Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device is disclosed for use with a magnetic read-write transducer. The electrostatic discharge protection device electrically interconnects the conductive elements of magnetoresistive and inductive heads to provide a low resistance conductive path placing the conductive elements at a substantially equal electrical potential thus minimizing electrostatic discharge. The electrostatic discharge protection device provides an electrical path between the conductive elements which is manually or automatically removable upon connection to a mating element. The electrostatic discharge protection device has a resilient inward biased to connect the electrically conductive elements such that a ground is established between them and is removed automatically upon insertion of the conductive elements into a mating receptacle which is interposed between the conductive elements and the electrostatic discharge protection device or is manually disconnected.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is provided which is capable of interfacing with a base station of a service provider and intended for occasional use without requiring a subscription with the service provider. The device uses a non-rechargeable replaceable power source with memory means non-detachably secured to and integral with said power source comprising information code for uniquely identifying said power means and a prepaid calling time period. After the prepaid calling time period of the wireless communication device is exhausted, the power source can be exchanged for a different power source having a new prepaid calling time period.

Abstract: A multiple focal length folding imaging device includes a first and second housing which are operably joined together for movement relative to one another so that the second housing is movable relative to the first housing between at least a first position and a second position. The first housing is formed to at least partially receive therein the second housing, such that when the second housing is in the first position, the second housing is at least partially received within the first housing. The second housing includes an exiting aperture for allowing exiting of at least one image recordable unit therefrom when in the second position, and when the second housing is in the first position, the exiting aperture is at least partially disposed within the first housing so that the at least one image recordable unit cannot exit from the exiting aperture.

Abstract: A photographic apparatus combines an image capturing apparatus with an image rendering apparatus, where the image capturing apparatus operates as an electronic camera and has an integral liquid crystal display panel for viewing acquired images prior to printing the images onto a photosensitive medium. The images are individually selectable to adjust image properties prior to transmittal of the image to a high-resolution liquid-crystal display in the image rendering apparatus. The image rendering apparatus produces an image on the photosensitive medium by projecting illumination through the image present in the high-resolution liquid-crystal display, through a copy lens, and onto the medium.

Abstract: An all-optical modulator for modulating the output power of a high-power optical pump source is disclosed. More particularly, with the optical modulator of the invention, the output power of a CW fiber laser is modulated by a low-power laser, such as a diode laser. The modulator comprises two optical couplers which are preferably wavelength-selective and interconnected by a nonlinear single mode optical fiber with a high Raman gain. A laser system comprising a high-power pump laser, a fast signal laser with a suitable modulation depth and the optical modulator of the invention can advantageously employed in materials processing and graphics arts printing applications.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for exposing multilayered thermal imaging media to eliminate "cloud" or "woodgrain" artifacts by proper optimization of the exposing radiation angle of incidence. The exposure angle of incidence is large enough so that all rays with high reflectance loss are paired with equally many with low reflectance loss to increase printing efficiency.

Abstract: An image processing system and method for processing an input image provides a virtual observer for automatically selecting, ordering and implementing a sequence of image processing operations which will yield maximum customer satisfaction as measured by a customer satisfaction index (CSI) which, for example, can balance the image quality and the processing time. The CSI evaluates an effect of the sequence of image processing operations on the input image in response to upstream device characteristic data received from an input device profile, downstream device characteristic data received from an output device profile, host configuration data, user selection data, trial parameter values and data corresponding to the sequence of image processing operations.

Abstract: A color management system including methods relying on an "Ideal Film Model" color mapping function characterized by exact colorimetric detection of world color information, a nonlinear tone compression acting on the tristimulus values X/Xn, Y/Yn, Z/Zn, and an exact calorimetric display of the compressed tristimulus values. The system and method operate to provide a process for describing the necessary tone reproduction required in displaying optimal reproductions of complex world pictorial scenes over a plurality of elements in an image processing system and to provide a reference system for evaluating the color and tone reproduction of real imaging systems; provide a well defined calibration protocol for the calibration of electronic and hybrid imaging systems designed to capture complex world scenes; and provide a useful model for simulating some sensitometric attributes of real photographic systems.