All The Claims

1. An optical network unit, comprising:
a first optical network interface in communication with a first user device configured to operate in a non-optical domain and an optical network and configured to:
receive optically-encoded downstream data signals from said optical network for transmission to said first user device; and
transmit optically-encoded data signals upstream from said first user device to said optical network;

a second optical network interface in communication with a second user device configured to operate in said non-optical domain and said optical network and configured to receive optically-encoded Radio Frequency (RF)-band downstream signals from said optical network for transmission to said second user device;
a third optical network interface in communication with and configured to receive collision related signals from said optical network, said collision related signals enabling bi-directional optical networking on said third optical network interface; and
an access device comprising a digital processor configured to implement a carrier sense multiple accesscollision detection (CSMACD) protocol with respect to said downstream and upstream data signals, said RF-band downstream signals, and said collision related signals.
2. The optical network unit of claim 1, wherein said downstream and said upstream data signals comprise Ethernet data signals, and said RF-band downstream signals comprise RF-band video signals.
3. The optical network unit of claim 1, wherein access onto said optical network by said optical network unit is controlled at least in part based on said collision related signals.
4. The optical network unit of claim 1, wherein said collision related signals comprise signals related to a use of said network by a second optical network unit.
5. The optical network unit of claim 1, wherein said access device is further configured to permit transmission of data via said first optical network interface onto said network by said optical network unit.
6. Apparatus for conversion of light pulses from a fiber optic line to electrical pulses and thereby to provide an interface between a plurality of users and a passive optical network, said apparatus comprising:
a first interface in communication with said passive optical network and said plurality of users and configured to:
receive downstream Ethernet traffic from a service provider entity of said passive optical network; and
transmit upstream Ethernet traffic to said service provider entity;

a second interface in communication with said passive optical network and said plurality of users and configured to receive downstream video traffic from said service provider entity of said passive optical network; and
a third interface in communication with said passive optical network and said plurality of users and configured to provide a return path for said upstream Ethernet traffic, said return path configured to utilize at least one protocol to provide fair access to said return path so that each of said plurality of users is provided an opportunity to access said optical network;
wherein said third interface is further configured to enable local optical networking services among a plurality of interface apparatus in said passive optical network.
7. The interface apparatus of claim 6, wherein said downstream Ethernet traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1550 nm wavelength, and said upstream Ethernet traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1310 nm wavelength, said downstream video traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1550 nm wavelength, and said return path for said upstream Ethernet traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1310 nm wavelength.
8. The interface apparatus of claim 6, wherein said upstream Ethernet traffic carries at least data signals, voice signals, video-on-demand signals, and channel change request signals.
9. The interface apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one protocol comprises a carrier sense multiple accesscollision detection (CSMACD) protocol.
10. The interface apparatus of claim 6, wherein said at least one protocol is adapted configured to allow only one of said plurality of users to send upstream data over the return path at any given time.
11. A method of operating an optical network unit (ONU) comprising a first optical network interface, a second optical network interface, a third optical network interface, and an access device, said first and second optical network interfaces configured to operate in a non-optical domain and an optical network and said third optical network interface in communication with a passive optical network, said method comprising:
receiving optically-encoded downstream data signals from said optical network for transmission to a first user device at said first optical network interface; and
transmitting optically-encoded data signals upstream from said first user device to said optical network via said first optical network interface;
receiving optically-encoded Radio Frequency (RF)-band downstream signals from said optical network for transmission to a second user device at said second optical network interface;
receiving collision related signals from said optical network at said third optical network interface, said collision related signals enabling bi-directional optical networking; and
implementing a carrier sense multiple accesscollision detection (CSMACD) protocol with respect to said downstream and upstream data signals, said RF-band downstream signals, and said collision related signals, at a processor of said access device.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein said downstream and said upstream data signals comprise Ethernet data signals, and said RF-band downstream signals comprise RF-band video signals.
13. The method claim 11, wherein access onto said optical network by said optical network unit is controlled based at least in part on said collision related signals.
14. The method of claim 11, wherein said collision related signals comprise signals related to a use of said network by a second optical network unit.
15. The method of claim 11 further comprising permitting transmission of data onto said network by said access device via said first optical network interface.
16. A method for converting light pulses from a fiber optic line to electrical pulses and providing an interface between a plurality of users and a passive optical network via an apparatus comprising a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface, said interfaces being in communication with said passive optical network and said plurality of users, said method comprising:
receiving downstream Ethernet traffic from a service provider entity of said passive optical network at said first interface;
transmitting upstream Ethernet traffic to said service provider entity via said first interface;
receiving downstream video traffic from said service provider entity at said second interface;
providing a return path for said upstream Ethernet traffic via said third interface, said return path utilizing at least one protocol to provide fair access to said return path so that each of said plurality of users is provided an opportunity to access said passive optical network; and
enabling local optical networking services among a plurality of interface apparatus in said passive optical network via said third interface.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said downstream Ethernet traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1550 nm wavelength, and said upstream Ethernet traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1310 nm wavelength, said downstream video traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1550 nm wavelength, and said return path for said upstream Ethernet traffic includes signals comprising at least a 1310 nm wavelength.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said upstream Ethernet traffic carries at least data signals, voice signals, video-on-demand signals, and channel change request signals.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one protocol comprises a carrier sense multiple accesscollision detection (CSMACD) protocol.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one protocol is configured to allow only one of said plurality of users to send upstream data over the return path at any given time.

