Abstract: A low cost, high speed, high resolution laser printer method and apparatus for re-writable media is presented. Three aspects are presented: 1) a bi-stable, microencapsulated dichroic sphere colorant and surface coating therefore for producing an electric field writable and erasable medium--such as paper or a paper-like display, 2) an electrophotographic printer that is capable of conventional toner-based printing and re-writable "paper" printing and 3) a greatly simplified electrophotographic printer that is dedicated to printing re-writable media. The printer embodiments are based on conventional low cost laser printer designs, and have significant advantages in product cost, printing resolution and speed over the electrode array printer. A laser scanner is used to writably erase the uniform, high voltage charge deposited on the surface of a photoconductor drum or belt.

Abstract: Various laser patterns for vertical cavity surface emitting lasers are disclosed. The patterns utilize lasers with different size apertures. By utilizing these laser patterns, an image forming system is able to form images with improved resolution and halftoning. Apparatus and method implementations which use these laser patterns are disclosed.

Abstract: Multiple electroluminescent (EL) emitters are constructed from layers deposited on a substrate and incorporated with a broadband sensor to form a colorimeter. The EL emitters produce light covering spectral segments determined by a filter layer and an active layer wherein the spectral segments sufficiently cover the visible spectrum to enable a wide range of colors to be accurately measured. The colorimeter is mounted in a desktop color printer to measure the color content of printed images and to calibrate the printer.

Abstract: A thermal ink-jet printer (10) including a paper advancing mechanism (14) and a pen traversing mechanism (18) and a pen (20) is disclosed. The pen (20) includes a nozzle plate portion (22) which includes irregularly spaced columns of nozzles (24) for staggering application of inks onto the print medium (16) such that a drying time is provided between applications of differing inks to adjacent areas. The printer (10) further includes a platen heater assembly (68) as a means of fixing and drying the ink on the print medium (16), and a vacuum fan (62) and an associated plurality of platen vacuum holes (74) as a means of holding the print medium (16) in close contact with the heater plate assembly (68), thus increasing efficiency of heat transfer.

Abstract: Apparatus for monitoring, converting and calibrating the spectra displayed by a colored object, using wavelength dispersion provided by a variable wavelength filter. The apparatus may serve as a spectrophotometer, as a colorimeter, or as a spectroradiometer or other device that monitors and calibrates a light signal by decomposition of the signal into a wavelength distribution. The apparatus may also be used as part of a feedback network to monitor and correct colors displayed by a color monitor, color printer, color scanner or other similar peripheral device controlled by a computer that is part of the network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the distance a sheet of paper, or other reflective or transmissive substrate material with a suitable, approximately planar surface, has moved in a given direction. The substrate is illuminated by reflection or transmission of light at non-normal incidence, and a linear array of N uniformly spaced light sensors is provide to receive and sense light issuing from the illuminated substrate. This produces a first or reference array of light signal strengths s.sub.1 (k) (k=1,2, . . . , N). The substrate is then moved in the given direction, and a second array of signal strengths s.sub.2 (k) (k=1, 2, . . . , N) is produced. A cross-correlation function C(K), formed from consecutive portions of the first and second light signal strength arrays, is then examined to determine the distance the substrate has moved in the given direction. A maximum in the cross-correlation function C(K) at K=K.sub.

Abstract: Light filter apparatus for receiving a light beam having wavelengths in a selected band and for dispersing the light into a plurality of rays, with each ray having a different wavelength for which the intensity peaks. The peak wavelength varies approximately continuously with displacement of spatial position in a chosen direction along the filter's light-receiving plane. In one embodiment, the filter is a modified etalon structure having at least two reflecting surfaces whose separation distance is not constant but increases or decreases monotonically with distance in a chosen direction in a light-receiving plane of the etalon. Each of these two reflecting surfaces may be planar or non-planar but continuous, or may have a step or staircase configuration. This structure may operate using transmitted light or reflected light.

Abstract: A desktop printing system for use with microprocessor-based computers includes the modular combination of a color printer and a monochrome text printer. Preferably, the color printer is of the type which prints color graphics incrementally and the text printer is of the type which prints monochrome text continuously. In operation, printing information is segregated into color and text components, and the color printer is controlled to print only color components while the text printer is controlled to print only monochrome text components.

Abstract: A printer includes an inkjet pen to eject ink drops for printing on the surface of a sheet, a carriage mounted to carry the pen back and forth on the sheet, and a skid-like spacer to ride upon the printed surface. The spacer maintains a preselected spacing between the pen and the printed surface and, also, maintains paper flatness at the localized area of printing.

Abstract: In an inkjet printer, heaters are mounted to travel with an inkjet pen to expose print lines on sheets to localized heat substantially simultaneously with printing. After printing, sheets are ironed with a heated roller member to further dry ink and to prevent cockling.

