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: A time-temperature indicator device comprises a polymeric layer having a first and second surface and a dye composition adhered to said first surface comprising a dye which diffuses into the polymeric layer as a result of a cumulative time-temperature exposure wherein the polymeric layer is formed from a natural or synthetic rubber polymer or copolymer. The device may be attached to a product for monitoring cumulative time-temperature exposure.

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 strain gauge for measuring strain in a structural member, including: a light modulator adapted to be attached to the structural member, further including: a plurality of deformable elements, each of said deformable elements having a reflective surface and a resonant frequency that varies as a function of strain on the element; means for exerting a force to the deformable elements to cause them to deform at their resonant frequency between first and second operating states, an optical system for directing incident light onto the light modulator, and directing modulated light from the light modulator to a sensor that provides an output signal that varies as a function of the resonate frequency of said deformable elements; and means for generating a representation of the strain in the structural member from said output signal.

Abstract: A diffractive grating modulator system, includes: a diffractive grating modulator active to produce a plurality of output orders of diffraction; an illumination source for directing light onto the diffractive grating modulator; an output system arranged to receive one of the orders of diffraction from the diffractive grating modulator; a detector arranged to receive a different one of the orders of diffraction from the diffractive grating and to produce a signal representing the output of the diffractive grating modulator; an electronic driving system responsive to a data stream for operating the diffractive grating modulator; and a feedback system connected to the detector and the electronic driving system and responsive to the signal for calibrating the diffractive grating modulator.

Abstract: A display system, including: a light source providing illumination; a linear array of electromechanical grating devices of at least two individually operable devices receiving the illumination wherein a grating period is oriented at a predetermined angle with respect to an axis of the linear array wherein the angle is large enough to separate diffracted light beams prior to a projection lens system for projecting light onto a screen; a polarization sensitive element that passes diffracted light beams according to their polarization state; a segmented waveplate for altering the polarization state of a discrete number of selected diffracted light beams wherein the segmented waveplate is located between the linear array and the polarization sensitive element, a scanning element for moving the selectively passed diffracted light beams on the screen; and a controller for providing a data stream to the individually operable devices.

Abstract: A photofinishing method, including the steps of: exposing machine readable metadata and a scene image within an entire safe frame area on a filmstrip; processing the filmstrip to produce a visible image including the machine readable metadata and the scene image; scanning the safe frame area to produce a digital image; extracting the machine readable metadata from the digital image; extracting the scene image from the digital image; and processing the scene image according to the extracted machine readable metadata.

Abstract: A method for producing optically planar surfaces for micro-electromechanical system devices (MEMS), comprising the steps of: depositing a first layer over a substrate; forming a channel in the first layer wherein the channel has a depth defined by a thickness of the first layer and a width greater than 10 microns; depositing a second layer over the first layer wherein the second layer has a thickness greater than the depth of the channel and is composed of a different material than the first layer; removing the second layer from outside the channel leaving an overlap at the edge of the channel; and polishing the second layer that fills the channel to obtain an optically planar surface for the MEMS device.

Abstract: An insertable cartridge for insertion into a receiving structure having electronic addressing circuitry for forming a visual image of a stored image is disclosed. The cartridge includes a housing for receiving a plurality of receivers, each receiver including field-driven particles in a matrix that can change reflective density in response to an applied electric field which intersect at positions corresponding to pixels and the housing defining alignment features for insertion into the receiving structure which receives and positions an inserted cartridge. The housing further includes electronic interconnecting circuitry for connection between the addressing circuitry and a receiver after a cartridge has been inserted in the receiving structure for permitting the application of voltages at the pixel positions across the field-driven particles at particular locations in the receiver corresponding to pixels in the stored image to produce an image in the receiver in the cartridge.

