Abstract: Apparatus and methods for exposing multilayered thermal imaging media to eliminate "cloud" or "woodgrain" artifacts by proper optimization of the exposing radiation angle of incidence. The exposure angle of incidence is large enough so that all rays with high reflectance loss are paired with equally many with low reflectance loss to increase printing efficiency.

Abstract: An improved self-developing film unit comprising: processing fluid supply means including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid at a leading end portion of the unit; image recording means of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and spacer means connected to and between said first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; fluid trap means at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through said processing space; first fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling said reservoir to a leading end of said processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into said processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling means including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizing holographic reflector module useful in the manufacture of a holographically-illuminated liquid crystal display assembly by combination thereof with a partial LCD stack. The polarizing holographic reflector module is substantially quadrangular in shape and comprises a reflective holographic diffuser, a light polarizer, a pressure sensitive adhesive, and a removable protective liner. A method of manufacture is also provided wherein a web of polarizer material having a linear or downweb orientation is roll-to-roll laminated to a web of angularly offset reflective holographic diffusers.

Abstract: A method or system for structuring an image which corresponds to an original array of pixels, as a forward discrete even cosine transform (DCT) pyramid having a predetermined number of levels where each level is associated with a different DCT frequency band, includes, respectively, the steps or functionality of: partitioning the original array into blocks of overlapped pixels; taking a DCT of each block of overlapped pixels to generate blocks of first level DCT coefficients forming a first level of the DCT pyramid; storing the first level of the DCT pyramid; selecting and storing at least one of the first level DCT coefficients of each block of first level DCT coefficients into a first temporary array; partitioning the first temporary array into blocks of overlapped coefficients; and taking a DCT of each block of overlapped coefficients of the first temporary array to generate blocks of second level DCT coefficients forming a second level of the DCT pyramid.

Abstract: Unique laser ablation transfer ("LAT") imaging films presenting options of flexibility and versatility hitherto alien to this art are produced, on-demand, by toning appropriate substrate as to provide thereon an ablative discontinuous film topcoat comprising a contrast imaging amount of conventional or modified toner particulates.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the luminance IM.sub.HI of pixels in a high resolution image includes first forming a low resolution image of the original by grouping pixels into superpixels such as 8.times.8 blocks. A low resolution luminance correction value .delta..sub.LO is determined for each superpixel by comparing the luminance of the superpixel to both a predetermined darkness threshold T.sub.D and a predetermined brightness threshold T.sub.B. The low resolution luminance correction value .delta..sub.LO is modified to yield .delta.'.sub.LO for each superpixel by forming islands of the superpixels and smoothing .delta..sub.LO between superpixels within each island. Finally, a high resolution luminance correction value .delta..sub.HI is calculated for each pixel of the original high resolution image by comparing the luminance IM.sub.HI of each pixel to both T.sub.D and T.sub.B, keeping in mind that .delta..sub.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed wherein an arcuate mirror is used to redirect light in a compact optical printing system in which a cylindrical lens is used to converge light over a predetermined distance so that light transmission through air is enabled.

Abstract: There is described a novel process of polymerizing 4-vinyl pyridine monomer in an aqueous polymerization system which comprises preparing an aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol, and contacting said aqueous solution of a polyvinyl alcohol with less than about 10% by weight of 4-vinyl pyridine monomer and a water-soluble initiator capable of decomposing to give free radicals.The resultant dispersion of the novel polymerization process comprises a homogeneous, i.e., weight average molecular weight and particle size, poly-4-vinylpyridine, with no appreciable residual 4-vinyl pyridine monomer.The resultant dispersion may be used to coat image- and ink-receiving layers of image-recording materials and ink jet recording sheets, respectively.

Abstract: There are described diffusion transfer photosensitive film units which include a novel antihalation layer comprising an antihalation material, titanium dioxide and a binder. Diffusion transfer film units prepared according to the invention provide silver images of enhanced resolution, film speed and sharpness.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet comprises a support carrying an ink-receiving layer, this layer comprising a mixture of a derivatized (preferably acetoacetylated) poly(vinyl alcohol) and a non-derivatized poly(vinyl alcohol). The ink-receiving layer preferably also comprises a poly(vinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium salt) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone).

