Abstract: A process for transferring microstructures to a flexible or rigid final substrate that offers advantages in both speed and precision is provided. The inventive process involves subjecting a transfer film in a continuous roll-to-roll process to the following operations: either forming microstructures on, or transferring microstructures to a surface of the transfer film; and then transferring the microstructures from the transfer film onto a surface of the final substrate. The microstructures are single or multi-layer structures that are made up of: voids in a substantially planar surface, the voids optionally filled or coated with another material; raised areas in a substantially planar surface; or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for physical layer encryption (PLE) using beamforming. The techniques are based on the principles of Linear Amplification with Nonlinear Components (LINC) to produce a transmit signal with limited dynamic range. A masking signal is structured based upon a source data signal to produce a transmit signal with limited dynamic range, while providing a high degree of secrecy.

Abstract: Moiré-type magnification systems are disclosed. The moiré magnification systems can comprise a surface and a periodic array of image relief microstructures having a periodic surface curvature disposed on or within the surface. The image relief microstructures can have a first image repeat period along a first image reference axis within the array, and the periodic surface curvature can have a first curvature repeat period along a first curvature reference axis within the array. Transmission of light through the array, reflection of light from the array, or a combination thereof forms a magnified moiré image.

Abstract: A process and a transfer film for transferring microstructures to a flexible or rigid final substrate that offers advantages in both speed and precision is provided. The inventive process involves subjecting a transfer film in a continuous roll-to-roll process to the following operations: either forming microstructures on, or transferring microstructures to a surface of the transfer film; and then transferring the microstructures from the transfer film onto a surface of the final substrate. The microstructures are single or multi-layer structures that are made up of: voids in a substantially planar surface, the voids optionally filled or coated with another material; raised areas in a substantially planar surface; or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A retractor system and related methods for use in spinal surgery procedures, including but not limited to fusing or repairing damaged or deteriorated intervertebral discs or vertebral bodies in the lower lumbar levels. The retractor system includes a plurality of blade assemblies coupled to a handle assembly, wherein each of the blade assemblies may be independently adjusted (e.g. length blade and/or blade angulation and/or blade rotation relative to the handle assembly) to provide unprecedented customization of an operative corridor extending to the surgical target site of the patient such that any number of spinal surgery procedures may be undertaken by a surgeon, including but not limited to spinal fusion procedures at the L5-S1 disc space.

Abstract: An optical security device suitable for securing or authenticating high security or high value articles of manufacture when affixed thereto, is provided. The inventive security device produces optically variable effects when viewed from varying points of view and is made up of a microstructured layer having image icon elements that have at least one pigmented material. The microstructured layer is arranged relative to an arrangement of focusing elements such that at least portions of the image icon elements are observable through at least portions of the arrangement of focusing elements, thereby providing at least one synthetic image that demonstrates a color-transition effect as points of view from which the optical security device is viewed are changed.

Abstract: Defect classification includes acquiring one or more images of a specimen, receiving a manual classification of one or more training defects based on one or more attributes of the one or more training defects, generating an ensemble learning classifier based on the received manual classification and the attributes of the one or more training defects, generating a confidence threshold for each defect type of the one or more training defects based on a received classification purity requirement, acquiring one or more images including one or more test defects, classifying the one or more test defects with the generated ensemble learning classifier, calculating a confidence level for each of the one or more test defects with the generated ensemble learning classifier and reporting one or more test defects having a confidence level below the generated confidence threshold via the user interface device for manual classification.

Abstract: Defect classification includes acquiring one or more images of a specimen including multiple defects, grouping the defects into groups of defect types based on the attributes of the defects, receiving a signal from a user interface device indicative of a first manual classification of a selected number of defects from the groups, generating a classifier based on the first manual classification and the attributes of the defects, classifying, with the classifier, one or more defects not manually classified by the manual classification, identifying the defects classified by the classifier having the lowest confidence level, receiving a signal from the user interface device indicative of an additional manual classification of the defects having the lowest confidence level, determining whether the additional manual classification identifies one or more additional defect types not identified in the first manual classification, and iterating the procedure until no new defect types are found.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for transmitting a first set of stepped-frequency CW signals having first signal parameters, where the first signal parameters includes a first bandwidth and a first step size between signal frequencies. Detecting reflections of the first set of transmitted CW signals. Identifying an indication of a potential target in a frequency range of the reflections of the first set of transmitted CW signals from the detected reflections of the first set of transmitted CW signals. Determining second signal parameters for a second set of stepped-frequency CW signals in response to identifying the indication of the potential target. The second signal parameters include a second bandwidth and a second step size between signal frequencies, and where the second signal parameters focus on the frequency range in which the indication of the potential target is identified. Transmitting the second set of CW signals.

Abstract: Defect classification includes acquiring one or more images of a specimen, receiving a manual classification of one or more training defects based on one or more attributes of the one or more training defects, generating an ensemble learning classifier based on the received manual classification and the attributes of the one or more training defects, generating a confidence threshold for each defect type of the one or more training defects based on a received classification purity requirement, acquiring one or more images including one or more test defects, classifying the one or more test defects with the generated ensemble learning classifier, calculating a confidence level for each of the one or more test defects with the generated ensemble learning classifier and reporting one or more test defects having a confidence level below the generated confidence threshold via the user interface device for manual classification.

