Abstract: A system for detecting defects in a layer of dielectric material is disclosed. The disclosed system comprises a first electrode, on which the layer is placed, at least one second electrode oppositely spaced apart from the first electrode and oppositely spaced apart from, but not in contact with, the top surface of the layer. A voltage, that is at least equal to the breakdown voltage corresponding to the spacing between the first and second electrodes in the absence of the material layer, is applied across the first and second electrodes. The presence and characteristics, such as the location and the cross sectional area, of defects are detected as a function of the flow of electrical current from the first electrode to the at least one second electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed herein for processing exposed photosensitive self-developing film in a single use camera.

Abstract: An image sensing device comprising active pixels is disclosed, each pixel having a charge accumulation region for collecting charges generated by a photosensitive element such as a photodiode. A linear voltage to current converter, current mirrors, and a differential amplifier generate an output signal and minimize fixed pattern noise and improve the signal to noise ratio. Image quality is improved by reducing pixel blooming and image smearing through an improved method for resetting the pixels with a bias voltage reference which is less than Vdd. Active circuitry and physical device layout reduce the effects of IR voltage drops along the bus lines in a massive pixel array.

Abstract: Estimating the spatial frequency response (SFR) of an image acquisition system or device from its output images is accomplished by a image processing system and method thereof even when the original scene content cannot be carefully controlled as in the laboratory method. The image processing system methodology assumes that the scene contains specified reference signals (e.g., step edges), but that the reference signals' location, orientation, contrast, mean gray level, and spatial extent in the corresponding digitized image(s) are unknown. Reference signal responses are searched for and extracted using a paradigm, culminating in a set of candidate responses which survive all the tests by scoring highest on the goodness metrics. These surviving candidate responses are each fit, alone or in groups, to ideal responses that would occur if the given reference signal was passed through likely system models.

Abstract: A compact light weight printhead capable of direct quasi-contact printing includes an OLED—Color Filter structure deposited onto a substrate. The OLED—Color Filter structure includes an OLED structure emitting over a broad range of wavelengths and color filter arrays that selectively transmit radiation in different distinct ranges of wavelengths. The printhead is designed for contact or quasi-contact printing printing, without additional optical elements. The printhead design ensures that the desired pixel sharpness and reduced crosstalk is achieved. Two possible different arrangements for the printhead are disclosed. One arrangement includes at least one array of OLED elements and at least one color filter array.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for peeling a carrier web having a protective layer from a keeper sheet of image-bearing medium. The carrier web and the protective layer are peeled about a peel member as the keeper sheet moves over and is deformed by a constraining roller located at or downstream of the peel member putting the protective layer in tension. Preferably, at least one of the peel member or the constraining roller has a compliant material covering to facilitate separation of unused portions of the protective layer from edges of the keeper.

Abstract: A compact light weight printhead capable of direct quasi contact printing includes an OLED Color Filter structure deposited onto a substrate. The OLED-Color Filter structure includes an OLED structure emitting over a broad range of wavelengths and color filter arrays that selectively transmit radiation in different distinct ranges of wavelengths. The printhead is designed for contact or quasi-contact printing printing, without additional optical elements. The printhead design ensures that the desired pixel sharpness and reduced crosstalk is achieved. Two possible different arrangements for the printhead are disclosed. One arrangement includes at least one array of OLED elements and at least one color filter array. Each color filter array in this arrangement includes at least one triplet if color filters, and each element in each the triplet is capable of transmitting radiation in a distinct wavelength range different from the distinct wavelength range of the other two color filters in the same triplet.

Abstract: A compact light weight printhead capable of direct quasi-contact printing includes an OLED-Color Filter structure deposited onto a substrate. The OLED-Color Filter structure includes an OLED structure emitting over a broad range of wavelengths and color filter arrays that selectively transmit radiation in different distinct ranges of wavelengths. The printhead is designed for contact or quasi-contact printing printing, without additional optical elements. The printhead design ensures that the desired pixel sharpness and reduced crosstalk is achieved. Two possible different arrangements for the printhead are disclosed. One arrangement includes at least one array of OLED elements and at least one color filter array. Each color filter array in this arrangement includes at least one triplet of color filters, and each element in each the triplet is capable of transmitting radiation in a distinct wavelength range different from the distinct wavelength range of the other two color filters in the same triplet.

