Abstract: When utilized in a flow imaging instrument, calibration beads provide a known data source that can be employed in various self-diagnostic, calibration and quality metric applications for the both the optical system of the flow imaging instrument, as well as the flow cell of the flow imaging instrument. Such data can be used to determine point spread functions associated with an imaging system, to determine a sensitivity of an imaging system, and to determine a focal point of the imaging system. Imagery collected from calibration beads can be used to determine core size and stability and TDI/flow speed synchronization. Calibration beads can be beneficially employed to enable stable system operation, even when very low sample concentration, or very small sample sizes are to be analyzed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an improved method and system for storing a backup copy of a client company's data. In the preferred embodiment, the backup of data occurs within a computer system having a host company's computer system and an escrow company's computer system. Through the teachings of the present invention, native data stored on a host computer is backed-up onto an escrow computer, even though the escrow company's computer system includes a security mechanism, such as a firewall to prevent unauthorized access from computers outside the escrow company's computer system. In one embodiment, the host computer stores a native copy of the data in a file. The host computer then processes the file, for example, using a computer program named “uuencode” which is found on many Unix-based computers, so as to convert the file into a format which can be emailed. Once converted, the host computer emails the file to the escrow computer.

Abstract: A method for determining the bending angle of a sheet which has been bent along a bending line, by generating at least one light beam, using these beams to project two points or line segments onto a part of the sheet to be checked which lies on one side of the bending line. The beams form an angle of incidence which is known in advance with the bending line of the sheet. These points or line segments are imaged onto receiving means and the distance between the points or line segments is determined, which have been projected onto the receiving means. The beams lie in two parallel detection planes, the distance between which is known. The bending angle is determined from the distance between the projected points, the known angles of incidence of the beams and the known distance between the detection planes.

Abstract: A phase difference detection apparatus for detecting a phase difference between images formed on a pair of optical sensor arrays in which the possibility of unproductive compensation is reduced by use of a compensation effectiveness judgment unit that judges whether or not compensation of a pair of image data rows would be effective. A compensation unit calculates a compensation amount based on a difference in maximum values and minimum values in a pair of image data rows corresponding to the images produced by the optical sensor arrays and compensates the image data rows by the calculated compensation amount. Based upon the compensated values, a correlation calculation unit carries out a correlation calculation, and a maximum correlation detection unit detects a maximum correlation level. Based upon the maximum correlation level, a interpolation calculation unit carries out an interpolation calculation, and a phase difference is detected by a phase difference detection unit.

Abstract: System and method for enabling signal acquisition in a satellite positioning system (SPS) when signals from SPS satellites are attenuated by the operating environment of a SPS receiver. A preferred embodiment comprises a communications server (for example, communications server 220) coupled to a SPS receiver (for example, SPS receiver 210) at one end and a time server (for example, time server 225) by a public network (for example, the Internet 230). Preferably, the communications server 220 is coupled to the Internet 230 via a wireless network to facilitate maximum mobility and flexibility. The communications server 220 queries the time server 225 for the current time and then provides the current time to the SPS receiver 210. The SPS receiver 210 makes use of the current time to assist it in signal acquisition.

Abstract: An efficient multi-emitter boresight reference source (12). The efficient reference source (12) includes a first mechanism (182) for transmitting a first portion of electromagnetic energy (184) within a first waveband. A second mechanism (186) transmits a second portion of electromagnetic energy (188) within a second waveband different than the first waveband. A third mechanism (148) for combining the first portion of electromagnetic energy and the second portion of electromagnetic energy to yield a uniform reference beam (28).

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for collecting data from a Laser Doppler Anemometer of the type including a probe mounted to a controllable traversing system. Velocity and position data is collected from the probe while it is continuously in motion, and displayed in real time. If at any point the data is of unacceptable quality, the data collection process is stopped, the probe is moved to a last known good position, and the data collection process is restarted.

Abstract: A system is provided for assisting in the detection and tracking of narrowband signals arriving at an antenna array operating over a wide detection bandwidth and in a crowded RF environment. Since the nature of the detection mission is constrained to be a general search, the system does not attempt to detect signals of interest via matched filtering mechanisms (i.e. training sets), but exploits general properties such as power, frequency, time and angle of arrival. For the purposes of providing sufficient Frequency/Time resolution as well as to avoid array overloading in the detection process, the digitized wideband streaming data is frequency channelized using a sufficiently high revisit rate for the signal set of interest, constrained by the required feature detection accuracy or environment adaption rates. Within each frequency subchannel, efficient array signal subspace tracking techniques are used to separate and track spatially separated cochannel signals.

Abstract: An optical endoscopic fluid flow measurement probe assembly is disclosed having a user end and a distal end. The distal end having a light sheet generator and at least one reflected light acquirer, and the endoscope is provided with transmission means to transmit information away from the distal end. The light sheet generator is adapted in use to generate a sheet of light and the light acquirer being adapted to image light reflected from the light sheet, the light sheet generator and light acquirer being provided in the same endoscope.

Abstract: A method, apparatus for reducing errors in a plurality of beacon beams is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of computing quantized channel weights {tilde over (W)}c from channel weights Wc for at least some of the channels; estimating the quantization error &Dgr;Ba for each of the beacon beams from a difference between the channel weights Wc and the computed quantized channel weights {tilde over (W)}c; and adding the estimated quantization error &Dgr;Ba to the beacon beams. Similarly, a beacon biases equivalent to the beacon asymmetry error can be computed by the ground beacon beam forming software and uploaded to the on-board software for error compensation. The apparatus comprises one or more means, such as a processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions for performing these operations.

