Abstract: A disclosed method of determining operating states of a fan uses a digital image of the fan and at least one operating parameter-specific algorithm. In a first stage, the method includes generating the digital image of the fan as a representation of the fan's properties, the representation based on one or more mathematical calculation models and optionally known data. The method further includes generating the at least one operating parameter-specific algorithm based on at least one of known relationships and characteristic curves, and calculating component states of the fan via the digital image, wherein the calculation of component states is based on virtual sensors. The method further includes generating a system behavior algorithm that calculates operating parameters of the fan based on the component states and optionally generates predictions relating to the operation of the fan.

Abstract: A disclosed method of determining operating states of a fan uses a digital image of the fan and at least one operating parameter-specific algorithm. In a first stage, the method includes generating the digital image of the fan as a representation of the fan's properties, the representation based on one or more mathematical calculation models and optionally known data. The method further includes generating the at least one operating parameter-specific algorithm based on at least one of known relationships and characteristic curves, and calculating component states of the fan via the digital image, wherein the calculation of component states is based on virtual sensors. The method further includes generating a system behavior algorithm that calculates operating parameters of the fan based on the component states and optionally generates predictions relating to the operation of the fan.

Abstract: A flavor or nicotine pouch for adding flavoring and/or nicotine to electronic cigarette liquid, or “e-juice.” The pouch may include a polymer housing holding a liquid solution including a flavoring and/or a nicotine solution designed for adding a flavor and/or nicotine to an electronic cigarette juice, and a removable seal for accessing the liquid solution. The removable seal may be a tear tab, twist off cap, snap off cap, or the like that is removable to create an opening into an interior of the polymer housing where the liquid solution is contained. The removable seal, in some cases, may be operably re-connectable with the polymer housing to reseal the opening.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems, wherein the illumination pattern is adjustable by modifying one or more characteristics of a controlled angle diffuser. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the diffuser can be positioned to alternately place different regions having different prescriptions in the optical path corresponding to the illumination image. In one embodiment, the diffuser can be continually moved to eliminate speckling and “worminess” in the illumination image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems, wherein the illumination pattern is adjustable by modifying one or more characteristics of a controlled angle diffuser. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the diffuser can be positioned to alternately place different regions having different prescriptions in the optical path corresponding to the illumination image. In one embodiment, the diffuser can be continually moved to eliminate speckling and “worminess” in the illumination image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the image is a uniformly intense rectangle having a 4:3 aspect ratio to match an imager for a projection display. The diffuser prescription and resulting illumination image can be selected to match any desired imager. The present systems and methods may provide the advantages of high level of light efficiency, reduction or elimination of speckle and “worminess” and reduction or elimination of cosine4 and gaussian intensity falloff, all of which are common in prior art designs.

Abstract: A universal microplate analyzer capable of carrying out measurements on samples contained in the wells of microplates by fluorescence, absorbance, luminescence employs at least two light sources and optical fiber channels for directing excitation light to the sample wells. Flexibility of operation is provided by arrays of mirrors, apertures, and polarizers which can be positioned as required for the analysis to be carried out.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting ophthalmic lenses using absorption where an ophthalmic lens is illuminated with light comprising wavelengths that are substantially absorptive to said lens, the image subsequently detected being created using only light at said absorptive wavelengths. Variations in transmitted light intensity translate into thickness changes in the lens caused by cosmetic flaws. The invention is also directed to imaging lens assemblies employing highly positive-powered field flattening lens elements to image a curved object, such as an ophthalmic lens, onto a flat image plane.

