Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an item-identifying, mobile cart that may be utilized by a user in a materials handling facility to automatically identify a user operating the cart and items that the user places into a basket of the cart. In addition, the cart may update a virtual shopping cart of the identified user to include items taken by the user. The mobile cart may include multiple imaging devices and oriented such that their respective optical axes are directed towards an interior of a perimeter of the top of the basket, and above the top of the basket. The mobile cart may also include an imaging device oriented away from the basket such that a user operating the mobile cart may scan a user identifier using this imaging device to enable recognition of the user.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to an item-identifying, mobile cart that may be utilized by a user in a materials handling facility to automatically identify a user operating the cart and items that the user places into a basket of the cart. In addition, the cart may update a virtual shopping cart of the identified user to include items taken by the user. The mobile cart may include multiple imaging devices and oriented such that their respective optical axes are directed towards an interior of a perimeter of the top of the basket, and above the top of the basket. The mobile cart may also include an imaging device oriented away from the basket such that a user operating the mobile cart may scan a user identifier using this imaging device to enable recognition of the user.

Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp system is provided. The ultraviolet lamp system includes: (a) a bulb; (b) at least one magnetron configured to emit microwave energy configured to be received by the bulb; and (c) a power supply configured to provide electrical energy to the at least one magnetron, the power supply being adapted to modulate the electrical energy provided to the at least one magnetron such that light output from the bulb is more uniform in at least one of intensity and spectral output.

Abstract: An ultraviolet lamp system is provided. The ultraviolet lamp system includes: (a) a bulb; (b) at least one magnetron configured to emit microwave energy configured to be received by the bulb; and (c) a power supply configured to provide electrical energy to the at least one magnetron, the power supply being adapted to modulate the electrical energy provided to the at least one magnetron such that light output from the bulb is more uniform in at least one of intensity and spectral output.

Abstract: A gasket for use in an ultraviolet light source is provided. The gasket includes a body portion formed of an elastomeric material. The body portion is electrically conductive.

Abstract: A light source having a substantially elliptical cross-section for UV curing lamp assemblies is disclosed. The light source has a pair of end sections and a central section of smaller diameter than the end sections. The end sections are each connected to the central section by a tapered section the diameter of each of which decreases from an end that mates with an end section toward an end that mates with the central section. Each of the end sections has a substantially elliptical cross-section. The central section and the tapered sections may have a substantially elliptical cross-section. The aspect ratio of the elliptical cross-section of the end sections and the central section of the light source is preferably about 2:1.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) LED-based lamp for UV curing lamp assemblies is disclosed. An array of UV emitting LEDs are packaged together and arranged along the length of a cylindrical lens to form a UV LED-based optical component assembly. The UV LED-based optical component assembly may be made to be modular. A UV LED lamp assembly may comprise a plurality of UV LED-based optical component assemblies arranged around a workpiece tube. The workpiece tube may be filled with an inert gas and may be made of quartz or glass. One or more curved back reflectors may be placed opposite the LED UV LED-based optical component assemblies to collect UV light escaping the workpiece tube and refocus the light to the other side of the workpiece. The UV LEDs may be arranged on a single surface or a multi-level tiered platform.

Abstract: A light source having a substantially elliptical cross-section for UV curing lamp assemblies is disclosed. The light source has a pair of end sections and a central section of smaller diameter than the end sections. The end sections are each connected to the central section by a tapered section the diameter of each of which decreases from an end that mates with an end section toward an end that mates with the central section. Each of the end sections has a substantially elliptical cross-section. The central section and the tapered sections may have a substantially elliptical cross-section. The aspect ratio of the elliptical cross-section of the end sections and the central section of the light source is preferably about 2:1.

Abstract: A luminaire assembly comprising at least one magnetron, a least one microwave-powered bulb, a luminaire reflector, at least one waveguide, and a radio-frequency screen assembly is provided. The radio-frequency screen assembly, the radio frequency gasket, and the luminaire reflector are configured to form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The at least one waveguide is configured to couple energy from the at least one magnetron to the microwave-powered bulb. The radio-frequency screen accommodates at least one latching structure. The at least one latching structure is configured to sufficiently compress or to release the radio-frequency screen and the luminaire assembly. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency screen assembly comprises a frame which comprises an opening defined by a plurality of edges. The frame comprises a planar portion and further comprises a ridge at one of the edges that extends in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) LED-based lamp for UV curing lamp assemblies is disclosed. An array of UV emitting LEDs are packaged together and arranged along the length of a cylindrical lens to form a UV LED-based optical component assembly. The UV LED-based optical component assembly may be made to be modular. A UV LED lamp assembly may comprise a plurality of UV LED-based optical component assemblies arranged around a workpiece tube. The workpiece tube may be filled with an inert gas and may be made of quartz or glass. One or more curved back reflectors may be placed opposite the LED UV LED-based optical component assemblies to collect UV light escaping the workpiece tube and refocus the light to the other side of the workpiece. The UV LEDs may be arranged on a single surface or a multi-level tiered platform.

