Abstract: A transmissometer and method for determining a transmissivity of an atmosphere within a chamber. A chamber contains the atmosphere. A light source generates a test beam and a light detector detects the test beam. A periscope is movable between a first position which allows the test beam to pass through the atmosphere in the chamber and into the light detector and a second position in which the test beam is deflected to pass into the light detector without passing through the atmosphere in the chamber. A processor determines the transmissivity of the atmosphere from a transmissivity measurement for the test beam obtained by the light detector when the periscope is in the first position and a transfer standard obtained at the light detector when the periscope is in the second position.

Abstract: A transmissometer and method for determining a transmissivity of an atmosphere within a chamber. A chamber contains the atmosphere. A light source generates a test beam and a light detector detects the test beam. A periscope is movable between a first position which allows the test beam to pass through the atmosphere in the chamber and into the light detector and a second position in which the test beam is deflected to pass into the light detector without passing through the atmosphere in the chamber. A processor determines the transmissivity of the atmosphere from a transmissivity measurement for the test beam obtained by the light detector when the periscope is in the first position and a transfer standard obtained at the light detector when the periscope is in the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a scene with blackbody light includes a sheet of nano-structures having a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The first side and the second side are configured to receive light from an environment facing both sides and emit light to the environment facing both sides. Each nano-structure is configured to receive light in a first range of wavelengths resulting in heating the nano-structure and to emit blackbody light due to the heating to display the scene with blackbody light. The apparatus also includes a projector configured to irradiate the nano-structures on one of the sides of the sheet with light in the first range of wavelengths that form the scene to be displayed with the blackbody light emitted from the sheet of nano-structures.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a scene with blackbody light includes a sheet of nano-structures having a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The first side and the second side are configured to receive light from an environment facing both sides and emit light to the environment facing both sides. Each nano-structure is configured to receive light in a first range of wavelengths resulting in heating the nano-structure and to emit blackbody light due to the heating to display the scene with blackbody light. The apparatus also includes a projector configured to irradiate the nano-structures on one of the sides of the sheet with light in the first range of wavelengths that form the scene to be displayed with the blackbody light emitted from the sheet of nano-structures.

Abstract: A method includes selecting one or more analysis algorithms to be used to verify an authenticity of an electronic component. Each analysis algorithm identifies a type of data to be analyzed and/or a manner in which the data is to be collected. Each analysis algorithm also defines how the data is to be analyzed to verify the authenticity of the electronic component. The method also includes obtaining data associated with the electronic component. The method further includes analyzing the data associated with the electronic component using the one or more selected analysis algorithms to determine whether the electronic component is authentic. In addition, the method includes generating an output based on the analysis. One or more characteristics of the electronic component could be compared against one or more characteristics of at least one reference component, or variations in one or more characteristics of multiple electronic components could be identified.

Abstract: A method includes selecting one or more analysis algorithms to be used to verify an authenticity of an electronic component. Each analysis algorithm identifies a type of data to be analyzed and/or a manner in which the data is to be collected. Each analysis algorithm also defines how the data is to be analyzed to verify the authenticity of the electronic component. The method also includes obtaining data associated with the electronic component. The method further includes analyzing the data associated with the electronic component using the one or more selected analysis algorithms to determine whether the electronic component is authentic. In addition, the method includes generating an output based on the analysis. One or more characteristics of the electronic component could be compared against one or more characteristics of at least one reference component, or variations in one or more characteristics of multiple electronic components could be identified.

Abstract: The invention provides for capturing and displaying video images by (1) creating a video signal comprising a succession of video fields or frames containing optical image video data representing the captured optical image, with a plurality of first video fields or frames representing the optical image at a first exposure level and a plurality of second video fields or frames representing the optical image at a second exposure level different from the first exposure level, with the first field or frames being interspersed among said second fields or frames, and (2) utilizing that video signal to (a) generate a video display of the image represented by said first video fields or frames or the image represented by said second video fields or frames, or (b) concurrently generate a first video display of the image represented by said first video fields or frames and a second video display of the image represented by said second video fields or frames.

Abstract: A display illumination and viewing system has an illumination optical path and a viewing optical path coinciding along a portion of their lengths. A display is located at one end of the coinciding path portion. A first lens system is located on the coinciding path portion and a second lens system is located on the viewing optical path. An illumination assembly is located on the illumination optical path and off the coinciding path portion. The illumination assembly is spaced from the first lens system by a distance corresponding to a focal length of the first lens system. A reflective and transmissive element is located at an opposite end of the coinciding path portion to reflect light from the illumination assembly onto the coinciding path portion toward the display and to transmit light from the display along the viewing optical path. In another aspect of the invention, the image display system is operable in a color mode and a monochrome mode.

Abstract: An off-axis optical display system is provided. The system comprises an eyeglass lens assembly having a first lens section having a first surface, at least a portion of the first surface having a first curvature, and a second lens section having a second surface, at least a portion of the second surface having a second curvature. An interface is located between the first surface and the second surface. The interface comprises an optical layer and conforms to the first curvature of the first surface and the second curvature of the second surface. An image source is located off-axis with respect to the interface to transmit light along an optical path that reflects off the optical reflective surface of the interface toward an eye of a user. A portion of the optical path may be through air, and refraction is provided at the interface between air and the first lens. An aberration correction element is also provided.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes a handle assembly and an outer tube having a distal end and a proximal end, the latter being fixed to the handle assembly. The outer tube is provided with a groove in an outermost surface of the outer tube and extending lengthwise of the outer tube. The apparatus further includes an irrigation tube for disposal in the groove for conducting fluid in a direction from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: An endoscope comprises inner and outer tubes, the inner metal tube containing electrical an objective unit components including a solid state video imaging unit. An electrically insulative sleeve is disposed around the inner tube for electrically isolating the inner tube and electrical components from the outer tube. In a preferred embodiment, an electrically insulative ring is disposed between a major portion of the inner tube and distal end portion of the inner tube to electrically isolate the inner tube distal end portion from the inner tube major portion and the electrical components. Thus, those endoscope components which are likely to contact a patient, i.e., the outer tube and the inner tube distal end portion, are electrically isolated from the inner tube and the electrical components therein, thereby preventing injurious electrical current flow to the patient.

Abstract: An improved, self-centering surgical staple is disclosed. Engaging members are located on the base portion of the staple. During forming (bending) of the staple on the anvil, the engaging members engage the forming mechanisms (i.e., the shoulders of the anvil or the twin heads of the pusher) to center the staple on the anvil so that the legs will be embedded in the tissue at the same depth.

Abstract: A surgical staple of the type which is applied by being bent around an anvil in a surgical stapler has two spaced surfaces transverse to the longitudinal axis of the staple and located so that when the staple is bent around the anvil, the transverse surfaces cooperate with the anvil to prevent the staple from being pulled back into the stapler.