Abstract: A flashlight that generates a flashlight beam to illuminate an object at a selectable distance from the flashlight by imaging a uniformly bright pattern of light onto the object. A light modifying component can be used to manipulate the pattern of light into particular shapes and images. In one embodiment, light from a light source is coupled into a light pipe. The light is homogenized as it travels along the light pipe. The light exits the light pipe with a more uniform intensity than when it entered. The light exiting the light pipe is then reimaged by an imaging lens onto an object. Yet in other embodiments, one or more lens arrays having two or more lenlets are used to homogenize the light originating from the light source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the image is a uniformly intense rectangle having a 4:3 aspect ratio to match an imager for a projection display. The diffuser prescription and resulting illumination image can be selected to match any desired imager. The present systems and methods may provide the advantages of high level of light efficiency, reduction or elimination of speckle and “worminess” and reduction or elimination of cosine4 and gaussian intensity falloff, all of which are common in prior art designs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the image is a uniformly intense rectangle having a 4:3 aspect ratio to match an imager for a projection display. The diffuser prescription and resulting illumination image can be selected to match any desired imager. The present systems and methods may provide the advantages of high level of light efficiency, reduction or elimination of speckle and worminess and reduction or elimination of cosine4 and gaussian intensity falloff, all of which are common in prior art designs.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting ophthalmic lenses using absorption where an ophthalmic lens is illuminated with light comprising wavelengths that are substantially absorptive to said lens, the image subsequently detected being created using only light at said absorptive wavelengths. Variations in transmitted light intensity translate into thickness changes in the lens caused by cosmetic flaws. The invention is also directed to imaging lens assemblies employing highly positive-powered field flattening lens elements to image a curved object, such as an ophthalmic lens, onto a flat image plane.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting ophthalmic lenses using absorption where an ophthalmic lens is illuminated with light comprising wavelengths that are substantially absorptive to said lens, the image subsequently detected being created using only light at said absorptive wavelengths. Variations in transmitted light intensity translate into thickness changes in the lens caused by cosmetic flaws. The invention is also directed to imaging lens assemblies employing highly positive-powered field flattening lens elements to image a curved object, such as an ophthalmic lens, onto a flat image plane.

Abstract: A method and architecture for homogenizing light generated from a flashlight to produce a uniform pattern of light for projection onto an object. The pattern of light is uniform in brightness. Some embodiments produce a pattern of light with a very sharp edge defining the shape of the pattern. A light modifying component can be used to manipulate the pattern of light into particular shapes and images. In one embodiment, a flashlight light source projects light into a light pipe. The light is homogenized as it travels along the light pipe. The light exits the light pipe with a more uniform intensity than when it entered. The light exiting the light pipe is then reimaged by a lens onto an object. Yet in other embodiments, one or more lens arrays having two or more lenlets are used to homoginze the light originating from the light source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing illumination suitable for imaging devices such as laser projection systems. In one embodiment, a highly collimated (e.g., laser light) beam is passed through a holographic diffuser to create a well defined cone angle for the light emanating from each point on the diffuser. This light is focused into an illumination image that is controlled by the prescription of the diffuser. In one embodiment, the image is a uniformly intense rectangle having a 4:3 aspect ratio to match an imager for a projection display. The diffuser prescription and resulting illumination image can be selected to match any desired imager. The present systems and methods may provide the advantages of high level of light efficiency, reduction or elimination of speckle and worminess and reduction or elimination of cosine4 and gaussian intensity falloff, all of which are common in prior art designs.

Abstract: Projection lenses and projection lens systems are telecentric between an illumination subsystem and a set of imagers. The lenses and systems can exhibit color fringing correction, uniform imager illumination, athermalization, and component articulation for improved imaging. The lenses and systems may be employed in display apparatuses, such as folded display apparatuses that have decreased footprint size, but long effective projection lengths.

Abstract: Projection lenses and projection lens systems are telecentric between an illumination subsystem and a set of imagers. The lenses and systems can exhibit color fringing correction, uniform imager illumination, athermalization, and component articulation for improved imaging. The lenses and systems may be employed in display apparatuses, such as folded display apparatuses that have decreased footprint size, but long effective projection lengths.

Abstract: Projection lenses and projection lens systems are telecentric between an illumination subsystem and a set of imagers. The lenses and systems can exhibit color fringing correction, uniform imager illumination, athermalization, and component articulation for improved imaging. The lenses and systems may be employed in display apparatuses, such as folded display apparatuses that have decreased footprint size, but long effective projection lengths.

Abstract: A new and improved projector lens arrangement which can automatically adjusted for focusing purposes in an easily and convenient manner according to a novel focusing method of the present invention. The projection lens arrangement generally includes three groups of optical elements aligned along a common optical axis with a variable vertex length and wide field coverage angle. One element group near the object is a doublet having a negative element with a concave surface and a positive element being bi-convex having one surface near the image complementarily shaped to the concave surface of the negative element.