical procedures. A multi-element fiducial reference pattern observable by a tracker may be transferred directly to the skin proximate the surgical site, either through a stencil as a radio-opaque ink pattern or via transfer tape, or may be applied in prepared form on a surgical incise film. Alternatively the surgical incise film may be applied over the surgical site and the inked reference pattern applied to the film before surgery. A controller determines the three-dimensional location and orientation of the surgical site by comparing the position and orientation of the reference pattern in a prior scan with the position and orientation of the reference pattern in image information about the surgical site obtained from the tracker. The system may track the movement of instruments relative to the surgical site, or may be used to track changes in the surgical site itself. | 05-23-2013 |
20140126767 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL LOCATION AND ORIENTATION OF IDENTIFICATION MARKERS - A three-dimensional position and orientation tracking system comprises one or more pattern tags, each comprising a plurality of contrasting portions, a tracker for obtaining image information about the pattern tags, a database with geometric information describing patterns on pattern tags; and a controller for receiving and processing the image information from the tracker, accessing the database to retrieve geometric information, and comparing the image information with the geometric information. The contrasting portions are arranged in a rotationally asymmetric pattern and at least one of the contrasting portions on a pattern tag has a perimeter that has a mathematically describable curved section. The perimeter of the contrasting portion may comprise a conic section, including for example an ellipse or a circle. The tracking system can be implemented in a surgical monitoring system in which the pattern tags are attached to tracking markers or are themselves tracking markers. | 05-08-2014 |
20140128727 | SURGICAL LOCATION MONITORING SYSTEM AND METHOD USING NATURAL MARKERS - The present invention involves a surgical hardware and software monitoring system and method allows for surgical planning while the patient is available for surgery, for example while the patient is being prepared for surgery so that the system may model the surgical site. In one embodiment, the model may be used to track contemplated surgical procedures and warn the physician regarding possible boundary violations that would indicate an inappropriate location in a surgical procedure. In another embodiment, the monitoring system may track the movement of instruments during the procedure and in reference to the model to enhance observation of the procedure. | 05-08-2014 |
20140309523 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL EXTRACTION TRACKING FOR IMPLANT MODELING - A method for making an insert for a bone structure located within a surgical site comprises operating on the bone structure with a materials removing tool to remove materials from the bone structure; tracking in three dimensions the location and orientation of the bone structure; tracking in three dimensions the location and orientation of the working tip of the materials removing tool; creating a software model of the materials volume removed from the bone structure; and making the insert based on model data within the software model. An associated system comprises a controller and a tracker for tracking a 3-D tracking marker rigidly attached to the bone structure and a 3-D tracking marker rigidly attached to the materials removing tool. A manufacturing device is used to manufacture the insert based on the model data from the controller. | 10-16-2014 |
20140320600 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING NON-VISIBLE STRUCTURE OF A BODY - A monitoring system tracks the non-visible structure of a body in three dimensions. A tracker obtains image information of the object and instruments in its vicinity, all bearing 3D tracking markers. A controller spatially relates the image information with previously obtained scan data of the object revealing non-visible structure of the object. For the scan a fiducial reference detectable in the scan is removably attached to a location on the object. The scan data and image information is used by the controller to provide the user with real time information on the relative 3D locations and orientations of the instruments and the non-visible structure of the body. In a further embodiment the monitoring system may be used to model and track the changes in the body itself. In other embodiments, a model of the body and instruments is used to track contemplated actions and warn about possibly inappropriate instrument procedures. | 10-30-2014 |
20140343405 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING NON-VISIBLE STRUCTURES OF BODIES RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER - A monitoring system tracks the non-visible structure of a body and relatable non-visible structures in real time in three dimensions. A tracker obtains image information of the body and its vicinity. A controller spatially relates the image information with previously obtained scan data of the object revealing non-visible structure of the object. For the scan, a fiducial reference detectable in the scan is removably attached to a location on the object. The scan data and image information are used by the controller to provide the user with real time information about the relative 3D locations and orientations of the relatable non-visible structures and the non-visible structure of the body. Using three-dimensional tracking markers attached to the fiducial reference on the body and to the relatable non-visible structures, the system and method may be employed to track in three dimensions in real time a plurality of bodies having non-visible structure. Three-dimensional tracking markers intergrated with surgical screws may be attached directly to the relatable non-visible structures. | 11-20-2014 |
