Abstract: A plurality of electrostatic discharge (hereafter referred to as "ESD") protection devices are disclosed for use with semiconductor chip packaging (hereafter referred to as "SCP"). The electrostatic protection devices comprise electrically conductive shorting devices that may be removably connected to the SCP during the manufacture to short selected pins from the SCP. The ESD protection devices remain in place to provide ESD protection during all phases of handling and shipping and may be either automatically unshorted or be manually removed during final assembly when the SCP is installed in its end product.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting center pulse width modulation of electronic printer lighter emitting elements is disclosed. The most significaant bit of the energization pulse for the printer light emitting elements is centered and each succeeding less significant bit is divided in half so as to form a mirror image on each side of the centered most significant bit.

Abstract: A scanner is operative with an imaging system for inducing a mechanical movement of a subject during an optical scanning of the subject to provide an image of the subject. The subject which is in the shape of a card is advanced along a travel path past an optical viewing site by means of a drum, the scanner including a first roller and a second roller which urge the subject against the drum. Initially, the first roller is located between the viewing site and the entry port for receipt of the subject in a first nip between the first roller and the drum. The second roller is positioned fixed on the opposite side of the viewing site. The first roller is supported by an arm which swings about a rotational axis of the drum to vary the spacing between the two rollers.

Abstract: An isolation structure and method of fabrication thereof for use in isolation of p-n junctions and for use in multiplexed, multi-color LED arrays. The isolation structure is fabricated on a structure which has a p-n junction formed on a semi-insulating substrate by (1) diffusing dopants into predetermined regions thereof from the top of the structure to the semi-insulating substrate, the dopants being of the same dopant type as that contained in the top layer of the p-n junction and (2) ion-implanting predetermined regions of the top layer of the p-n junction to render them non-conductive.

Abstract: A composition comprising a polyhydroxy alcohol and a water soluble solvent alcohol having a boiling temperature less than 100.degree. C. and a method for dispensing the composition by way of an aerosol spray can is operative for testing smoke detectors of both the ionization and photoelectric type.

Abstract: An imaging system for producing multicolor images of a scanned subject includes a plurality of detector assemblies. Each of the detector assemblies is sensitive to a specific color. Typically, red, green, and blue detector assemblies are employed for converting images in the primary colors to the desired output image. Each detector assembly includes multiple rows of CCD detector elements positioned in registration with each other for a two-dimensional array of the detectors. Pixels of the subject are viewed repetitively by the successive detectors of the column to provide for an integrated detector signal. The number of detector elements in each column is varied in accordance with the color sensed by each assembly to provide for greater integration of low-intensity portions of the spectrum. This compensates the output image for variations in filter attenuation, lamp illumination, and CCD sensitivity as a function of light wavelength. The mode of compensation preserves a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A video identification system for producing photo print identification cards having subject portrait, subject signature and subject related data in respective areas of the card as well as a data record including individual-specific data, an image of the subject, and an image of the signature of the subject. A personal computer controls the system to produce the identification card and the data record. The system includes a frame grabber which grabs a frame by only storing the 768 active video samples of each line of an NTSC signal for two consecutive fields. System operation may not be initiated without first having a supervisor unlock the personal computer and input a particular password. Further, each additional system operator must input their particular identification number into the personal computer whereby system security is maintained.

Abstract: An improved alloyed ohmic contact to n-type GaAs is provided utilizing a Si-based metallization of Si/Au/Ni and exhibiting low contact resistivity and high thermal stability. An improved process for fabricating the inventive contact is also provided comprising the step of first depositing the Si film on the GaAs substrate, thereby simplifying the fabrication of monolithically integrated devices, particularly advanced electro-optic devices, by incorporating self-aligned Si-based contacts in the process. A further improvement is provided in the use of a lift-off-defined Si layer as a reactive-ion etch mask to serve as the self-aligned contact in the process, thereby eliminating a critical photolithographic step of aligning the contact metallization.