Abstract: A system for extracting handwritten or typed information from forms that have been printed in colors other than the color of the handwritten or typed information. The information extraction system includes a detector for detecting color values for scanned pixel locations on a printed form; a comparator for comparing the color values with reference color values; an identifier for identifying ones of the scanned pixel locations that have color values that correspond to the reference color values; and an optical character recognition engine for receiving data regarding the identified locations.

Abstract: The trichromatic beamsplitter consists of composited dichroic beamsplitter plates that separate a projected image into its three color components with spatial as well as spectral precision. The three linear array photosensor comprises a monolithic sensor having three parallel photodiode arrays spaced precisely to accept the color component images of the trichromatic beamsplitter.The present invention also employs a spectral and spatial combiner that is capable of maintaining equal optical path lengths of each spectral beam so that a single combined beam can be produced and can be employed in a number of different applications such as a color camera device, a color recording device, a graphics presentation device, an electronic color filter device, a color projector device and a multi-channel optical communication device.

Abstract: A forensic sample and tracking system includes a computer system which operates a data base and a read/write station. The assignment of an identifier in the data base and an identification code to be printed on a sample bottle label are coordinated by the computer. An identification code can then be read for verification after it is written. This permits automated verifying of identification codes in a heretofore unavailable manner. The read/write station makes use of an inexpensive, reliable and compact thermal ink jet print head so that a field computer and read/write station can be taken to sample collection sites. The effective linear resolution of the identification code is enhanced using a two-track bar code.

Abstract: The trichromatic beamsplitter consists of composited dichroic beamsplitter plates that separate a projected image into its three color components with spacial as well as spectral precision. The three linear array photosensor comprises a monolithic sensor having three parallel photodiode arrays spaced precisely to accept the color component images of the trichromatic beamsplitter.

Abstract: A heated transfer line for heating a small glass capillary tube is disclosed. The transfer line is small and removable yet highly efficient, capable of uniformly heating a glass capillary tube over a 5-inch length to more than 400 degrees with less than 30 watts of power. The power is applied to an electrically conductive heater tube, which encircles the glass capillary, via first and second current conductors attached to respective ends of the heater tube. The first and second current conductors are arranged in proximity to the heater tube and back along the heater tube to a common point without touching each other. Electrical insulation is disposed between the heater tube and the first and second current conductors to electrically isolate the heater tube from the current conductors. A cover of thermal insulation is disposed over the heater tube and the current conductors and is used to thermally isolate the heater tube. An outer tube is disposed around the thermal insulation as a cover.

Abstract: A heated transfer line for heating a small glass capillary tube is disclosed. The transfer line is small and removable yet highly efficient, capable of uniformly heating a glass capillary tube over a 5-inch length to more than 400 degrees with less than 30 watts of power. The power is applied to an electrically conductive heater tube, which encircles the glass capillary, via first and second current conductors attached to respective ends of the heater tube. The first and second current conductors are arranged in proximity to the heater tube and back along the heater tube to a common point without touching each other. Electrical insulation is disposed between the heater tube and the first and second current conductors to electrically isolate the heater tube from the current conductors. A cover of thermal insulation is disposed over the heater tube and the current conductors and is used to thermally isolate the heater tube. An outer tube is disposed around the thermal insulation as a cover.

Abstract: The trichromatic beamsplitter consists of composited dichroic beamsplitter plates that separate a projected image into its three color components with spacial as well as spectral precision. The three linear array photosensor comprises a monolithic sensor having three parallel photodiode arrays spaced precisely to accept the color component images of the trichromatic beamsplitter.

Abstract: A heated transfer line for heating a small glass capillary tube is disclosed. The transfer line is small and removable yet highly efficient, capable of uniformly heating a glass capillary tube over a 5-inch length to more than 400.degree. C. with less than 30 watts of power. The power is applied to an electrically conductive heater tube, which encircles the glass capillary, via first and second current conductors attached to respective ends of the heater tube. The first and second current conductors are arranged in proximity to the heater tube and back along the heater tube to a common point without touching each other. Electrical insulation is disposed between the heater tube and the first and second current conductors to electrically isolate the heater tube from the current conductors. A cover of thermal insulation is disposed over the heater tube and the current conductors and is used to thermally isolate the heater tube. An outer tube is disposed around the thermal insulation as a cover.

Abstract: A novel structure for a small, inexpensive, and easily replaced infrared source having near blackbody emission over a spectrum of 2-20 micron wavelengths is disclosed. The source element is self-starting and has a life expectancy in excess of 1000 hours at 1700 degrees K, which requires only 22 watts of power to maintain. Because the source is energy efficient, there is no need of auxilliary cooling or added thermal isolation from adjacent components when the source is used in an instrument such as a spectrophotometer.

Abstract: An adhesive for bonding polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate and other transparent thermoplastic sheets to form optically clear laminants with improved bond strengths which remain intact over temperature exposures ranging from -40.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. and humidities ranging up to 90% at 40.degree. C. is provided. The adhesive is a combination of approximately 20% molecular weight phenoxy resin and approximately 80% molecular weight polyurethane resin.