Abstract: A method for actuating an electromechanical grating device that has ribbon elements. The method includes the steps of: providing a data stream, generating a pulse width modulated waveform including at least two different non-zero voltages from the data stream, and applying the pulse width modulated waveform to the ribbon elements such that the ribbon elements transition through at least three different states of actuation that correspond to the pulse width modulated waveform.

Abstract: A method, a system, and a computer program product for deriving a three-dimensional panorama from a plurality of stereo image pairs of a scene generated from a plurality of cameras, that includes acquiring a plurality of stereo image pairs of the scene, wherein there is an intra-overlap region between vertically aligned stereo image pairs; acquiring a plurality of stereo image pairs of the scene by rotating the plurality of cameras about a Y-axis, wherein there is an inter-overlap region between adjacent stereo image pairs; providing displacement data for capturing scene depth from a local XYZ image with non-distorted depth information; generating (X,Y,Z) values for each of the stereo image pairs with respect to a local three-dimensional coordinate system wherein the intra-stereo image pair is taken; selecting a reference three-dimensional world coordinate system against which spatial information of the scene can be correctly presented; transforming the generated (X,Y,Z) values from each of the local three-di

Abstract: An improved projection system that includes a conformal grating electromechanical system (GEMS) device for forming an image on a medium, and also including: a light source providing illumination; a linear array of conformal GEMS devices receiving the illumination; an obstructing element for blocking a zeroth order reflected light beam from reaching the medium; a cross-order filter placed substantially near a Fourier plane of a lens system for blocking a plurality of diffracted cross-order light beams from reaching the medium; a scanning element for moving non-obstructed diffracted light beams relative to the medium; and a controller for providing a data stream to the linear array of conformal GEMS devices.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mechanical grating device, including the steps of: forming a spacer layer on a substrate; removing portions of the spacer layer to define an active region; forming a sacrificial layer in the active region; forming conductive reflective ribbon elements over the active region; annealing the mechanical grating device at an annealing temperature greater than 150° C.; and removing the sacrificial layer from the active region to release the conductive reflective ribbon elements.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a conformal grating device, that includes the steps of: forming a spacer layer on a substrate; removing portions of the spacer layer to define an active region with at least two channels and at least one intermediate support; forming a sacrificial layer in the active region; forming conductive reflective ribbon elements over the active region; and removing the sacrificial layer from the active region.

Abstract: A method for adding personal image metadata to a collection of images,including the steps of: configuring, in response to user's answers to predetermined queries prior to image capture, a database of pre-assigned metadata labels useful for classifying future images, wherein at least one pre-assigned metadata label has a label identifier relating to emotional or aesthetic judgment of a user of the database; storing the database of pre-assigned metadata labels in a digital memory; displaying the collection of images that have been captured by the user, and a menu for selecting the pre-assigned metadata labels; selectively assigning at least one pre-assigned metadata label to at least one digital image in response to user's input; and storing the label identifier of the selected metadata label in association with the selected digital image.

Abstract: An interferometric-based measurement system for externally measuring a distance between a pair of reference surfaces on an object, including: a low coherence light interferometer; an object mounting apparatus including an optical probe having an optical probe chuck; an optical fiber cable for coupling light from the interferometer to the optical probe chuck; and a computer for processing data collected by the interferometer, wherein the data is used to determine the distance between the pair of reference surfaces on the object.

Abstract: A method for compressing a digital image having both saturated text and/or line art and pictorial imagery, the method comprises the steps of: receiving the digital image as blocks of pixels; analyzing the block content to determine if all or any combination of the saturated text and/or line art, pictorial imagery or other types of image data are present; assigning the saturated text and/or line art, the pictorial imagery, the other types of image data to one of a plurality of categories; compressing the block of saturated text and/or line art, if any, according to a first predetermined compression method; compressing the pictorial imagery, if any, according to a second predetermined compression method; compressing the other types of imagery, if any, according to other predetermined compression methods; and providing means of conveying the image categories to a decoder.

Abstract: A light-modulating system, includes: a light source for emitting a sequence of light pulses at a period Tp; a light modulator having a variable-width switching profile with rise and fall times Tr and Tf respectively, wherein the greater of Tr and Tf is greater than Tp, the light modulator modulating the sequence of light pulses; and a controller for controlling the width of the variable-width light switching profile.

Abstract: A system and method for calibration of a display system with a linear modulator array that includes: a light source; a linear array of light modulating devices driven by a controller; a projection lens system that creates a line image of the linear array on a screen; a scanning mirror that sweeps the line image across the screen to form a two-dimensional scene; and an image sensor containing an area array of light sensitive detectors that captures image intensity data from the two-dimensional scene and transmits the image intensity data to the controller, wherein the controller converts the image intensity data into a one-dimensional array of correction factors for the linear array of light modulating devices.

