Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A method of forming an optical fiber preform, the method comprising:
providing a consolidated glass preform precursor body having an outer surface;
depositing a layer of silica soot onto the outer surface of the consolidated glass preform precursor body to form a composite preform comprised of a consolidated glass portion and a silica soot portion; and
in a deuterium-exposing step, exposing the composite preform to an atmosphere containing a concentration of a deuterium compound for a time and at a temperature sufficient to cause the deuterium compound to penetrate the consolidated glass portion without pervading the entire glass portion.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the depositing step further comprises causing a hydrogen compound to penetrate the consolidated glass preform precursor body.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen compound in the consolidated glass preform precursor body is exchanged with at least a portion of the deuterium compound.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after the depositing step, exposing the composite preform to a chlorine-compound-containing atmosphere.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the chlorine-compound-containing atmosphere comprises an inert gas.
6. The method of claim 4 wherein, the composite preform is exposed to a chlorine-compound-containing atmosphere prior to the deuterium-exposing step.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein the composite preform is exposed to a purge atmosphere comprising an inert gas prior to the deuterium-exposing step.
8. The method of claim 4 wherein the composite preform is exposed to a chlorine-compound-containing atmosphere, and then the composite preform is exposed to a purge atmosphere comprising an inert gas, prior to the deuterium-exposing step.
9. The method of claim 4 wherein the composite preform is exposed to a purge atmosphere comprising an inert gas after the deuterium-exposing step.
10. The method of claim 4 wherein the composite preform is exposed to a chlorine-compound-containing atmosphere after the deuterium-exposing step.
11. The method of claim 4 wherein, after the deuterium-exposing step, the composite preform is exposed to a purge atmosphere comprising an inert gas, and then the composite preform is exposed to a chlorine-compound-containing atmosphere.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising consolidating the silica soot portion to form a second consolidated glass preform precursor body comprised of the glass portion and a second glass portion formed from the silica soot portion.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising repeating the depositing step and the deuterium-exposing step.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising heating and drawing the second consolidated glass preform precursor body to a reduced diameter prior to depositing silica soot thereon.
15. The method of claim 1 wherein the deuterium compound penetrates the glass portion to a desired depth.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the consolidated glass preform precursor body is generally cylindrical about a centerline axis, wherein at least a portion of the consolidated glass preform precursor body has a radial thickness RC1 measured from the centerline axis, and wherein less than 0.1 ppm of any deuterium compound is present at radii less than about 0.25 RC1.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein less than 0.1 ppm deuterium compound is formed by the reaction of deuterium with the consolidated glass portion at radii less than about one-fourth the radius of the consolidated glass preform precursor body.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein less than 0.1 ppm of the deuterium compound is present at radii less than about 0.5 RC1.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein less than 0.1 ppm of the deuterium compound is present at radii less than about 0.75 RC1.
20. An optical fiber preform made in accordance with the method of claim 1.

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 method of aligning images comprising:
sampling a first image and a second image, obtaining a plurality of joint feature pairs;
computing a minimum entropic graph using the joint feature pairs;
measuring the total length of the minimum entropic graph using a distance measure, obtaining a dissimilarity measure; and
minimizing the dissimilarity measure for updating the geometric transformation;
wherein computing a minimum entropic graph comprises computing a minimum spanning tree; and
wherein computing a minimum spanning tree comprises:
computing the Delaunay triangulation of a point set, obtaining a Delaunay triangulation edge set; and
computing the minimum spanning tree using the Delaunay triangulation edge set and Kruskal’s algorithm.
2. A computer readable medium embodying instructions executable by a processor to perform a method of aligning images comprising:
sampling a first image and a second image, obtaining a plurality of joint feature pairs;
computing a minimum entropic graph using the joint feature pairs;
measuring the total length of the minimum entropic graph using a distance measure, obtaining a dissimilarity measure; and
minimizing the dissimilarity measure for updating the geometric transformation;
wherein the joint feature pairs are joint feature pairs in a higher-dimensional feature space, wherein computing a minimum entropic graph comprises computing a minimum spanning tree and wherein computing a minimum spanning tree comprises:
computing the Delaunay triangulation in a reduced-dimensional feature space, wherein the reduced-dimensional feature space is obtained by projection, obtaining a triangulation; and
computing the minimum spanning tree of the triangulation in the higher-dimensional feature space.
3. A computer readable medium including computer code for aligning images executable by a processor to perform a method of aligning images, the computer readable medium comprising:
computer code for sampling a first image and a second image for obtaining a plurality of joint feature pairs;
computer code for computing a minimum entropic graph using the joint feature pairs;
computer code for measuring the total length of the minimum entropic graph using a distance measure for obtaining a dissimilarity measure; and
computer code for minimizing the dissimilarity measure for updating the geometric transformation;
wherein computing a minimum entropic graph comprises computing a minimum spanning tree and
wherein computer code for computing a minimum spanning tree comprises:
computer code for computing the Delaunay triangulation of a point set, obtaining a Delaunay triangulation edge set; and
computer code for computing the minimum spanning tree using the Delaunay triangulation edge set and Kruskal’s algorithm.