Abstract: A defect correction apparatus for a solid state imaging device employs a frame buffer responsively coupled to the imaging device for storing digital values of shuttered dark pixel data from image locations of the imaging device. A register responsively coupled to the imaging device and having an output coupled to the buffer sequentially clocks digital values of image pixel data of the imaging device into the frame buffer. A comparator having an output operatively coupled to the register and being responsively coupled to the dark pixel data of the frame buffer produces enable and inhibit outputs. When any selected element of dark pixel data is less than a threshold, indicative of an operative pixel element in the imaging device, data stored in the register corresponding to the pixel is stored in the frame buffer in response to the enable signal. When the value of the dark pixel data in the frame buffer is greater than the threshold the comparator produces an inhibit signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sharpening edges and details of a digital image without amplifying noise in the digital image provide an output image which is the sum of the input image and its adaptively-amplified high frequency components, which adaptively amplified high frequency components are obtained by subtracting a low-pass filtered image from the input image. An adaptive amplification factor for the high frequency components is determined as a function of a variance of the pixel values surrounding a pixel and the noise power of the imaging system.

Abstract: An integral data storage disk card includes a planar rectangular base member on a portion of which a data storage disk is disposed for rotation relative to the base member and within an overlaying cover fixed to the base member to protect the data storage disk. A visually discernible information bearing layer in either machine or human readable form is disposed on the other portion of the base member adjacent the data storage disk.

Abstract: A narrow divergence, single quantum well, separate confinement, AlGaAs laser of the type which includes the following sequentially grown epitaxial layers: (a) an n-AlGaAs cladding layer; (b) an AlGaAs waveguide layer; (c) a GaAs quantum well layer; (d) an AlGaAs waveguide layer; (e) a p-AlGaAs cladding layer; and is improved to provide a far-field angular divergence in the order of thirty degrees (30.degree.), full width at half maximum (FWHM) with a reduced threshold current temperature sensitivity for use in electronic imaging printers.

Abstract: A dispenser of film units is operative with a film processing apparatus enclosed within a housing. The housing includes a front sidewall having an exit slot for delivery of film units, the dispenser including a film ejection device located behind the slot for ejecting film units out of the housing via the slot. The ejection device may include rotating pressure rolls which may also serve a function in the film processing. The dispenser includes a catcher constructed of a four-bar mechanical linkage, and includes a spring urging the catcher from an extended state away from the sidewall to a retracted state contiguous the sidewall. The catcher is supported pivotally by a strut assembly which pivots from the sidewall, and connects. A flap interconnects the tray with the sidewall. An articulation pivot permits a folding of the flap against the tray during retraction of the catcher. Force exerted by an exiting film unit overcomes the retractive spring force to deflect the tray to the extended catcher state.

Abstract: A system and method for calibrating signals provided by individual cells in a photodetector array scanned by light originating at a low-cost variable light source and reflected from a subject to be replicated in digital form by processing photodetector cell signals in a manner so that individual cell signals are corrected to compensate for fluctuations in source light. The system and method is particularly applicable to a color balanced photodetector array in which individual photodetectors are arranged in sets with each set having a variable number of rows oriented in a direction transverse to the direction of scan and columns parallel to the direction of scan. The invention is practiced by exposing the first few photodetectors in each row to the full spectrum of visible light reflected from a white reference patch.

Abstract: An integral sensing head includes a single fiber optic faceplate substrate to which are connected photodiode arrays, circuits for selectively controlling the transmission of electronic information signals from the photodiodes and interconnecting conductive lines all disposed on the same fiber optic faceplate substrate which thereby provides the optical lens system for the photodiodes and a supporting substrate to which the active components are mounted and electrically interconnected by conductive lines.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved optical accessory of the sun shade type for use with a pair of prescription spectacles. The accessory includes releaseable securing structure which releaseably cooperates with a bridge assembly of the spectacles to inhibit movement of the accessory relative thereto.

Abstract: For an electrical connector member which has a plurality of pins which mates with a complementary receptacle member, there is provided a shorting member comprising a thin conductive sheet having a base portion fixedly connected with respect to the connector member in spaced relation with respect to the pins and a plurality of thin elongated arm portions each integrally connected at one end to the base portion and cantilevered therefrom to extend past at least a respective one of the pins, the other end of each arm portion extending laterally outward so as to electrically contact a side of the pin past which that arm portion extends, each of the arm portions having an inherent spring bias so as to urge its laterally extending end portion away from the connector member and into electrical contact with a respective pin so as to short a select number of pins upon disconnection of the connector and receptacle members.