Abstract: A method for performing content-based temporal segmentation of video sequences, the method comprises the steps of transmitting the video sequence to a processor; identifying within the video sequence a plurality of type-specific individual temporal segments using a plurality of type-specific detectors; analyzing and refining the plurality of type-specific individual temporal segments identified in the identifying the plurality of type-specific individual temporal segments step; and outputting a list of locations within the video sequence of the identified type-specific individual temporal segments.

Abstract: A digital still camera for receiving a optical tape cassette having optical tape including an image sensor for capturing an image; focusing an image of a subject onto the image sensor which in response thereto captures such image; a structure for receiving the optical tape cassette; an optical writer for effecting a change in the optical properties of the optical tape. The optical tape is movable into operative relationship with the optical head; the image sensor and the optical writer causes the optical head write to effect changes in the optical properties of the optical tape in accordance with the image captured by the image sensor.

Abstract: An electromechanical conformal grating device having a period &Lgr;, that includes: an elongated ribbon element including a light reflective surface; a pair of end supports for supporting the elongated ribbon element at both ends over a substrate; an intermediate support; and means for applying a force to the elongated ribbon element to cause the element to deform between first and second operating states, where in the second operating state the elongated ribbon element mechanically conforms to the intermediate support forming a conformal grating having alternating raised and lowered portions, and wherein the length of the raised and lowered portions are substantially equal.

Abstract: A method of determining the vertical axis of an image, including the steps of: detecting a set of vanishing points related to the image; selecting a vanishing point based on a predetermined criteria; and identifying the vertical axis with the selected vanishing point.

Abstract: A method for determining whether an imager assembly outside of a camera body meets predetermined focus specifications, wherein the imager assembly includes an image sensor and a camera mounting plate having reference features adapted to cooperate with alignment features in the camera body to locate the image sensor at a predetermined focal plane, including the steps of: mounting the imager assembly onto an imager mounting apparatus having equivalent alignment features; and utilizing low-coherence light interferometry to determine whether the image sensor will meet predetermined focus specifications when mounted in a camera body.

Abstract: A method for determining whether an imager assembly outside of a camera body meets predetermined focus specifications, wherein the imager assembly includes an image sensor and a camera mounting plate having reference features adapted to cooperate with alignment features in the camera body to locate the image sensor at a predetermined focal plane, including the steps of: mounting the imager assembly onto an imager mounting apparatus having equivalent alignment features; and utilizing low-coherence light interferometry to determine whether the image sensor will meet predetermined focus specifications when mounted in a camera body.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead, that includes a plurality of nozzle bores from which streams of ink droplets having selectable first and second volumes are emitted; a droplet deflector for deflecting the ink droplets having first and second volumes into first and second paths respectively, the droplet deflector producing a corresponding plurality of physically separate streams of gas, each stream of gas directed on a corresponding one of the streams of ink droplets; and an ink gutter positioned to catch the ink droplets moving along one of the first or second paths. In addition to a method for selectively controlling the ink droplets with the aforementioned inkjet printhead.

Abstract: A method of making an injection molded article, including the steps of: mixing at a temperature of at least 100° C. polymeric materials having a thermal conductivity in the range of 0.001 to 0.01 cal/cm-sec-° C. wherein the polymeric materials are selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polystyrene, polyester, and polycarbonate or combinations thereof, and one or more materials selected from the group consisting of ceramics, ceramic composites, metals and metal alloys in a blended relationship to form a viscous phase mixture, the materials in the viscous phase mixture being selected so that when in a solid phase it has a density greater than 4 grams/cc and a thermal conductivity greater than 0.101 cal/cm-sec-° C. to form a feedstock; cooling the blended viscous phase mixture to form the feedstock; and using the feedstock in an injection molding machine to form the article.

Abstract: An image-forming system with enhanced gray levels, including: a primary beam of light having a primary intensity value, a secondary beam of light having a secondary intensity value significantly less than the primary intensity value; a first modulator array of discrete devices receiving the primary beam of light and producing an output with coarse gray levels, a second modulator array of discrete devices receiving the secondary beam of light and producing an output with fine gray levels; a controller for synchronously controlling the first and the second modulator array; and optics that combine the output with fine gray levels and the output with coarse gray levels to form an image with the enhanced gray levels.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling errant ink drops in an inkjet printer having a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink drops along a droplet trajectory and printing the ejected ink drops onto a receiver, including: at least one airflow channel arranged to provide a non-uniform airflow pattern located along a portion of the droplet trajectory, wherein the apparatus is in close proximity to the plurality of nozzles and prior to the receiver, such that the non-uniform airflow pattern provides compensation for errors in the printing of the ejected ink drops on the receiver and means for moving air in the airflow channel.