Abstract: Systems and methods for steering a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of coherent light to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) a reflective element, locatable proximate a first focal plane of the incident beam, (2) a rotational steering mechanism, coupled to the reflective element, that orients the reflective element according to a desired rotational angle to steer the incident beam in a desired direction and (3) a refractive element that refracts the beam reflected from the reflective element to create a second focal plane for the beam, the HMC locatable proximate the second focal plane to receive the beam at a location thereon that is a function of the desired direction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an off-axis amplitude and phase encoding optical system, apparatus and method of storage in which a holographic optical element (HOE) is used advantageously to reconstruct optical elements typically used to phaseencode an object beam emanating from a spatial light modulator (SLM). The optical system includes a spatial light modulator (SLM) such as a digital micro-mirror device (DMD), a data storage device such as a holographic memory cell (HMC), and the holographic optical element (HOE) for duplicating the phase-encoding functions typically performed on an object beam emanating from the SLM prior to alignment with the holographic memory cell (HMC). Conventionally, a phase mask along with one or more optical elements comprising a four-F lens system typically are needed to phase encode the amplitude-encoded light pattern that propagates from the SLM.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method and apparatus for determining values for data reproduced or retrieved from data storage media such as in holographic memory systems. The method includes initially approximating the value of data members retrieved initially from the data storage medium of interest (e.g., by their intensity levels based on an absolute scale), using those approximations collectively to establish one or more threshold levels for defining ranges for the data values to be determined, and determining values for the retrieved data members by comparing the initial data value approximations of the retrieved data members to the established threshold levels. Alternatively, the threshold level(s) are set initially and adjusted iteratively based on the initial approximations of the individual data members until a final established threshold level is established.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steering an optical path to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) first and second reflective elements locatable to receive and reflect a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of light, (2) a reflective element steering mechanism, coupled to the first and second reflective elements, that moves the first and second reflective elements to steer the incident beam in a desired direction and (3) an HMC rotating mechanism, couplable to the HMC, that rotates the HMC about an axis thereof, the reflective element steering mechanism and the HMC rotating mechanism cooperating to cause the incident beam to illuminate a location on a plane of the HMC that is a function of a movement of the first and second reflective elements and a rotational position of the HMC.

Abstract: Feedback is employed in a holographic memory system to facilitate rapid access to information in a stored data page. This feedback technique provides compensation for thermal, optical and/or mechanical variations in the system components that tend to interrupt the projection of a data page image on a sensor array. A page indicator or mark is stored in a holographic storage medium with a page of data such that, during playback, a quality, e.g., intensity, of its projected image is indicative of the quality of the corresponding projected data page image. A corresponding page indicator sensor is employed with the associated sensor array to detect the quality of a projected page indicator image. The projected data page image can then be read by sensor elements of the detector based on the detected quality of the page indicator image. Such a detector can be implemented in an active pixel sensor (APS) array with the page indicator sensor being implemented as a region of the APS array.

Abstract: An improved hunting tip in which helical blades extend around the inner core of the head and causes the arrow to rotate during flight. The rotation creates a stabilizing motion, and when the arrow enters its prey, the outer edges of the helical blades, being sharpened, create an "auguring" effect causing increased bleeding in the prey and having a more lethal effect. The lethal effect caused by the hunting tip is further increased by the fact that the helical blades extend forward and around the center sharpened tip of the hunting tip, thereby increasing the initial cutting diameter of the arrow. The helical blades are rotatably attached to the hunting tip, thereby providing for removability of the blades. This simplifies repair and, therefore, increases the useful life of the hunting tip.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steering an optical path to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) a refractive element that receives a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of light, (2) first and second reflective elements locatable to receive and reflect the incident beam in a Fresnel region thereof and (3) a reflective element steering mechanism, coupled to the first and second reflective elements, that moves the first and second reflective elements in tandem to steer the incident beam with respect to the HMC thereby to cause the incident beam to illuminate a location on the HMC that is a function of a movement of the first and second reflective elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steering a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of light from a spatial light modulator to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes (1) a primary beam steering system that receives the incident beam of light from the spatial light modulator and produces a resulting beam of light, wherein the primary beam steering system traverses the resulting beam of light across a plane of the HMC in increments having a first magnitude and 2) a fine-control translation mechanism, coupled to the spatial light modulator, that translates the spatial light modulator relative to the primary beam steering system to cause the resulting beam of light to traverse the plane of the HMC in increments having a second magnitude smaller than the first magnitude.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a data receiving apparatus and method of a holographic or other page-wise memory system for processing information read from the memory system's storage medium. The data apparatus includes a multi-dimensional array of pixel elements comprised of pixel detectors and corresponding pixel circuit. The pixel detectors detect information such as light information representing data stored in the memory system. The pixel circuits determine a value representative of the information detected by the individual pixel detectors. Additionally, the apparatus includes active processing circuitry advantageously fabricated in conjunction with the pixel circuits to provide additional "on-chip" processing capabilities, including analog inter-pixel processing. The advantageous arrangement of the additional processing improves processing times, reduces the unprocessed data flow out of the apparatus, and reduces circuitry design space and cost.

