Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which substantially all of the bulb filaments in the set are individually provided with a shunt circuit which includes a voltage responsive switch which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive substantially rated current therethrough and substantially rated voltage thereacross and further continue to be illuminated at substantially constant illumination even though other or substantially all of the other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets. The voltage responsive switches may be in series with a resistor.

Abstract: Light emitting diode (LED) lights are mixed with incandescent lights in a light string, e.g., for Christmas or other holiday season lighting. In an incandescent light string, such as a mini-light string, in which the incandescent lights are wired in series, LED lights are wired in parallel in one or more groups which are in turn wired in series with incandescent lights in described light string circuits. The LED lights may be provided in the form of an add-on LED light string, or “piggy-back” light string, that for its power supply connects with an empty bulb socket in an incandescent light string. An incandescent flasher bulb may be incorporated into the LED light string to provide surge protection as well as to enable flashing or twinkling of the LED lights. Surge protection may also be provided by an electrical shunt, e.g., a semiconductor shunt, incorporated into the LED light string, or incorporated with the associated empty bulb socket as part of the incandescent light string.

Abstract: A method for non-destructive examination of parts includes producing a 3-D image of a sample of a part, extracting a point cloud of the image of the sample of the part, and registering the point cloud to a CAD coordinate system. The method further includes determining points in the point cloud of the image that are more than a specified distance from surfaces on a CAD 3-D model of the part using the same coordinate system, and utilizing the determined points to determine the presence of anomalies or present an image of anomalies in the sample of the part.

Abstract: A series-connected string of light bulbs, operating on AC voltage, each having connected thereacross a voltage regulating shunting circuit which regulates the voltage across an empty or otherwise inoperative socket so as to maintain unidirectional current across each of the remaining sockets in the string during one-half of an AC cycle, thereby insuring continuous but dimmed illumination of the light string. The voltage regulating shunting circuit of the present invention is a silicon rectifier diode connected in series with a voltage regulating diode. The voltage regulating diode may be an array of silicon diodes or a Zener diode. The voltage regulating shunting circuit can be mass produced by using conventional manufacturing techniques.

Abstract: Displays are described comprising electrically quenched phosphor pixels, in which light emissions by a phosphor pixel are inhibited by application of an electric field. Such pixels may be excited by UV and de-excited by applying a voltage to control the display.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which substantially all of the bulb filaments in the set are individually provided with a shunt circuit which includes a voltage responsive switch which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive substantially rated current therethrough and substantially rated voltage thereacross and further continue to be illuminated at substantially constant illumination even though other or substantially all of the other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets. If flasher bulbs are used in the string, they will twinkle off and on when the operating potential is applied.

Abstract: Bi-polar same-color LED devices are described comprising at least a pair of substantially same-color light emitting diodes connected in inverse parallel. The devices are advantageously used in AC powered light strings, e.g., connected in series blocks. Parallel block interconnections of the devices in an AC powered light string are also possible, e.g.

Abstract: Christmas or other holiday season light strings are provided with phosphorescent, after glow characteristics, where a lighting element continues to glow after the light string is turned off. A light string includes an LED lighting element with a light-conducting encapsulant coated with or otherwise containing light-storing phosphor particles. Blue and UV LED lighting elements with strontium oxide aluminate phosphor particles are described. Pigments and a light diffuser are added for even, different colored lighting.

Abstract: An optical switching device contains an active stage coupled to a passive stage. The index of refraction in the active stage is variable to change the entry direction of a light beam into the passive stage, which has a fixed index of refraction. Because the light beam can enter the passive stage at different angles, the exit direction of the light beam from the passive stage can be changed. The resulting optical switch allows switching without any mechanical components.

Abstract: Dual-sided direct thermal printing of a thermal imaging element having thermally sensitive coatings on opposite sides of a substrate is described, where the thermal imaging element is provided along a feed path of a thermal printer having print heads disposed on opposite sides of the feed path. Printing on both sides of the thermal imaging element is achieved by applying variable energy heat pulses from the opposed print heads.

Abstract: An optical switching device contains an active stage coupled to a passive stage. The index of refraction in the active stage is variable to change the entry direction of a light beam into the passive stage, which has a fixed index of refraction. Because the light beam can enter the passive stage at different angles, the exit direction of the light beam from the passive stage can be changed. The resulting optical switch allows switching without any mechanical components.