Abstract: A single layer image projection system that is made up of an arrangement of optionally reflective arcuate elements having an upper arcuate surface, a lower surface, and an arcuate area bounded by the upper arcuate and lower surfaces, and an optionally reflective pattern of image relief microstructures disposed on or within at least some of the upper arcuate surfaces of the arcuate elements, is provided. The arrangement of optionally reflective arcuate elements and the optionally reflective pattern of image relief microstructures are in a single layer and interact to project one or more images. For an upper arcuate surface with convex surface curvature, the image relief microstructures extend downwardly from this surface terminating within the arcuate area, and for an upper arcuate surface with concave surface curvature, the image relief microstructures extend upwardly from this surface terminating within an area defined by the curvature of the upper arcuate surface.

Abstract: As an example, a method includes storing, in non-transitory memory, prioritization rules that establish a priority preference for egress of data traffic for a first location. The first location includes a first location apparatus to control egress of data traffic for the first location apparatus and a second location apparatus at a second location, which is different from the first location, to receive data traffic and cooperate with the first apparatus to measure bandwidth with respect to the first location. The first location apparatus is coupled with the second location apparatus via at least one bidirectional network connection. The method also includes estimating capacity of the at least one network connection for the egress of data traffic with respect to the first location. The method also includes categorizing each packet in egress data traffic from the first location based on an evaluation of each packet with respect to the prioritization rules.

Abstract: An optical device that produces flicker-like optical effects is provided. The inventive device employs directionally cured image icons. Specifically, the optical device is made up of at least one arrangement of image icons formed from one or more cured pigmented materials, and at least one arrangement of optionally embedded focusing elements positioned to form one or more synthetic images of at least a portion of the arrangement(s) of image icons. Some or all of the pigmented material(s) is cured using collimated light directed through the focusing elements toward the arrangement(s) of image icons at one or more angles relative to a surface of the optical device to form directionally cured image icons. The synthetic image(s) of the directionally cured image icons is viewable at the cure angle(s) and therefore visually appears and disappears, or turns on and off, as the viewing angle of the device moves through the cure angle(s).

Abstract: A defect detection method includes acquiring a reference image; selecting a target region of the reference image; identifying, based on a matching metric, one or more comparative regions of the reference image corresponding to the target region; acquiring a test image; masking the test image with the target region of the reference image and the one or more comparative regions of the reference image; defining a defect threshold for the target region in the test image based on the one or more comparative regions in the test image; and determining whether the target region of the test image contains a defect based on the defect threshold.

Abstract: A convertible golf cart seat assembly is disclosed. The convertible golf cart seat assembly includes a main seat frame attached to the existing golf cart structure, a plastic stationary cargo board supported by the main seat frame, a plastic flip board rotatably hinged to the main seat frame, and a seat with a plastic backer board attached to the flip board. The hinge between the flip board and the main seat frame includes flip board flanges on the flip board and cargo board flanges on the stationary cargo board that abut each other and provide strength to the cargo bed created by the stationary cargo board and the flip board.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for physical layer encryption (PLE) using beamforming. The techniques are based on the principles of Linear Amplification with Nonlinear Components (LINC) to produce a transmit signal with limited dynamic range. A masking signal is structured based upon a source data signal to produce a transmit signal with limited dynamic range, while providing a high degree of secrecy.

Abstract: Moiré-type magnification systems are disclosed. The moiré magnification systems can comprise a surface and a periodic array of image relief microstructures having a periodic surface curvature disposed on or within the surface. The image relief microstructures can have a first image repeat period along a first image reference axis within the array, and the periodic surface curvature can have a first curvature repeat period along a first curvature reference axis within the array. Transmission of light through the array, reflection of light from the array, or a combination thereof forms a magnified moiré image.

Abstract: Defect classification includes acquiring one or more images of a specimen including multiple defects, grouping the defects into groups of defect types based on the attributes of the defects, receiving a signal from a user interface device indicative of a first manual classification of a selected number of defects from the groups, generating a classifier based on the first manual classification and the attributes of the defects, classifying, with the classifier, one or more defects not manually classified by the manual classification, identifying the defects classified by the classifier having the lowest confidence level, receiving a signal from the user interface device indicative of an additional manual classification of the defects having the lowest confidence level, determining whether the additional manual classification identifies one or more additional defect types not identified in the first manual classification, and iterating the procedure until no new defect types are found.

Abstract: Moiré-type magnification systems are disclosed. The moiré magnification systems can comprise a surface and a periodic array of image relief microstructures having a periodic surface curvature disposed on or within the surface. The image relief microstructures can have a first image repeat period along a first image reference axis within the array, and the periodic surface curvature can have a first curvature repeat period along a first curvature reference axis within the array. Transmission of light through the array, reflection of light from the array, or a combination thereof forms a magnified moiré image.

Abstract: Defect classification includes acquiring one or more images of a specimen, receiving a manual classification of one or more training defects based on one or more attributes of the one or more training defects, generating an ensemble learning classifier based on the received manual classification and the attributes of the one or more training defects, generating a confidence threshold for each defect type of the one or more training defects based on a received classification purity requirement, acquiring one or more images including one or more test defects, classifying the one or more test defects with the generated ensemble learning classifier, calculating a confidence level for each of the one or more test defects with the generated ensemble learning classifier and reporting one or more test defects having a confidence level below the generated confidence threshold via the user interface device for manual classification.