Author: claimsbot

1. An optical wavelength multiplexing device comprising:
a multiplexing portion that outputs an optical multiplex signal by multiplexing optical signals;
an optical band-pass filter that receives an optical multiplex signal output by the multiplexing portion and lets the received optical multiplex signal pass therethrough, the optical band-pass filter being capable of changing a center wavelength and a band width;
a storage portion that stores wavelength band control information specifying the center wavelength and the band width; and
a control portion that controls the center wavelength and the band width of the optical band-pass filter based on the wavelength band control information.
2. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 1, wherein the storage portion stores wavelength band control information specifying the center wavelength and the band width based on a type of the multiplexing portion.
3. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 1, wherein the control potion detects that the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value, and makes the optical band-pass filter close a gate.
4. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 2, wherein the control potion detects that the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value, and makes the optical band-pass filter close a gate.
5. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 3, further comprising:
a branching portion to branch an optical multiplex signal output from the multiplexing portion; and
an input shutoff detection portion that receives the branched optical signal and detects input shutoff;
wherein when at least one of a situation where the input shutoff is detected and a situation where the input shutoff is not detected and the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value occurs, the control portion closes the gate and notifies the abnormal state.
6. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 4, further comprising:
a branching portion to branch an optical multiplex signal output from the multiplexing portion; and
an input shutoff detection portion that receives the branched optical signal and detects input shutoff;
wherein when at least one of a situation where the input shutoff is detected and a situation where the input shutoff is not detected and the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value occurs, the control portion closes the gate and notifies the abnormal state.
7. An optical wavelength multiplexing device comprising a plurality of optical wavelength multiplexing devices according to claim 1,
wherein the optical wavelength multiplexing device further comprises a block multiplexing portion that further multiplexes a plurality of optical multiplex signals having different wavelength bands output from the plurality of optical wavelength multiplexing devices.
8. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 7, wherein the storage portion stores wavelength band control information specifying the center wavelength and the band width based on a type of the multiplexing portion.
9. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 7, wherein the control potion detects that the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value, and makes the optical band-pass filter close a gate.
10. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 8, wherein the control potion detects that the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value, and makes the optical band-pass filter close a gate.
11. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 9, further comprising:
a branching portion to branch an optical multiplex signal output from the multiplexing portion; and
an input shutoff detection portion that receives the branched optical signal and detects input shutoff;
wherein when at least one of a situation where the input shutoff is detected and a situation where the input shutoff is not detected and the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value occurs, the control portion closes the gate and notifies the abnormal state.
12. The optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 10, further comprising:
a branching portion to branch an optical multiplex signal output from the multiplexing portion; and
an input shutoff detection portion that receives the branched optical signal and detects input shutoff;
wherein when at least one of a situation where the input shutoff is detected and a situation where the input shutoff is not detected and the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value occurs, the control portion closes the gate and notifies the abnormal state.
13. An optical wavelength dividing device comprising:
an optical band-pass filter capable of changing a center wavelength and a band width;
a storage portion that stores wavelength band control information specifying the center wavelength and the band width; and
a control portion that controls the center wavelength and the band width of the optical band-pass filter based on the wavelength band control information; and
a dividing portion that receives an optical multiplex signal output from the optical band-pass filter.
14. The optical wavelength dividing device according to claim 12, wherein:
the control potion detects that the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value; and
the optical band-pass filter, when the detection is notified, closes a gate.
15. An optical wavelength dividing device comprising a plurality of optical wavelength dividing devices according to claim 13,
wherein the optical wavelength dividing device further comprises a block dividing portion that divides an optical multiplex signal into a plurality of optical multiplex signals having different wavelength bands and outputs the plurality of optical multiplex signals to the plurality of optical wavelength dividing devices.
16. The optical wavelength dividing device according to claim 15, wherein:
the control potion detects that the wavelength band control information has an uncertain value; and
the optical band-pass filter, when the detection is notified, closes a gate.
17. An optical wavelength dividing multiplexing device comprising:
an optical wavelength multiplexing device according to claim 1; and
an optical wavelength dividing device according to claim 13.
18. The optical wavelength dividing multiplexing device according to claim 17, further comprising a plurality of the optical wavelength multiplexing devices and the optical wavelength dividing devices,
wherein the optical wavelength dividing multiplexing device further comprises:
a block multiplexing portion that multiplexing optical signals of the plurality of optical wavelength multiplexing devices; and
a block dividing portion that receives an optical multiplex signal from the block multiplexing portion, divides the optical multiplex signal, and outputs the divided optical multiplex signals to their respective ones of the plurality of optical wavelength dividing devices.
19. A method of controlling an optical band-pass filter installed in at least one of an optical wavelength multiplexing device and an optical wavelength dividing device, the method comprising:
determining wavelength band control information specifying a center wavelength and a band width of the optical band-pass filter capable of changing the center wavelength and the band width; and

controlling the center wavelength and the band width of the optical band-pass filter based on the wavelength band control information.