Abstract: A film assemblage of the self-developing type which has a pair of upper and lower carrier sheets in juxtaposed relationship to one another. A pair of openings is provided in each of the carrier sheets. A photosensitive sheet and a positive receiving sheet are joined to outer surfaces of the upper and lower carrier sheets; respectively, so as to cover the respective openings. The pair of upper and lower carrier sheets is fixedly joined together in overlapping relationship, whereby the photosensitive and receiving sheets are in superimposed and spaced apart relationship thereby forming, in combination, an image area of the film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera having a shutter mechanism; actuating means for actuating the shutter mechanism; and, an aperture selecting assembly that is movable from an initial mode position to at least a first mode position. Also disclosed is an aperture selector assembly that is coupled to the shutter actuating mechanism and includes a slide that is selectively movable from an initial mode position to one of a plurality of aperture selecting positions. During slide movement to the desired aperture setting, the strobe is energized and the energy to operate the shutter is stored in a spring. At the desired position, the selector slide is detented by a first clasping device until a shutter button is actuated for releasing the shutter and firing the strobe. A second clasping device becomes operative during shutter actuation to hold the slide in position even though the detent of the first clasping device has been released.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing the same amount of energy to each print head element in a thermal printer during each print head cycle used to print an image, regardless of the number of print head elements that are active during each print head cycle. The desired amount of energy may be provided to a plurality of print head elements that are active during a print head cycle by delivering power to the plurality of print head elements for a period of time whose duration is based in part on the number of active print head elements. The period of time may be a portion of the print head cycle.

Abstract: The present invention relates to encoding and decoding of information using materials that are capable of mildly absorbing radiation over a wide range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. Examples of such encoding of information are bar codes and area markings. Information is encoded in markings on a base medium by depositing or intertexturing on the base medium a material where the surface dimensions, thickness and presence of the material contain the encoded information. The encoding, as disclosed in this invention, utilizes a lower cost, more stable material than a material that is capable of highly absorbing over a range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. However, since the material used in this invention is mildly absorbing in the infrared range, the signal obtained by reflecting or transmitting infrared radiation from the markings will be less distinct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to encoding and decoding of information using materials that are capable of mildly absorbing radiation over a wide range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. Examples of such encoding of information are bar codes and area markings. Information is encoded in markings on a base medium by depositing or intertexturing on the base medium a material where the surface dimensions, thickness and presence of the material contain the encoded information. The encoding, as disclosed in this invention, utilizes a lower cost, more stable material than a material that is capable of highly absorbing over a range of infrared wavelengths and substantially non-absorbing in the visible wavelengths. However, since the material used in this invention is mildly absorbing in the infrared range, the signal obtained by reflecting or transmitting infrared radiation from the markings will be less distinct.

Abstract: A compact, low-cost finger imager, to be used for enrolling and recognizing individuals based upon their finger ridge patterns. The optical system employs viewing beyond the critical angle and darkfield illumination for maximum image contrast. The optical system is afocal and telecentric, achieving corrected distortion with oblique viewing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method, apparatus and computer usable medium for linear filtering with filters of any desired shape and length using the wavelet transform as the computation engine by modifying the basis functions. Specifically, the method and apparatus modifies the basis function of the wavelet and/or inverse wavelet transform(s) by convolving it with the desired filter, thereby forming a modified wavelet and/or inverse wavelet transform(s). The linear filtering is performed in the signal processing and image processing related fields using the wavelet transform with a method that is mathematically equivalent to the filtering operation in the spatial domain. Linear filtering in the wavelet based domain eliminates the need for another program for software support or additional silicon area or real estate to accommodate more functions in hardware.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to diagnostic assay systems and methods thereof that are capable of conducting and recording assays in a simple and reliable manner.

Abstract: A compact light weight printhead capable of direct quasi-contact printing includes an OLED-Color Filter structure deposited onto a substrate. The OLED-Color Filter structure includes an OLED structure emitting over a broad range of wavelengths and color filter arrays that selectively transmit radiation in different distinct ranges of wavelengths. The printhead is designed for contact or quasi-contact printing, without additional optical elements. The printhead design ensures that the desired pixel sharpness and reduced crosstalk is achieved.

Abstract: A compact light weight printhead capable of direct quasi-contact printing includes an OLED structure deposited onto a substrate. The printhead is designed for contact or quasi-contact printing, without additional optical elements. The printhead design ensures that the desired pixel sharpness and reduced crosstalk is achieved. Two possible different arrangements for the printhead are disclosed. One arrangement includes at least one array of OLED elements. Each OLED array in this arrangement includes at least one triplet of OLED elements, and each element in each the triplet is capable of emitting radiation in a distinct wavelength range different from the distinct wavelength range of the other two color filters in the same triplet. In the second arrangement, the printhead includes at least one triplet of arrays of individually addressable Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), elements.

Abstract: A camera is disclosed which has a housing and a carry strap attached to the housing. The strap has a first position and a second position wherein the first position permits the carry strap to be longitudinally extended from the housing as a closed loop to receive one's hand in said closed loop. The second position is created by drawing the carry strap laterally from the housing to create a positioning loop to permit a portion of the hand to pass through while in mechanical contact with the housing.