Abstract: In a process for forming a solder mask, a photoimageable ink is coated on a carrier film to form a photoimageable ink layer on the carrier film. The photoimageable ink layer is dried to form a photoimageable resist layer, thereby forming at least one photoimageable resist layer bearing film. The photoimageable resist layer bearing film is laminated on at least one side of a substrate so as to bring the upper surface of the photoimageable resist layer into contact with the substrate. The photoimageable resist layer is exposed to light imagewise through the carrier film. The carrier film is removed from the photoimageable resist layer to form an exposed resist layer. The exposed resist layer is developed to form a developed resist layer. The developed resist layer is cured to form a solder mask on the substrate.

Abstract: A color video display apparatus comprises a pixel array with each pixel containing one or more LEDs for generating each of the selected colors and a diffractive optical element positioned in front of the array to form the transmitted light into a substantially elliptical pattern. Improved uniformity for the apparatus is achieved by measuring the intensity of each separate color generating LED in each pixel, recording each intensity and varying the current to each separate color LED or LEDs so that every LED or LEDs responsible for each color to provide a suitable color output. A feature of the apparatus is that a number of separate modules, each having a pixel array, can be combined to construct a video image board. These boards have applications in such areas as billboards along roadways and as signs in stadiums.

Abstract: The invention is a mechanism for mounting a film shutter and assembly to a conveyor in a motion film projector, the film shutter assembly including a shutter secured to a mounting bracket, which houses a pair of trucks. Preferably, the mounting bracket securely houses a first truck and slidably houses a second truck to accommodate for the trucks passing over straight and curved portions of the truck, or shutter path. The trucks are rigidly clamped to the conveyor. This configuration permits the shutter to be stably coupled to the conveyor while permitting the shutter assembly to travel along both straight and curved paths. The trucks are generally configured to ride in a raceway, which supports the trucks and maintains the trucks on a predetermined truck path. In one embodiment, the trucks include rollers, which roll along an elongated channel formed in the raceway. According to another embodiment, the trucks include air bearings for carrying the truck along a pressurized raceway.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transporting film in a motion film projector. The system includes a set of film carriages and a set of secondary shutters mounted on a conveyor, which continually advances the film carriages and the secondary shutters along a linear path oriented orthogonally with respect to an optical axis of a aperture block, through which images on the film are projected. Each film carriage receives a loop of film and then rolls the loop of film in the direction of the aperture block. A deceleration mechanism periodically engages and decelerates the film. Once the film has been decelerated, a section of the film is temporarily secured in alignment with the aperture block and an image disposed on the film is projected. The conveyor then moves a secondary shutter into alignment with the aperture block to shutter the aperture block.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for precise and consistent selection of bone mineral content (BMC) measurement regions of selected bones, and accurate calculation of BMC from a displayed radiological image of the bones, calculate the position of the styloid tip of each bone, define a measurement region having selected positional correspondence to the position of the styloid tip, and sum pixel intensity values in the measurement region to yield a pixel intensity sum representative of bone mineral content. Bone density values are obtained by dividing the pixel intensity sum by a value representative of the areas of the measurement region, to yield a value representative of bone density. The position of the styloid tip is calculated by detecting selected transverse image edges, searching along the selected transverse image edges to determine a set of pixels which define extremities of the styloid tip, and defining a line substantially tangent to the styloid tip.

Abstract: A data acquisition system is disclosed for use in radiographic imaging. The acquisition system includes at least two memory banks for storing radiographic data from a radiation detector, acquisition circuitry for sensing radiographic data when transmitted by the detector and for writing such data into one of the memory banks, and a controller for selecting a memory bank for storage of the data, and for switching from one memory bank to another, as well as for reading data from one or the other memory banks when such memory bank is not actively acquiring data.

Abstract: A readout system is disclosed for use in conjunction with a radiation detector to obtain radiographic images. The readout system includes an event gating mechanism for receiving signals which are simultaneously generated at a plurality of locations within a radiation detector in response to a radiation event and an estimating mechanism for identifying the locus of the radiation event from the signals. In one illustrated embodiment the event gating mechanism further includes circuitry for receiving signals from a first and second set of lines defining a 2-dimensional coordinate grid within an area radiation detector.

Abstract: Devices and apparatus for limb positioning and instrument calibration are disclosed for use in radiographic imaging systems. In one aspect of the invention, a limb positioning device is disclosed, including a support surface for placement of a limb (e.g., typically a wrist) thereon, a pair of side blocks, at least one of which is moveable to accommodate placement of the limb therebetween, a biasing mechanism for urging the blocks together, and a clamping mechanism for immobilizing the limb between the side blocks and upon the support surface.

Abstract: Radiation detection methods and apparatus measure ionizing radiation propagating from a radiation source, utilizing a chamber having an electrically conductive sheet, an electrode assembly spaced apart from the conductive sheet and segmented into a plurality of electrically discrete electrode segments, and an ionizable medium disposed between the electrode assembly and conductive sheet, for absorbing the ionizing radiation and generating charged particles in proportion to the radiation energy absorbed. An electrical potential can be provided between the electrode assembly and conductive sheet, so that respective electrode segments collect the charged particles. Elements are provided for comparing the number of charged particles collected on respective electrode segments, to provide a measure of the energy distribution of the ionizing radiation, and for compensating for changes in capacitance or electrical potential between the electrode segments and the electrically conductive sheet elements.

Abstract: A system for analyzing biological structures by photon absorptiometry is disclosed, including a radiation source emitting photons and at least one source filter which operates to reduce the emission of high energy photons, thereby creating a sharp drop-off at the high end of the detected energy spectrum. The filter radiation is received by a detector which determines the spatial intensity of the radiation over the image area and preferably has a characteristics response which is relatively insensitive to low energy photons, such that the source filter and detector cooperate to measure the intensity of photons within a narrowed band of energy levels.

Abstract: In a cathode ray tube display system, correction factors for X and Y position, astigmatism, focus and shading are recorded for preselected locations in digital memory circuits. Those correction factors bordering the actual beam position are selected and are converted to analog form. The correction factors applied to the system are determined by analogue interpolation, that is, the correction factors are combined in proportion to the proximity of the beam relative to those preselected locations where the correction factors were recorded. Use is made of resistance ladders and multiplexers in the interpolation circuits.

Abstract: A rotating polygonal mirror which scans a target both vertically and horizontally in a raster scan electromagnetic illumination or detection system is disclosed. The rotating mirror includes a plurality of individual planar facets disposed around the periphery of the mirror. The facets are arranged so that each of them intersects the principal axis of rotation of the mirror at a predetermined angle characteristic of the particular facet. A perpendicular to each facet drawn from the substantial center of the facet in its horizontal dimension passes through the axis of rotation. By this geometry, a target is scanned by horizontal scan lines in a manner which is equivalent to prior art mirrors having a plurality of facets all of which are parallel to the axis of rotation, and the vertical stepping of the raster scan is accomplished by stepping between adjacent facets of the mirror having distinct angles of intersection with the axis of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing and retrieving large volumes of microfiche data, and a related method for its operation. The apparatus includes a number of conventional microfiche storage carousels, all mounted on a rotatable turntable to provide the increased storage capacity. Upon selection of a particular fiche for display, the turntable is rotated, if necessary, in an optimum direction and at an optimum speed, until the selected carousel reaches an operative position with respect to a retrieval station, which is then moved to an operative position with respect to the carousel for withdrawal of the selected fiche within the carousel.