Abstract: A method for fitting and designing an ophthalmic lens for a presbyope that yields improved visual acuity in general, and takes into account individual fitting characteristics. More specifically, a method for fitting and designing a contact or intraocular lens which takes into account material properties of the lens by observing the “print through” associated with the lens as an indicator of the topography of the lens. The term “print through” is used to refer to any change in lens topography on the front surface of the lens as a result of changes in topography on the back surface of the lens. If a significant amount of “print through” is observed, this generally indicates that the multifocal function of the lens is properly being performed. In such a situation, the clinician can then adjust the add power to the desired level.

Abstract: A resonant microcavity display (20) having microcavity with a substrate (25), a phosphor active region (50) and front and rear reflectors (30 and 60). The front and rear reflectors may be spaced to create either a standing or taveling electromagnetic wave to enhance the efficiency of the light transmission.

Abstract: A predistortion circuit includes a first splitter for splitting an input signal into primary and secondary electrical paths, a first combiner for combining a main signal on the primary electrical path and a predistorted signal on the second electrical path into a single signal for modulating a nonlinear device with predictable distortion characteristics, a distortion signal generator for receiving a branch signal from the first splitter and for producing first and second intermodulation products, a second splitter for receiving the first intermodulation products and for outputting two sets of the first intermodulation products, a third splitter for receiving the second intermodulation products and for outputting two sets of the second intermodulation products, an even-order signal processing unit for processing one set of the first intermodulation products and one set of the second intermodulation products to generate even-order intermodulation products, an odd-order signal processing unit for processing the

Abstract: An improved low voltage, small surface area, high signal-to-noise ratio photo gate includes a layer of photoreceptive semiconductor material having an impurity concentration selected to enhance the formation of hole electron pairs in response to photons impinging on a surface of the substrate, an electrode extending from the surface of the substrate into the substrate a substantial distance; an insulating layer disposed between the electrode and the substrate for electrically insulating the electrode from the substrate; so that upon the application of an electrical potential to the electrode, a potential well is formed in the substrate surrounding the electrode for accumulating charge generated when photons impinge on the surface of the substrate surrounding the electrode.

Abstract: An electrostatic holding device for holding semiconductor wafers and similar materials during microelectronic device manufacturing operations. It has a circular, electrically conductive wafer support having a rounded periphery; an annular border region; and a flat, concentric, raised, central plateau having an electrically conductive top surface. The plateau has a tapered circumferential edge which extends down to the annular border region. A nonelectrically conductive coating is on the rounded periphery, the border region and the tapered edge which extends to, but does not cover, the conductive top surface of the central plateau such that an the coating is coplanar with the conductive top surface of the central plateau. A removable dielectric sheet overlies the top surface of the central plateau, the coating on the tapered edge and the coating on the border region.

Abstract: A power supply system for an automobile vehicle headlight discharge lamp, the system including a DC/DC converter with a capacitor at its output, a DC/AC converter powered by the voltage across said capacitor, and a module for generating a high-voltage breakdown pulse designed to be connected in series with said discharge lamp to the output of the DC/AC converter, wherein it further includes a module for heating the electrodes of the discharge lamp design to be connected in series with the discharge lamp and the high-voltage pulse generator module and adapted to deliver, after the high-voltage breakdown pulse, a decreasing voltage which, at the terminals of said discharge lamp, is added to the voltage across the capacitor at the output of the DC/DC converter.

Abstract: A computer operated man assisted motion generation system for use with a camera in cinematography. The system responds to the measured or sensed position of a camera support such as a crane or dolly, and determines the desired camera pan, tilt, roll, focus, zoom, etc. based on predetermined correspondence between camera location and camera parameters, and generate movement of the camera and camera control accordingly.

Abstract: An endoscopic assembly usable with an external first location indicator to assist an operator in positioning a distal end of the assembly at a desired location within a patient and creating a partial vacuum at or collecting a sample from the desired location during an endoscopic procedure, and a method for creating a partial vacuum at or collecting a sample from the desired location within the patient, are shown and described. In one embodiment, the endoscopic assembly has an elongated member and a second position indicator component. The elongated member has a distal end configured to be inserted into the patient and a proximal end portion. A bore extends from the proximal end portion of the elongated member to its distal end. The second position indicator component is sized to slidably engage the bore of the elongated member. The operator can manipulate the second position indicator component to move the position indicator component between first and second positions.

