Patents Assigned to THORN EMI plc
  • Patent number: 5764411
    Abstract: An imaging system for the generation of an apparent three-dimensional (3-D) image suspended in space for direct vieiwing includes a beamsplitter and a retroreflector. The optical property of reflecting light back along its original path enable the system to generate such an apparent 3-D image based on the perception of depth cues present in the original scene for viewing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Ian Alexander Shanks
  • Patent number: 5633947
    Abstract: Apparatus for use with an autocorrelation technique for characterizing fingerprints includes an imaging device for providing an image of a fingerprint. The image so produced is then utilized by a microprocessor in order to generate an autocorrelation pattern for statistical comparison with stored data so as to determine whether the image of the fingerprint under test is derived from the fingerprint representated by the stored data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Thorn EMI PLC
    Inventor: Alastair Sibbald
  • Patent number: 5619586
    Abstract: A directly viewable fingerprint image is formed by illuminating a transparent planar substrate from one surface with collimated light, the substrate having pressed against the other surface a fingerprint to be imaged. Light striking the surface against which ridges of the fingerprint are in contact undergoes internal reflection within the substrate and causes a directly viewable image of the fingerprint to be formed by a direct image producing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Alastair Sibbald
  • Patent number: 5459598
    Abstract: An optical modulation device includes first (1,4,6) and second (2,5,7) optically transmissive parallel plates having a ferroelectric liquid crystal material sandwiched between them. A plurality of spacer members (10), each secured to one of the plates, are located between the plates to maintain the plate spacing. The spacer members form walls defining parallel liquid crystal material-containing channels (11) which extend parallel to the plates. These channels communicate along their lengths with cavities (12) at least partly defined by the spacer members (10). These cavities may be created by segmenting each wall, the separations between the successive segments constituting the respective cavities. Alternatively, each wall may be provided with a parallel auxiliary wall of lesser height close to it but spaced from it, the space between the two walls forming a cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1995
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Andrew N. Carrington
  • Patent number: 5306912
    Abstract: A thermal imaging device includes detector pixels A, B, C provided by a pyroelectric layer 1 arranged between electrode structures 3 and 4. A photoconductive layer 7 is provided between the electrode structure 5 and a further electrode structure 9. The device also includes an illumination source 11 for illuminating the photoconductive layer 7 for enabling pyroelectric charge developed by the detector pixels A, B, C to be optically addressed via the electrode structure 9. Optical addressing of the detector pixels obviates the need for solid state switching connections to each pixel, providing an imaging device readily capable of large scale fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: Alastair Sibbald, Brian Holcroft, Elvin Nix, Stanley Taylor
  • Patent number: 5260625
    Abstract: A color sequential illumination system, such as, for example, a backlighting system for a liquid crystal display (LCD), comprises lamps for emitting blue, red and green light. The red and green light is provided by lamps including fluorescent dyes having optical decay times similar to a phosphor material used to provide the blue light. In this manner, the blue, red and green emissions can be fully synchronized with electrical signals used to energise the lamps, enhancing color range and color quality. Furthermore, if the fluorescent dyes are carried in plastics materials, then trapping and concentration of the light generated may also be achieved, providing enhanced brightness for the LCD for a given power input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: John G. Holden, Ian A. Shanks, Andrew N. Carrington
  • Patent number: 5245190
    Abstract: An infrared imaging arrangement using a chopping device for periodically blocking exposure of an array of detector elements responsive to infrared energy by using a plurality of individually-mounted cells. There is a non-reciprocating rotary mechanism used for moving the cells substantially orthogonal to the array in such a manner that constant orientation of the cells is maintained in order to expose the array to energy via the cells. Since the cells orientation is maintained, the shift of energy relative to the array increases the arrays ability to resolve spatially sources of energy. There is also an infrared blocking piece used for blocking the infrared energy from impinging on the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: Alastair Sibbald, Elvin L. Nix, Brian Holcroft, Donald R. Barron
  • Patent number: 5233338
    Abstract: A color sequential liquid crystal display, such as a television display, includes a lattice of selectably settable pixel elements which are time multiplexed addressed and illuminated during addressing to produce sequential red green and blue light outputs in any display period. The addressing of pixel elements in successive frame periods is arranged to occur in opposing directions so as to compensate spatial intensity variation which would otherwise arise from illumination of the pixel elements during the addressing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Paul W. H. Surguy
  • Patent number: 5219712
    Abstract: In a method of forming a solid article of predetermined shape from a liquid which can be cured by exposure to radiation, a surface upon which the article is to be formed is provided. A predetermined region of the surface is exposed to a beam of radiation. Liquid is then supplied to an unexposed region of the surface such that a solid barrier, defining a surface of the solid article, is created at the interface of the liquid and the beam. The solid barrier is effective as a mold to contain the liquid which has been supplied but not yet cured until this liquid is cured. Such a method can be used to encapsulate a microelectronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: Stephen D. Evans, John E. A. Shaw, Alastair Sibbald, Peter D. Whalley
  • Patent number: 5206145
