Abstract: A radiation image that has been stored in an image plate (19), such as a photostimulable phosphor screen is read by stimulating an information-bearing target area (13) with stimulating light (1). The information bearing target area responds to this stimulation by emitting information-bearing light (2) and reflecting backscatter light (3). The combination (4) of information-bearing light and backscatter light is collimated, allowing efficient rejection of backscatter light. The information-bearing light is subsequently focused onto an information receiving target (17), such as a charge-coupled device (CCD).

Abstract: A radiation image that has been stored in an image plate (19), such as a photostimulable phosphor screen is read by stimulating an information-bearing target area (13) with stimulating light (1). The information bearing target area responds to this stimulation by emitting information-bearing light (2) and reflecting backscatter light (3). The combination (4) of information-bearing light and backscatter light is collimated, allowing efficient rejection of backscatter light. The information-bearing light is subsequently focused onto an information receiving target (17), such as a charge-coupled device (CCD).

Abstract: In a method of routing digital signals based on criteria defined by the user all messages receive a prioritization based on the criteria defined by the individual user. Based on this guidance, each digital message is Tagged so that Overlay software can determine the prioritization that will be applied to the message and subsequently which media or route will be used and when a message should be sent. The Overlay software uses embedded look-up tables, which define available routes so that prioritization decisions can be made, real-time, based on route status or cost, and prioritization algorithms or a combination of both to determine the most appropriate media or route to send a message. The Overlay software also counts each message, the route used, and the time sent to enable accounting verification at an appropriate time in the future.

Abstract: A dual mode or multimode backlight containing LEDs as a light source. The backlight has light cavity containing a reflective material. The cavity has an opening to allow light to be directed to a display source such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). Two sets of LEDs are provided, one set for day mode and one set for night mode. The night mode LEDs is fitted with an NVIS filter. The day mode LEDs is fitted with a filter that suppresses the phosphorescence from the day mode LEDs. The filter suppress the IR energy and allows maximum luminance from the day mode LEDs. During night mode operation, the backlight is flooded with light. Filtered light from the NVIS LED's would impinge on the day mode LED's causing them to phosphoresce. The filter over the day mode LEDs removes the infrared energy from the phosphorescent light emitted from the day mode LEDs.

Abstract: An optical illumination, communication, or beam splitting system includes close-packed non-imaging morphing optical elements, beam splitting prisms, output elements, including non-imaging concentrating elements and optical detectors, and a beam dump for receiving energy from the beams not directed to the output elements, in various combinations. The sources of electromagnetic energy may comprise semiconductors emitting at different bands of wavelengths, wherein each band comprises a different color.

Abstract: The invention provides a technique for pattern recognition that employs a state machine that incorporates a sequence of table-look-up operations. A sequence of input parameters, derived according to an application-specific algorithm, generates a corresponding sequence of memory addresses for these operations. The memory tables are organized in a hierarchical structure that corresponds to the input sequence. Table data is designed to recognize a specific library of input patterns. An input sequence traces an input-specific path through the memory tables until one of the patterns in the library is recognized or until it is determined that the input sequence is inconsistent with f the library patterns. For each library pattern, the table data is designed to accommodate the variations in the input values that are specific to the application (e.g., variations due to noise and/or tolerances). Table data can be derived by analysis, simulation, learning or a combination of these methods.

Abstract: A plurality of sensors and a digital adaptive tuning filter bank are used in extracting a desired emitted signal embedded in a noisy environment. By monitoring noise statistics of the sensor signals, the digital adaptive tuning filter bank automatically adjusts its upper (to eliminate strong tonals) and lower (to eliminate background noise) thresholds to obtain a discovery frequency band. The filter bank is designed by examining the discovery band across the sensors and over a predefined period of time. The method described significantly reduces the possibilities of matching self-noise transients (unwanted signals) and thus minimizes the false alarm rate in emitted signal recognition.

