Abstract: A fining and polishing machine and method enable a work piece, suitably a spectacle lens, to be polished with a relative motion between the lens and a tool that is precisely matched to the specific lens prescription. The lens and tool are reciprocated along first and second non-co-linear axes, respectively, and the lens is polished as each reciprocates. The relative motion between lens and tool is equal to the vector sum of their individual motions. By precisely controlling the reciprocation of lens and tool, a wide range of desired motions can be obtained, enabling a lens to be polished to a particular prescription by altering the frequency and/or amplitude of the reciprocating motions along the two axes. A controller drives a pair of actuators which reciprocate the lens and tool in accordance with resident motion equations, as realized with prescription-specific amplitude and frequency parameters received as inputs.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously obtaining a plurality of images of an object or pattern from a plurality of different viewpoints is provided. Proper image contrast is obtained by replacing the light sources of earlier systems with equivalent light sensitive devices and replacing the cameras of earlier systems with equivalent light sources. Bright-field and dark-field images may be simultaneously obtained. In another aspect, a light source is positioned to illuminate at least some of an object. A plurality of light guides are positioned to simultaneously receive light reflected from the object and transmit it to a plurality of photodetectors. The light guides are arranged so their respective input ends are spaced substantially equally along at least a portion of a surface of an imaginary hemisphere surrounding the object. The signals from the photodetectors are processed and a plurality of images are formed. Another aspect provides generating composite images from simultaneously obtained images.

Abstract: A contact lens production line pallet system transports contact lens mold materials throughout a facility for producing ophthalmic lenses. Specifically, the contact lens production line pallet system includes a pallet for carrying one or more contact lens mold assemblies throughout a contact lens production line, the pallet having one or more first recesses formed in a surface thereof for receiving either a first mold half or a complementary second mold half, the first and second mold halves when placed together constitute an individual contact lens mold assembly. A conveyor device for transporting the pallet from station to station throughout the production line facility is provided, as is a locating device formed in the pallet surface for enabling precise positioning of the pallet at one or more manufacturing stations in the production line facility.

Abstract: A phosphor comprises, in atomic percentages, 90% to 100% of a mixed metal oxide MxTyOz, wherein M is a metal selected from Zn, Sn, In, Cu, and combinations thereof, T is a refractory metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, W, and combinations thereof, and O is Oxygen, x, y, and z being chosen such that z is at most stoichiometric for MxTyOz; and 0% to 10% of a dopant comprising a substance selected from a rare earth element of the lanthanide series, Mn, Cr, and combinations thereof, or stoichiometrically excess zinc, copper, tin, or indium. Cathodoluminescent phosphor compositions stimulable by electrons of very low energy are prepared from metal oxides treated with refractory metals in various processes disclosed.

Abstract: An automated means for hydrating and packaging a molded hydrophilic contact lens in one of the mold parts used to mold the lens is provided in which a first robotic assembly removes a plurality of contact lens molds from a production line carrier, each of the lens molds having a contact lens adhered therein. The first robotic assembly transports the molds to a first staging area where the lens molds are sandwiched between a lens mold carrier and a top chamber plate to form a first hydration carrier. The hydration carrier is then transported through a plurality of flushing or extraction stations wherein fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chambers at each hydration station to flush leachable substances from the hydration chamber. At each flushing station, fresh deionized water is introduced into the hydration chamber to remove previously extracted impurities and the products of hydrolysis.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of this invention an improved trim press is taught for use in separating molded articles from a web of material. The trim press includes a frame, a drive motor carried by the frame, a first platen carried by the frame, and a second platen carried by the frame and configured to be moved in reciprocation relative to the first platen. A first flywheel assembly is provided on the trim press having a weight with an eccentric mass, the weight being driven in rotation by the motor and coupled to drive the second platen via at least one kinematic linkage. The trim press also includes a second flywheel assembly having a weight with an eccentric mass, the weight being driven in rotation by the motor and coupled to drive the second platen via at least one kinematic linkage.

Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp has a lamp with two filaments, one of which has a masking screen so as to form a chopped or dipped beam, while the other filament is unmasked so as to produce an unchopped beam. The headlight also includes a reflector and a smooth cover lens.The reflector has an upper zone extending between two radial half planes which are inclined by the same amount below the horizontal, this upper zone being larger than the part of the reflector which is exposed to the first filament; the reflector has two lateral sub-zones with base surfaces which are symmetrical with respect to the vertical, with striations being formed by projection on the base surface, the striations being configured according to the particular type of chopped beam required. The reflector also has a second zone having a surface for cooperation with the second filament only, so as to form a wide portion of the beam and extending at least partly above the cut-off of the dipped beam.

Abstract: A laser scanning method and system for determining an outline of an object. A laser beam is projected at the object and a surface underlying the object. The surface is configured to reflect the laser beam differently than the object. The laser beam is reflected off the object and the surface producing reflected beams. The reflected beams are received by a control which determines whether the beam was reflected from the object or the surface. By identifying this with the laser position the control can identify the part outline. As the laser beam is scanned over successive positions along the surface, the outline of the object is precisely determined.

Abstract: A focusable imaging system particularly suitable for use in acquiring digital images for subsequent processing such as in a hand held, omnidirectional symbology or bar code reader by which linear and two dimensional (matrix, maxi-code) bar codes may be imaged over relatively long working distances. The imaging system includes an focusing objective taking lens and a two-dimensional photodetector that operate to form an image of an object such as a bar code in X and Y directions simultaneously and generate an electrical signal representative of the object or code for subsequent downstream processing by which information embedded in the object or bar code may be extracted. Focusing is achieved via a rotating disk that carries a plurality of optical shims or other light controlling surfaces to provide for different focus zones.

Abstract: An integrated circuit active pixel image sensor comprises an array of active pixels having associated therewith one capacitor in each pixel column for storing a combined pixel output signal comprising an image signal and a fixed offset signal and another capacitor in each column for capturing another signal produced when the pixel is reset. The array may be read row-by-row. Each column includes a comparator and a data latch via which a digitized fixed offset corrected pixel output signal is obtained using a ramp voltage source and a digital count broadcaster provided in the sensor.

Abstract: A device is to be coupled and used with a standard non-power providing directional tap and includes a power coupling unit and a power combining unit. The power coupling unit is adapted to be connected to an output port of the directional tap. The power coupling unit filters out RF signals from the output port and outputs an AC power signal from the output port. The power combining unit includes at least two sets of combining circuits with a common input port connected to the power coupling unit so as to receive the AC power signal therefrom. Each combining circuit has an RF input signal port adapted to be connected to a respective one of the RF signal ports of the directional tap so as to receive the RF signal therefrom, and a combined output signal port with an output which is the AC power signal from the common input port and the RF signal from the RF input signal port.

Abstract: A data receiving apparatus is formed of a set top unit connected to a network and a security module. Digital video data which is supplied from the network and scrambled according to a first system is scrambled according to a second system in a scramble circuit in the set top unit, and is supplied to the security module. The data is descrambled according to the first system in a descramble circuit in the security module, and is transferred back to the set top unit. The data is descrambled according to the second system in a descramble circuit in the set top unit, and is outputted to an image display terminal via an MPEG decoder.

Abstract: A system for bi-directional digital serial communication and control of remote units including video cameras and input/output devices in machine vision systems. The communication system includes a main processor, communication hubs and remote units. The system is capable of monitoring and controlling the remote units in real-time while receiving video data images from the remote video cameras. Digital signals are transmitted in two different protocols; one for data communications, and one for control communications.

