Abstract: The invention is an optical-digital method and processor which uses micro-optical lenslet arrays and fixed masks to implement an angular correlation algorithm and the Hough transform for extracting amplitude and geometric features from objects embedded in video imagery. The optical-digital processor can be interfaced to a variety of sensors and can be used to classify objects when used in conjunction with a neural network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for partially embedding a biocompatible material, such as a titanium coil, in the surface of a polymer bone implant to provide a porous coating for bone cells to grow through thereby promoting long term stabilization of the implant. In one embodiment, the coil is wrapped around the implant and placed in a manifold where rollers biased by springs press against the coil. The coil-implant is rotated and heated by a hot gas stream, the rollers-springs pushing the coil into the surface of the implant. In a second embodiment, the coil is compressed and placed onto a needle wire which is placed against the surface of the implant. The point of contact is heated and the implant is rotated with the needle wire creating a channel in the softened polymer and feeding the coil, which is simultaneously stretched, therein. The needle wire then pulls the polymer over a portion of the coil as it passes.

Abstract: The invention is an optical feature extraction apparatus which uses video display, spatial light modulation, and detection components in conjunction with microlenslet replicating optics, to expedite the recognition of DNA sequences based on their symmetry properties and, specifically, to classify short (6 bases in length) sequences of DNA as palindrome or nonpalindrome. The DNA sequences are symbolically encoded using a novel method. Multichannel operation is achieved through the replication of input scenery, making possible a higher throughput rate than for single channel systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for making precise velocity measurements of a spacecraft using a two-way noncoherent Doppler tracking system. By comparing the received uplink and transmitted downlink frequencies on-board the spacecraft, information is generated that is included in the downlink signal and used to cancel spacecraft oscillator drift rate effects in the two-way Doppler measurement made by the ground station. This data can also be used to characterize the drift rate of the spacecraft oscillator, thus permitting periods of accurate one-way Doppler tracking by the ground station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for model-free, real-time, system-wide signal timing for a complex road network is provided. It provides timings in response to instantaneous flow conditions while accounting for the inherent stochastic variations in traffic flow through the use of a simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation (SPSA) algorithm. This is achieved by setting up several (M) parallel neural networks, each of which produces optimal controls (signal timings) for any time instant (within one of the M time periods) based on observed traffic conditions. The SPSA optimization technique is critical to the feasibility of the approach since it provides the values of weight parameters in each of the neural networks without the need for a model of the traffic flow dynamics.

Abstract: A high-speed, highly sensitive microwave detection system and method, which uses the nonbolometric detection mechanism in a high-temperature superconducting thin film detector. A microwave signal is received by a broadband spiral antenna. The signal is modulated and optionally amplified before being transmitted to the superconducting detector through an impedance matching circuit. The superconducting detector generates an output voltage which is preamplified and then measured using a lock-in amplifier. A computer then records the measured output voltage.

Abstract: Vanadium dioxide (VO.sub.2) based infrared spatial light modulators (SLM) in four embodiments are disclosed:(1) A VO.sub.2 thin film is deposited on a planar diode array. Each diode constitutes a "pixel" of the SLM. Power provided to a diode permits accurate thermal control about the thin film's hysteresis. Initial biasing of the diode array is required to the base of the VO.sub.2 's hysteresis curve.(2) & (3) VO.sub.2 is deposited on a thermoelectric array which can be an array of doped lines of p and n type material or a conductive material between two electrical contacts. The pixels have the ability to both heat and cool the VO.sub.2 film, thereby allowing the array to be operated in a bistable mode. Bistable operation requires external biasing to the center of the VO.sub.2 's hysteresis curve.(4) A VO.sub.2 thin film deposited on a substrate which is spaced a distance, L, from an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers for heating the VO.sub.2.

Abstract: A small, multi-function device called the GPS/Telemetry Transmitter (GTT) that can recover telemetry (TM) data from missiles, spacecraft, balloons, or any moving platform or vehicle, and generate high accuracy trajectory estimates using GPS data is disclosed. Additionally, the concept underlying the GTT of transmitting high-data-rate telemetry and instrument data concurrently with transdigitized GPS data is incorporated in a GPS-Linked Transponder (GLT) resulting in a simpler and cheaper satellite positioning system.

Abstract: The invention is a novel method for automated detection of objects in images. One specific use is to detect malignant microcalcification clusters in mammograms. The method operates by forming a contour plot of the image (mammogram), the object (microcalcification) in the contour plot being comprised of a set of nested contour lines wherein the contour lines correspond to intensity levels thereby causing the object to appear as a prominent peak in relation to the local surround in the image.

Abstract: A method of developing a controller for general (nonlinear) discrete-time systems, where the equations governing the system are unknown and where a controller is estimated without building or assuming a model for the system. The controller is constructed through the use of a function approximator (FA) such as a neural network or polynomial. This involves the estimation of the unknown parameters within the FA through the use of a stochastic approximation that is based on a simultaneous perturbation gradient approximation, which requires only system measurements (not a system model).

