Abstract: The principle purpose of the present invention is to provide an image processing system which uses the two methods to form visible stimuli which depict visual shape. In particular, the present invention either transforms a first visible configuration to a second visible configuration that depicts (in one of the two possible ways given) the visual shapes induced by the first visible configuration, or it determines the visible configuration necessary to depict the desired visual configuration. Using the present invention, it is possible to transform a full 360 degrees of visible space (i.e., front, back, up, down, right and left directional views) onto a single display surface.

Abstract: A data structure in a computer memory for use in encoding and decoding an N-dimensional subband decomposition of data points includes, after initialization, three lists: a list of insignificant sets of points (LIS); a list of significant points (LSP); and a list of insignificant points (LIP). The LIS is populated with sets, each of the sets being designated by a root node within the N-dimensional subband decomposition and having a corresponding tree structure of points within the N-dimensional subband decomposition, which tree structure of points is organized as descendants and offspring of the root node but not including the root node, the LIP is populated with points from within the highest designated subband of the N-dimensional subband decomposition, while the LSP is initially empty. The data structure permits encoding and decoding of any N-dimensional data set, i.e., any data set where N is a positive integer. Method and software for employing this data structure are also described.

Abstract: A coder for use in encoding and decoding a data set representing an image includes a first device which partitions the data transformation into first and second sets, which adds the first set into a list of insignificant sets (LIS), and which initializes a list of significant pixels (LSP), a second device which tests the first and second sets for significance with respect to a threshold value, which partitions significant members of the first and second sets in accordance with first and second partitioning functions, respectively, and which adds significant pixels to the LSP, a third device which refmes the quantization of the pixels in the LSP. In operation, the threshold value is decrement as the second and third devices are operation in seriatim until the coding endpoint has been reached. An optional fourth device entropy codes a significance map cooperatively generated by the second and third devices.

Abstract: Machine readable code stored in a memory converts a general purpose computer system into a dedicated White Board system facilitating collaboration between a plurality of users.

Abstract: A phased array Raman laser amplifier includes a beam generator for generating a fundamental laser beam and a Raman seed frequency laser beam, and a fiber optic laser amplifier array for forming a diffraction limited output laser beam at the Raman seed frequency by amplifying the fundamental laser beam to a power level corresponding to the Stimulated Raman Scattering (SRS) threshold to thereby pump the SRS process and provide Raman gain to the Raman seed frequency laser beam.

Abstract: A variable power laser device includes a lasing medium having first and second end faces disposed parallel to one another, N side faces extending between the first and second end faces and a bevel face located at an intersection between the second end and one of the side faces, a first mirror separate from the first end face for directing a laser beam into the lasing medium so as to permit the laser beam to follow a helical transmission path defined by the N side faces, the transmission path being longer than the length of any of the N side faces, and a second mirror separate from the second end face for receiving an amplified laser beam output by the lasing medium and reflecting the amplified laser beam in a predetermined direction, wherein N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The output power of the amplified laser beam is dependent on the number of loops in the transmission path.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) virtual display system for displaying a flicker-free 3-D virtual image to each of N viewers randomly dispersed about a horizontally disposed viewing screen, where N is an integer greater than 1, includes a laser projector for generating N.times.M image pairs responsive to a video signal comprising the N.times.M image pairs, N transmitters associated with respective ones of the N viewers, each of the N transmitters generating a unique coded pulse, a detector for determining the position of each of the N viewers relative to the viewing screen responsive to the respective unique coded pulse and for generating respective position data, a graphics processor for generating the video signal responsive to the position data, and N selectors associated with the N viewers for selecting the M image pairs out of the N.times.M image pairs allocated to each of the N viewers, respectively. The projector includes an electron-beam-pumped semiconductor laser (EBSL) screen, e.g.

Abstract: A direct diode laser system includes N laser head assemblies (LHAs) generating N output beams, N optical fibers receiving respective N output beams and generating N received output beams, and a torch head recollimating and focusing the N received output beams onto a single spot. Preferably, each of the laser head assemblies of the direct diode laser system includes M modules generating M laser beams, wherein each of the M laser beams has a corresponding single wavelength of light, M-1 dichroic filters, wherein each of the M-1 dichroic filter transmits a corresponding one of the M laser beams and reflects all other wavelengths, and a fiber coupling device collecting the M laser beams to produce a respective one of the N output beams. In an exemplary case, the M-1 dichroic filters function as band pass filters. A method of generating a high fluence, high power laser beam is also described.