Abstract: The present invention discloses the use of rubber and surfactant to enhance the durability and resolution of on-press developable lithographic printing plates. The rubber is preferably incorporated into a photoresist as discrete particulate rubber. To ensure a uniform and stable dispersion, the rubber is suspended in the photoresist by means of a surfactant having an HLB approximately between 7.0 and 18.0.

Abstract: A film leader extractor comprises, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a structural stiffener component or member having a static-cling vinyl component or member laminated thereto by a suitable adhesive. When the extractor is inserted into, for example a 35 mm photographic film cartridge or canister, the static-cling vinyl layer is temporarily bonded to the film leader by electostatic attraction properties whereby the film leader is then able to be extracted or withdrawn from the film canister. In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a tab member is adhesively bonded to the film leader. The tab member is provided with an enlarged aperture to be engaged with a hook-type extractor implement.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device is disclosed for use with a semiconductor chip package where the electrostatic discharge protection device establishes electrical connection between connector pins on the semiconductor chip package and ground, thereby creating a short circuit to protect the semiconductor chip package from electrostatic discharge. The electrostatic discharge protection device is manually operable to engage or disengage a ground connection while remaining attached to the semiconductor chip package. The electrostatic discharge protection device is also removable from the semiconductor chip package either prior to or subsequent to mating a semiconductor chip package with a printed circuit board or other receptacle.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved image recording method and camera for simultaneously obtaining dual latent images on respective 35 mm and self-developing films. The self-developing film contains a plurality of separate film units arranged on a strip which are sequentially pulled from the camera so that a leading one of exposed film units separate from the strip as the latter is being pulled and after an exposed film unit has been processed. Advancement of the film strip also effects advancement of the 35 mm film.

Abstract: The principal embodiment of the present invention is a preloaded single-use instant camera. The single-use instant camera is provided with user-inaccessible film holding compartment in a sealed light-tight enclosure and a predetermined number of pressure-processable film units stacked in said compartment. The preloaded single-use instant camera is also provided with user operated manual means for sequentially withdrawing the preloaded pressure-processable film units, whereby withdrawal effect processing of said units.

Abstract: There are described image-recording materials which include an image dye-providing compound comprising a novel naphthol azo cyan dye having a 3-aminobenzoisothiazole moiety. The image dye-providing compound includes a diffusion control moiety such as a hydroquinonyl developer group, a precursor thereof or a thiazolidine moiety and, may be diffusible or nondiffusible as a function of the diffusion control moiety.Image-recording materials according to the invention including those which contain high potential developers such as aminoreductone allow sufficient cyan chromophore to diffuse to the image-receiving layer to provide an acceptable photograph and result in no appreciable reduction of the 3-aminobenzoisothiazole moiety of the novel naphthol azo cyan dye.

Abstract: An electrostatic discharge protection device is provided for use with a magnetic read/write transducer. The electrostatic discharge protection device electrically interconnects the conductive elements of magnetoresistive (MR) and inductive heads to provide a low-resistance conductive path placing the conductive elements at a substantially equal electrical potential, thus minimizing electrostatic discharge. The electrostatic discharge protection device provides an electrical path between the conductive elements which is manually or automatically removable upon connection to a mating element. The electrostatic protection device has a resilient inward bias to connect electrically conductive elements such that a ground is established between them and is removed automatically upon insertion of the conductive elements into a mating receptacle which is interposed between the conductive elements and the electrostatic discharge protection device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for developing a lithographic plate on a printing press without the requirement of bath processing, the printing press equipped with means for delivering ink and aqueous fountain solutions to the plate, the preferred plate having in order (a) a substrate; and (b) a photoresist photohardenable upon imagewise exposure to actinic radiation, the photoresist comprising (i) a macromolecular organic binder; (ii) a photopolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer having at least one terminal ethylenic group capable of forming a high polymer by chain-propagated polymerization, (iii) a polymerization initiator activatable by actinic radiation, and (iv) a disperse hydrophilic microgel. According to a product aspect, the present invention also provides a lithographic plate, configured as indicated, with the further combination therewith of an on-press removable polymeric overcoat.