Disclosed is a method device assembly and system for facilitating the interconnection of communication bearing cables connected cable connectors. An interconnect-point support structure comprising two or more cable connector slots, wherein in each of the two or more slots is adapted to host a cable connector attached to a respective cable. A mechanical arm functionally associated with the interconnect-point support structure is adapted to release a cable connector, mobilize and mate it to another connector.

SMA actuators and related methods are described. One embodiment of an actuator includes a base; a plurality of buckle arms; and at least a first shape memory alloy wire coupled with a pair of buckle arms of the plurality of buckle arms. Another embodiment of an actuator includes a base and at least one bimorph actuator including a shape memory alloy material. The bimorph actuator attached to the base.

This invention discloses highly scalable and modular automated optical cross connect switch devices which exhibit low loss and scalability to high port counts. In particular, a device for the programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fibers (100s-1000s) is provided, whereby a two-dimensional array of fiber optic connections is mapped in an ordered and rule-based fashion into a one-dimensional array with tensioned fiber optic circuit elements tracing substantially straight lines there between. Fiber optic elements are terminated in a stacked arrangement of flexible fiber optic circuit elements with a capacity to retain excess fiber lengths while maintaining an adequate bend radius. The combination of these elements partitions the switch volume into multiple independent, non-interfering zones, which retain their independence for arbitrary and unlimited numbers of reconfigurations. The separation into spaced-apart zones provides clearance for one or more robotic actuators to enter the free volume substantially adjacent to the two-dimensional array of connectors and mechanically reconfigure connectors without interrupting other circuits.

Disclosed is a terminal having a fingerprint identification function, including: a body having a camera (1) and a processing unit, the camera (1) being electrically connected to the processing unit; an optical lens assembly, used to change a focal length of the camera (1), located above the camera (1), and mounted on the body; a light-guiding fingerprint capture platform, located above the optical lens assembly, and used cooperatively with the optical lens assembly; and a light source (2), located between the camera (1) and the fingerprint capture platform and aside the camera (1), a light emitting end of the light source (2) facing the fingerprint capture platform.

This invention discloses patch-panel systems for organized configuration management of large numbers of fiber optic interconnection strands, wherein each strand transmits high bandwidth signals between devices. In particular, a system for the programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fiber strands is provided, whereby strands connecting a two-dimensional array of connectors are mapped in an ordered and rule based fashion into a one-dimensional array with substantially straight lines strands there between. The braid of fiber optic strands is partitioned into multiple independent, non-interfering zones or subbraids. The separation into subbraids provides spatial clearance for one or more robotic grippers to enter the free volume substantially adjacent to the two-dimensional array of connectors and to mechanically reconfigure one or more optical fiber strands without interrupting or entangling other fiber optic strands.

A beam branching device capable of suppressing an increase in the cost and the like even when the number of branching directions of an incident beam is large and increasing the coupling efficiency even when the rotation accuracy of a rotary motor is not increased too high and coping with high-speed switching of the optical path is provided. In a beam branching device, a rotation shaft of a rotary motor is rotated to rotate a rotating member together with a plurality of reflection mirrors so that an incident beam is reflected from a reflection mirror surface portion of any one of the plurality of reflection mirrors and the incident beam is branched to a plurality of directions to switch an optical path of a reflection beam. A central axis of the rotating member is at a skewed position in relation to a central line of the incident beam, and the plurality of reflection mirrors are arranged at a position on the rotating member to face both sides in an axial direction of the rotating member with a position closest to the incident beam interposed therebetween.

A beam branching device capable of suppressing an increase in the cost and the like even when the number of branching directions of an incident beam is large and increasing the coupling efficiency even when the rotation accuracy of a rotary motor is not increased too high and coping with high-speed switching of the optical path is provided. In a beam branching device, a rotation shaft of a rotary motor is rotated to rotate a rotating member together with a plurality of reflection mirrors so that an incident beam is reflected from a reflection mirror surface portion of any one of the plurality of reflection mirrors and the incident beam is branched to a plurality of directions to switch an optical path of a reflection beam. A central axis of the rotating member is at a skewed position in relation to a central line of the incident beam, and the plurality of reflection mirrors are arranged at a position on the rotating member to face both sides in an axial direction of the rotating member with a position closest to the incident beam interposed therebetween.

A method includes mounting a spool system at a floor level of a multiple dwelling unit. The floor level has multiple customer units. The spool system includes at least one spool of fiber optic cable. Each end of each fiber optic cable has a spliced-on connector. The method further includes paying out a length of fiber optic cable from the at least one spool to reach a customer unit of the floor level, connecting one of the connectors of the paid-out fiber optic cable to a floor splitter, and connecting the floor splitter to a distribution splitter of the multiple dwelling unit.

This invention discloses patch-panel systems for organized configuration management of large numbers of fiber optic interconnection strands, wherein each strand transmits high bandwidth signals between devices. In particular, a system for the programmable interconnection of large numbers of optical fiber strands is provided, whereby strands connecting a two-dimensional array of connectors are mapped in an ordered and rule based fashion into a one-dimensional array with substantially straight lines strands there between. The braid of fiber optic strands is partitioned into multiple independent, non-interfering zones or subbraids. The separation into subbraids provides spatial clearance for one or more robotic grippers to enter the free volume substantially adjacent to the two-dimensional array of connectors and to mechanically reconfigure one or more optical fiber strands without interrupting or entangling other fiber optic strands.

A high-capacity optical fiber switching system enables selective interconnection of individual input fibers to output fibers. A three-dimensional array of paired linear elements with selectable flexibility and length is arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns to form a transverse interchange plane. Each pair consists of a stationary lower element and a movable upper element, the latter holding a terminus of a distinct optical fiber. Couplers placed within this array facilitate signal conductor connections. A transport device with an axially movable gripper moves in horizontal spaces between columns to reposition the movable fiber terminals. Signal-controlled, orthogonal linear drives provide vertical and horizontal movements of the transport device, enabling placement within the fiber array.