Abstract: A coated paper, particularly useful as a photobase paper, includes a pigment coating on at least one side thereof wherein the pigment coating comprises aragonite precipitated calcium carbonate, hollow sphere pigment and, optionally high-aspect-ratio clay, with aspect ratio in the range of about 50 to about 100 and mixtures thereof. Methods for manufacturing the coated paper having a roughness of no more than 3 microns are also described.

Abstract: A coated paper, particularly useful as a photobase paper, includes a pigment coating on at least one side thereof wherein the pigment coating comprises an acrylic binder and the coated paper exhibits a stability comparable to the uncoated base paper. Methods for manufacturing the coated paper having a roughness of no more than 3 microns are also described.

Abstract: A smooth base stock useful in various applications, but particularly useful in high quality imaging, comprising nonstandard fibers is disclosed. The base stock fibers have a fiber length weighted average of greater than about 0.9 mm and the base stock has a roughness of less than about 2.0 micron Ra.

Abstract: A system and method for caching local number portability (LNP) information comprises an LNP cache that can be located in a signaling processor. The LNP cache is a memory cache that contains the LNP information, such as the dialed number (DN) and the location routing number (LRN) for an associated DN. The signaling processor receives and processes call signaling. If the signaling processor determines that a DN may be assigned to a portable communication device, such as a portable signaling processor, then the signaling processor accesses the LNP cache to determine the LRN for the DN, if it exists. The LNP cache returns the LRN if a match is found for the DN and if the DN has a corresponding LRN. If a match is not found, the signaling processor can be configured to query an LNP service control point (SCP). Alternately, the LNP cache can be configured to include DNs that have a corresponding DN entry or a blank entry, but not an LRN entry, to signify that the DN is not ported.

Abstract: A method of making a paper suitable for photographic printing applications.

Abstract: The adjustment mechanism of the present invention is mounted to a frame and comprises an alignment cam that is pivotally mounted to the frame by a tension link pivot pin. The alignment cam is provided with an actuating arm that is coupled to a longitudinally extendible adjusting member. The longitudinally extendible adjusting member comprising a screw jack. A tension link is pivotally mounted to the tension link pivot pin. Camming surfaces on the alignment cam are skewed with respect to the transverse axis defined by the tension link pivot pin so that rotation of the alignment cam twists the tension link and thereby the idler wheel predominately about a vertical axis. Albeit to a lesser degree, rotation of the alignment cam also twists the tension link and idler about a longitudinally extending horizontal axis. Therefore by extending or retracting the screw jack, the toe-in/toe-out orientation of the idler wheel can be adjusted.

Abstract: A vibrator assembly is described for use with a concrete paving machine moveable longitudinally along a body of poured concrete. The paving machine includes a machine frame and a finishing carriage unit moveable transversely back and forth across the body of concrete. A plurality of support members are mounted to the paving machine frame and include extension members structurally arranged to move between a collapsed position and an extended position. A vibrator truss support frame member is mounted to the extension members and a ganged vibrator carriage assembly is mounted to the vibrator truss support frame member and structurally arranged to move transversely back and forth across and through the body of concrete.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a very compact zoom assembly with a minimum number of parts. Another object of this invention is to provide a zoom assembly which does not require guide rods and utilizes with only one motor for both zooming and focusing. Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly includes a zoom lens defining an optical axis. This zoom lens is capable of operating in a plurality of different zoom positions and of focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions. The zoom positions are (i) two extreme zoom positions (a wide angle position and a telephoto position), and (ii) a plurality of intermediate zoom positions. The zoom lens includes at least a first movable lens group and a second movable lens group. These first and second lens group are separated from one another by a variable distance.

Abstract: Briefly summarized, according to one aspect of the present invention, a zoom assembly having a plurality of different zoom positions and focus adjustment for different object distances in each of the zoom positions includes: (i) a zoom lens having a plurality of lens groups defining an optical axis and (ii) a cam barrel centered about the optical axis. The cam barrel has an inner peripheral surface with at least one cam groove for moving one of the lens groups relative to another one of the lens groups. The cam groove includes: (i) a set of primary zoom sections, each corresponding to one of the zoom positions and having a slope with respect to the optical axis, and (ii) a set of intermediate sections corresponding to transitions from one of the plurality of zoom positions to another one of the plurality of zoom positions. Each of the intermediate sections is has a slope with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: The first, movable encloses the front, middle and rear lens groups. The front and rear lens groups are supported by a front and a rear lens cell, respectively. At least one of the front and rear lens cells is an integral part of the front lens barrel. The front and rear lens cells are located at a fixed distance with respect to one another. The middle lens group is supported by a mid-lens cell. The mid-lens cell is slidably movable within the first, movable barrel and has at least three external cam followers. The second, movable barrel engages and at least partially encloses the first barrel and includes three cam grooves engaging the cam followers. The motor is operatively connected to the second, movable barrel. The motor rotates the second, movable, so that the second, movable barrel moves along the optical axis with respect to the first, movable barrel.

