Abstract: A combined solar water heating device and storage tank for low cost solar hot water heaters is disclosed, consisting of an insulated open-topped tank in which is introduced a volume of water at atmospheric pressure to be heated by solar radiation entering through the open top of the tank. A transparent cover extends over the open top of the tank and acts to trap long wavelength reradiation from the heated water, such as to insulate the volume of heated water by preventing radiant heat loss. A pivotal reflector-insulator panel is also positioned over the tank opening which is alternately placed in an open position, in which it allows the entrance of solar radiation which is maximized by a reflectorized undersurface of the panel; and a closed position, in which it serves to insulate the heated water. The position of the pivotal reflector-insulator panel is optionally controlled by a radiation sensor to open and close the panel under varying conditions of solar radiation.

Abstract: A computation module useful as part of a optical numerical computer based on the residue number system includes an M.times.N array of double input, double output electrically actuated optical switches. Optical pathways interconnect each of the outputs of the switches of a row of the array and certain inputs of the switches in the subsequent adjacent row. Each row of the array has an associated bi-stable electrical switch which is interconnected to all of the light switches in that row and causes such light switches to assume a common state dependent upon the state of the electrical switch. The module computes either the sum or product of two modulo M residues, depending upon its interconnection pattern. One of the residues is introduced as a light input to one of the electrical optical switches in the first row of the array. The other residue is operative to condition one of the bi-stable electrical switches to assume a different state than all of the other electrical switches.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for analyzing 3-dimensional as well as 2-dimensional images represented by digital electrical signals corresponding to a matrix of points constituting the image. The 3-dimensional and 2-dimensional portions of the system each include a serial chain of neighborhood transformation stages which are individually programmable from a central programming source to selectively alter the pattern analysis in each of the transformation stages. Through a series of dilation/erosion transformations, the original image matrix is transformed in such manner as to locate the position and/or identify the shape of particular objects contained in the original image. A unique transformation which is particularly useful in analyzing multivalued 3-dimensional image data is disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for analyzing patterns made up of a matrix of points, with each point being represented by a multi-bit digital electrical signal. The apparatus includes a chain of substantially identical serial neighborhood transformation stages. Each stage includes a plurality of input lines forming an input data bus, with each line carrying a particular bit in a digital electrical signal. The stage includes an analysis circuit portion for analyzing the pattern represented by the digital electrical signals. Selector means coupled to the input data bus are provided for selecting particular bits in the data signal for analysis by each stage. A central controller coupled to the selector means controls the selection of the particular bits in the data signal to be analyzed by each stage.

Abstract: Dynamic data generator circuitry is disclosed for use in an image analyzer system. The system includes a plurality of storage devices for temporarily storing a neighborhood in the image matrix comprised of a central data point and its surrounding points in the matrix. A transformation generator includes neighborhood contribution circuitry for operating on the values of each point in the neighborhood when they are loaded in the storage devices. The maximum value associated with any of the adjusted points in the neighborhood is provided as a transformation output signal. To aid in the maximum value selection process, the value of the central data point in the neighborhood is sensed and used to provide a correction value so that all of the adjusted data points in the neighborhood are within a particular range of values so that the maximum value selection circuitry may accurately identify the data point in the neighborhood truly having the maximum value associated with the image.

Abstract: A method for compensating for phase errors in an optical data processing system for performing a Fourier transformation analysis of a data source. The aberrations of the system are holographically recorded by passing an object beam through the system and the optical data source in a direction opposite to that of the DC read beam used in the transformation analysis. The object beam and a reference beam derived from a common coherent light source are generated by the system and directed to an optical memory wherein the interference pattern between the object and reference beam is recorded. The data source is analyzed by providing a read beam incident the optical memory along a path in the reverse direction of the reference beam. In such manner, a reconstruction beam emanating from the hologram is directed back through the data source to display the Fourier transform of the data in the data source.