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 sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside headwear, comprising:
a self-adhesive strip formed of an absorbent foam core enveloped in opposing porous layers, said strip being substantially elongate and rectangular and coated with temporary adhesive on one side.
2. A sweat absorbent fabric strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein one of said porous layers is coated with a hydrophobic coating, and another of said porous layers is hydrophilic.
3. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 2 wherein both of said porous layers comprise woven paper.
4. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 2 wherein both of said porous layers comprise fabric.
5. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 2 wherein said hydrophobic coating is perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PFMCH).
6. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said strip is approximately 7 inches long.
7. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said temporary adhesive is covered with a removable protective paper backing that is removed from said temporary adhesive before said strip is used.
8. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said temporary adhesive attaches lengthwise to brow of said hat.
9. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said hat is a personal ball cap.
10. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said hat is a construction hard hat.
11. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said hat is a sports helmet.
12. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said strip may be discarded after every use of said strip.
13. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein said strip is packaged in plastic.
14. A sweat absorbent strip for attachment inside a hat according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of said fabrics strips are dispensed from a box dispenser.

1. A buoyancy compensator jacket comprising:
(a) a diving unit to be worn by an individual wherein the diving unit has a front lobe;
(b) at least one pocket adapted for use on the unit;
(c) an integrated weight system on the diving unit; and,
(d) an air bladder system contained within the diving unit wherein said air bladder system is positioned only in the front lobe of the diving unit.
2. The buoyancy compensator jacket of claim 1, further comprising: the integrated system wherein the integrated weight system has at least one weight removably contained within an envelope.
3. The buoyancy compensator jacket of claim 1, further comprising the integrated weight system wherein the integrated weight system is removably detachable from the diving unit.
4. The buoyancy compensator jacket of claim 1 wherein the air bladder system is positioned on the outside of the front lobe of the diving unit.
5. The buoyancy compensator of claim 1 wherein the integrated weight system and the air bladder system are positioned on the front lobe of the diving unit.
6. The buoyancy compensator regulator of claim 1 wherein the air bladder system is positioned above the integrated weight system in relation to the horizontal plane of an individual.
7. The buoyancy compensator of claim 1 wherein the air bladder system is positioned below the integrated weight system in relation to the horizontal plane of an individual.
8. The buoyancy compensator of claim 1 wherein air bladder system is positioned above and below the integrated weight system in relation to the horizontal plane of an individual.
9. The buoyancy compensator of claim 1 wherein the air bladder system is positioned above andor below the integrated weight system but not inboard or outboard of the integrated weight system when one considers the individual to be inboard of the weights.
10. The buoyancy compensator of claim 1 wherein the air bladder system is contained only in the front lobe of the diving unit.
11. A buoyancy compensator system comprising:
(a) a diving unit to be worn by an individual said diving unit including a back portion and a shoulder portion;
(b) at least one front lobe of the diving unit;
(c) said diving unit having at least one shoulder strap wherein said shoulder strap connects the at least one front lobe of the diving unit with a shoulder portion;
(d) an integrated weight system configured to carry at least one weight wherein the weight is contained within an envelope means; and,
(e) an air bladder system contained only in the front lobe of the diving unit.
12. The buoyancy compensator of claim 11 wherein the integrated weight system has at least one weight contained therein and further wherein the weight is contained within an enveloping means on the front lobe of the diving unit.
13. The buoyancy compensator of claim 11 wherein the integrated weight system is contained within the front lobe of the diving unit and further wherein at least one weight is removably attachable to the diving unit.
14. The buoyancy compensator of claim 11 wherein the air bladder system is contained within the front lobe of the diving unit.
15. The buoyancy compensator of claim 11 wherein the air bladder system is contained within the front lobe of the diving unit and further wherein the air bladder system is positioned above the integrated weight system in relation to the horizontal plane of an individual utilizing the diving unit.
16. The buoyancy compensator of claim 11 wherein the air bladder system is contained within the front lobe of the diving unit and further wherein the air bladder is positioned below the integrated weight system in relation to the horizontal plane of an individual utilizing the diving unit.
17. The buoyancy compensator of claim 11 wherein the air bladder system in contained within the front lobe of the diving unit and further wherein the air bladder system is inboard or outboard of the weight system when the individual is considered inboard of the weights.
18. The buoyancy compensator of claim 11 wherein the air bladder system is contained with the front lobe of the diving unit and further wherein the air bladder is positioned above and below the integrated weight system in relation to the horizontal plane of an individual utilizing the diving unit.

