Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing image reproducing materials, especially newspaper printing plates or proofs having a predetermined image. A photothermographic material having a polymeric base supporting at least one photosensitive layer, capable of being developed by heat, is exposed to radiation at a first wavelength modulated in accordance with the predetermined image to produce a latent image representing the predetermined image in the photothermographic material. The photosensitive layer contains an antihalation colorant in an amount greater than 0.02 percent by weight. The antihalation colorant is active to radiation in the first wavelength and is transparent to radiation at a second wavelength. The photothermographic material is heated to develop the latent image in the photothermographic material. The image reproducing material is imaged with radiation at the second wavelength using the photothermographic material as a mask.

Abstract: A reusable film canister for receiving and holding film spirally wound on a spool and method for reusing a film canister. The core of the spool extends further on one axial direction from the roll of film than the other axial direction. First and second partial shells are adapted to be mated together to form a cavity receiving the film. The first and second partial shells have at least one projecting tab. The tab and second partial shell having a mating peg and opening adapted to releasably engage with each other and adapted to secure the first and second shells together when so engaged. The tab is flexible to allow the tab to slide over the peg. The mating surfaces of the tab and the peg are angled with respect to each in order to facilitate mating of the tab with the peg. The mating surface of the tab and the mating surface of the peg are both sloped relative to the orientation of mating. The tab is disengaged from the peg.

Abstract: A stepless zoom lens useful in micrographic applications providing stepless magnfications from 6.8x to 32x, a zoom ratio exceeding 4.7 to 1. Fourteen elements are arranged in three groups. An object to image distance of 1,750 millimeters is maintained. The first group consists of a cemented doublet air spaced from a single meniscus element, for a total of three elements in the group. The second group consists of a meniscus element air spaced from a cemented doublet, which is in turn air spaced from a second meniscus element, a total of four elements in the group. The third group consists of a biconvex element air spaced from a cemented doublet, followed in order by an air space, a meniscus, an air space and a final doublet, for a total of seven elements in the group.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus using a reusable software architecture implemented in to significantly cut development time and costs while providing flexibility for implementation of a wide variety of imaging apparatus. An imaging apparatus in which software control is separated into discrete modules and in which many of the modules may be reused in subsequent apparatus to create new imaging apparatus. An apparatus where software reuse is facilitated by the ability to remove a single module or a subtree consisting of many modules by breaking a single communication link. Software control is provided for a plurality of imaging products utilizing reusable software control modules. A method of providing software control for a plurality of imaging products is disclosed. Separate and independent software modules control input media, image retrieval, image placement, output media and the user interface.

Abstract: A solid state radiation detector having an improved method of reading data from individual sensors and an x-ray machine configured with such a solid state radiation detector. At least one sensor of the solid state radiation detector is designated as a reference sensor. The output of the reference sensor is read until it reaches a predetermined threshold. Once the threshold has been reached, a timer determines when the predetermined x-ray exposure time is completed. Upon completion, the sensors of the solid state radiation sensor are read. Thus, all sensors may be read at the proper time to achieve maximum output in spite of an unknown and variable warm-up period for the x-ray tube following activation and possibly an unknown exposure time. Alternatively, once the output of the reference has reached the predetermined threshold, the output of that reference continues to be monitored to determine when the output of the reference sensor falls below a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A solid state radiation detection panel to receive radiation, having a plurality of modules positioned immediately adjacent each other, with each of the plurality of modules having an array of photosensitive detectors arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each of the photosensitive detectors having a radiation sensitive area; and circuit for selectively addressing one of the photosensitive detectors by addressing one of the plurality of rows and one of the plurality of columns and reading the output of the one of the array of photosensitive detectors where each of the plurality of modules being arranged in a three dimensional structure in which the array of photosensitive detectors is arranged on a planar first surface of the module covering substantially the entire area of the planar first surface. The circuit is located within the module in an area away from the planar first surface opposite from the received radiation.

Abstract: A noise and feedback suppression apparatus processes an audio input signal having both a desired component and an undesired component. When implemented so as to effect noise cancellation, the apparatus includes a first filter operatively coupled to the input signal. The first filter generates a focused reference signal by selectively passing an audio spectrum of the input signal which primarily contains the undesired component. The reference signal is supplied to an adaptive filter disposed to filter the input signal so as to provide an adaptive filter output signal. A combining network subtracts the adaptive filter output signal from the input signal to create an error signal. The noise suppression apparatus further includes a second filter for selectively passing to the adaptive filter an audio spectrum of the error signal substantially encompassing the spectrum of the undesired component of the input signal.

Abstract: A receive magazine configured to be positioned in a generally upright, vertical orientation for passively collecting a plurality of flexible sheets of media. The top wall of the enclosure has a collection door in the top wall of a light-tight enclosure allows sheets of media to be passively received within the magazine. A contoured plate is hinged along a hinge line near the collection door on a non-stacked side of the enclosure. The plate is planar near the hinge line and is non-planar at an end of the plate opposite from the hinge line. A biasing mechanism is positioned near the collection door for resiliently biasing the plurality of flexible sheets of media laterally toward the non-stacking side of the enclosure biasing the plate away from the non-stacking side of the enclosure.