Abstract: A mechanical grating device for improving the diffraction efficiency. The mechanical grating device is built on a base having a surface. Above the base a spacer layer, having an upper surface, is provided, and a longitudinal channel is formed in said spacer layer, said channel having a first and second opposing side wall and a bottom. A plurality of spaced apart deformable ribbon elements are disposed parallel to each other. The deformable elements are organized in groups of N elements wherein N is greater than 2. When the device is actuated each of said groups forms a pattern of discrete levels wherein the pattern has n levels wherein n is greater than 2.

Abstract: A method for organizing and producing a display of images and labels on a receiver including storing information corresponding to images to be displayed which includes the desired size of the images to be displayed and selecting labels having information which annotates the images to be displayed. The method further includes organizing the labels and the images to a desired layout pattern having location and organization information and storing such layout; printing the information on the labels with each label having an adhesive backing; and providing the labels and the images on the receiver in accordance with the layout pattern.

Abstract: In an electronic camera responsive to a digital image stored in such camera and having a microfluidic printer for printing images onto a receiver to form continuous tone color pixels corresponding to the stored digital image, including focusing an image of a subject at an image plane; area image sensor disposed at the image plane for receiving the image subject and producing a digital image representing the subject; and digital storage coupled to the area image sensor for storing the digitized image of the subject.

Abstract: A mechanical grating device for modulating an incident beam of light by diffraction includes an elongated element including a light reflective surface; a pair of end supports for supporting the elongated element at both ends over a substrate; at least one intermediate support between the end supports; and means for applying a force to the elongated element to cause the element to deform between first and second operating states

Abstract: A method for producing co-planar surface areas is disclosed. At first a first layer with at least one recess is provided. Onto the first layer a second layer is deposited over the entire area of the first layer wherein the second layer has a thickness greater than the depth of the recess. The second layer is composed of material different to the material of the first layer. The next step removes the second layer completely beyond the area of at least one recess. The remaining portion of the second layer is removed until the second layer is coplanar with the first layer.

Abstract: The method and system embeds digital meta-data into an original image in such a way that the meta-data can be completely removed at a later time to allow loss less recovery of the original image. The loss less recovery of the original image allows for a digital signature of the image to be embedded in the image itself and later recovered and used to verify the authenticity of a received image.

Abstract: A method for producing an image, the method comprises the steps of: storing a plurality of theme images; storing a plurality of annotations; providing a random number generator for randomly selecting the theme images and annotations; and combining the theme image and the annotation.

Abstract: An electronic image capture system for capturing a sequence of images, the system includes a camera that captures a sequence of incoming incident light on a sensor and records the sequence of images as wide gamut image data. A processor receives the wide gamut image data and processes the image data to provide a film-like image sequence.

Abstract: A mechanical grating device for diffracting an incident light beam has a base which defines a surface. A spacer layer is provided above the base, said spacer layer defining an upper surface of said spacer layer. A longitudinal channel is formed in said spacer layer, said channel having a first and second opposing side walls and a bottom. The side walls are substantially vertically disposed with respect to the bottom, and said channel having a constant cross section along the entire length of the mechanical grating device. A plurality of spaced apart deformable ribbon elements are disposed parallel to each other and span the channel. The deformable ribbon elements are fixed to the upper surface of the spacer layer on each side of the channel.

Abstract: A electro-mechanical grating device for diffracting an incident light beam has a base which defines a surface. A spacer layer is provided above the base, said spacer layer defining an upper surface of said spacer layer. A longitudinal channel is formed in said spacer layer, said channel having a first and second opposing side walls and a bottom. The side walls are substantially vertically disposed with respect to the bottom, and said channel having a constant cross section along the entire length of the mechanical grating device. A plurality of spaced apart deformable ribbon elements are disposed parallel to each other and span the channel. The deformable ribbon elements are fixed to the upper surface of the spacer layer on each side of the channel. A bottom conductive layer is provided within said base and said bottom conductive layer is limited essentially to the cross-section of the channel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a mechanical grating device is presented. The device consists of a plurality of parallel-suspended ribbons that are deformed using, for example, an electrostatic force to actuate alternate ribbons. Actuation is a deformation of the ribbon resulting from an applied voltage to affect the height of the ribbons above a substrate.