Abstract: A solar energy heated structure, such as an occupied building or greenhouse, includes a walled structure enclosing space volume. A movable insulated panel with a reflective surface is pivotably supported within the space volume. In a first position the panel cooperates with an insulated portion of the walled structure to enclose a lower portion of the space volume containing the occupied portion or plant bed and prevents loss of heat therefrom. In a second position the panel is disposed in an upper portion of the space volume, so that solar energy entering the overall space volume through a light transmitting portion of the walled structure is reflected onto the solar energy user by the reflective surface of the panel.

Abstract: An on-axis thick phase holographic optical element for use as a lens is fabricated by incorporating two off-axis holograms of two point sources located on opposite sides of the plate made by use of reference beams having a common angle with respect to the photographic media and complementary curvatures in the two cases. The element may be formed either by forming the two holograms in a single photographic emulsion, incoherently relative to one another, using a double exposure technique, or by forming the holograms on two physically separated media and then joining them to one another with their emulsion sides in contact. The resultant elements enjoy the low dispersion and aberrations like a conventional on-axis thin holographic optical element and the high diffraction efficiency like a thick hologram and additionally provide an extremely high ratio of diffracted to undiffracted light energy in the on-axis image.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the method and apparatus for the confining of a stream of fusible positive ions at values of density and high average kinetic energy, primarily of tightly looping motions, to produce nuclear fusion at a useful rate; more or less intimately mixed with the fusible ions will be lower-energy electrons at about equal density, introduced solely for the purpose of neutralizing the positive space charge of the ions.

Abstract: A greenhouse construction and method of growing plants in cold climates employing a water layer defining in part a growing environment which transmits solar radiation into the interior of an enclosure constituting the growing environment. The water layer acts to absorb longer wavelength infrared portions of the solar spectrum preventing overheating of the greenhouse interior during cold and warm weather seasons, with the resultant heating of the water in the layer allowing it to act as a thermal storage medium during cold weather seasons. At the same time, the water layer transmits the photosynthetic shorter wavelengths of the solar spectrum to support plant growth within the greenhouse. The water layer is disposed in a ceiling structure, consisting of spaced transparent sheet layers combined with a pivotal reflector-insulator panel acting to cover the water layer during nighttime or other periods when solar radiation is absent or minimal.

Abstract: In the process of reconstruction of a virtual image of a light line having one end disposed at infinity with respect to the observer from a hologram of a shorter light line by shifting the position of the reconstructing light source relative to the hologram with respect to the position of the reference beam during formation of the hologram, aberrations are introduced which vary the attitude of the line image and the location of its end point as a function of the position of the observer with respect to the hologram. To correct the position of the infinity point in the image, a holographic optical element is formed using a two-step process. First a hologram is formed of a light source at apparent infinity.

Abstract: A rectangular digital logic array for performing transformations on data matrices for solving wave equations, image processing problems and the like, includes a plurality of identical cells each having a processing element which receives one of its inputs from a single bit accumulator and provides its output to a similar single bit accumulator. The input accumulators of each row in the array are formed by a single parallel input, parallel output shift register and the output accumulators of each column in the array are similarly formed by a parallel input, parallel output shift register. The shift registers operate to connect each cell except those at the edge of the array with two neighboring cells along one axis and two neighboring cells along the orthogonal axis.

Abstract: To form a map of the characteristics of a microscopic specimen, the specimen is supported on a slide and a point on the specimen is subjected to either polychromatic radiation or a series of monochromatic radiations of varying wavelengths employing a condensing optical system. The resulting radiation from the point is gathered by an optical system and detected either by a single wide band detector in the case of the series of monochromatic radiations or a group of frequency selective detectors in the case of polychromatic radiation, to develop a set of signals having values which are functions of properties of the point as analyzed at the different wavelengths. The specimen is either repeatedly translated relative to the radiation source or imaged once or several times so that a signel set is derived from each elemental point on the area of the object to be analyzed in each spectral band of interest.

Abstract: A method for range-Doppler imaging of rotating objects or of stationary scenes being tracked by a sensor carried by a moving vehicle includes the transmission and reception of sequential modulated signals, coherent demodulation of the received signals, recording of the demodulated signals, and a two-dimensional processing of the recorded signals to obtain a spatial image of the scene. In the disclosed inventive concept, the demodulated signals are recorded in a two-dimensional polar format wherein the angular coordinate of the signal on the recording medium is proportional to the relative angular position of the object or scene being imaged and the radial coordinate of the signal on the recording medium is proportional to the transmitted signal frequency within each transmitted pulse.

