Abstract: A method and apparatus for an improved spectral imaging system is provided. The system is capable of measuring the fluorescence, luminescence, or absorption at selected locations on a sample plate. The emissions detection subassembly can tune to any wavelength within a continuum of wavelengths utilizing an interferometric spectral discriminator. The interferometric spectral discriminator creates an interferogram from which the wavelength spectra for each pixel of the array can be calculated, typically using Fourier transform analysis. In on aspect, the chromatic accuracy of the system is calibrated using a calibration slit placed in the input aperture of the input relay lens but outside of the sample image. The slit is illuminated using a source of known wavelength. The fringe count versus the wavelength of the slit illumination source is monitored and used to calibrate the spectral discriminator.

Abstract: A spoken word or phrase recognition device. The device does not require a digital signal processor, large RAM, or extensive analog circuitry. The input audio signal is digitized and passed recursively through a digital difference filter to produce a multiplicity of filtered output waveforms. These waveforms are processed in real time by a microprocessor to generate a pattern that is recognized by a neural network pattern classifier that operates in software in the microprocessor. By application of additional techniques, this device has been shown to recognize an unknown speaker saying a digit from zero through nine with an accuracy greater than 99%. Because of the recognition accuracy and cost-effective design, the device may be used in cost sensitive applications such as toys, electronic learning aids, and consumer electronic products.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to amplify the magnetic field in an electromagnetic circuit is provided. Amplification factors of several orders of magnitude may be obtained. The system is applicable to a number of different systems, including melt levitation and electromagnetic pumping and propulsion. One embodiment of the invention uses a non-conducting permeable core wound around a dielectric core. An alternating voltage source is connected to a solenoid which is wound around a section of the permeable core. The permeable core has a gap within which a flux concentrating cold crucible is provided. Melt levitation processing takes place within the cold crucible. A fluid redirection skirt having an intake port partially surrounds the gap and conducts fluid through an exhaust nozzle.

Abstract: A method of shift conversion of CO to H.sub.2 so that the level of gas can be reduced to a level that preheating for direct reduction to 800 to 900.degree. C. can be accomplished wherein carbon deposition is not a factor.

Abstract: A method of forming a tap into an intermediate point on a continuous coaxial cable, and a coaxial cable tap housing suitable for forming such a tap. The tap housing includes a recess and an alignment element having a predetermined spatial relationship with the recess. The recess has an entry, an exit and a passage connecting the entry and exit. When the tap housing is fixed to a cable, the exit of the recess is closer to the outer conductor of the cable than the entry of the recess is to the outer conductor. The alignment element is used to position a cutting tool which is inserted through the entry of the recess to form an opening in the outer conductor and a cavity in the dielectric under the opening. A tap insert, which includes a coupler assembly, is mounted to the housing, and the coupler assembly is inserted through the entry of the recess and through the opening into the cavity formed in the cable. In specific embodiments, the recess and opening are elongated.

Abstract: A system for use with a subscriber line carrier such as a SLC-96. The system provides a multiplex channel unit 10 that inputs T1 line signals, and outputs multiple telephone line signals in a format such as 2B1Q over a twisted pair 13 to an RT 35. The RT 35 converts the full duplex multiplexed signals to analog service for a subscriber 12.

Abstract: An insulated high temperature ceramic laser tube having substantially uniform insulation along the length of the tube is disclosed having particulate ceramic insulation positioned between the outer wall of the ceramic laser tube and the inner surface of tubular ceramic fiber insulation which surrounds the ceramic laser tube. The particulate ceramic insulation is preferably a ceramic capable of sintering to the outer surface of the ceramic laser tube and to the inner surface of the tubular ceramic fiber insulation. The addition of the particulate ceramic insulation to fill all the voids between the ceramic laser tube and the fibrous ceramic insulation permits the laser tube to be operated at a substantially uniform temperature throughout the length of the laser tube.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight dichoptic display system is provided. The system utilizes a single image generating device which alternately provides low resolution, wide field-of-view images with high resolution, narrow field-of-view images of a specific area of the same scene. The light radiated by the image generating device is linearly polarized. The polarized light passes through a controllable retarder, the retarder imparting a 180 degree phase delay to alternating scenes. Using a polarization sensitive beam splitter, the images generated by the display are directed to alternate eyepieces. Collimating optics are used to insure that the two images appear to be the same distance from the user, therefore enabling the user to properly combine the two images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting non-uniformities in the source and the lens assembly of an electrophoresis apparatus is provided. Assuming a detector with a uniform responsivity, correcting for source and lens non-uniformities allows quantitative measurements of an electrophoresis gel to be made, thus increasing the information which can be obtained from an electrophoretic analysis. The non-uniformities due to the illumination source are characterized by sampling a portion of the source with a linear detector array and creating a correction data file. In order to sample the source, a mirror or beamsplitter is appropriately positioned, for example along the central optical axis of the electrophoresis apparatus. Similarly, a correction data file representing the non-uniformities due to the lens assembly is created using a secondary linear source of known uniformity. After the correction data files are stored, an image of the sample is taken and a sample data file is created.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting non-uniformities in the lens assembly of an electrophoresis apparatus is provided. Assuming a detector with a uniform responsivity as well as a uniform illumination source, correcting for lens non-uniformities allows accurate quantitative measurements of an electrophoresis gel to be made, thus increasing the information which can be obtained from an electrophoretic analysis. Applying the system, the non-uniformities due to the lens assembly are first characterized for a range of aperture and magnification settings. A look-up table is then created which contains the non-uniformities and/or correction data files for the lens assembly according to the aperture and magnification settings. In order to correct a sample image, the aperture and magnification settings used to obtain the sample image are provided to the system processor. These settings may be automatically obtained by the processor or manually input by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of imaging fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is provided. The instrument allows the user to simultaneously acquire images from several different colors. This system, used in conjunction with a combinatorial fluorescence approach, is able to create a FISH karyotype with each chromosome being painted with a different color. The optical system is continuously tunable over the detection wavelengths. In one embodiment of the system the sample is simultaneously irradiated in more than one wavelength band and the detection system uses a common path interferometer to scan through the detection wavelengths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of imaging fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is provided. The instrument allows the user to simultaneously acquire images from several different colors. This system, used in conjunction with a combinatorial fluorescence approach, is able to create a FISH karyotype with each chromosome being painted with a different color. The optical system is continuously tunable over the detection wavelengths. In one embodiment of the system the sample is simultaneously irradiated in more than one wavelength band and the detection system uses a common path interferometer to scan through the detection wavelengths.

