Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining an image of a tooth having at least one light source providing incident light having a first spectral range for obtaining a reflectance image (122) from the tooth and a second spectral range for exciting a fluorescence image (120) from the tooth. A polarizing beamsplitter (18) in the path of the incident light from both sources directs light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor (68), wherein the second polarization state is orthogonal to the first polarization state. A first lens (22) in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth toward the sensor (68), and obtains image data from the portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter (15) in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range.

Abstract: A method for displaying first and second stereoscopic images to first and second viewers provides the first viewer with a first decoding device having a first viewer differentiating element for receiving the first stereoscopic image and further having a first left- and right-eye differentiating elements for separating left- and right-eye images. The second viewer is provided with a second decoding device having a second viewer differentiating element for receiving the second stereoscopic image and further having a second left- and right-eye differentiating element. The first stereoscopic image is displayed to the first viewer by forming a first left-eye image and forming a first right-eye image, each over substantially half of the refresh period. The second stereoscopic image is displayed to the second viewer by forming a second left-eye image and forming a second right-eye image, each over substantially half of the refresh period.

Abstract: A method for displaying first and second stereoscopic images to first and second viewers provides the first viewer with a first decoding device having a first viewer differentiating element for receiving the first stereoscopic image and further having a first left- and right-eye differentiating elements for separating left- and right-eye images. The second viewer is provided with a second decoding device having a second viewer differentiating element for receiving the second stereoscopic image and further having a second left- and right-eye differentiating element. The first stereoscopic image is displayed to the first viewer by forming a first left-eye image and forming a first right-eye image, each over substantially half of the refresh period. The second stereoscopic image is displayed to the second viewer by forming a second left-eye image and forming a second right-eye image, each over substantially half of the refresh period.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus forms, onto a linear array light modulator, a line of illumination that extends in a linear direction. The illumination apparatus has a first laser array with laser emitters for forming a first linear beam array and a second laser array with laser emitters for forming a second linear beam array. An array combiner aligns at least the first and second linear beam arrays in the linear direction and directs the first and second linear beam arrays along a propagation path to form a mixed illumination. At least first and second cylindrical lens elements having power in the linear direction relay the mixed illumination from the propagation path toward the linear array light modulator. At least third and fourth cylindrical lens elements having power in the cross-array direction that is orthogonal to the linear direction focus the mixed illumination onto the linear array light modulator.

Abstract: A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent absorbs a fraction of the light in the incident visible wavelength band and emits light in an emissive visible wavelength band having an emissive peak wavelength and an emissive bandwidth; wherein return light from the projection display surface produced when incident light in the incident visible wavelength band is incident on the projection display surface contains light in both the incident visible wavelength band and emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biocidal compositions comprising at least one biocidal active substance and at least one solvent from the group of polyglycol monobutyl ethers, and to their use as preservatives and disinfectants. More specifically, the invention provides compositions comprising a) at least one biocidal active substance b) at least one solvent according to the formula I R—(O—CH2—CH2)x—O—H??(I) in which R is a linear or branched butyl group and x is a number from 3 to 10.

Abstract: A method for forming a stereoscopic image forms separate left-eye and right-eye images in a repeated cycle that forms the left-eye image by providing data for lines of the left-eye image, ordered in sequence from a first to a second edge of an image frame, then forms successive lines of modulated light according to the ordered sequence by progressively scanning lines of modulated light across a display surface by rotating a scanning element forward from a first to a second position. The right-eye image is formed by providing data for lines of the right-eye image, ordered in sequence from the second to the first edge of the image frame and forming successive lines of modulated light, progressively scanning the lines of modulated light across the display surface by rotating the scanning element in reverse from the second to the first position. The left-eye image is distinguished from the right-eye image.

Abstract: A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent absorbs a fraction of the light in the incident visible wavelength band and emits light in an emissive visible wavelength band having an emissive peak wavelength and an emissive bandwidth; wherein return light from the projection display surface produced when incident light in the incident visible wavelength band is incident on the projection display surface contains light in both the incident visible wavelength band and emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts.

Abstract: A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent absorbs a fraction of the light in the incident visible wavelength band and emits light in an emissive visible wavelength band having an emissive peak wavelength and an emissive bandwidth; wherein return light from the projection display surface produced when incident light in the incident visible wavelength band is incident on the projection display surface contains light in both the incident visible wavelength band and emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts.

Abstract: A projection apparatus for producing color images having reduced speckle artifacts comprising: at least three narrow band light sources having first, second and third visible wavelength bands; a digital image source providing color digital image data; at least one spatial light modulator for forming a color image using light responsive to the color digital image data; a projection display surface including a reflective layer that reflects incident illumination in the first, second, and third wavelength bands; and a fluorescent agent that absorbs a fraction of the incident light in the first visible wavelength bands and emits light in a corresponding first emissive visible wavelength band; and a projection lens that projects the color image onto the projection display surface; wherein return light from the projection display surface contains light in both the first incident visible wavelength band and the first emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts.