Abstract: An improved coating comprising a coating on a substrate is described. The coating comprises a crosslinked polymeric material derived from an alkine-bridged bis-(aminosilane) or comprising a mixture of the alkine-bridged bis-(amino-silane) and an epoxysilane. The alkine bridged bis-(aminosilane) may have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or phenyl groups,R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen, phenyl groups, and alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, andn is 1, 2, 3 or 4,p is 2, 3 or 4,q is 0 or 1,o is 0 or 1, andm is 1, 2, 3 or 4,wherein q plus m is 1 or 2, o is 1 only when all aminosilane groups are bonded to the other alkine groups, and when p is 4, both m and o are zero, or preferably[R.sup.1 OR.sup.2 OR.sup.3 O--Si--(CH.sub.2)n--NH].sub.2 --(C.sub.m H.sub.2m)wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from aliphatic groups or aromatic groups, andn is 1, 2, 3 or 4, andm is 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Abstract: Devices for X-ray topography determine structures and compositions of objects. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a scanning system forms images using small angle scattering. A spatial filter selects radiation an object scatters at small angles and blocks other radiation. A coordinate-sensitive detector behind the filter records the scattered radiation. An object image is constructed based on the small-angle scattering information and the compositions of regions of the object are determined from scattering curves for the regions. One embodiment of the invention includes a source of penetrating radiation, a detector system for radiation transmitted through an analyzed object, a detector system for radiation the object scatters at small angles, and a unit for moving the object during scanning. A three-dimensional absorption factor distribution is determined for the object by X-raying the object at different angles.

Abstract: Electroluminescent lamp designs and methods of fabricating electroluminescent lamps. Lamp designs provide laminar style lamps that include an electrically conductive layer with one or more openings therethrough separated by conductive elements. The openings preferably have a minimum edge to edge distance of less than about 0.005 inches and the conductive elements have a width of less than about 0.002 inches. Lamp designs also include "iso-planar" lamps that contain an electrically conductive layer with one or more channels separating the layer into two or more electrically conductive elements and an electroluminescent material disposed between the electrically conductive elements. The laminar style lamps and iso-planar lamps may be fabricated using printing techniques and the iso-planar lamps may also be fabricated using etching techniques. Both printed laminar and iso-planar lamps may be permanently reshaped using sheet forming techniques such as vacuum-forming or drape-forming.

Abstract: A process for steam-sterilizing label-bearing containers stacked with the labels in contact, without destroying the labels such as occurs if the labels are printed by thermal transfer for product-variable data. The process features laser-ablating imagewise the label to remove an ink layer so as to expose either a contrasting ink layer below, or a metal foil or polymer substrate. Such containers are then readily stacked on the labels and sterilized without thermal damage to the labels.

Abstract: A system, and its method, for measuring the optical properties of an eye employs optical components for detecting both the reflection of a first light beam from the anterior surface of the eye, and the reflection of a second light beam from the retina of the eye. Sensors are included to receive and separate each of these reflected light beams into a plurality of individual beams, each having its own specific optical path length. The optical path lengths of individual beams reflected from the cornea are collectively used to create a topographical map of the cornea's anterior surface and the optical path lengths of individual beams reflected from the retina are collectively used to create an acuity map of the entire eye. Further, there are additional optical components which respectively determine the position of the eye, a length for the eye and an aberration for the relaxed lens of the eye.

Abstract: An improved laser projector collimator includes a plurality of specifically designed and arranged mirrors and lenses such that reflected light from a housing window for the laser projector is not directed onto a reflected light source sensor. In this way, the sensor only sees light reflected from a reference reflector. In addition, the specific arrangement of the lenses and mirrors is such that the overall length of the collimator housing is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A portable endoscopy system for performing an endoscopic procedure is stored in a single portable housing, where the housing and system are transportable by hand to a patient. The housing has an endoscope housing compartment, a video housing compartment, and a power supply housing compartment. The endoscope housing compartment stores a light source and a video camera. The light source provides light to an endoscope which is inserted within the patient to a predetermined area. The endoscope directs the provided light to the predetermined area and provides a light image thereof. The video camera receives the provided light image, and provides an electronic image thereof. The video housing compartment stores a video recording and playback device and a video monitor. The video recording and playback device receives and records the provided electronic image during a record mode, and provides the recorded image during a playback mode.