20150049238 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FOCUSING IMAGING DEVICES - A system and method for automatically focusing imaging devices on an imaging set employs at least one tracker and two or more tracking markers, each tracking marker having an identification means and a tracking pattern. The tracking markers are configured for attaching to the imaging devices and to corresponding subjects to be imaged. A tracker gathers image information of the imaging set and provides it to a controller, which compares the image information to predetermined stored information about the tracking patterns of the various tracking markers. The tracking markers are identified and their three-dimensional positions determined. The distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are determined and the distances between the imaging devices and the subjects are calculated. This provides the focus setting information for communication to the imaging devices. The tracking patterns may have no rotational symmetry, allowing the orientation of subjects to be determined. | 02-19-2015 |
20150119685 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL LOCATION AND ORIENTATlON OF IDENTIFICATION MARKERS - A three-dimensional position and orientation tracking system comprises one or more pattern tags, each comprising a plurality of contrasting portions, a tracker for obtaining image information about the pattern tags, a database with geometric information describing patterns on pattern tags; and a controller for receiving and processing the image information from the tracker, accessing the database to retrieve geometric information, and comparing the image information with the geometric information. The contrasting portions are arranged in a rotationally asymmetric pattern and at least one of the contrasting portions on a pattern tag has a perimeter that has a mathematically describable curved section. The pattern tags may be borne on tracking markers that have a three-dimensional shaped surface. The tracking system can be implemented in a surgical monitoring system in which the pattern tags are attached to tracking markers or are themselves tracking markers. A method associated with the system employs the rotationally asymmetric patterns on the tags to determine the three-dimensional locations and orientations of items bearing the tags using non-stereo image information. | 04-30-2015 |
20150150641 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE THREE-DIMENSIONAL LOCATION AND ORIENTATION OF IDENTIFICATION MARKERS - A three-dimensional position and orientation tracking system comprises one or more pattern tags, each comprising a plurality of contrasting portions, a tracker for obtaining image information about the pattern tags, a database with geometric information describing patterns on pattern tags; and a controller for receiving and processing the image information from the tracker, accessing the database to retrieve geometric information, and comparing the image information. The contrasting portions are arranged in a rotationally asymmetric pattern and at least one of the contrasting portions on a pattern tag has a perimeter that has a mathematically describable curved section. The perimeter of the contrasting portion may comprise a conic section, including for example an ellipse or a circle. The pattern tags may be borne on tracking markers that have a three-dimensional shaped surface. The tracking system may be implemented in a surgical monitoring system in which the pattern tags are attached to tracking markers or are themselves tracking markers. In other embodiments, the contrasting portions are implemented as contrasting pattern elements on a close-packed tiled background of tiles of at least two mutually contrasting colors. | 06-04-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120097255 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING CONSUMABLES IN SYSTEMS FOR THE MASS TRANSFER OF GASES INTO LIQUIDS - A method for monitoring consumption of at least one consumable in a mass transfer system. The method includes providing at least one accurate mass transfer apparatus configured to provide mass transfer of a gas into a liquid to generate a liquid output, wherein the relative amounts of liquid and gas are set, and for each mass transfer apparatus: measuring the amount of liquid output, and determining, based on the amount of liquid output and the relative amounts of liquid and gas, a quantity of at least one of the gas and liquid consumed in that mass transfer apparatus. | 04-26-2012 |
20120103198 | Apparatus, Systems and Methods for Gassing a Fluid By Introduction of a Highly Gassed Carrier Fluid - A system for gassing a liquid beverage, including a carbonator configured to output a highly gassed fluid and a mixer configured to receive the highly gassed fluid and the liquid beverage and output a carbonated liquid beverage. | 05-03-2012 |
20130231875 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING FLUID FLOW IN BEVERAGE DISPENSING SYSTEMS - A monitoring system for a beverage dispensing system having at least one fluid conduit. The monitoring system includes at least one monitoring apparatus configured to be coupled to at least one fluid conduit, each monitoring apparatus having at least one sensor and being configured to determine when liquid is flowing through the conduit, at least one hub configured to receive information from the at least one monitoring apparatus about when liquid is flowing through the at least one conduit, and at least one processor configured to determine a volume of liquid flowing through the fluid conduit based on the information received from the at least one monitoring apparatus. | 09-05-2013 |