Abstract: A luminaire reflector comprises a first end reflector segment, a second end reflector segment, and a main reflector segment bonded together as a single-piece. The main reflector segment, the first end reflector segment, and the second end reflector segment form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The luminaire reflector is configured to be mated to at least one waveguide of a luminaire assembly. The luminaire reflector comprises at least one RF coupling slot to transmit microwave energy from the waveguide side to the microwave cavity side of the reflector assembly.

Abstract: A luminaire reflector comprises a first end reflector segment, a second end reflector segment, and a main reflector segment bonded together as a single-piece. The main reflector segment, the first end reflector segment, and the second end reflector segment form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The luminaire reflector is configured to be mated to at least one waveguide of a luminaire assembly. The luminaire reflector comprises at least one RF coupling slot to transmit microwave energy from the waveguide side to the microwave cavity side of the reflector assembly.

Abstract: A luminaire assembly comprising at least one magnetron, a least one microwave-powered bulb, a luminaire reflector, at least one waveguide, and a radio-frequency screen assembly is provided. The radio-frequency screen assembly, the radio frequency gasket, and the luminaire reflector are configured to form a microwave cavity that can accommodate a microwave-powered bulb. The at least one waveguide is configured to couple energy from the at least one magnetron to the microwave-powered bulb. The radio-frequency screen accommodates at least one latching structure. The at least one latching structure is configured to sufficiently compress or to release the radio-frequency screen and the luminaire assembly. In another embodiment, a radio-frequency screen assembly comprises a frame which comprises an opening defined by a plurality of edges. The frame comprises a planar portion and further comprises a ridge at one of the edges that extends in a direction perpendicular to the planar portion.

Abstract: An article treatment system and method utilizing an air-cooled lamp and having reduced cooling requirement. A power supply responds to a sensor sensing the presence of an article at an article treating location by providing power to an air-cooled lamp, causing the lamp to project radiation onto the article at a radiation level sufficient to effectively treat the article. An air blower blows air onto the lamp, and a blower driver is responsive to the level of the power being provided to the lamp to drive the air blower at a speed blowing air onto the lamp with an air pressure having a non-linear relationship with the power level.

Abstract: A power supply is provided for a lamp system. The power supply may include structure to switch from a high power level to a low power level. The high power level and the low power level together are a cycle that is repeated. The high power level may be higher than the conventional steady-state power level used for the same lamp system.

Abstract: A lamp for more uniformly irradiating surfaces of fibers (including ribbon-shaped fibers), such as optical fibers, and methods of using such lamp, are provided. The lamp has primary and secondary elliptical-shaped reflectors, forming an elliptical space therebetween with the fibers in the vicinity of one focal point of the elliptical space, on the major axis of the elliptical space. The lamp bulb is centered on this major axis of the elliptical space, in the vicinity of the other focal point to provide a dispersed ray pattern at the fiber for more uniformity over the surfaces of the fibers. Ends of the primary reflector can be provided with end reflectors which can have mounts for the lamp bulb. The lamp can be used to cure a light curable coating (e.g., ink, polymer) on the fiber.

Abstract: An article treatment system and method utilizing an air-cooled lamp and having reduced cooling requirement. A power supply responds to a sensor sensing the presence of an article at an article treating location by providing power to an air-cooled lamp, causing the lamp to project radiation onto the article at a radiation level sufficient to effectively treat the article. An air blower blows air onto the lamp, and a blower driver is responsive to the level of the power being provided to the lamp to drive the air blower at a speed blowing air onto the lamp with an air pressure having a non-linear relationship with the power level.

Abstract: A power supply is provided for a lamp system. The power supply may include structure to switch from a high power level to a low power level. The high power level and the low power level together are a cycle that is repeated. The high power level may be higher than the conventional steady-state power level used for the same lamp system.