Abstract: A digital camera includes a CCD operating with accumulation mode clocking for capturing an electronic representation of an image; and two or more clocks operatively and respectively connected to each phase of the two or more phases for initiating flushing of excess current, wherein, to initiate flushing, a time the clocks are at a high level are substantially the same, and a time the clocks are at a low level can be selected at any duration between a minimum width at which dark current starts to substantially increase and twice its normal operating duration during image readout and for reducing power consumption while retaining minimum dark current and for having a substantially uniform dark field.

Abstract: Highly stretchable, anisotropic melt-forming polymers consisting essentially of recurring units derived from p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid and hydroquinone are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stretchable polymer consisting essentially of recurring units derived from para-oxybenzoyl, 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl and meta-oxybenzoyl. The invention also relates to a process for stretching a multilayer laminate comprising the steps of providing a multilayer laminate comprising a layer of a thermoplastic and a layer of the stretchable polymer, and stretching the laminate greater than about 100% elongation at a temperature less than about 200° C.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows accurate spectrophotometric determination of the concentrations of various hemoglobin species in whole undiluted blood. The invention employs 1) an optical apparatus designed to maximize the true optical absorbance of whole blood and to minimize the effects of light scattering on the spectrophotometric measurements of the concentrations of various constituent components, and 2) methods to correct the hemoglobin concentration measurements for light scattering and for the effects of the finite bandwidth of the substantially monochromatic light. In the optical apparatus optical parameters, such as sample thickness, detector size, sample-to-detector distance, wavelengths, monochromicity, and maximum angle of light capture by detector, are selected so as to minimize the contribution of light scattering and to maximize the contribution of true optical absorbance.

Abstract: An optically operated test structure for testing the charge transfer efficiency (CTE) of a charge coupled device (CCD) solid-state image sensor. A solid-state image sensor includes a substrate of a semiconductor material of one conductivity type having a surface. A plurality of spaced, parallel CCDs are in the substrate at the surface. Each CCD includes a channel region and a plurality of conductive gates extending across and insulated from the channel region. The conductive gates extend laterally across the channel regions of all of the CCDs and divide the channel regions into a plurality of phases and pixels. A drain region of the opposite conductivity type is in the substrate at the surface and extends along the channel region of at least one of the CCDs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that allows accurate spectrophotometric determination of the concentrations of various hemoglobin species in whole blood without hemolysis or dilution. To overcome the complex optical properties of whole blood, the invention employs 1) an optical apparatus designed to maximize the true optical absorbance of whole blood and to minimize the effects of light scattering on the spectrophotometric measurements of the concentrations of various constituent components, and 2) methods to correct the hemoglobin concentration measurements for light scattering and for the effects of the finite bandwidth of the substantially monochromatic light.

Abstract: This invention provides novel liquid crystalline polymers which, when mixed with a suitable dye and extruded, yields polarizer films with superior polarizing efficiency, transmittance, dichroic ratio, and thermal and humidity stability. The invention further provides a process to prepare such polymers and polarizer films therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for blow molding articles from liquid crystal polymers containing ionic moieties in the backbone. The ionic moieties increase the melt viscosity of the polymers sufficiently high to blow mold articles therefrom. An illustrative liquid crystal polymer is made from 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and sodium 5-sulfoisophthalate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making cuvettes. The cuvette comprises two optically transparent liquid impermeable plastic sheets. A third "sticky" sheet is inserted between the two transparent plastic sheets and the three sheets are pressure sealed together. The thickness of the "sticky" sheet defines the optical pathlength of the turbid media. The "sticky" sheet has cut outs defining the contour of an optical chamber, inlet port and vent port.

Abstract: An improved liquid crystalline polymer blend is produced by mixing a preformed thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer in the melt phase with reactants needed to form a second liquid crystalline polymer under conditions sufficient to form the second liquid crystalline polymer. The resulting blends are anisotropic and have improved morphology and improved melt processability. The method is particularly useful when the second liquid crystalline polymer is biphasic or is difficult to synthesize or process in the melt.