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. An information processing apparatus comprising:
a detection section configured to detect contact of an operating object with and proximity of the operating object to a display surface of a display section on which objects classified into groups in accordance with a relationship between the objects are displayed;
a proximity determination section configured to determine a degree of proximity of the operating object to the display surface based on a detection result obtained by the detection section; and
an operation-lock determination section configured, when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, to disable an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from a group which an object that the operating object touches belongs to, until the operating object is positioned outside a proximity detection region, the proximity detection region being a region from the display surface to positions which are a predetermined distance away therefrom.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein, when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, the operation-lock determination section determines whether or not an operation input to an object that the operating object touches is disabled, and when the operation input to the object that the operating object touches is not disabled, the operation-lock determination section disables an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from the group which the object that the operating object touches belongs to.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a setting storage section configured to store a group which the object belongs to,
wherein the operation-lock determination section acquires, from the setting storage section, a group which an object that the operating object touches belongs to.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein, in a case where an character input object belonging to a first group and an operation object belonging to a second group, which is for operating a screen currently being displayed, are displayed on the display section, and when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, the operation-lock determination section detects which of the first group and the second group the operating object touches, and disables an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from a group which an object that the operating object touches belongs to.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein, in a case where a scrollable region and link information associated with a predetermined process, which is included in the scrollable region, are displayed on the display section, and when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, the operation-lock determination section detects which of an object in the scrollable region and an object in the link information the operating object touches, and disables an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from a group which an object that the operating object touches belongs to.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein, in a case where a plurality of item selection objects classified into groups in accordance with a relationship of items to be selected are displayed on the display section, and when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, the operation-lock determination section detects a group which the object that the operating object touches belongs to, and disables an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from the group which the object that the operating object touches belongs to.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein, in a case where a plurality of scrollable regions belonging to different groups are displayed on the display section, and when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, the operation-lock determination section detects, from among the plurality of scrollable regions, a first scrollable region corresponding to a position which the operating object touches, and disables an operation input to the scrollable region other than the first scrollable region.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a pressure detection section capable of detecting pressing force to the display surface,
wherein, when the pressure detection section detects pressing force equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the operation-lock determination section enables an operation input to the object, the operation input to which is disabled, even when the operating object is placed within the proximity detection region.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein, when there is the object, the operation input to which is disabled, and when an operation input to the object, the operation input to which is enabled, is not detected for a predetermined time period or longer, the operation-lock determination section enables the operation input to the object, the operation input to which is disabled, even when the operating object is placed within the proximity detection region.
10. An information processing method comprising:
detecting, by a detection section, contact of an operating object with and proximity of the operating object to a display surface of a display section on which objects classified into groups in accordance with a relationship between the objects are displayed;
determining, by a proximity determination section, a degree of proximity of the operating object to the display surface based on a detection result obtained by the detection section; and
disabling, when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from a group which an object that the operating object touches belongs to, until the operating object is positioned outside a proximity detection region, the proximity detection region being a region from the display surface to positions which are a predetermined distance away therefrom.
11. A computer program for causing a computer to function as an information processing apparatus which includes
a detection control section configured to cause a detection section to detect contact of an operating object with and proximity of the operating object to a display surface of a display section on which objects classified into groups in accordance with a relationship between the objects are displayed,
a proximity determination section configured to determine a degree of proximity of the operating object to the display surface based on a detection result obtained by the detection section, and
an operation-lock determination section configured, when the proximity determination section determines that the operating object touches the display surface, to disable an operation input to an object belonging to a group different from a group which an object that the operating object touches belongs to, until the operating object is positioned outside a proximity detection region, the proximity detection region being a region from the display surface to positions which are a predetermined distance away therefrom.