Abstract: The generation of contour plot images from elevation data in real time for use in a digital moving map. The contour line interval is dynamically selectable. The elevation data is scanned in 2 dimensions simultaneously, but in a single pass. As the elevation data is scanned for the given contour line interval, a history is maintained of the contour line elevation state in both dimensions. At any point, only comparisons against the two historical values are required to determine if a point on a contour line exists.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a real-time computer system by running multiple versions of an operational program including multiple data partitions are described wherein each of the multiple data partitions is associated with one version of the operational program and wherein one of the versions of the operational program is a ‘controller’ program and the other versions are ‘identity observer’ programs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting particles. A flow tube is surrounded by eight off-axis ellipsoidal mirrors all having a common first focus coincident with a portion of the flow tube and each having a distinct second focus. In one embodiment, sources of radiation are arranged coincident with exit ports in the mirrors that are also coincident with the respective distinct second foci. These radiation sources are momentarily energized in sequence (or simultaneously), causing light to illuminate a corresponding ellipsoidal mirror. This light strikes the common first focus within a portion of the flow tube. Any particles within the first focus will then scatter the light, and depending upon the source wavelength and the particle, may also provide some amount of fluorescence. This energy is captured by detectors and analyzed to determine the type, size and quantity of particles at the first focus.

Abstract: A fiber optic coupler comprises a metal tube and a clear hollow silicone insert, with a tapered region including a first set of grabbers and a constant area region including a second set of grabbers. A tapered optical element is coupled to an optical fiber, when both the tapered optical element and the optical fiber are mechanically secured by crimping the metal tube and the silicone insert in the proximity of the first and second sets of grabbers, as by using a standard crimper tool.

Abstract: A metal/dielectric construction having either an optically transmissive substrate adapted for channeling light therethrough, or a dielectric substrate, an optional adhesion-promoting layer composed of an oxide form of at least one metal or metalloid deposited onto the surface of the substrate, a layer composed of a highly reflective and/or electrically conductive/electromagnetic metal overlaying the adhesion-promoting layer, and a protective layer composed of a parylene polymer film formed over the metal layer.

Abstract: A wedge shaped hollow light guide includes a top planar surface (100) with total internal reflecting features (11) and a bottom planar surface (20) with clocked reflective light extraction features (21).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the cold cranking ampere (CCA) value of a battery under test in which an algorithm of battery CCA as a function of battery internal resistance (IR) is provided, the IR of the battery under test is measured, and the measured IR determines the CCA value of the battery under test from the algorithm. The method and apparatus are used either in a vehicle in which the battery is installed or on a stand alone basis.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving the brightness of a polarized display at viewing angles off of the vector normal to the display panel. The advantages of the present invention will be most pronounced when employed in applications in which the viewing angle requirements are asymmetric, such as for avionics applications that require cross-cockpit viewability of the display. The present invention overcomes the limitations inherent in earlier designs by introducing a polarization rotation element as part of the display device to rotate the polarization of light from one orientation to another orientation. Through the use of the present invention, the axis in which the angle of sufficient off normal brightness is broadest can be reoriented to an axis that is most ideal for the particular application, thus dramatically improving the overall performance and efficiency of such displays.

Abstract: A light source for a flat panel display or a luminare includes a tubular enclosure having a linear slit in which is positioned a lens structure which may be a cylindrical rod lens or a plurality of ball lenses. The lens, whether a rod or ball structure, has an opaque white reflective strip or coating facing inward of the tubular enclosure, thereby defining two narrow slit openings through which the light can be projected into the lens structure and into an associated waveguide.

Abstract: Outputs of a linear RF detector and a logarithmic RF detector are multiplexed individually to a single digitizer or simultaneously to a respective digitizers. A process generates a composite waveform from the resulting digitized data, either at a later time in the former case or in real-time in the latter case. To achieve simultaneous routing, several routing relays are arranged in a specialized configuration between the outputs of the RF detectors and the inputs of the digitizers.

Abstract: Collimated light distribution elements and systems that are especially suited to backlighting liquid crystal displays comprise a waveguide with clocked microstructured features for directing the exiting beam off-normal, a high efficiency mirror coating comprising both TIR and specularly reflective mirror elements, and a polarization recycling system.

Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is used to disinfect water (5) in a flow tube, where the flow tube (10) acts a fluid filled light guide for the ultraviolet radiation and the ultraviolet radiation propagates through the flow tube via total internal reflection.

Abstract: Computer-assisted methods for determining the state of charge of a specific lithium ion battery, without the need for charging and discharging the battery, by utilizing look-up tables or algorithms which store the relationships of state of charge to open-circuit voltage or to ramp-peak current, or to both for that type of specific lithium-ion battery to determine the state of charge for that specific lithium-ion battery.