Abstract: A projection screen assembly including a projection screen having an illuminated rear side and a light dispersing front side for showing an image with substantially homogeneous luminosity over a wide viewing angle. The light dispersing front side includes a plurality of closely positioned, substantially parallel and, in the use position of the screen, vertically extending lens elements including two inclined reflecting lens crests, and an intermediate lens. The projection screen is characterized by first and second reflecting rib lenses having planes of symmetry inclined toward each other or away from each other, respectively, and a third reflecting rib lens having a plane of symmetry which is normal to the plane of the screen. The use of a plurality of lenses that are approximately identical, but having different inclinations, provide enhanced homogenous luminosity.
Abstract: Sunglasses whose lens is stably engaged to a frontal bar while can be easily replaced with another lens when necessary is provided, said sunglasses being light in weight with minimum production parts and sophisticated in design as well.
Abstract: An ophthalmic composition for prophylaxis and/or treatment of keratoconjunctivitis sicca, which is locally administered to the eyes and which comprises, as an effective component, at least one member selected from the group consisting of vitamin D, active vitamin D, and active vitamin D analogues.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 16, 2001
Publication date:
October 4, 2001
Applicant:
NEW VISION CO., LTD.
Inventors:
Seiji Itoh, Yasuo Ishii, Katsuhiko Mukai, Kiyoshi Kita
Abstract: An exterior rear view mirror assembly is disclosed which incorporates a warning light actuatable in conjunction with the vehicle turn signals to alert adjacent motor vehicles of an anticipated turn. The warning light is integrated into a first decorative cover member and may be connected to the vehicle turn signal circuit by way of connectable electrical leads or by an integrally formed plug and outlet arrangement. A second decorative cover member may be substituted for the first decorative cover member when it is not desired to incorporate the warning light.
Type:
Application
Filed:
May 2, 2001
Publication date:
October 4, 2001
Applicant:
Britax Vision System (North America) Inc.
Inventors:
Mark Stidham, Dale Gathergood, Charles Furlotte
Abstract: A method, a system and a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a program for interactively developing a graphical control-flow structure and associated application software for use in a machine vision system is provided. The structure is a tree view structure including a control sequence having at least one node. The method includes providing a first set of control programs representing possible machine vision tasks. The first set of control programs defines a first set of standard controls. Hardware operating parameters are provided which correspond to possible hardware. The hardware operating parameters defining a second set of standard controls. Graphical representations of possible hardware and possible machine vision tasks are displayed. Commands are received from a user to select desired hardware operating parameters corresponding to desired hardware and a machine vision graphical representation and its associated first control program corresponding to a desired machine vision task.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 1999
Date of Patent:
October 2, 2001
Assignee:
Intergral Vision, Inc.
Inventors:
Andrew Blowers, Jiri G. Culik, Steven F. Prehn
Abstract: A dual-mode printer for printing on both flexible and rigid substrates includes a table providing a substantially planar support surface for supporting a substrate. A flexible-substrate feed system is configured to feed a flexible substrate in a given feed direction across the support surface. The printer has a print head configured for depositing a printing medium on a substrate as part of a printing process. A motion system is configured to generate relative displacement between the print head and the support surface in at least a first direction parallel to the feed direction. This combination of components allows the printer to be used in a flexible-substrate mode in which relative displacement between the substrate and the print head is generated at least in part by the flexible-substrate feed system and in a rigid-substrate mode in which relative displacement between the substrate and the print head is generated exclusively by the motion system.
Abstract: A integral carry-on child safety seat and stroller. The safety seat includes a base frame having wheels which is supported by collapsible folding members which may be nested in the housing of the safety seat for use in a vehicle whereby the base frame and wheels are expandable upon removal from the vehicle to form a stroller.
Abstract: An apparatus for processing electronic circuit devices includes an infeed station, a first inspection station, an inverter station, a second inspection station, a sorting station, and an outfeed station. A linear transport mechanism having side edges transports a first work piece containing a plurality of electronic circuit devices through the stations along a linear path. The inverter station holds an empty second work piece above the transport mechanism in an inverted orientation. The inverter station also includes an elevator for lifting the first work piece vertically into an abutting relationship with the second work piece, and an inverting mechanism for inverting the first and second work pieces while maintaining them in the abutting relationship to position the electronic devices in the second work piece in the inverted orientation.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 27, 1999
Date of Patent:
September 25, 2001
Assignee:
Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI)
Inventors:
Merlin E. Behnke, Michael L. Schneider, Donald P. McGee, Robert G. Bertz, William Fusco, Jr., Todd K. Pichler, Jon P. Ubert, Steven J. Bilodeau, Frank L. Jacovino
Abstract: A method and system are described for use at a machine vision station to correctly identify flaws within a sample image by means of flexible template image comparison where the template image and a sample image suffer from a relative geometrical distortion. The method and system use the following iterative approach: 1) generate the template image; 2) register the sample image to the template image; 3) undertake an absolute image subtraction process; 4) identify all regions of image difference; 5) create sub-images of both the template and the sample images in the region of detected error; 6) repeat the registration step 2) using the sub-images; 7) undertake the absolute subtraction process on each of the sub-images; and 8) either identify the resulting differences as flaws or go to step 5) using even smaller sub-images. The invention has particular utility in the screen printing industry as well as other industries.
Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for highly efficient imaging of selected object features utilizing, in combination, a 2D imaging subsystem and a 3D imaging subsystem wherein data from the 2D imaging subsystem is used to predetermine areas containing 3D features of interest such that delay attributable to imaging of areas of non-interest for 3D features is minimized.