Abstract: A light-tight canister for a roll of photosensitive media including an opaque tubular sleeve having outer ends, a pair of identical end caps with peripheral edges configured to engage and enclose the ends of the sleeve, and a tie bar extending through the sleeve and configured for locking engagement with the end caps. The tubular sleeve includes a media exit slot extending between the outer ends and a tapered notch on each end positioned with respect to the media exit slot. Each end cap includes a media exit slot accommodating structure and a tapered tab configured to mate with a notch in the sleeve. The tab is positioned with respect to the media exit slot accommodating structure so the media exit slot accommodating structure is aligned with the media exit slot of the sleeve when the end cap is engaged with the sleeve and the tab is mated with the notch. Sloping guide walls are radially positioned on the inside surface of the end cap about a location at which the tie bar is engaged with the end cap.

Abstract: A two-part sensor includes a power source/signal receiver and a signal generator which are physically spaced and disconnected from one another. The power source/signal receiver is encased within transparent encapsulating material and includes an annular solenoid core with an aperture, a coil around the core and a photodiode mounted in the aperture. The photodiode detects a modulated light beam received from the signal generator and produces an output information signal. The solenoid coil produces a fluctuating magnetic field when connected to a power supply. The signal generator is encased within transparent encapsulating material and includes an annular relay coil with an aperture, a coil around the core, a transducer circuit and an LED mounted within the aperture. The relay coil provides a signal generator supply potential when positioned within the magnetic field produced by the power source/signal receiver. The supply potential powers the transducer circuit and the LED.

Abstract: An electronic stethoscope which is adapted to receive auscultatory sounds from a body, is adapted to transmit the auscultatory sounds to a user, or other medical device which is adapted to be powered by a battery. The stethoscope has a chestpiece adapted to utilized in cooperation with the body, an acoustical transducer cooperating with the chestpiece for receiving the auscultatory sounds and transforming the auscultatory sounds into an electrical input signal. The stethoscope or medical device has an electronic processor for processing the electrical signal. The stethoscope has a speaker for converting the electrical output signal into an acoustical output signal and an earpiece receiving the acoustical output signal and providing the acoustical output signal to the user. The chestpiece (or housing of the medical device) has a cavity adapted to contain the battery.

Abstract: An imaging system employs a photoconductive material capable of bearing a latent photostatic image, a plurality of elongated parallel stripes adjacent the photoconductive material, selective scanning of the stripes to produce charge carriers within the photoconductive material, and time-ordered detection of the current created by the charge carriers with the plurality of elongated parallel stripes. Appropriate addressing of the stripes as they are scanned produces a pixellated representation of the latent image. The system has improved output signal strength and higher resolution than known systems.

Abstract: A binaural electronic stethoscope adapted to receive auscultatory sounds from a body and adapted to transmit the auscultatory sounds to a user. A chestpiece is adapted to be utilized in cooperation with the body. An acoustical transducer cooperates with the chestpiece and receives auscultatory sounds and transforms the auscultatory sounds into an electrical input signal. A signal processor processes the electrical input signal to produce an electrical output signal. A first tubular member couples the chestpiece to a housing. A speaker is mounted within the housing and converts the electrical output signal into an acoustical output signal. Second and third tubular members are coupled to the housing and are acoustically coupled to the speaker. First and second earpieces are coupled to the second and third tubular members, respectively, and receive the acoustical output signal and provide the acoustical output signal to the user.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for reducing the effects of laser noise and for improving modulation transfer function in scanning a surface of a photoconductive plate with a spot of light through use of a time-light intensity integration method. The method comprises pulse synchronization or infrared synchronization to control activation and deactivation of signal detection laser light beams.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting fluorescence of an unknown target material. An energy source arranged to excite both the target material and the reference material at approximately the excitation wavelength. A reference detector and a target detector are optically arranged to be responsive to light emitted from the reference material and the target material, respectively, at approximately the fluorescing wavelength. A reference measurement means generates a reference output in response to the reference detector in order to determine the amount of fluorescence generated by the reference material. A target measurement means generates a target output in response to the target detector means in order to determine the amount of fluorescence generated by the target material. Reference calibration means varies the electrical voltage supplied to the energy source and calibrates the reference output. Target calibration means calibrates the target output in response to a known target material.

Abstract: A simplified layered imaging stack capable of bearing a latent photostatic image comprising only a single segmented electrode on one side of the stack, rather than plate electrodes on each side of the stack. Appropriate sizing of the segmented electrodes enables individual electrodes to serve at different times as either the ground reference formerly provided by the electrode on the other side of the stack, or the collector of charge carriers representing the latent photostatic image. The imaging stack may be used with a variety of types of imaging systems, and in flat or cylindrical configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining multiple image data files of differing sizes, resolutions, and formats in real time into a single data stream for conversion into halftone pixel data for printing by either single or multiple beam recording devices. The data of varying formats is received via a host interface which couples the data to a standard VME bus. The internal CPU reformats the data and stores it on disk memory. The data is routed by the CPU to one of a plurality of scan-line video processors which converts the data into halftone pixel data. The halftone data is routed to a single or multiple beam recording device for printing. A special low resolution image is prepared by the CPU for preview at a video work station.

Abstract: A software model of the auditory characteristics of an auditory prosthesis is stored independently of the actual auditory prosthesis being fitted to determine the acoustic parameters to be utilized. A transfer function of the auditory characterictics of the individual auditory prosthesis to be fitted, or of an exemplary model of such an auditory prosthesis, is created, transformed into a table, or other usable form, and stored in software usable by the automated fitting program. The automated fitting program may then "test" or try by iterative process, the various settings for the acoustic parameters of the auditory prosthesis and determine accurately the results without actual resort the physical auditory prosthesis itself.