Abstract: An optical imaging system comprising: an optical assembly for producing a laser beam scanline at an imaging region; first and second photodetectors located at the imaging region at the first and second ends of a produced laser beam scanline; and a visual indicator system coupled to the first and second photodetectors to visually indicate detection of the first and second ends of the laser beam scanline.

Abstract: An optical apparatus. More particularly, a laser sensitometer. The apparatus comprises: a polarized light source adapted to provide a Gaussian beam of light directed along an optical axis; a rotatable polarizer disposed in the optical axis adapted to vary an intensity of the beam of light, the polarizer being rotatable about the optical axis; and a rotatable polygon disposed in the optical axis, the polygon being rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the optical axis.

Abstract: A gain medium for producing a light emission in a laser. The gain medium comprises a dye-doped polymer nanoparticle matrix having an absolute value of dn/dT less than an absolute value of dn/dT of its dye-doped polymer matrix.

Abstract: A method of laser beam alignment in a laser scanning system comprising: providing an elongated planar mirror having left and right ends for directing a laser beam scan line to a scan line imaging region spaced from the mirror; detecting left and right spots of the laser beam scan line to determine whether the laser beam is aligned in the imaging region, and if it is not; first rotating the elongated mirror about a first axis extending along the scan line direction of the mirror until the right spot is detected; second rotating the mirror about a second axis located near the right end of the mirror, the second axis extending in the plane of the mirror at angle to the first axis until the left spot is detected.

Abstract: A method and system for reconstructing a three-dimensional image of an object from cone beam projection data. The method comprising the steps of: acquiring the projection data, wherein the projection data comprises a set of cone beam projection images; selecting at least one cone beam projection image; identifying a region of interest within each selected cone beam projection image; defining a three-dimensional lattice of points, wherein the projection into each selected cone beam projection image of the points in the three-dimensional lattice provides a sampling of the identified region of interest in the corresponding selected cone beam projection image; and, reconstructing an image of the object at each point in the three-dimensional lattice to form a three-dimensional image of the object.

Abstract: A system for opening and closing a resealable cartridge having a tray and a flexible cover resealably engaged with the tray. The system comprises: a base for receiving the tray of the cartridge; a roller shaft having means for engaging the cover of the cartridge; positioning means operably connected to the roller shaft to affect positioning of the roller shaft relative to the cartridge between a first position wherein the roller shaft is spaced from the cartridge and a second position different from the first position wherein the roller shaft is not spaced from the cartridge; and a motor for rotating the roller shaft in a first rotational direction to wind the cover about the roller shaft, thereby removing at least a portion of the cover from the tray, and for rotating the roller shaft in a second rotational direction to unwind the cover from the roller shaft thereby resealably engaging the cover with the tray.

Abstract: An x-ray cassette having increased durability. The x-ray cassette comprises a shell and a storage phosphor assembly. The shell comprises an upper and lower panel, a first and second side member, and a front end member. The first and second side members and front end member join the upper and lower panels to define a cavity having an open end. The storage phosphor assembly comprises a back end member, an insert plate, and an edge insert. The storage phosphor assembly is adapted to be removably contained within the shell such that the back end member closes off the open end of the shell. A first side of the edge insert is affixed to the insert plate. A first end of the edge insert is disposed adjacent the back end member, and a second end of the edge insert comprises at least one recess on the first side.

Abstract: A method for making a shadow mask array is taught. Producing a plurality of shadow mask sections; inspecting the plurality of shadow mask sections to determine which shadow mask sections are acceptable as meeting predetermined criteria; positioning a predetermined number of the acceptable mask sections into predetermined locations relative to one another to form a mask section array thereby distributing any error in individual mask sections across the mask section array; and attaching the individual mask sections of the mask section array to a support structure. The support structure allows for expansion and/or contraction of the individual mask sections of the mask section array while maintaining relative positioning of the individual shadow mask section in the shadow mask array.

Abstract: A method of constructing a photo album including the steps of: providing a plurality of digital images; generating an sticker sheet of reduced resolution images from the digital images, the sticker sheet including a machine readable means for selecting one or more of images represented by the thumbnails to be included in the photo album; selecting one or more of the thumbnail images on the sticker sheet; reading the selected thumbnails from the sticker sheet with a scanner; and constructing a photo album from the digital images represented by the selected reduced resolution images.

Abstract: An x-ray cassette having increased durability. The x-ray cassette comprises a shell and a storage phosphor assembly. The shell comprises an upper and lower panel, a first and second side member, and a front end member, with the first and second side members and front end member joining the upper and lower panels to define a cavity having an open end. The storage phosphor assembly comprises an insert plate having a first and second side, a back end member having two ends, and a first and second edge insert. The storage phosphor assembly is adapted to be removably contained within the shell such that the back end member closes off the open end of the shell. The first and second edge inserts are affixed to the first and second sides, respectively.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for displaying photofinishing goods and/or services that are being offered for sale. An apparatus is provided which includes a display device for displaying photofinishing goods and/or services that are being offered for sale and a computer for controlling what is displayed on the display device. A computer software program is also provide for programming the computer so that a plurality of the photofinishing goods and/or services will be displayed on the display device and for program monitoring the sales the photofinishing goods. The system allows for the remote reprogramming of the computer for modifying and or re-arranging the position of the photofinishing goods and/or services on the display device.

