Abstract: There are several different applications where it is desirable to increase the amount of material that can be introduced to the surface of a microresonator that has whispering gallery modes. The use of a porous surface on the microresonator permits greater amounts of the material to be captured on or near the surface of the microresonator, resulting in an increased optical interaction between the material and the light propagating in the whispering gallery mode(s) of the microresonator.

Abstract: A biosensor system is provided for detecting biological species such as bacteria, proteins, viruses, spores and DNA or RNA. The biosensor system may also be able to distinguish between Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. In some embodiments, the analyte solution flows past a detector surface to a filter, which traps the analyte. The analyte is then washed back past the detector surface, thus increasing the number of analyte species that become attached to the surface. The detector may include an optical microresonator that is optically coupled via waveguides to a light source and an optical detector. One of the waveguides may be provided with a wavelength selective reflector to increase the amount of probe light coupled into the microresonator or to increase the fraction of the signal light detected by the optical detector.

Abstract: An optical element, such as a lightguide or an optical film, is formed with a predetermined, programmed pattern of optical structures. The optical structures may be arranged to selectively correct for non-uniformities in the output a lightguide, or may be arranged to otherwise enhance the performance of a display.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.

Abstract: An optical device for collecting light and selectively outputting or concentrating the light. A layer has an optical index of refraction n1, and top, bottom and side surfaces defining an angel of inclination ?. A back surface spans the top, bottom and side surface. A first layer is coupled to the bottom surface of the layer and has an index of refraction n2. The first layer index n2 causes light input through the back surface of the layer to be preferentially output into the first layer. A second layer is coupled to the bottom of the first layer and selectively causes output of light into ambient. Additional layers, such as alight polarization layer, a polarization converting layer a and a post LCD diffuser layer can be used to make preferential use of polarized light of diffuse light having passed through the LCD layer to enhance viewing of the output light.

Abstract: A system for automatically gathering efficiency metrics in a quick-service establishment that makes use of certain data signals already generated in a great number of such establishments. A repeating communication device, which is used to receive and re-broadcast communications amongst the employees of the quick service restaurant, acts as a central hub that receives various data signals. The data signals may be analyzed, and the information hidden therein may be unearthed. The information may be transmitted to a remote computer system for further analysis, which may receive similar data from similar quick-service establishments.

Abstract: An optical product comprised of an optical film and a protective cover has a cover removal tab attached along one edge. The cover removal tab allows the protective cover to be easily and efficiently removed from the optical film. In addition, there is no imprint of the cover removal tab on the optical film when multiple optical products are stacked or rolled up for storage, the protective cover remains the same size as the optical film, adding the cover removal tab to the optical product only requires a one punch-head converting machine, and there is minimal waste of material and time to add the cover removal tab.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tool used for creating grooves in a microreplication tool is described. The tool includes a mounting structure and a multi-tipped diamond mounted in the mounting structure. The different tips of the diamond may correspond to different grooves to be created in the microreplication tool. In this manner, the creation of a microreplication tool using a diamond can be simplified and/or improved.

Abstract: A scratch-resistant light directing film has a structured surface with first and second prism elements. The first prism elements are taller than the second prism elements and have blunt tips. The second prism elements are shorter and have sharp tips. The resulting film is scratch-resistant without substantially sacrificing gains in on-axis light.

Abstract: There is provided a surface light-emitting device capable of preventing an increase in power consumption even if the length of the light-emitting surface of the surface light-emitting device is greater than the width, and capable of emitting light uniformly without decreasing the brightness of the light-emitting surface nor increasing the height of the light guiding space. In the present surface light-emitting device, the incident plane (201) is one of two sides of the light guiding space (20) in opposition in the longitudinal direction. The light-transmitting plate (4) includes a diffusion filter (6) which covers a specific area of the surface of the light-transmitting plate (4) near the light source (3). The remaining area of the surface of the light-transmitting plate at a distance from the light source (3) is not covered with the diffusion filter (6). The diffusion filter (6) is formed of a laminate in which a plurality of diffuse transmission films are layered.

