Abstract: There is described an electronic interrogation and identification (I/I) system in which an interrogator/reader (I/R) unit operates remotely using a microwave beam in conjunction with one or more coded articles. The articles are identified by a unique method and search sequence. As the I/R unit interrogates the articles, one or more of them respond to the I/R unit whenever a code word (data value) sent from the I/R unit matches a code word stored in one or more of the memory positions within the articles. After searching through all of the possible code words and word positions the I/R unit will have identified at least one code word stored in each of the word positions of at least one article. Then combinations of the just-identified code words are matched with the respective stored words of the various articles. After being uniquely identified each article is "powered-down" on command from the I/R unit and remains inactive so that one-by-one all remaining articles are also identified.

Abstract: Any of multiple landmark regions of a scene being viewed by an image sensor are used for interring the location of a target region of the scene in which a pattern is to be inserted in order to avoid the problem of the view of a region being occluded. Because of changes, such as the pointing angle of the sensor, there is a slight difference in size and position in the location of a target region inferred from one landmark region and from another landmark region. this results in a jitter when a first landmark region being used for inferring the location of a target region is replaced by a second landmark region in response to the first landmark region being occluded. This jitter is eliminated by deriving an error-correcting component that compensates for the aforesaid slight difference in size and position in the location of a target region inferred from different landmark regions.

Abstract: A method for fusing two or more source images to form a composite image with extended information content which may be color augmented and apparatus for forming the composite image from the source images is disclosed. Each source image is decomposed into a number of source images of varying resolution. The decomposed source images are analyzed using directionally sensitive operators to generate a set of oriented basis functions characteristic of the information content of the original images. The oriented basis functions for the composite image are then selected from those of the different source images and the inverse of the decomposition performed to construct the composite image. Color augmentation provides information as to the relative weighting of the contribution of each source to the composite image.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display includes a base plate having a plurality of pixels on a surface thereof with the pixels arranged in an array of spaced rows and columns. Each of the pixels includes a substantially rectangular region of polycrystalline silicon. A separate select line of polycrystalline silicon extends over and across the polycrystalline silicon regions of each row of pixels adjacent one side of the polycrystalline silicon region. The select lines has two extensions extending over and along two opposite sides of each polycrystalline silicon region. A layer of a dielectric material extends between the polycrystalline silicon regions and the first lines and the extensions of the first lines. Each of the first lines and its extensions forms a capacitor with the respective polycrystalline silicon region of each pixel. Data lines extend along the rows of the pixels and are electrically connected to each polycrystalline silicon region in its respective column of pixels.

Abstract: An imaging technique, suitable for surveillance use by a moving robotic vehicle carrying two spatially displaced fixed cameras aligned with the direction of travel or, alternatively, a single camera movable to either of two positions on the vehicle corresponding to the positions occupied by the fixed cameras, is capable in a moving object indicator mode of deriving first image data of a viewed scene at a first time from a first position with respect to the vehicle and of deriving second image data of the viewed scene at a second time from a second position with respect to the vehicle that is spatially displaced a given distance from the first position such that the spatial position with respect to the viewed scene depicted by the second image data at least approximates the spatial position with respect to the viewed scene depicted by the first image data.

Abstract: An auto-calibrated reference resistor ladder network is disclosed which is suitable for use in a precision analog to digital converter. Resistors in the ladder are connected to an auto-calibration circuit which continually measures the potential developed across each of the connected resistors and adjusts the resistance of the resistor to match the measured potential to a reference potential. In the disclosed circuit, the reference potential is the potential developed across a defined one of the resistors.

Abstract: In a parallel processing computer containing a plurality of processors, each connected to a memory unit, a method and apparatus for accessing a distributed data buffer. Each of the processors within the computer executes a first routine for processing input data to generate output data. During processing, some or all of the data associated with the processing is temporarily stored within a predefined portion of each of the memory units that form a portion of the distributed data buffer. Upon occurrence of an interrupt signal, execution of the first routine is halted. Also, the status of the computer at the time the interrupt signal occurred is stored in memory. Thereafter, a second routine (an interrupt routine) is executed to access the data stored in the data buffer. Once the data is accessed, the status of the computer is restored in accordance with the previously stored computer status information.