Abstract: A method of constructing a photo album including the steps of: providing a plurality of digital images; generating an index print of thumbnails from the digital images, the index print including a machine readable means for selecting one or more of images represented by the thumbnails to be included in the photo album; selecting one or more of the thumbnail images on the index print; reading the selected thumbnails from the index print with a scanner; and constructing a photo album from the digital images represented by the selected thumbnails.

Abstract: A package for enclosing a plurality of sheets. The package comprises a pouch adapted to receive the plurality of sheets, a leader, and a closure member. The pouch comprises a leading end and a trailing end opposite the leading end. The trailing end is open to receive the plurality of sheets. The trailing end is folded back at least once to form a closure flap to light-tightly close the pouch. The leader is disposed at the leading end of the pouch and is folded back onto the pouch. The closure member includes a first end affixed to the leader, a second end affixed to the closure flap, and a rupturable portion disposed adjacent the first end. When the rupturable portion is ruptured, the first end separates from the closure member and adheres to leader while the remaining portion of the closure member adheres to the closure flap by the second end.

Abstract: A corner element for an x-ray cassette for providing increased durability and light integrity. The x-ray cassette includes an upper and lower panel, a first member joining the upper and lower panels to define a cavity therebetween, and a storage phosphor assembly adapted to be removably contained within the cavity. The corner element comprises an upper and lower corner channel for receiving, respectively, the upper and lower panels; and a first leg adapted to mate with the first member and having an inclined element integrally formed therewith, the storage phosphor assembly being disposed adjacent to the inclined element when contained within the cavity.

Abstract: A roll package comprising a spool, a length of web material wound about the spool, and a length of a protective material wound about the length of web material. The length of a protective material has a moisture vapor transmission rate of less than about 0.1 grams per one hundred square inches for 24 hours when tested at 100 degree F., 100 percent relative humidity. In a particular embodiment, the spool includes a core and a pair of flanges, each flange having an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface, the inwardly facing surface of each flange including a substantially planar portion adjacent an outer edge of the flange and a recessed portion inboard of the substantially planar portion. Edges of the protective material abut the substantially planar portion when wound about the length of web material such that the edges are held in intimate contact with the substantially planar portion to form a light seal barrier and a moisture vapor barrier seal.

Abstract: A photographic mount. The mount includes a base member having a fold line defining a pair of blanks. The base member is made of a support layer and a polymer layer disposed thereon, preferably a low density polyethylene. The base member further includes a pair of spaced apertures which are disposed in overlapping registration when the base member is folded along the fold line. A locating frame is carried by one of the pair of blanks attached to the polymer layer, to form a frame about one of the pair of apertures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus for receiving a memory card. A card connector is disposed in an opening of an exterior wall of the electronic apparatus. A door connected to the electronic apparatus pivots between and open and closed position. In the open position, a slot integral with the door removably receives the memory card. In the closed position, an exterior surface of the door covers the opening. An aperture in the slot is arranged in overlapping registration with the electrical connection portion when the door is in the closed position whereby, when a memory card is disposed within the slot, a terminal portion of the memory card forms an electrical connection with the electrical connection portion.

Abstract: A flexible lens mount for securing a flexible lens having a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The flexible lens mount comprises a resilient member, a base member, and a fastener. The resilient member includes a first end, a second end, and a first surface adapted to abut the second side of the flexible lens. The resilient member is adapted to be flexed to form a first arc of about degrees D of about radius R. The base member includes a second surface forming a second arc which complements the first arc. The second surface is adapted to abut the first side of the flexible lens such that the flexible lens is disposed intermediate the first and second surfaces. The base member further comprises a first retaining member disposed at one end to retain the first end of the resilient member, and a second retaining member disposed at an other end to retain the second end of the resilient member.

Abstract: An image manipulation system including: at least one of a plurality of display monitors for displaying at least one of a plurality of digital images, each of the display monitors including at least one of a plurality of image display windows, wherein each of the image display windows is capable of displaying at least one of the digital images. The system further includes a cursor and instructions associated with virtual spaces of the image display windows, and is capable of: designating the virtual spaces of each of the image display windows as function activating; generating the instructions associated with the virtual spaces; assigning each of the virtual spaces with image manipulation functions corresponding to a position of the cursor when located within each of the virtual spaces; and executing the instructions associated with each of the virtual spaces.