1. A space-division multiplexing apparatus (12) including a multi-core fiber (11) having multiple cores, comprising:
a pilot tone guiding unit (14) which guides a pilot tone for self-homodyne detection to a core (13) for self-homodyne detection which is any one of the multiple cores; and
a self-homodyne detection unit (15) which detects the pilot tone output from the core (13) for self-homodyne detection and performs the self-homodyne detection,
wherein cores other than the core (13) for self-homodyne detection among the multiple cores are used as cores (16) for communication.
2. The space-division multiplexing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the multi-core fiber (11) is configured to include a center core and a plurality of cores around the center core, and
the core (13) for self-homodyne detection is the center core.
3. The space-division multiplexing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a multiplexing unit (21) which multiplexes a signal for communication and the pilot tone; and
a signal guiding unit (17) which guides the signal for communication among the signals multiplexed by the multiplexing unit (21) to the cores (16) for communication.
4. The space-division multiplexing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a diameter \u03c6s of the core (13) for self-homodyne detection and a diameter \u03c6c of the core (16) for communication have a relationship of 0.5\u2266\u03c6s\u03c6\u22663.
5. The space-division multiplexing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an optical comb generator for generating any one or both of the pilot tone and the signal for communication propagating through the cores (16) for communication.
6. The space-division multiplexing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an optical path length adjustment unit for adjusting an optical path length difference of each core in the multi-core fiber (11) having the multiple cores.
7. A self-homodyne detection method using a space-division multiplexing apparatus (12) including a multi-core fiber (11) having multiple cores, comprising:
guiding a pilot tone for self-homodyne detection to a core (13) for self-homodyne detection which is any one of the multiple cores; and
detecting the pilot tone output from the core (13) for self-homodyne detection and performing the self-homodyne detection.
8. The self-homodyne detection method according to claim 7,
wherein the multi-core fiber (11) is configured to include a center core and a plurality of cores around the center core, and
the core (13) for self-homodyne detection is the center core.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A universal magazine latching mechanism for a firearm, the mechanism comprising:
a frame defining a magazine well configured to releasably receive a magazine;
a rear catch lever pivotably mounted proximate to a rear wall of the magazine well about a first pivot axis, the rear catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a first magazine inserted in the magazine well having a rear catch;
the rear catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the rear catch lever engages the first magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the rear catch lever disengages the first magazine;
a side catch lever pivotably mounted to the frame about a second pivot axis, the side catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a second magazine inserted in the magazine well having a side catch;
the side catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the side catch lever engages the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the side catch lever disengages the second magazine;
wherein the rear catch lever and side catch lever are mutually configured and arranged so that pivoting the rear catch lever pivots both the rear catch lever and side catch lever between their respective latched and unlatched positions.
2. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the side catch lever is L-shaped and includes a transversely extending operating arm and a conjoined axially extending latching arm configured to engage the magazine inserted in the magazine well having the side catch.
3. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 2, wherein the pivot axis of the rear catch lever is disposed below the operating arm of the side catch lever.
4. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 2, wherein the pivot axis of side catch lever is formed at a terminal free end of the operating arm.
5. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 4, further comprising an inwardly projecting latching protrusion disposed proximate to a terminal free end of the latching arm, the protrusion being configured and operable to engage a side latching opening of the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well.
6. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rear catch lever is configured so that vertically pivoting the rear catch lever about its pivot axis in turn horizontally pivots the side catch lever about its pivot axis.
7. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rear catch lever includes an operating portion extending below the side catch lever and a latching portion disposed at least partially between the side catch lever and the magazine well, wherein a user pushing the operating portion forward pivotably moves the latching portion rearward which in turn pivots the side catch lever about its pivot axis between the latched and unlatched positions.
8. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 7, further comprising a first spring operably biasing the latching portion of the rear catch lever towards the magazine well into its latched position and a second spring operably biasing a lateral latching arm of the side catch lever towards the magazine well into its latched position.
9. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rear catch lever includes a latching portion having a stepped structure defining a lower ledge configured to engage a magazine having the rear catch at a first elevation and an upper ledge configured to engage a magazine having the rear catch at a second elevation different than the first elevation.
10. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 9, wherein the stepped structure is defined on an inner forward facing surface of the latching portion adjacent to the magazine well.
11. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a recessed pocket formed in an inner forward facing surface of the side catch lever which is configured to receive a top end of the latching portion of the rear catch lever for actuating the side catch lever with the rear catch lever.
12. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 1, wherein the rear catch lever includes a rear facing bearing surface that contacts the side catcher lever at a part farthest from the second pivot axis.
13. A universal magazine latching mechanism for a firearm, the mechanism comprising:
a frame defining a longitudinal axis and a magazine well configured to releasably receive a magazine;
an L-shaped side catch lever pivotably mounted to the frame about a first pivot axis, the side catch lever including an operation arm and a latching arm, the side catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a first magazine inserted in the magazine well;
a vertically elongated rear catch lever pivotably mounted proximate to a rear wall of the magazine well about a second pivot axis disposed below the side catch lever, the rear catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a second magazine inserted in the magazine well;
the side catch lever being movable between a latched position engaged with and retaining the first magazine when inserted in the magazine well, and an unlatched position disengaged from and releasing the first magazine from the magazine well; and
the rear catch lever being movable between a latched position engaged with and retaining the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well, and an unlatched position disengaged from and releasing the second magazine from the magazine well;
wherein when the rear catch lever is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position, the rear catch lever engages and moves the side catch lever from the latched position to the unlatched position.
14. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13, wherein the first pivot axis of the side catch lever is disposed at a terminal free end of the operating arm.
15. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13, further comprising an inwardly projecting latching protrusion disposed proximate to a terminal free end of the latching arm, the protrusion being configured and operable to engage a latching opening of the first catch magazine when inserted in the magazine well.
16. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a recessed pocket formed in an inner forward facing surface of the side catch lever which is configured to receive a top end of the rear catch lever for actuating the side catch lever using the rear catch lever.
17. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13, wherein the rear catch lever includes an upper latching portion disposed above the second pivot axis and a conjoined lower operating portion disposed below the second pivot axis, the latching portion being positioned to engage and rearwardly displace the operating arm of the side catch lever when the rear catch lever is moved from the latched position to the unlatched position.
18. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 17, wherein the operating portion has a longer length than the latching portion to provide increased leverage for actuating the side catch lever.
19. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 17, wherein the latching portion has a stepped structure defining a lower ledge configured to engage a rear catch at a first elevation on the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an upper ledge configured to engage a rear catch at a second elevation of a third magazine when inserted in the magazine well, the first and second elevations being different.
20. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 19, wherein the stepped structure is defined on an inner forward facing surface of the latching portion disposed adjacent to the magazine well.
21. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13, wherein the first pivot axis and the latching arm of the side catch lever are disposed on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the housing.
22. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a first spring operably biasing the rear catch lever into the latched position and a second spring operably biasing the side catch lever into the latched position.
23. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 22, wherein the first spring is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the housing.
24. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13, wherein the side catch lever is mounted proximate to a rear corner of the magazine well.
25. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 13 wherein the rear catch lever includes a rear facing bearing surface that contacts the side catcher lever at a part farthest from the first pivot axis.
26. A method for retaining and releasing magazines from a firearm, the method comprising:
inserting a first magazine into a magazine well, the first magazine having a side catch feature;
engaging a side catch lever with the side catch feature of first magazine to retain the first magazine in the magazine well;
manually pushing and pivoting a rear catch lever about a pivot axis;
laterally displacing the side catch lever with the rear catch lever; and
disengaging the side catch lever from the side catch feature of the first magazine to release the first magazine from the magazine well.
27. A universal magazine latching mechanism for a firearm, the mechanism comprising:
a frame defining a magazine well configured to releasably receive a magazine;
a rear catch lever pivotably mounted proximate to a rear wall of the magazine well about a first pivot axis, the rear catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a first magazine inserted in the magazine well having a rear catch;
the rear catch lever being movable between a latched position in which the rear catch lever engages the first magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the rear catch lever disengages the first magazine;
a side catch lever slidably mounted to the frame, the side catch lever configured and positioned with respect to the magazine well to retain and release a second magazine inserted in the magazine well having a side catch;
the side catch lever being laterally movable with a linear motion between a latched position in which the side catch lever engages the second magazine when inserted in the magazine well and an unlatched position in which the side catch lever disengages the second magazine;
wherein the rear catch lever and side catch lever are mutually configured and arranged so that pivoting the rear catch lever linearly moves the side catch lever in a lateral direction between the latched and unlatched positions.
28. The magazine latch mechanism of claim 27, wherein the side catch lever includes an inclined cam surface which is engaged by a cam protrusion on the rear catch lever for moving the side catch lever between the latched and unlatched positions.