Abstract: An intercom system enabling a plurality of users to listen to and at least one user to speak to and listen to a remote user. A base station communicates with the remote user. A plurality of ear pieces is wearable by the plurality of users, each of the plurality of ear pieces being capable of wirelessly communicating with the base station. Each of the plurality of ear pieces is capable of listening to the base station within a first range of the base station. At least one of the plurality of ear pieces being capable of wirelessly speaking to the base station within a second range of the base station. The second range is larger than the first range.

Abstract: An assembly and method for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for removing liquids and solids from an endless conveyor belt, the assembly includes a plurality of laterally extending liquid absorbent material sheets disposed adjacent the belt, with the sheets collectively defining a contact face that is engageable with the belt for wiping liquids from the belt.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the high-energy desorption/ionization of various compositions are disclosed. The methods and apparatuses of the invention generally utilize structured substrates, such as micro- and nano-structured films, optionally in combination with one or more surface coatings, to provide enhanced desorption of analytes. Such enhanced desorption is particularly useful in fields of analysis such as mass spectroscopy which use laser desorption of the substrate.

Abstract: A wireless intercom unit includes an electronics housing including a first side, where the first side is configured to interface with a planar surface. The intercom unit also includes a microphone, a speaker, and an input device, where these components are located on a portion of the housing other than the first side. The intercom further includes a first channel transceiver for a first channel radio frequency range. In another embodiment, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and an earpiece for wireless communication with the wireless intercom unit. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a wireless communication system includes a wireless intercom unit and a remote switch for providing user input information to the intercom unit.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly including a light management component with an entry surface and a light delivery component having an exit surface attached to the entry surface of the light management component is disclosed The light management component and the light delivery component are attached together in a manner that defines voids between the entry surface of the light management component and the exit surface of the light delivery component. The voids between the light management component and the light delivery component may provide an air interface over substantial portions of the entry surface of the light management component.

Abstract: Switch arrays such as keyboards are described. The switch arrays may include an array of dome spring elements. Each dome spring element may define a chamber, and a plurality of channels may interconnect the chambers of the dome spring elements such that each chamber of each dome spring element is in fluid communication with the chamber of at least one of the other dome spring elements. The array of dome spring elements may provide a hermetic seal to the bottom side of individual dome spring elements to avoid the sticky key phenomenon. The switch arrays may also include alignments elements. For example, the alignment elements may include hook-like elements that engage one another to define a distance of travel for switches in the switch arrays.

Abstract: Color transmissive displays have historically used only backlight for forming the color image, and have not used ambient light. Usually, such a display is not used in bright sunlight, since the color image becomes washed out. Transflective color displays form an image by reflecting ambient light or by transmitting backlight, and can be used in bright sunlight. The transflector in such displays reflects the ambient light while also transmitting the backlight. The requirements on the transflector, however, are different from those used in monochromatic displays. According to the invention, a color transflective display device uses comprises a transmissive display unit having a viewing side and a back side and defining picture elements. A structured transflector is disposed to the back side of the color display unit. The structured transflector includes a structured surface and a layered dielectric reflector disposed over the structured surface.

Abstract: A sheet shaped optical element package including a base film, plural sheet shaped optical elements on the base film, and a cover film formed on the plural sheet shaped optical elements, the plural sheet shaped optical elements being arranged on the base film in a row, each of the sheet shaped optical elements having the optical direction, the above surface of the plural sheet shaped optical elements being covered by the cover film in a manner such that the cover film covers the sheet shaped optical elements having a blank part on it.

Abstract: A method for making a plurality of waveguide resonator devices is disclosed herein. The method includes fixing a precursor resonator structure relative to a plurality of waveguides. The method also includes dividing the precursor resonator structure into a plurality of separate resonators after the precursor resonator structure has been fixed relative to the waveguides. The precursor resonator structure is divided at locations between the waveguides.

Abstract: An assembly for cleaning a conveyor belt system is disclosed. The cleaning assembly is for a conveyor belt system with the type having first and second endless belts which each traverse a separate belt travel path and together define a generally upright article transport path between opposed top faces of the belts. The cleaning assembly includes a belt wiping blade assembly for moving liquids and debris from a belt, an absorbent material downstream from the blade assembly for wiping excess liquid from the belt, and belt edge seals disposed between the opposed top faces of the belts along the article transport path.