Abstract: An image comparison arrangement uses an electronic computer to compare digitized fingerprint minutia maps of fingerprints of an unknown fingerprint set with corresponding maps of reference fingerprint sets which are stored in memory, in order to identify unknown fingerprints or to match fingerprints. The matching is performed by converting all the fingerprints to attributed relation graphs (ARGs) including nodes and branches, to which attributes are appended. For each fingerprint pair being compared, a distance matrix is generated, the elements of which are the similarities of stars. The highest-ranking star pair is selected as the starting point of a comparison tree, by which attempts are made to fill a match core with elements representing the matching stars. The comparison is of the various attributes of the nodes and branches of each star.

Abstract: A SAR radar has an optical processor which uses an electrical-signal-to-light modulator. The modulator includes a tapped delay line which may be either analog or digital, and the signals tapped from the delay line are applied to an array of temporary storage elements, which in the case of analog signals may be a capacitive sample-and-hold, or for digital signals may include storage registers. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by comparison with a processor using an acoustic modulator, the signals tapped from the delay line are sampled at a display sampling rate, which is very low by comparison with the signal sampling rate or the highest frequency of interest, and the sampled signals are held until the next following display rate pulse. The signals held in the temporary storage elements are applied to the modulator elements, so that the optical pattern remains fixed for relatively long periods of time during which the optical processing can integrate photons for improved SNR.

Abstract: A three-dimensional array (10) of semiconductor chips (24, 124) includes stacked 2D high density interconnect (HDI) modules (12, 14) held by adhesive (16). Each HDI module has a ceramic substrate (20, 120) with a cavity (22, 122) dimensioned to accommodate a chip. An interconnect sheet (28, 128) has a conductor pattern (30, 130) and vias (32, 132) which interconnect the chips of each HDI module. Thermal conduction from the upper module (12) to the lower module (14) is inhibited by the low thermal conduction of the lower interconnect sheet (128), tending to raise the chip temperature. Thermal conduction is improved by thermally conductive posts (44) extending between upper (20) and lower (120) substrates through apertures (140) in the interconnect sheet (128). If the posts (44) are electrically conductive, they may be used for electrical interconnections among modules of the 3D array.

Abstract: A device for converting a set of electronic signals that represent an image into a coherent image includes a two-dimensional array of asymmetric Fabry-Perot (ASFP), quantum-well-based optical modulators connected on a pixel-by-pixel basis to a two-dimensional array of drive circuits located on an integrated circuit. Electronic signals received by the integrated circuit cause the pixel drive circuits to change a bias voltage applied across the optical modulator section and, thereby, change the optical properties of the optical modulator section of the device. The two-dimensional array can be used to impart intensity-only, phase-only, or phase-and-intensity variations onto a beam of coherent laser light incident on the array. This coherent image can be used with other optical elements to form optical processing machines and optical storage devices.

Abstract: An arrangement for butt-welding cylindrical sections of large, thin-wall tanks includes a rotatable mandrel with side-by-side sets of radial position adjusters. Each set of adjusters bears on one of the tank sections adjacent the seam, to prevent the sections from sagging out-of-round. The mandrel rotates relative to the welder, so that a continuous seam is formed. A purge chamber is fixed in position behind the seam at the weld head, and is flushed with inert gas. The purge chamber includes a two-sided structure which is contiguous with the cylindrical sections and a circumferential vane to form an open-ended tube-like structure, through which the radial position adjusters pass as the mandrel and cylindrical workpiece sections rotate. The tube-like structure is formed into a chamber by a plurality of movable gates which are controlled to maintain a seal while allowing adjusters to progress through the purge chamber.