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Liquid-crystal microprism arrays are shown to be useful for providing electrically controlled alignment of optical beams and fixed various free-space optical interconnections. They can deflect closely spaced micro-optical beams individually to any position with high transmittance (95%), high deflection angle ([approximately]10 [degrees]), and low voltage (< 2.8 [V.sub.rms]). Various fixed optical interconnections can be made simply by changes in the voltages applied to the microprism. Key words: Optical interconnection, free space, liquid crystal, optical beam, deflector, two-dimensional optical switch.

Simulating the positions of output beams under the assumption that a liquid-crystal display acts as a binary phase modulator reveals that the number of the outputs increases almost linearly with the square root of the number of pixels assigned to an input. This result is confirmed by experiments, and it is estimated that 1016 outputs can be obtained when the number of pixels is 700 X 700. Holographic switches with liquid-crystal displays are therefore suitable for large-scale switches. Key words: Holographic switching, liquid-crystal display, computer-generated hologram.

We present a digital free-space photonic switch structure that uses exciton absorption reflection switch (EARS) arrays. The network topology of the switch is a banyan network. This switch structure uses microbeam interconnections to realize a compact switch fabric. The low-loss interconnection that is necessary for high-speed operation can be achieved by the use of an optical system based on birefringent plates. A prototype switch (based on an 8 X 8 EARS array) with fiber array pigtails is fabricated and used to demonstrate two-input, two-output switching of 8-Mbits/s signals. This digital switch may be applicable to large-scale, multistage switching networks for optical interconnections and broadband telecommunication switching systems.

Purpose – The paper's aim is to present a novel anonymity quantification method, LooM (loosely managed privacy protection method) for achieving privacy protection in pervasive computing environments. Design/methodology/approach – The main feature is that the method quantitatively controls anonymity by a single value (disclosure threshold value) using a classification algorithm of the decision tree. The value is not affected by the set size of users or the distribution of users' private information. The effectiveness of this method is confirmed by simulation using sample databases of attribute-value pairs. Proposes a model of privacy information disclosure that achieves a balance between users' privacy protection requirements and service providers' disclosure requirements and applies web questionnaire survey data to this model. Findings – LooM can be applicable to a variety of pervasive computing and communication services handling a huge amount of data containing privacy information. Originality/value – The paper proposes a model of privacy information disclosure that achieves a balance between users' privacy protection requirements and service providers' disclosure requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]