4. The computer readable medium of claim 3, wherein the computer code for minimizing the dissimilarity measure for updating the geometric transformation comprises:
computer code for estimating a gradient of the dissimilarity measure with respect to at least one parameter of a geometric transformation; and
computer code for using the gradient of the dissimilarity measure to update the geometric transformation.

1. A recording medium comprising:
a first area including meandering groove tracks on which recording information is to be recorded; and
a second area where a phase pit string corresponding to control data is arranged meanderingly,
wherein the meandering amplitude of the second area is different from the meandering amplitude of the first area,
wherein the recording medium further comprises a third area where a phase pit string corresponding to predetermined data is arranged meanderingly, wherein the meandering amplitude of the third area is different from at least one of either the meandering amplitude of the first area or the meandering amplitude of the second area, and
wherein a pit depth of the third area is different from at least one of a pit depth of the second area and a pit depth of the first area.
2. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the phase pit string in the second area has a pit depth so that it enables the control data to be read and reading of other data overwritten on the phase pit string is prevented.
3. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the phase pit string in the second area has a pit depth different from a depth of each track of the meandering groove tracks in the first area.
4. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the meandering amplitude of the second area and the meandering amplitude of the third area are set so that output levels of wobble signals extracted from the respective areas are approximately equal to an output level of a wobble signal extracted from the first area.
5. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein: the third area includes pre-pits including address information representing a recording position on the recording medium formed adjacent to the phase pit string; and the phase pit string in the third area has a pit depth so that it enables the pre-pits to be read and reading of other data overwritten on the phase pit string is prevented.
6. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein pre-pits including address information representing a recording position on the recording medium are formed on the first area and the third area.
7. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein a pit depth on the third area is set so as to be equal to a depth of the groove tracks of the first area.
8. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein on the first area, a depth of the groove tracks is set to not less than 20 nm and to not more than 35 nm, on the second area, a pit depth is set to not less than 60 nm and to not more than 90 nm, and on the third area, a pit depth is set to not less than 20 nm and to not more than 35 nm.
9. The recording medium according to claim 8, wherein on the first area, the depth of the groove tracks is set to 30 nm, on the second area, the pit depth is set to 80 nm, an average duty of the pit string is set to approximately 50%, and the meandering amplitude is set to be approximately 2.7 times as much as that of the first area, and on the third area, the pit depth is set to 30 nm, an average duty of the pit string is approximately 80%, and the meandering amplitude is set to be approximately 1.3 times as much as that of the first area.
10. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein the meandering amplitude of the third area is set so as to be equal to the meandering amplitude of the first area.
11. The recording medium according to claim 1, wherein on the first area, a depth of the groove tracks is set to 30 nm, on the second area, a pit depth is set to 80 nm, an average duty of the pit string is set to approximately 50%, and the meandering amplitude is set so as to be approximately 2.7 times as much as that of the first area, and on the third area, a pit depth is set to 50 nm, an average duty of the pit string is set to approximately 80%, and the meandering amplitude is set to be equal to that of the first area.
12. A recording medium producing apparatus for producing a recording medium, using a disc master, comprising:
a first area forming device which cuts groove tracks meanderingly on the disc master using a light beam modulated by a wobble signal so as to form a first area onto which recording information is to be recorded; and
a second area forming device which meanderingly cuts a phase pit string corresponding to control data on the disc master, thereby forming the second area,
wherein in the second area forming device, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that the meandering amplitude of the second area is different from the meandering amplitude of the first area,
wherein the recording medium producing apparatus further comprises a third area forming device which meanderingly cuts a phase pit string corresponding to predetermined data on the disc master, thereby forming a third area,
wherein in the third area forming device, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that the meandering amplitude of the third area is different from at least one of either the meandering amplitude of the first area or the meandering amplitude of the second area, and
wherein in the third area forming device, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that a pit depth of the third area is different from at least one of a pit depth of the second area and a pit depth of the first area.
13. The recording medium producing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second area forming device forms the second area so that the phase pit string in the second area has a pit depth which enables the control data to be read and prevents reading of other data overwritten on the phase pit string.
14. The recording medium producing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein in the second area forming device and the third area forming device, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that the output levels of wobble signals extracted from the respective areas are approximately equal to an output level of the wobble signal extracted from the first area at the time of reproduction from the recording medium produced by using the disc master.
15. The recording medium producing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first area forming device and the third area forming device form pre-pits.
16. The recording medium producing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the third area forming device forms the third area so that the phase pit string in the third area has a pit depth which enables the pre-pits to be read and prevents reading of other data overwritten on the phase pit string.