Abstract: Apparatus for performing neighborhood transformations on data matrices for image processing and the like achieves processing speeds greater than conventional serial processors with an economy of memory through use of a plurality of serial neighborhood processors that simultaneously operate upon adjoining partitioned segments of a single data matrix. Continuity of transformation across adjoining segment boundaries is achieved by interconnecting these serial processors to provide each processor with data contained in the contiguous matrix segment being processed by a contiguous processor when processing a data element whose neighborhood elements are partially contained in that contiguous segment.

Abstract: A chain of substantially identical serial neighborhood transformation modules are utilized to analyze patterns represented by a serial stream of digital electrical signals representing a matrix of points. Each module includes an input for receiving a series stream of digital output signals from the preceding module. A plurality of series connected digital storage devices are utilized to sequentially access all of the neighborhoods in the matrix. A control portion in each module analyzes each neighborhood by comparing it to a stored pattern and provides the transformed output to the succeeding module. A central programmable device coupled to the control portions of each module is provided for selectively altering the analysis of the neighborhood points in each module by providing the comparison neighborhood patterns to the control portion of the modules.

Abstract: A multispectral data classification system has an improved apparatus for the identification of training samples of multispectral image data useful in the computation of spectral signatures.A set of multispectral image data is displayed on a user-interactive device in a two-dimensional ordered array. The training sample is defined by the sequential definition of the vertices of a polygon representing the training sample. A rectangle is closely superscribed about the polygon. The data elements within the rectangle are examined to determine if they are within the polygon.The apparatus includes a multispectral data classification system incorporating a color, CRT display for displaying the set of data; a manually-operable trackball cursor interactive with the color, CRT display for defining the polygon and rectangle; an alphanumeric keyboard and monochrome CRT for providing communication between the operator and system; and a random access memory device.

Abstract: An arrangement for correcting the phase redistribution of a wave occurring in transmission through fiber optics is disclosed. The phase redistribution occurring as a result of the differences in length between the individual optical fibers is corrected by means of a hologram used as a corrector plate positioned in contact with the exit face of the bundle, with this hologram being produced by combining a reference beam with the output wave produced from an input plane wave. The phase redistribution occurring within individual fibers introduced by transmission of an incident object field exciting differing modes is corrected by the use of a second holographic correction plate placed at a plane which displays the Fourier transform of the output field at the output of the fiber bundle. This hologram is produced by an input wave form which excites each of the various modes in the fibers and passing the output transmitted through the fiber optic through a lens and recording the hologram at the back focal plane.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for making integrated optical circuits. A waveguide in the form of a thin layer of dielectric material is modified as to its coherent radiation transmitting properties by electron beam impingement thereon so as to modulate coherent radiation by mode conversion and mode guiding. Preferably the layer is of thermoplastic material which is locally charged by the electron beam and is heated to allow corresponding deformation due to the forces generated by the localized charging. When cooled, the deformations are frozen in but may be erased by subsequent reheating whereafter the deformation process may be repeated, thus allowing reuse of the device for a different optical circuit, or allowing its modification to form a different optical circuit.

Abstract: A device for generating seismic waves in the earth employs an elongated open-ended barrel having its closed end adjustably supported on a base plate for inclinations with respect to the base from about 15.degree. to 30.degree. is also rotatable about an axis normal to the base. A cardboard tube with an interior waterproof coating and transverse dimensions complementary to the barrel is placed into the barrel so that its lower end is spaced from the closed end of the barrel. An explosive charge and a detonator are placed between the end of the barrel and the end of the tube. When the charge is detonated the resulting recoil impacts the base against the earth generating both compressional and shear waves which are recorded at a distance by a transverse seismometer. The barrel is then rotated through 180.degree. about an axis normal to the base and a second firing is made, generating compressional waves with the same phase and magnitude as the first firing and shear waves of equal magnitude but opposite phase.