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for measuring the concentration of a substance in a sample solution. The apparatus comprises first electrode means, second electrode means and an enzyme channel between the first and second electrode means. The enzyme channel contains an enzyme for catalyzing a reaction of the substance whose concentration is to be measured. In use, a known volume of the sample solution is presented to the first electrode means in a test solution including an excess of a mediator, one of reduction or oxidation of the mediator being coupled to the reaction of the substance. The first electrode means is arranged to ensure that the mediator is respectively completely oxidized or reduced, and also to remove any interferent species. The test solution is then passed through the enzyme channel so as to permit reaction of all of the substance present in the solution, whereby a quantity of the mediator is respectively reduced or oxidized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Alan F. Cattell
  • Patent number: 5193911
    Abstract: A thermal imaging device comprising a pyroelectric layer having on one major surface an array of interconnected electrodes forming an entrance face, and on the opposite major surface an array of discrete electrodes connected to electrical circuitry formed on a semiconductive substrate. Between the entrance faces of individual detector elements in a network of further electrodes of high thermal conductance which provides a high degree of thermal isolation for the detector elements and prevents significant thermal cross-talk between adjacent detector elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn Emi plc
    Inventors: Elvin L. Nix, Brian Holcroft, Stephen D. Etienne
  • Patent number: 5193015
    Abstract: A screen for use in a front projection system includes a section capable of reflecting light of certain, predetermined wavelengths more than light of other wavelengths. The screen appears black or dark gray when viewed in broadband light. The screen provides for enhanced contrast between incident projected and ambient light. A projector for use with the screen has a light source capable of emitting the predetermined wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Ian A. Shanks
  • Patent number: 5189918
    Abstract: A flow sensing device includes a semiconductor substrate 31 and a pivoted beam 1. Below one half of the beam is a channel 7 running throughout the substrate 31, and below the other half of the beam is a cavity 8. During operation, a differential force exists across the beam, and the amount of force required to compensate for this differential force is indicative of the rate of fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: Stephen D. Etienne, Donald C. Young
  • Patent number: 5189406
    Abstract: The display has a video signal receiver and a store with a capacity to hold one picture of the video signal. Row-output devices enable the video information for respective rows of pixels to be taken out from picture store, and each has a bit extractor to separate out one bit of the information for each pixel of the respective row. The resultant signal is passed to pixel drivers which operates on a lattice formed of ferroelectric liquid crystal pixel-elements, which are time-multiplex addressed according to a predetermined sequence, each row being addressed a plurality of times for each picture. In the addressing groups of the rows are set simultaneously, each group consisting of a plurality of rows spaced apart in the addressing sequence such that the rows in a group form a series with adjacent rows having a temporal separation in the addressing sequence exhibiting a geometric progression with the common ratio N being an integer corresponding to 2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: Brian J. Humphries, Colin M. Waters, Steven D. Bull, Christopher J. Morris
  • Patent number: 5187330
    Abstract: A system for positional determination includes an array of piezoelectric sensor electrodes connected to an array of output lines via resistors for providing a binary code in response to activation of the sensor electrodes; and an array of further output lines also connected to the array of sensor electrodes via resistors for providing a binary error code in response to activation of the sensor electrodes. By combining the resultant binary code and binary error code, an accurate determination of the position along the array of activation of the sensor electrodes may be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Brian Holcroft
  • Patent number: 5184238
    Abstract: A display device in the form of a slim screen projector has a beam-splitter and a reflector co-planar and in contact with each other. Incident light from a light source strikes the beam-splitter and reflector and a portion thereof is directed towards a mirror. Light from the mirror then passes through a louvre-screen via the beam-splitter and strikes a viewing surface on which a viewable image is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn Emi plc
    Inventor: Graham L. Wright
  • Patent number: 5182490
    Abstract: A fluorescent tube (2) is made of a plastics material containing at least one organic fluorescent dye and attached to the inner surface of this tube is a barrier layer (3) for absorbing ultraviolet radiation, and attached to the inner surface of the layer (3) there is a phosphor layer (3a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventors: John G. Holden, Ian A. Shanks
  • Patent number: 5177341
    Abstract: In a thick film water track, irrespective of track thickness or the material of which the track is constructed, the optimum track width is found to be in the range of from 1.2 mm to 2.1 mm. Further, for a given resistance, the track is longer and may be conformed to a pattern to give improved temperature distribution. Additionally disclosed is a heating element having a number of thick film electrically resistive tracks applied to the surface of an electrically insulative substrate and a switch for selectively connecting one or more of the tracks to a power supply. The resistance and hence the operating temperature of the heating element may be varied by changing the track or tracks connected to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Thorn EMI plc
    Inventor: Simon Balderson
  • Patent number: 5166501
    Abstract: A financial transaction card 2, such as a check guarantee and/or credit card includes a tagging element 4 of a high permeability, low coercivity magnetic material, such as Ni Fe. The tagging element 4 is arranged in magnetic communication with a magnetic stripe 10 of relatively hard magnetic material or in a region of the card 2 used to record identifying data, such as user details, so as to be deactivated when the user details are recorded on the card 2. The provision of the element 4 enables card blanks to be monitored by an electronic article surveillance system during manufacture or prior to issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Assignee: Thorn Emi plc
    Inventor: Robert A. Woolley
  • Patent number: RE34690
    Abstract: A liquid crystal display cell comprises first and second substrates located in a substantially parallel relative arrangement to define an active display region therebetween when filled with liquid crystal material. The cell further includes means to effect filling of the active display region with liquid crystal material from at least a part of an edge of the active display region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Thorn EMI, plc
    Inventor: Andrew N. Carrington