Abstract: Disclosed is method of controlling an asymmetric waveform generator including the steps of providing a reference timer signal, and generating an asymmetric waveform as a combination of a first sinusoidal wave having a first frequency and a second sinusoidal wave having a second frequency approximately twice the first frequency. The generated asymmetric waveform is sampled to obtain a set of data points, which set of data points is indicative of the generated asymmetric waveform. The method includes analyzing the set of data points in terms of at least a first function relating to an ideal sinusoidal wave of the first frequency, to determine a first set of resultant values relating to the first sinusoidal wave, and analyzing the set of data points in terms of at least a second function relating to an ideal sinusoidal wave of the second frequency, to determine a second set of resultant values relating to the second sinusoidal wave.

Abstract: A method of separating ions includes providing a FAIMS analyzer region for separating ions, and establishing a temperature gradient across the FAIMS analyzer region to controllably affect ion focusing in the FAIMS analyzer region.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for moving passengers between an airport terminal building and a doorway of an aircraft located rearward of a wing of the aircraft. The apparatus includes a first passageway member pivotally coupled at an inboard end thereof to a rotunda and supported close to an outboard end thereof by a ground support member. The apparatus also includes a telescopic passageway member that is pivotally mounted to the passageway member via a flexible connection disposed therebetween. The telescopic passageway member is for being supported in a cantilever-like fashion such that the telescopic passageway member is extensible over the wing of the aircraft, for servicing the doorway located rearward of the wing.

Abstract: An ion introduction system for selecting ions from one of two separate ionization sources of ions is provided. The system includes a plate having a hole formed therethrough, the plate for being disposed adjacent an ion introduction region of a gas phase ion analyzer such that the hole is selectively movable between a first location in which the hole is adjacent to a first ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the first ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer, and a second location in which the hole is adjacent to a second ionization source of ions for supporting introduction of ions from the second ionization source of ions into the gas phase ion analyzer. The system also includes a drive mechanism for driving the plate between a first position in which the hole is at the first location and a second position in which the hole is at the second location.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for detecting a latent fingerprint image provided to a biometric input device of a fingerprint based security system. First and second images of the fingerprint are captured during a time period interval ?t. At least one of the first and second images are analyzed to identify an extractable feature within a global reference frame, the extractable feature useable for authenticating an individual. The first and second images are compared one with the other to determine differences indicative of motion about the identified extractable feature within a local reference frame during the time period interval ?t. Absent motion about the identified extractable feature being detected, the fingerprint is registered as a latent fingerprint and cannot be used to authenticate the individual who is seeking authorization.

Abstract: Provided is a side-to-side high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) including a generally cylindrically-shaped inner electrode having a length. Encircling the inner electrode is a generally cylindrically-shaped outer electrode assembly comprising at least first and second and third outer electrode segments. Each of the outer electrode segments has a channel extending therethrough and open at opposite ends thereof. In an assembled condition, the second outer electrode segment is disposed intermediate the first and third outer electrode segments in an end-to-end arrangement, each one of the first and second and third electrode segments overlapping a different portion of the length of the inner electrode.

Abstract: Integration of laser sources into optoelectronic integrated circuits requires that the laser do not operate using two cleaved end facets. Unfortunately, replacing of one of the end facets results by either a dry etched mirror or by a corner reflectors results in undesirable performance of the laser source since a gain coefficient for the laser source is lower than that for a dual cleaved end facet laser source. A modified waveguide is thus proposed which serves to reduce the undesirable effects found when a corner reflector is used by providing an improved waveguide region between the cleaved end facet and the corner reflector that facilitates excitation of a single optical mode within a laser cavity formed between the corner reflector and the cleaved end facet.

Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing ions from a plurality of ionization sources includes a FAIMS analyzer including an inner electrode and an outer electrode, the outer electrode having a plurality of spaced-apart ion inlet orifices and a single ion outlet orifice. A plurality of non-trapping FAIMS analyzers is disposed adjacent to the FAIMS analyzer. Each non-trapping FAIMS analyzer of the plurality of non-trapping FAIMS analyzers has a single ion outlet orifice in communication with one ion inlet orifice of the plurality of ion inlet orifices of the FAIMS analyzer, and each non-trapping FAIMS analyzer has a single ion inlet orifice for supporting introduction of ions into the non-trapping FAIMS.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for improving at least one of a peak separation and a signal intensity relating to an ion of interest being transmitted through an analyzer region of a FAIMS apparatus. A method according to the instant invention includes a step of introducing ions including an ion of interest into an analyzer region of a FAIMS. A flow of a doped carrier gas other than air is also provided through the analyzer region. The doped carrier gas includes a carrier gas and a trace amount of a predetermined dopant gas, the predetermined dopant gas selected for improving at least one of a peak separation and a signal intensity relating to the ion of interest relative to the peak separation and the signal intensity relating to the ion of interest in the presence of the carrier gas only. The ion of interest is selectively transmitted through the analyzer region in the presence of the doped carrier gas, and detected at a detector.