Abstract: Apparatus, associated with a cathode ray tube (CRT), containing both a electrostatic focusing lens and a magnetic focusing lens for maintaining the focus of an electron beam within the CRT at any location on a CRT screen. The apparatus applies a dynamic focusing voltage to an electrostatic focus grid of an electron gun and applies a dynamic focusing current to a magnetic focus coil. The focusing voltage and current vary in accordance with the position of the electron beam on the screen. As such, the electron beam remains focused upon the screen for all beam positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for signal, image, or video compression that achieves high compression efficiency in a computationally efficient manner and corresponding decoder apparatus and methods are disclosed. This technique uses zerotree coding of wavelet coefficients in a much more efficient manner than previous techniques. The key is the dynamic generation of the list of coefficient indices to be scanned, whereby the dynamically generated list only contains coefficient indices for which a symbol must be encoded. This is a dramatic improvement over the prior art in which a static list of coefficient indices is used and each coefficient must be individually checked to see whether a) a symbol must be encoded, or b) it is completely predictable. Additionally, using dynamic list generation, the greater the compression of the signal, the less time it takes to perform the compression.

Abstract: A flats singulation apparatus includes a input buffer section having a substantially horizontal ramp which is adapted to support thereon a stack of flats mailpieces on edge. The buffer section includes a moving belt and ram plate for moving the stack of flat pieces toward the front end of the ramp. A transfer section is at the end of the ramp and is adapted to remove the flat pieces substantially one at a time from the ramp and drop them downwardly. The transfer section includes a plurality of edge rollers extending across the end of the ramp and adapted to move the flat pieces from the stack, and a ledge plate extending downwardly from the edge rollers and having a horizontal ledge onto which the flat pieces drop. A pusher shelf is movable across the ledge to push the flat pieces off of the shelf. A separation section extends substantially horizontally across the end of the transfer section and includes means for moving the flat pieces away from the transfer section and separating flat pieces.

Abstract: Multiresolution (pyramid) filtering is useful in image processing. An IC for implementing a variety of multiresolution filters includes a programmable, symmetric, and separable two-dimensional filter. The input signal to the filter can be an input signal applied to the IC or a combination of two such signals. Circuitry in the IC may be programmed to imply pixel values around the edges of the two-dimensional image signals processed by the filter. The filter provides an output signal as well as each of the unfiltered signals from a tapped delay line of a filter that combines successive lines of the image. The IC also includes an arithmetic and logic unit in which the filtered output signal may be combined with an unfiltered input signal or one of the unfiltered tap signals. If the filter is programmed to produce a Gaussian low-pass filtered image, this image, combined with image data from a center one of the filter taps produces a Laplacian function of the original image.

Abstract: The invention is a protection circuit for an integrated circuit which includes an SCR switch, a zener diode in parallel with the SCR to trigger the SCR to its on-state, and a zener diode in series with the SCR controls the on-state or clamping voltage of the SCR. The protection circuit is formed in a semiconductor substrate of first conductivity type having a well region of second conductivity type, a first region of first conductivity type in the well and a second region of second conductivity type in the substrate spaced from the well region. The first region, well region, substrate and second region forming the SCR. A third region of second conductivity type is in the well region and contacts the first region to form a first zener diode. A fourth region of second conductivity type is in the substrate and electrically connected to the well region. A fifth region is in the substrate and contacts the fourth region to form a second zener diode.