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 semiconductor laser, comprising:
a semiconductor chip comprising an active layer and emitting radiation in a main radiating direction;
wherein the active layer is structured in a direction perpendicular to the main radiating direction to reduce heating of the semiconductor chip by spontaneously emitted radiation;
wherein the active layer includes a region provided for optical pumping by a pump radiation source; and
wherein the optically pumped region of the active layer is surrounded by a region having, in a direction perpendicular to the main radiating direction, a periodic structure that forms a photonic crystal in which radiation having the emission wavelength is not capable of propagation.
2. The semiconductor laser according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor laser is a disc laser.
3. The semiconductor laser according to claim 2, wherein the disc laser has an external resonator.
4. The semiconductor laser according to claim 1, wherein the active layer has the form of a mesa.
5. The semiconductor laser according to claim 1, wherein the active layer has the form of a mesa, and the width of the mesa in a direction perpendicular to the main radiating direction of the semiconductor laser is approximately as large as the width of the optically pumped region.
6. The semiconductor laser according to claim 1, wherein the periodic structure is formed by a lattice-type arrangement of cutouts.
7. The semiconductor laser according to claim 6, wherein the cutouts are filled by a material having refractive index that differs from that of the active layer.
8. The semiconductor laser according to claim 1, wherein the laser contains a heat sink.
9. The semiconductor laser according to claim 8, wherein no substrate is contained between the heat sink and the active layer.

What is claimed is:

1. An immunoassay using an insoluble carrier particle which comprises
(i) using an insoluble magnetic carrier particle in a state substantially free of any adsorbed antigen andor antibody,
(ii) adsorbing an antigenic substance in a test sample on said insoluble magnetic carrier particle or binding the antigenic substance to the said insoluble magnetic carrier particle,
(iii) reacting the resultant insoluble magnetic carrier particle from the above treatment (ii) with an antibody being of a labeled antibody specifically reactive with some of the said antigenic substance, said antibody being specifically reactive with a solid-phase form of the antigenic substance, but substantially non-reactive with a native-state form of the antigenic substance, wherein said solid-phase form antigenic substance is attached to the said insoluble carrier particle, and said native-state antigenic substance is present in a liquid phase, and
(iv) measuring as an indicator the label on the resultant labeled antibody captured by the said solid-phase antigenic substance.
2. The immunoassay according to claim 1, wherein said immunoassay comprises
(A) adsorbing said antigenic substance in said test sample on said insoluble magnetic carrier particle or binding the said antigenic substance to the insoluble magnetic carrier particle, and
(B) then reacting the captured antigenic substance with said specifically solid phase antigenic substance-reactive antibody without removing the said test sample with washing.
3. The immunoassay according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said immunoassay comprises
(a) reacting said labeled antibody with the insoluble magnetic carrier particle that said antigenic substance in said test sample is adsorbed on or bound to,
(b) then separating an unreacted labeled antibody from the insoluble magnetic carrier particle in the presence of a magnetic field action, and
(c) measuring as an indicator the label on the resultant labeled antibody captured by the said solid-phase antigenic substance.
4. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said antibody is monoclonal.
5. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said antibody is polyclonal.
6. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said insoluble magnetic carrier particle is selected from fine particles wherein said fine particle is substantially insoluble in an aqueous liquid medium and comprised of an organic polymer material phase and a magnetic material phase.
7. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said insoluble magnetic carrier particle is selected from fine particles wherein said fine particle comprises not only a coat phase made up of one or more organic polymer materials but also a core phase made up of one or more magnetic materials.
8. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said insoluble magnetic carrier particle is selected from latex particles wherein said latex particle has (a) an average particle size ranging from 0.01 to 20 microns and (b) a core made up of one or more magnetic materials.
9. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein said insoluble magnetic carrier particle is selected from latex particles wherein said latex particle has an average particle size ranging from 0.1 to 6 microns and a core comprised of one or more magnetic materials.
10. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein said immunoassay is practicable in an automated fashion from dispensing said test sample to attaining test results with a clinical chemistry autoanalyzer suited for magnetic particles.
11. The immunoassay according to any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the antigenic substance in the test sample is HbA1c.