Abstract: A modular bidirectional optical amplification system includes a multiwavelength dual amplifier building block, a multiwavelength unidirectional booster amplifier BB, a unidirectional and a bidirectional Optical Service Channel (OSC) BB, an Intelligent Optical Terminal Accessway (IOTA) module, and an interleaved filter BB. The dual amplifier BB is available in a C-band version, an E-band version and a hybrid version, and provides unidirectional or bidirectional multichannel amplification. The booster amplifier is available in a C-band version, an E-band version and in a booster plus variant; one for the C-band and one for E-band. The unidirectional and bidirectional OSC BBs provide a means for OAM&P functionality to the optical network. The IOTA BB provides multiplexing and demultiplexing, and the filter BB provides separation of the signal into grid-1 and grid-2 channels.

Abstract: By providing a diffusing plate between a laser diode and an objective lens, a measurement light flux emitted from the laser diode is irradiated on a corner cube in a defocused state via the objective lens. The light flux having been reflected at corner cube sustains the defocused state. The reflected light flux having been reflected at and having exited the corner cube becomes condensed onto an avalanche photodiode through the objective lens. Even when a vibration occurs at the corner cube, the reflected light flux is received at the avalanche photodiode as long as the light flux having been reflected at and having exited the corner cube is within the predetermined range.

Abstract: Optical distance equipment transmits an optical signal and determines distance by locating the peak of a correlation with the reflected signal. The number of calculations required for the correlation is greatly reduced by using a combination of a coarse and fine correlation. The accuracy of the distance measurement is also improved by calculating the point of intersection of two best fit lines to either side of the correlation peak. The signal is preferably modulated by a maximum length sequence.

Abstract: Receiver circuits are provided for detecting a target light source such as a swept laser beam. The circuits include a photodetector adapted to produce a first detector output signal and a second detector output signal where the relative amplitudes of the first and second detector output signals are related to the position of a swept laser beam impinging thereon. A first log signal is determined, which is based upon a logarithmic and optionally scaled calculation utilizing the first detector output signal. Correspondingly, a second log signal is determined, which is based upon a logarithmic and optionally scaled calculation utilizing the second detector output signal. The position of the beam is then computed based upon a subtraction of the second log output signal from the first log output signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an arrangement for shielding electronic sensors from undesired microwave or millimeter wave radiation. In this arrangement, reflective element is disposed in the sensor path to intercept incoming signals. The reflective element has a pluraity of adjacent parallel ridges therein having sloped faces angled for reflecting incoming desired infrared radiation onto the sensor. The width of the ridges are selected so that desired signals will be reflected by the sloped ridge faces but undesired microwave or millimeter radiation will be reflected by the overall major surface of the mirror. Accordingly, undesired microwave or millimeter radiation will be reflected away from the sensor by the overall front major surface thereby preventing the sensor from being damaged.

Abstract: An improved image sensor for computer systems that use images to calculate vehicle wheel alignments which includes an integrated circuit having a detector array for receiving an image containing vehicle wheel alignment information, an image sensor controller for operating the detector array and directing input/output for external communications outside the circuit, and an internal bus for communications within the integrated circuit. The sensor communicates wheel alignment information contained in the image with the computer system across an interface bus.

Abstract: A dual mode seeker for intercepting a reentry vehicle or other target is disclosed. In one embodiment, the seeker is configured with an onboard 3D ladar system coordinated with an onboard IR detection system, where both systems utilize a common aperture. The IR and ladar systems cooperate with a ground based reentry vehicle detection/tracking system for defining a primary target area coordinate and focusing the IR FOV thereon. The IR system obtains IR image data in the IR FOV. The ladar system initially transmits with a smaller laser FOV to illuminate possible targets, rapidly interrogating the IR FOV. The ladar system obtains data on each possible target to perform primary discrimination assessments. Data fusion is employed to resolve the possible targets as between decoys/clutter and a reentry vehicle. The laser FOV is expandable to the IR FOV. Robust and reliable discrimination is obtained at high altitudes.

Abstract: A method for determining the relative motion of a surface with respect to a measurement device including placing a partially transmitting object, which is part of the measuring device, adjacent to the surface; illuminating the surface with incident illumination, which does not constitute an interference pattern, such that the illumination is reflected from portions of the surface, wherein at least part of at least one of the incident and reflected illumination passes through the object; detecting the illumination reflected from the surface, and generating a detected signal; and determining the relative motion of the surface parallel to the surface, from the detected signal.

Abstract: A holographic telescope (40). The novel invention is comprised of an eyepiece (44) and a first holographic optical element (42) positioned to receive incident electromagnetic energy and focus the energy on the eyepiece (44). In the preferred embodiment, the eyepiece (44) is a second holographic optical element, and both holographic optical elements are volume holograms. Each holographic optical element can be transmissive or reflective depending on packaging needs. The holographic telescope (40) can be multi-spectral by including multiple independent holograms in each holographic optical element, each hologram responding only to a particular wavelength.

Abstract: A distance measuring technology is capable of stably and accurately performing measurement of the distance to the distance to an object without use of a highly accurate focus control mechanism. The distance measurement is performed by an apparatus having a mask for restricting light so as to pass light through two or more different light passing positions; a lens system for focusing the light that has passed through the mask; an image taking-in means for taking in images from the light focused by the lens system; and a distance calculating unit for calculating a distance from an imaging element to an object using the taken-in images. The mask restricts the light so that the light is able to pass through only specified positions.