Abstract: The invention is directed to an integrated dual imaging detector on a single silicon chip comprising a beam interleaving polarization analyzer bonded to a charge-coupled device, serial shift register and associated image transfer circuitry, analog signal processors, and analog-to-digital converters. The invention permits the simultaneous acquisition and processing of two polarization images of rapidly changing subjects.

Abstract: A method for visualizing the choriocapillaris of the eye in a sequence of ICG angiographic images comprising subtracting each image in the angiographic sequence from a succeeding image. In practice, a modified fundus camera is used to provide digitized images which are subtracted pixel by pixel. To better visualize aberrant vascular structures such as choroidal neovascularization (CNV), a fundus camera is modified with a polarizing filter in front of the light source and an analyzing polarizer in front of the video camera. This results in the suppression of unwanted scattered fluorescence to the extent that the CNV can be better visualized. To assist the surgeon in treating aberrant vascular structures with laser photocoagulation therapy, a fundus camera is provided with two light sources and two barrier filters operating synchronously to produce and pass two different fluorescences thereby generating precisely superimposable angiographs to aid in aiming the laser.

Abstract: A polygraph automated scoring system in which polygraph signals are input and a probability of deception is output. To begin the process, digitized polygraph signals are transformed into more fundamental signals. These fundamental signals are then subjected to standardization, a critical step. The standardized signals then have certain features extracted at each question. The features for all of the relevant questions are then standardized against the features for all of the control questions. From each of the resulting standardized relevant features, the 80th percentile is taken. Finally, a logistic regression model (logit) converts this set of 80th percentile features into a probability of deception.

Abstract: An ionizing radiation detector employs optical fibers as the medium for sensing ionizing radiation emitted by a radioactive source. Light in the infrared region is pumped continuously through an optical fiber located in an area or region where the unintentional discharge of ionizing radiation may be expected, so that such emission is detected the moment it occurs. The source of optical light emits a constant output within a specific wavelength band which changes only when irradiation of the fibers by ionizing radiation causes their internal color centers to change. The output of the fibers is optically coupled to a photomultiplier via a light pipe. A single light source, detector, and associated electronics complete the system. A hand-held unit unique for remote sensing may house these components. Due to safety conditions, these components are located at a point remote from the position liable to become under the influence of the radiation exposure field.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system and a method of operating same, including automatically detecting a seizure in the patient, by detecting an electrical discharge in the patient's brain; converting the detected electrical discharge into a digital signal; inputting the digital signal into a microprocessor; detecting a seizure by dividing the digital signals into time segments, preprocessing each time segment including standardizing the signal, reducing the signal in each time segment to a feature, the feature providing information about whether a seizure is occurring using the feature from each time segment; and indicating that a seizure is occurring.

Abstract: A signal processor and method for maximizing the detection range of imaging infrared seekers against ship targets. The invention comprises a bank of two-dimensional spatial filters, having rectangular kernels matched to targets of various aspect ratios and sizes, implemented in a separable form that appears well suited to processing in real-time image data acquired sequentially by column.

Abstract: An accumulating arithmetic memory (AAM) integrated circuit or AAM chip that includes a set of accumulators or registers. Once an accumulator is selected, e.g., by using a look up table, a multiplexer retrieves the data from the selected accumulator. Then, as input data is presented to the AAM chip, an adder adds, subtracts or multiplies the input data with the data retrieved from the selected accumulator. The resulting output is returned to the originally selected accumulator. The multiplexer can also substitute a zero for the data retrieved from each accumulator and an internal address counter is used to read out the contents of all accumulators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method that permit the transmission of secure communications. The invention uses quantum mechanical effects to establish nonlocal correlations between a pair of photons. This is analogous to an automatic encryption code that exists at only one location and is immediately destroyed after either of the photons is detected. This latter feature also provides a means for detecting any unauthorized tap on the transmission line.

Abstract: A two transistor current-controlled current conveyor (C4) circuit is provided which exploits the translinear properties of the MOS transistor in subthreshold and uses unidirectional current signals. As a result, the circuits of the invention achieve high functionality and integration density with very low power dissipation. Two C4 circuits connected to and communicating through a bidirectional junction circuit of the invention permit the transmission of independent, bidirectional signals. These circuits are useful for implementing synthetic neural systems such as associative memories and silicon retinas, such as winner-takes-all and pyramidal neuron circuits and the outer-plexiform layer of a retina.

Abstract: A mode suppressor structure designed to maintain TE.sub.01 mode matching in an overmoded waveguide, while at the same time allowing efficient coupling of unwanted modes for dissipation in the mode filtering structure of the overmoded waveguide, and in a manner which is non-intrusive on the TE.sub.01 mode and thus promotes high power operation.