Abstract: A fiber bundle combiner and LED illumination system and method. In one embodiment, an illumination fixture includes a plurality of light-emitting diode (LED) light sources, and a fiber-optic assembly having a common first bundle end and plurality of second ends. Each of the second ends is optically coupled to receive light from an LED. Ths fibers transmit light from the second ends to the common first end such that light from the LEDs is output at the first end. Optionally, pipe cells couple the light, wherein each LED is associated with a respective pipe cell that serves to focus light from the LED into one or more of the fibers. In one embodiment, each of the pipe cells includes a concave substantially spherical focussing reflective surface.
Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle assembly comprising a structural element and a headlamp for the vehicle, wherein the structural element is separate from the motor vehicle body and capable of being directly mounted thereon; the structural element and the headlamp have complementary arrangements for mounting the headlamp on the structural element while allowing the headlamp at least one degree of freedom along a specific direction; the headlamp and the car body have complementary stop arrangements defining a reference position for the headlamp along the specific direction; and elastic means are provided operating between the structural element and the headlamp for urging the headlamp along the specific direction countering the reaction force of the stop arrangements on the headlamp. The invention also concerns a method for mounting such an assembly into the car body, while defining reference position for the headlamp(s).
Abstract: High refractive index, melt processable polyphosphonates and methods for preparing the same are provided. These polymers are particularly useful for optical and ophthalmic parts, such as lenses. A method of preparing optical and ophthalmic lenses by injection molding the polymers of the present invention into the form of the optical or ophthalmic lenses is also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 1999
Date of Patent:
September 11, 2001
Assignees:
Virginia Tech. Intellectual Properties, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision Products, Inc.
Inventors:
Hosadurga K. Shobha, Venkat Sekharipuram, James E. McGrath, Atul Bhatnagar
Abstract: An apparatus for reducing shocks and vibrations that equipment can be subject to when the equipment is moved is provided. The apparatus includes a stationary support assembly fixedly held in a transport unit that is moved using a vehicle and a movable support assembly fixedly connected to the equipment. The stationary support assembly includes a number of isolator members that prevent unwanted shocks and vibrations from affecting the equipment being transported. A pallet truck is used to separate the equipment and the movable support assembly from the stationary assembly and then carry them to their next location. The movable support assembly includes a number of inflatable air bladders that are sufficiently pressurized to prevent unwanted shocks and vibrations from affecting the equipment as it is moved from the transport unit to its next location. The equipment being moved can include laser equipment for use in performing eye corrective procedures and which has sensitive, aligned and calibrated components.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 1, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 11, 2001
Assignee:
Clear Vision Laser Centers, Inc.
Inventors:
William Bunn, John C. Spencer, Stephen P. Kregstein, Mark Lamphier, Donald B. Wingerter, Jr.
Abstract: Diffuse “dark field” illumination and “bright field” illumination are each provided for a hand-held encoded symbology imager/reader; to be projected therefrom upon symbology disposed on a target (component part, goods, package, etc.). The imager/reader is encased in a housing ergonomically configured to be griped in more then one manner and to thus facilitate holding the imager/reader steady. The symbology to be imaged is targeted by a line that not only spots the symbology, but by extending a length commensurate with that of the symbology, indicates that the symbology is in the field of view of the imager/reader. A CCD, disposed to receive light reflected from the symbology, has its readout controlled so that only selected portions of the CCD need be analyzed for illumination and focusing purposes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 11, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2001
Assignee:
Robotic Vision Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Stephen D. Fantone, David A. Imrie, William T. Plummer, Jon E. Van Tassell, Philip E. McKinley, Harry R. McKinley, Luis A. Figarella, Howard Stern, John H. Dowling, Steve Meister
Abstract: An automatic trimmer machine for finding the geometrical center of an optic having a non-round periphery, trimming the edge of the optic to a prescribed diameter for each optic, cleaning and drying the optic, and verifying the diameter of the optic. The machine improves efficiency and reduces operator handling of the lens. Further, the work area is maintained substantially debris free.
Abstract: A smoke detection system comprises a manifold (4) connected to a series of sampling pipes (2). A fan (6) which draws a large volume of sampling air through the sampling pipes is connected to the inlet manifold and a small proportion of that air is directed to the inlet of a smoke detector (12), the outlet of which is connected to the manifold. The configuration obtained by the connection of the outlet from the detector into the inlet manifold provides a large pressure drop across the flow path through the detector. As a result of the large pressure drop, a filter (10) for removing dust and other contaminants can be incorporated in the flow path and the filter can also incorporate a fine filtering stage to produce a secondary clear air flow which can be directed into the detector to prevent smoke particles from settling on critical components of the detector.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 28, 1998
Date of Patent:
September 4, 2001
Assignee:
Vision Products Pty. Ltd.
Inventors:
Ronald Knox, Christopher T. Ryan, Hugh Stevenson
Abstract: A method for characterizing a test sample of biological tissue is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a radiation scattering pattern produced by the test sample of biological tissue and processing the radiation scattering pattern to determine a pair distance distribution function for the test sample. The method also includes comparing sample data derived from the pair distance distribution function with known data derived from known samples which each have one or more known characteristics.
Abstract: A motor vehicle lighting system comprises a lighting switch having a daylight signaling position and two night driving illumination positions, with a running light (or headlight) having a discharge lamp cooperating with a reflector to produce a night driving beam essentially without any cut-off. The running light has a discharge lamp cooperating with a reflector to produce a night driving beam which essentially has no cut-off. The system includes a means such as an absorbent element which, when the lighting switch is put in its daylight signaling position, diverts a fraction of the light intensity of the emitted beam so as to produce a beam of reduced intensity as compared with the same lamp powered under the same conditions.