Abstract: An image sensor assembly is mounted in an optical system having a plurality of reference locators. The image sensor assembly includes an image sensing device having photolithographically generated elements, such as image sensing sites, and a carrier package for enclosing the image sensing device. The carrier package has externally accessible reference features that are optically aligned with respect to the photolithographically generated elements on the image sensing device. Moreover, the externally accessible reference features are used to exactly constrain the image sensor assembly relative to the reference locators. Referencing the image sensing device to the same features that are used for exact constraint removes the effect of material variations that may cause dimensional changes and eliminates the need to activate the sensor for alignment of the sensor assembly in the optical system.

Abstract: A multiple circuit board assembly comprising: a first circuit board having a first predetermined set of conductive traces on a surface; a second circuit board having a second predetermined set of conductive traces on a surface; an interconnect mechanism having a third set of traces that mate the first and second set of traces when sandwiched between the first circuit board and the second circuit board in a predetermined manner; and fastened to the first and second circuit boards together with the interconnect mechanism sandwiched between such that there is electrical contact between the first and second predetermined set of conductive traces. The interconnect mechanism can be either single sided flex connector cable, double sided flex connector cable, or Cinch connectors. The fastening mechanism can be snaps fittings or screw setups without or without resilient washers.

Abstract: A new inflatable soccer goal for allowing for easy transportation and set up. The inventive device includes a contiguous peripheral frame comprised of inflatable tubing. A nylon net extends within the contiguous peripheral frame.

Abstract: An image sensor assembly is mounted in an optical system having a plurality of reference locators. The image sensor assembly includes an image sensing device having photolithographically generated elements, such as image sensing sites, and a carrier package for enclosing the image sensing device. The carrier package has externally accessible reference features that are optically aligned with respect to the photolithographically generated elements on the image sensing device. Moreover, the externally accessible reference features are used to exactly constrain the image sensor assembly relative to the reference locators. Referencing the image sensing device to the same features that are used for exact constraint removes the effect of material variations that may cause dimensional changes and eliminates the need to activate the sensor for alignment of the sensor assembly in the optical system.

Abstract: A lens assembly comprises a lens barrel assembly for supporting a lens barrel, one or more guide members for guiding the movement of the lens barrel assembly in the direction of an optical axis, a gear shaft rotatable by a primary mover, and a drive linkage for coupling the lens barrel assembly with the gear shaft. In particular, the drive linkage has a drive nut portion meshing with the gear shaft over a partial circumferential threaded section thereof and movable in the direction of the optical axis by the rotation of the gear shaft to thereby move the lens barrel assembly in the direction of the optical axis. The advantage of this design is that it allows for a compliant linkage between a lead screw motor and the lens barrel assembly, wherein the connection to the lead screw utilizes the section of the nut for thread engagement. By utilizing up to 180 degrees of thread engagement between the linkage and the lead screw, this design further allows for simplified assembly.

Abstract: An oxido-reducto synthesis is carried out in a liquid medium with enzymatic transformation of a substrate with an oxido-reducto cofactor dependent enzyme in the presence of a cofactor for the transformation; the enzyme is immobilized by a support which is stationarily disposed in a flow path along which a liquid medium containing the substrate flows in contact with the support.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for reliably handling compact discs includes a jaw assembly having a lower pivot plate coupled to an upper frame member, at least three jaw blades pivotally mounted in openings located in the lower pivot plate, wherein lower portions of the jaw blades extend from the lower pivot plate and upper portions of the jaw blades extend through openings provided in the upper frame member, a mechanism for applying an outward pivoting force to the jaw blades, and a mechanism for applying an inward pivoting force. In addition to pivoting, the jaw blades can move upward in response to a force exerted against the tips of the jaw blades.

Abstract: The method for necking a metal container body comprises the steps of reducing a first portion of the sidewall of the container body to a first necked diameter, applying force to create tension in at least a portion of a second portion of the sidewall, and further reducing the first portion of the container body to a second necked diameter, during at least a portion of the applying step, by effecting relative motion between the container body and an external forming member. The step of applying a force to create tension in the sidewall may comprise radially displacing at least part of the shoulder portion outwardly away from the central longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The system of the present invention increases the resolution of an image that may be formed from an image sensor without increasing the resolution of the sensor. An image beam is directed along a path through a color filter wheel and a single non-rotating transparent plate and impinges on a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The transparent plate is positioned in a frame by flexures. A lever, controlled by a cam, exert a force on the transparent plate causing the transparent plate to tilt about the optical axis. The cam surface directs the lever to tilt the transparent plate in a plurality of discrete sampling positions. At each sampling position, the tilted transparent plate displaces the image beam in a different direction which allows each pixel of the CCD to sample a plurality of areas of the image. The color wheel is rotated to sequentially place each filter into the path of the image beam.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel processing for necking metal container bodies. The process comprises die-necking a container body to a first necked plug diameter, employing one or more operations, and thereafter spin-flow necking the container body to a second reduced plug diameter. The utilization of die-necking advantageously reduces plug diameter variability, thereby enhancing and complimenting the spin-flow necking operation.