Abstract: A design for a polarization independent ridge waveguide structure is shown. The inventive waveguide structure features discontinuous trenches formed on either side of the waveguide in which the waveguide has a first polarization characteristic absent the trenches and a second polarization characteristic when the trenches are present. The length of the trenches and the distance between the trenches are chosen to provide a desired amount of attenuation to each of the TE and TM modes. Additionally, this method is used to cause a predetermined polarization in order to compensate for the polarization of another optical component.

Abstract: A dynamic gain equalizer using amplification instead of attenuation is disclosed. The device relies on integrated semiconductor optical amplifiers in line with a demultiplexer on a single integrated substrate for performing equalization of signals within each of a plurality of channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for enhancing resolution of a magnetic resonance image of an object. The method combines information from a plurality of low-resolution images with a Field Of View shifted by a distance less than a pixel width to create a synthesized image having substantially improved image quality. Information from the low-resolution images is merged and application of an aperture function enhances the SNR of the synthesized image resulting in synthesized images having a substantially higher spatial resolution as well as a substantially increased SNR. The method and system for enhancing resolution of a magnetic resonance image is highly beneficial for a MRI practitioner by substantially improving image quality, thus facilitating diagnostic methods such as texture analysis and disease specific tissue segmentation.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for separating ions produced at an electrospray ionization source, based upon the high field mobility properties of the ions. An apparatus according to the instant invention includes a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) having an analyzer region defined by a space between an inner electrode (32) and an outer electrode (34). In particular, the outer electrode includes an ion inlet (38) for introducing ions into a first portion of analyzer region and an ion outlet (56) for extracting ions from a second portion of the analyzer region. The FAIMS is characterized in that a gas-directing conduit (48) is provided through at least a portion of the inner electrode. In particular, the gas-directing conduit includes an opening at a first end thereof for supporting fluid communication between the gas-directing conduit and the first portion of the analyzer region.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) with optical based detection of selectively transmitted ions. Light from a light source is directed through an optical port in an electrode of the FAIMS. A light detector is provided for receiving light that is one of transmitted and scattered by the selectively transmitted ions within the FAIMS.

Abstract: A front end tuner for receiving TV signals and the like includes a frequency conversion circuit including a mixer for beating a local signal with received signals within a predetermined band of frequencies to provide selected signals within a predetermined band of frequencies to provide selected signals within a predetermined channel band of frequencies. A signal converter circuit generates digitally encoded signal representations of the selected signals. The frequency conversion circuit and the signal converter circuit are in a form of an integrated circuit within a semiconductor substrate. In a TV receiver, on-following digital processing of the digitally encoded signals is performed in a microcomputer. In one example a channel selection code is used by the microcomputer to synthesize the local oscillator signal and in another example the signal converter circuit is a codec, responsive to codes from the microprocessor, to supply a control voltage for controlling a local oscillator.

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus for varying the index of refraction of a material using an interference pattern is disclosed. The method and apparatus incorporate an ultra short duration pulse laser source. Electromagnetic radiation provided from the laser propagates to a diffractive element positioned in close proximity to the target material. The diffracted electromagnetic radiation forms an interference pattern, the peaks of which are sufficiently intense to cause a change in index of refraction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting trace levels of a vapour in a carrier gas stream. A method according to the instant invention comprises the steps of providing a flow of a carrier gas through an analyzer region of a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (22), the carrier gas including a first gas and a trace amount of a vapour. At least a first type of indicator ions are introduced into the analyzer region, and a compensation voltage for transmitting the at least a first type of indicator ions through the analyzer region, in the presence of the flow of a carrier gas and at a given asymmetric waveform voltage, is determined. The determined compensation voltage is compared to calibration data relating to a compensation voltage for transmitting the at least a first type of indicator ions through the analyzer region at the given asymmetric waveform voltage in the presence of each of a plurality of different known trace amounts of the vapour mixed with the first gas.

Abstract: A bidirectional multiplexer and demultiplexer based on a single waveguide grating is presented. In one embodiment of the invention, the device contains a multi/demultiplexer having an echelle grating disposed between a plurality of input channels and a plurality of output channel arrays. The input and output channels are assigned in a particular order, such that the multiplex and demultiplex functions have the same wavelength channels and such that the blaze angle of the grating facets are optimized simultaneously for both the multiplex and demultiplex function. Because the optical signals are multiplexed and demultiplexed by the same dispersive element, problems of mismatching performance introduced by using different optical components are obviated. The input/output waveguides of the dual-function device can be coupled to a single fiber array, thus reducing the packaging cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a supplemental lift system for use with an aircraft passenger boarding bridge of a type that includes a tunnel section for being extended over the wing of an aircraft in a cantilever-like fashion. The supplemental lift system is for use in an event that a main elevating mechanism of the passenger boarding bridge is other than operable, such that the over the wing portion of the boarding bridge may be moved out of the way of a wing of the aircraft, permitting the same to move in a direction away from the boarding bridge. A preferred embodiment of the supplemental lift system comprises at least a jack including a first portion that is mounted to the aircraft passenger boarding bridge at a point that is distal from an outboard end thereof.

Abstract: A method of compensating for distortion within a composite image is disclosed. A biometric surface is sensed with a swipe imager. The images so provided are assembled into a composite image of the biometric surface. The composite image is then adjusted by insertion or deletion of rows therein to result in an image with a different number of rows.