Abstract: A system and method of conveying objects. A switching station is operated in coordination with gaps formed in a first product stream carried on an upstream conveyor, to split the first product stream into two or more second product streams carried on downstream conveyors.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the information storage capacity of optical recording structures by utilizing a laser beam of different powers to produce a selected one of a plurality of different physical states. These states each produce a different optical contrast. If the number of different optical contrasts is greater than two, then encoding schemes based on three or more bits may be used to store the information thus increasing the data density on the optical recording structure, such as an optical disc. In order to promote the stability of the physical states and to enhance the speed of transition between the states, a stabiliment layer is added adjacent and covering the photosensitive layer of the disc. The stabiliment layer itself is ablated in the ablation state of the photosensitive layer.

Abstract: A system for storing and retrieving encoded data on an optical recording medium using pit edge detection is disclosed. The pit extension characteristics of a given medium are determined by first using laser beam test write pulses to form one or more pits on the medium and then detecting the time durational difference between the pulse width of the test write pulses and the duration of the leading edge transitions to trailing edge transitions of the corresponding pits formed on said medium. This difference value may be stored in a certification sector of the medium. Subsequent write pulses are modified in duration in an amount equal to this detected durational difference. For forming a pit that is longer than a predetermined minimum length, the corresponding write pulse is made non-continuous in order to minimize cumulative pit extension.

Abstract: Quadrilayer optical DRAW medium which differs from prior trilayer optical DRAW media by having a thin triggering layer adjacent each of the optical spacer and light-absorbing layers. The triggering layer is a material, preferably organic, which when heated by a modulated laser-diode beam to a temperature less than the melting point of the optical spacer layer develops substantial vapor pressure or otherwise rapidly expands to implement or enhance the formation of pits or bubbles in the light-absorbing layer without disturbing the optical spacer layer or its function of protecting the substrate of the medium.

Abstract: A reflector for use in liquid crystal displays is disclosed comprising a plate having a micro-lenticular surface over which are successive layers of reflective material, such as aluminum or silver and a light transparent material having a low index of refraction, i.e., an inex of refraction below that of SiO.sub.2, which is in optical contact with the reflective layer.The present invention also contemplates the method of fabricating such a reflective surface.