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 for dyeing keratinous fibers, comprising treating said fibers with:
i) at least one entity chosen from compound chosen from synthetic or natural compounds of formulae (I) and (II), their mesomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their addition salts with an acid or base that is cosmetically acceptable, and their hydrates:
and wherein:
represents a single or conjugated double carbon-carbon bond;
X represents either:
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, which are identical or different, are chosen from a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an optionally substituted alkyl group, optionally substituted alkoxy, and an optionally substituted acyloxy group;

ii) at least one metal salt,
iii) hydrogen peroxide or at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide, and
iv) at least one (bi)carbonate.
2. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the at least one entity is chosen from naturally occurring compounds of formulae (I) and (II).
3. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the radical R6 of formulae (I) and (II) represents a hydroxyl group.
4. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the radical R1 of formulae (I) and (II) represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group.
5. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the at least one entity is a compound chosen from hematoxylin, brazilin, hematein, brazilein their mesomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their addition salts with an acid or base that is cosmetically acceptable, and also the hydrates, with hematoxylin, brazilin, hematein, and brazilein having the structures:
6. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the at least one entity is chosen from the compounds of formula (I).
7. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the at least one entity is provided in the form of a plant extract chosen from extracts of Haematoxylon campechianum, Haematoxylon brasiletto, Caesalpinia echinata, Caesalpinia sappan, Caesalpinia spinosa and Caesalpina brasiliensis.
8. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the at least one metal salt is chosen from Mn and Zn salts.
9. The dyeing method of claim 8, wherein the Mn and Zn salts are chosen from halides, sulfates, phosphates, nitrates. perchlorates, salts of carboxylic acids, and polymeric salts.
10. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the at least one metal salt is chosen from Mn and Zn oxides.
11. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the hydrogen peroxide or at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide is chosen from:
a) urea peroxide;
b) polymeric complexes which release hydrogen peroxide;
c) oxidases which produce hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an appropriate substrate;
d) metal peroxides which, in water, generate hydrogen peroxide;
e) perborates;
f) percarborates; and
g) hydrogen peroxide.
12. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the at least one (bi)carbonate is chosen from alkali metal (bi)carbonates and alkaline earth metal (bi)carbonates.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises a stage consisting of applying, to the keratinous fibers, a cosmetic composition comprising the at least one entity, the at least one metal salt, the hydrogen peroxide or the at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide, and the at least one (bi)carbonate.
14. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises at least first and second stages, the first stage consisting of applying, to the keratinous fibers, a cosmetic composition comprising the at least one entity, the at least one metal salt, and the hydrogen peroxide or the at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide, and the second stage consisting of applying a cosmetic composition comprising the at least one (bi)carbonate.
15. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises at least first and second stages, the first stage consisting of applying, to the keratinous fibers, a cosmetic composition comprising the at least one entity and the at least one metal salt, and the second stage consisting of applying a cosmetic composition comprising the hydrogen peroxide or the at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide and the at least one (bi)carbonate.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising, just before applying the at least one (bi)carbonate, at least one of:
a) mechanically wiping the keratinous fibers; and
b) drying the keratinous fibers by heating.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the keratinous fibers are not rinsed between the mechanical wiping and applying the at least one (bi)carbonate.
18. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the keratinous fibers comprise pre-wetted hair.
19. The dyeing method of claim 1, wherein the keratinous fibers are treated with an aqueous composition comprising at least one of the at least one entity, the at least one metal salt, the hydrogen peroxide or the at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide, and the at least one (bi)carbonate.
20. A cosmetic dyeing composition comprising:
i) at least one entity chosen from compounds chosen from synthetic or natural compounds of formulae (I) and (II), their mesomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their addition salts with an acid or base that is cosmetically acceptable, and their hydrates:
and wherein:
represents a single or conjugated double carbon-carbon bond;
X represents either:
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, which are identical or different, are chosen from a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an optionally substituted alkyl group, optionally substituted alkoxy, and an optionally substituted acyloxy group;

ii) at least one metal salt,
iii) hydrogen peroxide or at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide, and
iv) at least one (bi)carbonate.
21. A multicompartment device comprising from 2 to 5 compartments comprising from 2 to 5 compositions in which the ingredients
i) at least one entity chosen from compounds chosen from synthetic or natural compounds of formulae (I) and (II), their mesomeric forms, their stereoisomers, their addition salts with an acid or base that is cosmetically acceptable, and their hydrates:
and wherein:
represents a single or conjugated double carbon-carbon bond;
X represents either:
R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6, which are identical or different, are chosen from a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an optionally substituted alkyl group, optionally substituted alkoxy, and an optionally substituted acyloxy group;

ii) at least one metal salt,
iii) hydrogen peroxide or at least one system which generates hydrogen peroxide, and
iv) at least one (bi)carbonate,
and optionally water are distributed.