Abstract: A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent absorbs a fraction of the light in the incident visible wavelength band and emits light in an emissive visible wavelength band having an emissive peak wavelength and an emissive bandwidth; wherein return light from the projection display surface produced when incident light in the incident visible wavelength band is incident on the projection display surface contains light in both the incident visible wavelength band and emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a tooth having a light source with a first spectral range and a second spectral range. A polarizing beamsplitter (18) light having a first polarization state toward the tooth and directs light from the tooth having a second polarization state along a return path toward a sensor (68), wherein the first and second polarization states are orthogonal. A first lens (22) in the return path directs image-bearing light from the tooth, through the polarizing beamsplitter (18), toward the sensor (68), and obtains image data from the redirected portion of the light having the second polarization state. A long-pass filter (15) in the return path attenuates light in the second spectral range. Control logic enables the sensor to obtain either the reflectance image or the fluorescence image.

Abstract: The present invention describes linking a therapeutic agent to a compound which is known to be naturally concentrated in a tissue affected by, or that is causing, a disease, to create a prodrug for treatment of the disease. Embodiments of the present invention include a new class of carotenoid-linked drugs to treat such blinding retinal disease such as age-related macular degeneration, retinoblastoma, and diabetic macular edema. For example, the present invention comprises a method for the treatment of a disorder of the eye comprising linking a therapeutic agent to a xanthophyll carotenoid to create a prodrug, and administering a therapeutically effective amount of the prodrug to an individual in need of treatment. Provided are prodrugs for treatment of retinoblastoma, cystoid macular edema (CME), exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, or inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: A method and apparatus derive a dynamic grammar composed of a subset of a plurality of data elements that are each associated with one of a plurality of reference identifiers. The present invention generates a set of selection identifiers on the basis of a user-provided first input identifier and determines which of these selection identifiers are present in a set of pre-stored reference identifiers. The present invention creates a dynamic grammar that includes those data elements that are associated with those reference identifiers that are matched to any of the selection identifiers. Based on a user-provided second identifier and on the data elements of the dynamic grammar, the present invention selects one of the reference identifiers in the dynamic grammar.

Abstract: An electromechanical system and a printer for maintaining a peel location of media impressed on a receiving substrate. A mounted optical probe has at least one light source and one or more photodetectors for detecting reflected portions of the light emitted or transmitted from the light source. The photodetector indicates to the system controller a distance of the media for controlling a peel location via an electrical signal. A comparator compares the electrical signal with a predetermined electrical signal reference to determine if the media is desirably positioned. The predetermined electrical reference signal corresponds to the desired peel location. The comparator compares the signal levels and outputs a correction signal used in a negative feedback loop for adjusting a velocity of a motor that drives a take-up roller for the media.

Abstract: A method for maintaining a peel location and for peeling a layer of media from a surface in a thermal printer. An optical probe, that includes a light source and a photodetector, transmits light from the optical probe toward a first web. The web reflects a portion of the transmitted light onto the photodetector, which then outputs an electrical signal which is compared with a preselected signal level and the difference between them provides an indication as to how much adjustment the peel location requires. Adjusting the peel location may comprise changing environmental characteristics of the first web or the second web (surface) or adjusting a tension of the first or second web. The difference between the measured electrical signal levels is related to a physical distance of the first web from the desired peel location.

Abstract: A method for improving image contrast for a display apparatus obtains a frame of image data having one or more code values for each pixel in the frame of image data, analyzes the frame of image data to identify a distribution of dark regions therein. The method further adjusts at least one of the one or more code values for the frame of image data according to the distribution of dark regions in the frame of image data and attenuates a brightness level available for the image frame according to the distribution of dark regions in the frame of image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus derive a dynamic grammar composed of a subset of a plurality of data elements that are each associated with one of a plurality of reference identifiers. The present invention generates a set of selection identifiers on the basis of a user-provided first input identifier and determines which of these selection identifiers are present in a set of pre-stored reference identifiers. The present invention creates a dynamic grammar that includes those data elements that are associated with those reference identifiers that are matched to any of the selection identifiers. Based on a user-provided second identifier and on the data elements of the dynamic grammar, the present invention selects one of the reference identifiers in the dynamic grammar.

Abstract: A process for the formation of particles of a target material is disclosed, comprising: (i) introducing the target material into a particle formation vessel, and forming a continuous liquid surface of the target material in the particle formation vessel, and an interface between said liquid surface of the target material and additional gaseous contents of said particle formation vessel; (ii) introducing a stream of cryogenic material including solid particles of cryogenic material into the particle formation vessel and into contact with the target material in a liquid state below the continuous liquid surface; (iii) allowing rapid volumetric expansion of the cryogenic material into a gaseous state while in contact with the target material in a liquid state, and release of the expanded gaseous cryogenic material through the continuous liquid surface, and forming liquid droplet particles of the target material; and (iv) collecting the formed particles of the target material.

Abstract: A compressed fluid microvalve for controlling flow of compressed fluid from a region of high pressure to a region of low pressure is provided. A chamber includes an inlet port, a region of high pressure, and an outlet port leading to a region of low pressure. A cantilever beam includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The cantilever beam is anchored to a portion of the chamber and is suspended in the chamber such that the first portion and third portion of the cantilever beam are exposed to the region of high pressure on all sides. The second portion of the cantilever beam overlaps the outlet port. The cantilever beam includes a first position in contact with the outlet port to prevent fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet port and a second position removed from contact with the outlet port to permit fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet port.