Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, compositions, and apparatus for performing sensitive detection of analytes, such as biological macromolecules and other analytes, by labeling a probe molecule with an up-converting label. The up-converting label absorbs radiation from an illumination source and emits radiation at one or more higher frequencies, providing enhanced signal-to-noise ratio and the essential elimination of background sample autofluorescence. The methods, compositions, and apparatus are suitable for the sensitive detection of multiple analytes and for various clinical and environmental sampling techniques.

Abstract: A buffering system and method for data recorded by a laser on a moving optical medium, such as a flexible optical tape wherein data (e.g., analog video information) can be buffered to permit recording on a flexible optical medium in a manner which optimizes recording efficiency and space utilization on the recording medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to video recording and playback techniques and devices which create relative movement between a laser and an optical medium such as a flexible optical tape to permit the recording of different bandwidth signals. Further, the present invention relates to video recording and playback techniques and devices which optimize relative movement between a laser source and the optical medium in a cost-effective manner.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to systems and methods for storing digital video information on an optical recording medium comprising the steps of moving the optical recording medium in a first direction, sinusoidally scanning a beam of light over the moving optical recording medium in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction to establish a scan path over the optical recording medium, and periodically deflecting the sinusoidal scanning beam in the first direction to linearize at least a portion of the scan path. By linearizing at least a portion of the scan path, two traces can be made per cycle of a primary sinusoidal deflection, thereby doubling scanning efficiency.

Abstract: A system for erasing data stored on an optical storage medium includes a housing, a guiding means mounted within the housing for guiding the optical recording medium on which the data is stored, and a heating means mounted in spaced-apart opposition to the guiding means for heating the optical recording medium to, thereby, thermally erase optical data stored on the medium.

Abstract: A matrix-vector multiplication apparatus for performing a matrix operation at high speed and in a wide dynamic range, i.e., high precision, wherein an input vector is displayed with radiance of pixels, a display image is replicated into many images through an optical system. Component multiplications and partial summing between rows or columns of the matrix and the input vector are simultaneously performed by a light transmissive mask having transmitance proportional to one digit value of multi-scale (three or more) matrix component and a photosensor. Parallel channels each assigned to a different digit of the matrix component calculates the partial sums and a power-of-m (m is the number of scales) scaling summer connected to the parallel channels electrically produces components of an output vector.

Abstract: An optical pattern extracting apparatus has sets of strip-like photodetection elements oriented in horizontal, vertical and diagonal directions for decomposing a displayed character to be recognized, the photodetection elements are distributed in a large number of parallel microimage channels generated through an optical image multiplication system and the photodetection elements cover a display area of the character without their photodetection areas overlapping each other.

Abstract: In an image correlation calculation apparatus for optically calculating correlations between reference patterns and an image such as a character or any other figure, the image such as the character or any other figure subjected to correlation calculations is optically multiplied by a multiplier to form simultaneously in parallel a plurality of optical pattern images of a substantially identical shape, and optical correlation calculation between the plurality of optical pattern images and the reference patterns formed on various types of reference masks is performed individually and instantaneously, the various type of reference masks being arranged at a position spaced apart by a predetermined distance from the plurality of optical pattern image, thereby detecting beams emitted through the various types of reference masks.

Abstract: In an apparatus for extracting primitive patterns included in an image such as a character or any other figure, the image subjected to primitive pattern extraction is optical multiplied by a multiplier to form simultaneously in parallel a plurality of optical pattern images of a substantially identical shape, and optical correlation calculation between the plurality of optical pattern images and the primitive patterns which are formed in the various types of primitive masks is performed individually and instantaneously, the various type of primitive masks being arranged at a position spaced apart by a predetermined distance therefrom, thereby detecting beams emitted through the various types of primitive masks. Image multiplication, optical correlation calculation between the primitive pattern and the optical pattern image, and transmission of the result of the optical correlation calculation to the photosensors can be simultaneously performed at the light propagation speed.

Abstract: In a mask for transmitting a light subjected to a projection on a predetermined position and for detecting the light, transmittances of the mask are distributed in correspondence with a statistical distribution of the predetermined positions of the light. Information represented by optical signals can be detected with a high probability.

Abstract: Beam scanning method and apparatus are shown comprising a cylindrical mirror upon which a focused beam is directed through the focus of the cylindrical mirror. The axis of the focused beam is pivoted about the focus of the cylindrical mirror for scanning the focused beam across the cylindrical mirror such that the axis of the focused beam reflected from the cylindrical mirror undergoes translational movement. A focus defect is introduced in the focused beam by reflection from the cylindrical mirror, the magnitude of which defect is a function of the angle between the optical axis of the cylindrical mirror and focused beam axis. Astigmatism is introduced in the focused beam directed onto the cylindrical mirror for at least partial compensation of the focus defect. By varying the astigmatism as a function of the angle between the optical axis of the cylindrical mirror and focused beam axis the focus defect may be eliminated when a parabolic cylindrical mirror is employed.

Abstract: In an image recognition apparatus for identifying an input image such as a character, any other graphic pattern or the like by comparing the input image with a plurality of reference image, an optical image recognition means simultaneously performs image information detection processing of a plurality of optical pattern images of substantially an identical shape obtained by multiplying the input image, thereby detecting a plurality of image information data corresponding to the plurality of optical pattern images and hence identifies the input image. When the input image cannot be identified by the optical image recognition means, an electronic image recognition means performs digital correlation calculations for limited ones of the reference images according to the above image information data. Therefore, image recognition can be performed by an inexpensive apparatus at high speed, and a high throughput can be obtained. In addition, a high recognition rate can be obtained.

Abstract: In an apparatus for simultaneously extracting various types of projection features of an image such as a character or any other figure, an image whose projection features are to be extracted is optically multiplied by a multiplier (4) to form a plurality of optical image each having a substantially identical shape, and the plurality of images are independently supplied to a plurality of detecting means (5A) to simultaneously obtain the various types of projection features. The arrangement of the apparatus can be simplified at low cost, and at the same time, parallel extraction of the projection features can be achieved within a short period of time. Various types of projection features can be simply obtained as needed.