Abstract: A back-lighted color LCD display is formed by placing a single matrix of liquid crystal devices (LCDs) over a bank of red, green and blue fluorescent lamps. The LCD matrix is operated to sequentially form separate red, green and blue images synchronous with the illumination of the respective red, green and blue lamps. The flashing of the sequential red, green and blue images is perceived as a color image. The images are scanned, one line at a time, onto the LCD matrix. The bank of fluorescent lamps includes several lamps of each color which are arranged in parallel with the lines of the LCD matrix. The different lamps of each color are activated in synchronism with the scanning of the LCD matrix. Each LCD in the matrix includes a rapidly varying liquid crystal material, sandwiched between conductive plates. The electric field between the conductive plates may be controlled by a polysilicon thin-film transistor.

Abstract: In a pixel array having an array of pixel elements, a plurality of row select lines, a plurality of column select lines, and a plurality of signal lines, a pixel element is disclosed for minimizing dead space in an overall imager matrix which includes many pixel arrays. The pixel element includes a phototransducer device for detecting light, transmitting light or emitting light and a pair of series switching transistors coupled between the phototransducer device and a predetermined signal line. In addition, the pixel element includes at least one configurable transistor which is independent of the pair of switching transistors. This configurable transistor is interconnected with other configurable transistors from other pixel elements throughout the array in order to implement desirable functions, for example scanning circuitry, and amplification circuitry such that the dead space of each pixel array and, consequently, the overall imager array is minimized.

Abstract: A method for fusing two or more source images to form a composite image with extended information content and apparatus for forming the composite image from the source images is disclosed. Each source image is decomposed into a number of source images of varying resolution. The decomposed source images are analyzed using directionally sensitive operators to generate a set of oriented basis functions characteristic of the information content of the original images. The oriented basis functions for the composite image are then selected from those of the different source images and the inverse of the decomposition performed to construct the composite image. Apparatus for fusing two or more source images to form a composite image is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coupling prism assembly between a light valve and a projection lens includes a right angle prism and a wedge prism. The right angle prism has two sides of substantially the same length and a hypotenuse side. The wedge prism has a side which is adjacent the hypotenuse side of the right angle prism. The light valve is adjacent one of the two sides of the right angle prism and the projection lens is adjacent the other of the two sides of the right angle prism. Light enters the coupling prism assembly through a second side of the wedge prism, passes in substantially a straight line through the wedge prism and right angle prism to the light valve where the light is modulated. The modulated light passes back into the right angle prism and is reflected by the hypotenuse side into the projection lens. In a color projection system, the light is split into three color components. A separate light valve is provided to modulate each color component which is directed to a projection lens.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an induction coil which includes a flat spirally wound portion and a tubular spirally wound portion extending from the outer edge of the flat portion. The axis of the tubular portion is substantially perpendicular to the flat portion. The coil is useful in a plasma production apparatus which includes a chamber having walls and adapted to be evacuated. A window extends into the chamber from one of the walls. The coil is in the window with the flat portion being at the bottom of the window.

Abstract: An active matrix electroluminescent display (AMELD) having an improved light emitting efficiency and methods of operating the AMELD to produce gray scale operation comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a first transistor having its gate connected to a select line, its source connected to a data line and its drain connected to the gate of a second transistor, the second transistor having its source connected to the data line and its drain connected to a first electrode of an electroluminescent (EL) cell. The EL cell's second electrode is connected to alternating high voltage means. A method for producing gray scale performance including the step of varying the length of time the second transistor is on while the alternating voltage is applied to the EL cell is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device having a substrate with a waveguide layer on a surface thereof and a grating in the waveguide. The grating has a period such as to deflect light passing along the waveguide out of the optical device. The angle at which the light is emitted from the waveguide can be varied by varying the index of refraction of the material of the waveguide under the grating. This can be achieved by applying a voltage across the waveguide.

Abstract: Low-expansion devitrifying glass compositions exhibiting a negative-slope temperature coefficient of expansion over a temperature range from about 125.degree. C. to about 500.degree. C. are useful for the fabrication of thick film copper via-fill inks of multilayer printed-circuit boards.