Abstract: A digital frequency synthesizer circuit with spur compensation includes a demodulator circuit (118) for demodulating the output signal (116) of the synthesizer's accumulator (108). Demodulator (118) also inverts the signal, and provides an inverted demodulated output signal (142) which is then coupled to the synthesizer clock (124) after passing through a gain stage (122) in order to modulate the synthesizer clock (124) with a compensation signal (146). The compensated clock signal (140) is then sent to accumulator (108) in order to substantially cancel out any jitter in the accumulator's output signal (116). The modulation signal (MOD IN) which is digitally applied to accumulator (108) is applied in analog fashion to the gain stage (122) in order to prevent the desired modulation signal (MOD IN) from being canceled in the output signal (116).

Abstract: A laser diode having an output facet and a back facet is placed in contact with a designated edge of a die and oriented such that said output facet is substantially parallel to said top surface of said die. At least one photodetector is fabricated on the dye top surface.

Abstract: A melt processable wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400.degree. C. having enhanced adhesion properties containing from approximately 0.05 to approximately 2.0 mole percent of a recurring sulfonated, ionic moiety in the backbone of the polymer. The polymer is useful for the production of laminate structures.

Abstract: The invention discloses oligomeric compositions that have high thermal and uv stability as well as reactive end groups so that they may be reactively incorporated into polymer backbones when the polymers are prepared. The oligomeric moieties are capable of retaining their chemical structure intact at temperatures where the polymers are processed into articles, so that the finished articles contain the oligomeric moieties and possess good stability towards ultraviolet light. An example of such oligomer is illustrated by the following poly(aminoterephthalic acid).

Abstract: In situ formation of a melt processable liquid crystalline polyester composition capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature of below approximately 400.degree. C. having an improved heat distortion temperature under a load, the composition being formed in the presence of from approximately 0.05 to approximately 1.0 weight percent of a divalent metal salt of terephthalic acid as a nucleating agent. Films, fibers and molded articles produced from the composition exhibit improved thermal properties.

Abstract: A melt processable wholly aromatic liquid crystalline polymer capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase at a temperature below approximately 400.degree. C. having enhanced adhesion properties containing from approximately 0.05 to approximately 2.0 mole percent of a recurring sulfonated, ionic moiety in the backbone of the polymer. The polymer is useful for the production of laminate structures.

Abstract: A voltage level shifting circuit (100) comprises an input port (160) and output terminal (162). The voltage level shifting circuit (100) further comprises a voltage translation circuit which generates first and second voltage levels, both of which are related to the input reference voltage and which both vary with variations in the input voltage. A control circuit (158) controls which of the two voltage levels produced by the voltage translation circuit is presented at output terminal (162), depending on the voltage level at the control circuit input port (168).

Abstract: An oximeter that measures both the total hemoglobin concentration in whole, undiluted blood and the percentage of the hemoglobin saturated with oxygen. The oximeter uses red and infrared light-emitting diodes to illuminate a capillary tube filled with a sample of whole, undiluted blood. Light scattered by the blood travels a short distance down the length of the capillary tube and reaches a photodetector, the output of which is amplified, digitized, and fed to a microprocessor. The microprocessor computes the total hemoglobin concentration as a nonlinear monotonic function of the infrared light intensity. Oxyhemoglobin saturation is computed from the ratio of the logarithms of the intensities of red and infrared light. The invention provides a measurement of oxygen saturation without calibration shifts present in other oximeters due to fluctuations in total hemoglobin concentration.

Abstract: Provided is an optical information medium containing an information layer comprised of a 1-phenyl substituted naphthalocyanine. Also provided is a method for easily synthesizing the naphthalocyanine chromophore used in the information layer. The use of such naphthalocyanine chromophores in the information layer of an optical information medium provides one with many advantages. In the manufacture of the medium, these advantages arise due to the increased solubility exhibited by the chromophore in conventional organic solvents. As well, the chromophores exhibit excellent and unique optical properties useful in the recording of optical information.

Abstract: Apparatus for reducing acoustic transmission from mechanical or acoustic sources by means of a double wall partition, within which an acoustic pressure field is generated by at least one secondary acoustic source. The secondary acoustic source is advantageously placed within the partition, around its edges, or it may be an integral part of a wall of the partition.