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.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp comprises a light source of predetermined geometry, and a reflector associated with the light source. The reflector is made by a method that includes the steps of: (a) establishing a reflective base surface having a reference focus and giving a predetermined distribution of the light emitted by a light source having a given geometry and a given position with respect to the reference focus, mainly in the vertical direction, (b) in at least one zone, determining a line passing through all of the points that give the same predetermined horizontal deviation of a theoretical radiation propagated from the reference focus, (c) modifying the base surface so as to put on it, substantially along the line determined in step (b), a striation for horizontal diffusion of the light, (d) making a mould in conformity with this modified surface, and (e) moulding the reflector in this mould.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for removing and transporting articles, such as ophthalmic lens mold sections, or packaging elements from a mold. The invention, in one embodiment includes first, second, and third assemblies; the first of which removes the articles from the molding station at a first location and transports them to a second location; the second assembly receives the articles from the first assembly and transports them to a third location, and the third assembly receives the articles from the second assembly and transports them to a fourth location. A second embodiment includes a flipper assembly disposed between the first and second assemblies, which flipper receives the articles from the first assembly and inverts them before depositing them onto the second assembly. This second embodiment is useful in conjunction with molded articles which are transported to the flipper assembly in an inverted position.

Abstract: A smoke detector (2) which operates on the scattered light principle comprises a detector chamber (4) through which a light beam (10) passes. A series of collimator discs (24, 26, 28) with apertures of progressively increasing size are associated with the light source (6) to prevent glints of light from entering the zone of the chamber at which detection occurs as a result of the presence of scattered light induced by the presence of smoke particles. A light absorber (12) at the end of the detector chamber remote from the light source uses a target surface in the form of an asymmetric cone (42) onto which the beam is directed. The design of the collimator discs and light absorber reduce the occurrence of stray light, leading to increased sensitivity.

Abstract: The invention provides contact lenses. In particular, the invention relates to contact lenses in which the geometry of the lens periphery remains constant with changes in the optic zone curvature.

Abstract: Device for the secure display of a number of articles positioned alongside or above one another. This device consists of a support to which a number of pin-shaped projections are rigidly attached. A number of hook-shaped projections are fitted such that they are movable relative to said pin-shaped projections and together with said projections are able to delimit a retainer. These hook-shaped projections can be operated together with the aid of motor means. It is proposed that the motor means are not constructed such that they are rigidly connected to the operating rod for these hook-shaped projections but to have only the opening stroke of the operating rod performed by the motor means. Closing consequently takes place by the weight, optionally assisted by a spring. In the closed position, locking is provided which optionally can be operated by the motor means.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ophthalmic lenses. In particular, the invention provides ophthalmic lenses with reduced astigmatism. The lenses are composed of a surface and a compensating surface, the surface geometries of which are defined by segments of a size suitable to be defined by a tenth order x,y polynomial with Zernike coefficients.

Abstract: A method of operating a magnetically operated display unit that includes a frame of a color, a plate pivotably mounted on the frame which includes a first surface of a color different from that of the frame and a second surface of a color identical to that of the frame, a magnet embedded in the plate, a U-shaped ferromagnetic element mounted on the frame so that two tips of the magnet are located between two tips of the U-shaped ferromagnetic element, a solenoid mounted on the U-shaped ferromagnetic element and a light emitting diode mounted on the frame. The plate contains a cutout designed for receiving the light emitting diode and one of the tips of the U-shaped ferromagnetic element. The tip of the light emitting diode is located on a level between the plate and the tips of the U-shaped ferromagnetic element. The light emitting diode is visible sufficiently above the surface of the plate so that its light can shine on that surface.

Abstract: The method for replacing a target billboard in the frames of a video sequence is usable while the billboard undergoes changes of position in the scene. Assuming that the speed of change is constant, a global transformation from a reference image stored in memory is predicted. A modified image is generated by applying the transformation to the reference image and the prediction is adjusted by a global analysis of the image. Then the representation of the billboard is recovered from its color, and its boundaries are extracted by segmentation. The representation of the billboard is substituted by the representation of the model, after the model is warped by a transformation.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing and transporting articles from molds. More specifically, the present invention pertains to such an apparatus and method which is particularly well suited for removing the articles from a molding machine having molds in which they are molded, and thereafter carrying the articles within a very short period of time away from the molds and depositing the articles for further processing in a high speed, automated production system.

Abstract: The invention provides a pair of multifocal lenses for the correction of presbyopia. The dominant eye lens has an optic zone with the distance optical power required and additional zones of either or both distance and near optical power. The non-dominant eye lens has an optic zone with the near optical power and additional zones of either or both near and distance optical power.

Abstract: A diffracting beam splitter splits an optical beam. The resulting beams are swept over an object by a beam deflector. The beams are mechanically scanned transverse to the beam deflection direction. A position sensitive device receives light reflected from the incident beams and a three dimensional profile of the object is produced.