17. A recording medium producing method for producing a recording medium, using a disc master, comprising:
a first area forming process of cutting groove tracks meanderingly on the disc master using a light beam modulated by a wobble signal so as to form a first area onto which recording information is to be recorded; and
a second area forming process of meanderingly cutting a phase pit string corresponding to control data on the disc master, thereby forming a second area,
wherein at the second area forming process, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that the meandering amplitude of the second area is different from the meandering amplitude of the first area,
wherein the recording medium producing method further comprises a third area forming process of meanderingly cutting a phase pit string corresponding to predetermined data on the disc master, thereby forming a third area,
wherein in the third area forming process, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that the meandering amplitude of the third area is different from at least one of either the meandering amplitude of the first area or the meandering amplitude of the second area, and
wherein in the third area forming process, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that a pit depth of the third area is different from at least one of a pit depth of the second area and a pit depth of the first area.
18. The recording medium producing method according to 17, wherein at the second area forming process, the second area is so formed that the phase pit string in the second area has a pit depth which enables the control data to be read and prevents reading of other data overwritten on the phase pit string.
19. The recording medium producing method according to claim 17, wherein at the second area forming process and the third area forming process, a degree of modulation of the light beam for cutting the phase pit string is set so that the output levels of wobble signals extracted from the respective areas are approximately equal to an output level of the wobble signal extracted from the first area at the time of reproduction from the recording medium produced by using the disc master.
20. The recording medium producing method according to claim 17, wherein at the first area forming process and the third area forming process pre-pits are formed.
21. The recording medium producing method according to claim 17, wherein at the third area forming process the third area is so formed that the phase pit string in the third area has a pit depth which enables the pre-pits to be read and prevents reading of other data overwritten on the phase pit string.
22. The recording medium producing method according to claim 17, wherein the second area forming process forms the second area so that the phase pit string in the second area has a pit depth different from a depth of each track of the meandering groove tracks in the first area.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for controlling ammonia flow to a hydrogen consuming device, comprising:
providing a hydrogen source, a control and a hydrogen consuming device;
receiving at least hydrogen and ammonia by said control; and
controlling at least said hydrogen to said hydrogen consuming device depending on ammonia that is received by said control.
2. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said controlling includes preventing substantially all hydrogen to said hydrogen consuming device.
3. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said controlling includes using a composition that changes from a first state to a second state depending on said ammonia.
4. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
said first state includes a first color and said second state includes a second color.
5. A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
said first state includes one of: a first size and a first density, and said second state includes a respective one of: a second size and a second density.
6. A method, as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
said controlling includes monitoring for said second color.
7. A method, as claimed in claim 5, wherein:
said controlling includes regulating a valve device using said second size.
8. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said controlling includes neutralizing ammonia using a composition in said control device.
9. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said controlling includes exchanging ammonia with another substance using a composition in said control device.
10. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said controlling includes forming metal ammine complexes using a composition of said control device.
11. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said controlling includes using a first composition of said control device and further including filtering ammonia using a second composition of said control device.
12. A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
said controlling includes using a first composition of said control device and further including capturing vapor produced by said first composition using a second composition of said control device.
13. An apparatus for controlling hydrogen to a hydrogen consuming device, comprising:
a hydrogen source; and
a control operatively associated with said hydrogen source that is used in controlling hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device depending upon ammonia.
14. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said control includes a first composition used in preventing substantially all hydrogen to said hydrogen consuming device depending on an amount of said ammonia.
15. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said control includes a sensor that detects ammonia.
16. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:
said sensor includes a first composition that changes from a first state to a second state depending on ammonia.
17. A method, as claimed in claim 15, wherein:
said sensor includes a color change depending on ammonia.
18. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said control includes a valve device.
19. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said control includes a material having a first composition and a second composition, said first composition is used in preventing substantially all hydrogen to said hydrogen consuming device depending on ammonia and said second composition is used in capturing vapor produced by said first composition.
20. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, wherein:
said control includes a material having a first composition and a second composition in which said first composition prevents substantially all hydrogen to the hydrogen consuming device depending on ammonia and said second composition is disposed before said first composition to remove ammonia before hydrogen passes through said first composition.
21. A method for controlling gas flow involving a feed gas, comprising:
providing a feed gas source, a control and a feed gas consuming device;
receiving at least feed gas from said feed gas source and a contaminant gas; and
controlling at least said feed gas consuming device depending on contaminant gas received by said control.
22. A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
said controlling includes chemically sequestering said contaminant gas through heterogeneous phase reactions with solid phase transition metal complexes.
23. A method, as claimed in claim 22, wherein:
said contaminant gas includes at least one of:
carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, sulfur trioxide, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen sulfide, phosphine, chlorine, oxygen, carbon dioxide, acetylene, ethylene and water.
24. A method, as claimed in claim 21, wherein:
said feed gas includes hydrogen, said contaminant gas includes ammonia and said feed gas consuming device includes a fuel cell.