Abstract: Bi-polar same-color LED devices are described comprising at least a pair of substantially same-color light emitting diodes connected in inverse parallel. The devices are advantageously used in AC powered light strings, e.g., connected in series blocks. Parallel block interconnections of the devices in an AC powered light string are also possible, e.g., where a parallel block of devices is connected in series with other elements in the string. The devices may be used in light strings with or without various current limiting circuits.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which substantially all of the bulb filaments in the set are individually provided with a shunt circuit which includes a voltage responsive switch which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive substantially rated current therethrough and substantially rated voltage thereacross and further continue to be illuminated at substantially constant illumination even though other or substantially all of the other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which substantially all of the bulb filaments in the set are individually provided with a shunt circuit which includes a voltage responsive switch which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive substantially rated current therethrough and substantially rated voltage thereacross and further continue to be illuminated at substantially constant illumination even though other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets.

Abstract: A shunt device for use in a light socket includes a first semiconductor chip and a first container having a receiving surface for receiving the first semiconductor chip therein and having an open surface through which the first semiconductor chip is exposed and a first conductive member connected having a first end connected to the first semiconductor chip through the open surface and a second end connected to a first of the terminals with the socket and wherein the container and the chip and the member are operatively interposed in a self retained manner between the terminals in the lower portion of the socket.

Abstract: Light strings in which a semiconductor device or chip is wired across a light socket in a series-wired light string are described. The device or chip is packaged in a cavity in a spacer, e.g., a through hole, in a non-conductive spacer, e.g., a sheet construction with a cavity housing the chip. The chip has a pair of opposite faces forming electrodes connecting with electrode contacts, e.g., contact sheets, on opposite sides of the non-conductive spacer. The contacts are pinched between or otherwise connect with contacting elements inside the light string socket.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent flasher type lamps in which substantially all of the lamp filaments in the set are individually provided with a voltage regulated shunt circuit, which includes a voltage responsive silicon semiconductor device, which operates in one of two conducting states, neither of which is greater than about 200 ohms. When the flasher lamp is in the “on” or illuminated state, the silicon semiconductor voltage regulating shunt device is in a low impedance state. When the flasher is in the “off” state, the impedance of the silicon semiconductor device is in a lower impedance state equal to or slightly greater than the parallel equivalent impedance of silicon semiconductor device in parallel with the normal operating impedance of the flasher lamp.

Abstract: Light emitting diode (LED) lights are mixed with incandescent lights in a light string, e.g., for Christmas or other holiday season lighting. In an incandescent light string, such as a mini-light string, in which the incandescent lights are wired in series, LED lights are wired in parallel in one or more groups which are in turn wired in series with incandescent lights in described light string circuits. The LED lights may be provided in the form of an add-on LED light string, or “piggy-back” light string, that for its power supply connects with an empty bulb socket in an incandescent light string. An incandescent flasher bulb may be incorporated into the LED light string to provide surge protection as well as to enable flashing or twinkling of the LED lights. Surge protection may also be provided by an electrical shunt, e.g., a semiconductor shunt, incorporated into the LED light string, or incorporated with the associated empty bulb socket as part of the incandescent light string.

Abstract: A process for fabricating Zener diodes that does not require the use of photomasks. An oxide layer is grown on a silicon substrate which is doped with an N-type dopant. The substrate is subsequently implanted with a P-type dopant, forming a PN junction. The substrate is then metallized for connecting the Zener diode to other circuit components. Advantageously, the substrate is scribed after ‘seeding’ and before electroless metallization. Back-to-back Zener diodes formed in this manner are used as shunt circuits across individual lamp sockets in series-wired Christmas light strings to maintain current flow to each of the lamps of the light string when one or multiple lamps fail.

Abstract: A string set of series-connected incandescent bulbs in which substantially all of the bulb filaments in the set are individually provided with a shunt circuit which includes a voltage responsive switch which is inoperative during normal operation of the string set when connected to a source of operating potential and which becomes operative only in response to an increase in the voltage thereacross which exceeds its rating, and in which the remaining bulbs of the circuit continue to receive current therethrough and continue to be illuminated at substantially constant illumination even though other or substantially all of the other bulbs in the string are either inoperative or are missing from their respective sockets.