Abstract: A display system for sensing a finger of a user applied to the display system includes a display panel; a sensor for sensing the finger; a sensing light source configured to emit a first light having a first wavelength W1; and a reflective polarizer disposed between the display panel and the sensor. For a substantially normally incident light, an optical transmittance of the reflective polarizer versus wavelength for a first polarization state has a band edge such that for a first wavelength range extending from a smaller wavelength L1 to a greater wavelength L2 and including W1, where 30 nm?L2?L1?50 nm and L1 is greater than and within about 20 nm of a wavelength L3 corresponding to an optical transmittance of about 50% along the band edge, the optical transmittance has an average of greater than about 75%.

Abstract: An event detection and classification system uses a new type of optical sensing component, a Position Sensing Detector Focal Plane Array (PSD-FPA). The PSD-FPA provides for high-speed operation that allows for accurate sensing of fast artifacts that are unique to weapons fire and enables precise location of optical phenomenon. The system detects and classifies events, particularly weapons fire, and rejects false alarms. An optical lens sub-system focuses light onto a PSD-FPA, which senses the photons and generates electrical signals associated with individual elements of the PSD-FPA. These signals are processed to identify and classify weapons-related or other events. Background subtraction, variable gain, time-intensity and time-location correlation, digital filtering, Fourier analysis, and wavelet analysis are all used to successfully classify the events while rejecting false alarms.

Abstract: The present inventions provide methods of manufacturing methods for case metallic materials for munitions that have high enthalpic energy release and controlled fragmentation and breakup enabling fragment speeds up to twice what is otherwise possible in explosively driven metal systems, and munitions made by such methods. Embodiments of the invention involve the thixotropic processing of energetic materials such as aluminum together with high density materials such as tantalum or tungsten to achieve material microstructures with a bulk density equivalent to steel, but with the energy release potential of materials such as finely dispersed aluminum powders.

Abstract: The present inventions provide methods of manufacturing methods for case metallic materials for munitions that have high enthalpic energy release and controlled fragmentation and breakup enabling fragment speeds up to twice what is otherwise possible in explosively driven metal systems, and munitions made by such methods. Embodiments of the invention involve the thixotropic processing of energetic materials such as aluminum together with high density materials such as tantalum or tungsten to achieve material microstructures with a bulk density equivalent to steel, but with the energy release potential of materials such as finely dispersed aluminum powders.

Abstract: A magnetic recording and/or reproducing head system particularly for use for writing and/or reading information on tracks in a magnetics-on-film (MOF) layer in the image area of photographic filmstrips, wherein the system provides for mounting of such magnetic heads on a suspension and translation system to move the magnetic heads from track to track of the MOF layer and longitudinally along a selected track. The filmstrip exhibits a lengthwise curvature of a predetermined sign and a cross-film curvature. The filmstrip is advanced to a stationary position in a curved transport path in the length dimension of the filmstrip, the curved transport path having a curvature radius of the same sign as the predetermined curvature sign of the filmstrip. The filmstrip edges are engaged in edge guides such that the transport path curvature and the edge guides negate cross-film curvature.

Abstract: A magnetic recorder includes multiple permanent magnetic elements having magnetic orientations that impart a sequence of magnetic transitions to magnetic media of a photographic filmstrip contained within a camera. The permanent magnetic elements are external to the camera. The sequence of magnetic transitions comprise information that can be subsequently retrieved and provided to the photographic processor and/or photographer. The information can include identification of locale or other information of interest to the photographer. The magnetic recorder requires no power supply and is easily operated by a photographer virtually without regard to weather conditions.

Abstract: Magnetic record/reproduce apparatus for recording or reproducing information on a magnetic layer of a filmstrip in a camera, and more particularly, modular magnetic recording apparatus for optional attachment to photographic still cameras. Power and control signals supplied from within the module define the format and content of information recorded or reproduced from tracks in a substantially transparent magnetic layer. In one embodiment, the camera contains a record/reproduce head in the film transport path. In a further embodiment, the module contains the record/reproduce head, and the camera is adapted to receive the record/reproduced head in a record/reproduced aperture and position it in the film transport path on attachment of the module to the camera housing. In both embodiments, the magnetic head is preferably an elongated multi-head element array.

Abstract: A programmable formatter for providing a data format in response to programmable commands comprises a memory for storing at least program instructions which define the data format; an instruction register for receiving and holding a current program instruction read out of the memory from a given address; a field state machine for indicating when the current program instruction has been completed; an instruction decoder for decoding the program instruction and for specifying information required by a decoded instruction; a repetition counter for counting a number of iterations specified by the current instruction; a data register for storing and outputting fixed patterns specified by the current program instruction; and a next state logic circuit for requesting a next program instruction from the memory when the current program instruction has been completed.

Abstract: An apparatus for achieving increased fuel efficiency in a nuclear reactor wherein spectral shift is utilized to adjust for excess reactivity. This feature is achieved by stationary displacer rods within the fluid moderator of the reactor, with these stationary displacer rods decreasing ineffective volume during operation of the reactor whereby the effective volume of the fluid moderator increases as the nuclear fuel is burned. This decrease in effective volume is achieved by providing a sacrificial material in the displacer rods that is dissolved (or volatilized, etc.) by the fluid moderator. The composition of the sacrificial material can be varied along the length of the rod so as to achieve the desired reduction of volume despite a temperature gradient along the rod.

Abstract: Compositions having the general formula (Ca.sub.x Mg.sub.1-x)Zr.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 where x is between 0.5 and 0.99 are produced by solid state and sol-gel processes. In a preferred embodiment, when x is between 0.5 and 0.8, the MgCZP materials have near-zero coefficients of thermal expansion. The MgCZPs of the present invention also show unusually low thermal conductivities, and are stable at high temperatures. Macrostructures formed from MgCZP are useful in a wide variety of high-temperature applications. In a preferred process, calcium, magnesium, and zirconium nitrate solutions have their pH adjusted to between 7 and 9 either before or after the addition of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. After dehydration to a gel, and calcination at temperatures in excess of 850.degree. C. for approximately 16 hours, single phase crystalline MgCZP powders with particle sizes ranging from approximately 20 nm to 50 nm result. The MgCZP powders are then sintered at temperatures ranging from 1200.degree. C. to 1350.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving increased fuel efficiency in a nuclear reactor wherein spectral shift is utilized to adjust for excess reactivity. This feature is achieved by stationary displacer rods within the fluid moderator of the reactor, with these stationary displacer rods decreasing in effective volume during operation of the reactor whereby the effective volume of the fluid moderator increases as the nuclear fuel is burned. This decrease in effective volume is achieved by providing a sacrificial material in the displacer rods that is dissolved (or volatilized, etc.) by the fluid moderator. The compositon of the sacrificial material can be varied along the length of the rod so as to achieve the desired reduction of volume despite a temperature gradient along the rod.

Abstract: A patient controlled traction device in which a mechanical advantage pulley system is used to multiply the traction applied by a weight and in which a mechanical advantage pulley system is used to enable the patient to relieve the force of the traction by the application of a relatively small force, substantially less than the weight utilized.

Abstract: This highly portable, self-contained timing system includes photoelectronic start-stop gates which employ a pulsed invisible light beam as a means for communicating a condition of elapsed time and for aligning each gate.