Abstract: A system for improving the thermal uniformity, beam quality and lasing efficiency of composite solid state lasers by reducing parasitic oscillations and confining the laserable medium to a location in the composite laser component where it is most efficient is provided. The improvements are accomplished by bonding one or more laser-inactive or laser-radiation-absorbing layers to a laserable medium.

Abstract: An endoscopic probe for viewing difficult to reach surfaces is provided. The system utilizes a pair of image transmission elements. The first image transmission element passes a low resolution, wide field of view image of the surface to be examined to one eyepiece. The second image transmission element passes a high resolution, narrow field of view image of a portion of the same surface to a second eyepiece. Thus the viewer receives low resolution, wide field of view information in one eye and high resolution, narrow field of view information in the other eye. The overlapped, low resolution information from the wide field-of-view scene is suppressed by the brain, thus resulting in the two images being combined. The combined image contains both the low resolution, wide field-of-view information and the high resolution, narrow field-of-view information. The endoscopic probe may contain one or more illumination sources in order to provide sufficient light intensity for the imaging system.

Abstract: Processes for the removal of technetium from contaminated uranium hexafluoride containing technetium, typically as technetium-99 (.sup.99 Tc) in nominal chemical forms are provided. The processes involve contacting the contaminated liquefied uranium hexafluoride with a metal fluoride, typically magnesium fluoride (MgF.sub.2), for a period of time sufficient for the technetium to become adsorbed onto the metal fluoride thereby producing a purified uranium hexafluoride liquid; and removing the purified uranium hexafluoride liquid from the metal fluoride having adsorbed technetium.

Abstract: A detection system is provided. In one embodiment a silicon Compton recoil electron detector uses the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking to detect medium energy gamma rays from 0.3 to 30 MeV. Two detector layers are required; a silicon microstrip hodoscope and a calorimeter. The incoming photon Compton scatters in the hodoscope. The second scatter layer is the calorimeter where the scattered gamma ray is totally absorbed. The recoil electron in the hodoscope is tracked through several detector planes until it stops. The x and y position signals from the first two planes of the electron track determine the direction of the recoil electron while the energy loss from all planes determines the energy of the recoil electron. In another embodiment of the invention, the Compton double scatter technique with recoil electron tracking is used to detect x-rays from 300 to 2,000 keV. This embodiment is useful for nondestructive, real time inspection of munition items.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting an image of an electrophoresis gel for lens and detector non-uniformities is provided. The removal of such non-uniformities, in conjunction with a uniform illumination source, allows quantitative measurements of an electrophoresis gel to be made, thus increasing the information which can be obtained from an electrophoretic analysis. Lens and detector non-uniformities are removed by first determining the magnitude of the non-uniformities using a calibration standard. The calibration standard has a uniform emittance, preferably in the same wavelength band as the labeled regions of the electrophoresis gel. By placing the calibration standard in close proximity to the entrance aperture of the lens, the calibration process is relatively insensitive to illumination source non-uniformities. Thus an image of the calibration standard taken with the same lens settings as the unknown provides detailed information on the lens and detector non-uniformities.

Abstract: A system for securely attaching a portable device to the clothing of a user is provided. The system utilizes an adjustable separator located between the first end of a portable device mounting clip and the device housing. By controlling the amount that the first end of the clip can be depressed, the separator also controls the size of the gap between the second end of the clip and the device housing. If the user wants to lock the clip in place, the separator is adjusted to prevent any movement in the first end of the clip.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for accurately matching colors. The color matching system includes a host computer and a color input device in communication with the host computer. Preferably the color input device is capable of obtaining spectral data, such as that obtained using a spectrophotometer. The host computer includes a color library, a color management system, a monitor, and a user interface. In one aspect of the invention, the user selects a target color, a color library to use for matching, a color distance tolerance, and a light source under which the colors are to be matched. The target color is compared to the colors in the library and the color or colors in the library that are within the specified color tolerance are reported. In a second aspect of the invention, the user selects a color and two illuminants. The color under each of the two illuminants is compared and the color distance between the two is reported.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of analyzing samples contained in a microplate is provided. The instrument is capable of measuring fluorescence, luminescence, and/or absorption within multiple locations within a sample well. The instrument is tunable over the excitation and/or detection wavelengths. Neutral density filters are used to extend the sensitivity range of the absorption measuring aspect of the instrument. Due to the wavelength tuning capabilities of the instrument, the spectral dependence of the measured fluorescence, luminescence, and absorption of the materials in question can be analyzed. The combination of a data processor and a look-up table improve the ease of operation of the instrument. Several different formats are available for the output data including creation of a bit map of the sample.