Abstract: Feedback is employed in a holographic memory system to facilitate rapid access to information in a stored data page. This feedback technique provides compensation for thermal, optical and/or mechanical variations in the system components that tend to interrupt the projection of a data page image on a sensor array. A page indicator or mark is stored in a holographic storage medium with a page of data such that, during playback, a quality, e.g., intensity, of its projected image is indicative of the quality of the corresponding projected data page image. A corresponding page indicator sensor is employed with the associated sensor array to detect the quality of a projected page indicator image. The projected data page image can then be read by sensor elements of the detector based on the detected quality of the page indicator image. Such a detector can be implemented in an active pixel sensor (APS) array with the page indicator sensor being implemented as a region of the APS array.

Abstract: A method for processing information stored in a holographic system, comprising the step of intersecting a reconstruction reference beam with a storage medium of a holographic system, the storage medium exhibiting birefringence at least partially due to coherent storage of information, wherein the reconstruction reference beam has a polarization at least 5.degree. different from the polarization exhibited by a storage reference beam during storage information in the storage medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steering a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of coherent light to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) a reflective element, locatable proximate a first focal plane of the incident beam, (2) a rotational steering mechanism, coupled to the reflective element, that orients the reflective element according to a desired rotational angle to steer the incident beam in a desired direction and (3) a refractive element that refracts the beam reflected from the reflective element to create a second focal plane for the beam, the HMC locatable proximate the second focal plane and rotatable about an axis of a plane thereof to receive the beam at a location thereon that is a function of the desired direction and an angular position of the HMC.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steering an optical path to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) a reflective element, locatable proximate a first focal plane of a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of light, (2) a polar steering mechanism, coupled to the reflective element, that orients the reflective element according to desired tilt and precession angles to steer the incident beam in a desired direction and (3) a refractive element that refracts the beam reflected from the reflective element to create a second focal plane for the beam, the HMC locatable proximate the second focal plane to receive the beam at a location thereon that is a function of the desired direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a photometric determination regarding the contents of a sample, such as the absorbance characteristic of a blood serum sample. The improvement allows measurements to be taken after a reduced warm-up period and compensates for variations in the lamp intensity during the period over which measurements are taken. A feedback circuit is provided between a reference photodetector and the light source for causing the light source intensity to asymptotically approach a final stable value in a smooth exponential curve. Signal processing means processes outputs of the reference and sample photodetectors taken at different times so as to compensate for variations in the source intensity over the time period during which the outputs are taken. Still further, the photometer allows resonant frequency mixing of the contents of a cuvette while disposed in the photometer by causing the entire optical assembly, in which the cuvette is mounted, to vibrate at its resonant frequency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a photometric determination regarding the contents of a sample, such as the absorbance characteristic of a blood serum sample. The improvement allows measurements to be taken after a reduced warm-up period and compensates for variations in the lamp intensity during the period over which measurements are taken. A feedback circuit is provided between a reference photodetector and the light source for causing the light source intensity to asymptotically approach a final stable value in a smooth exponential curve. Signal processing means processes outputs of the reference and sample photodetectors taken at different times so as to compensate for variations in the source intensity over the time period during which the outputs are taken. Still further, the photometer allows resonant frequency mixing of the contents of a cuvette while disposed in the photometer by causing the entire optical assembly, in which the cuvette is mounted, to vibrate at its resonant frequency.

Abstract: A campstove burner includes a burner box which is located above the burner pan of the burner. The burner rings are positioned between the burner pan and the burner box, and a fuel and air mixture within the burner box flows through the burner rings where it is ignited. Since the burner box is located above the burner pan, liquid fuel within the burner box will flow through the burner rings and will be ignited in the burner pan outside of the burner box. The burner box includes a cylindrical sidewall which surrounds an upwardly extending cylindrical central portion of the burner pan to provide an annular mixing chamber An opening is provided in the cylindrical central portion of the burner pan, and a fuel tube extends into the cylindrical portion of the burner pan and directs fuel flow toward the opening. Fuel and air flow through the opening, and a portion of the fuel and air is deflected by the cylindrical wall of the burner box back through the opening to promote mixing.

Abstract: A tire spraying apparatus is disclosed including a frame having a vertically extending standard and a generally horizontal extending tire supporting frame portion receivable in the opening of a tire. The tire supporting frame portion includes a pair of spaced, tire bead engaging drive rollers and mounted below the frame portion is a tire hold-down member to engage the tire beads to hold the tire against the rollers. Liner spray nozzle means are mounted between the rollers for spraying a liquid liner material upwardly into the tire interior and bead spreading means extend upwardly from the tire supporting frame portion for spreading the sidewalls of a tire mounted thereon to hold the sidewalls apart while the tire is being rotated and sprayed. Mounted generally above the tire is a trailer member having a tire crown engaging wheel and carrying a plurality of recapping cement spray nozzles.

Abstract: A laser beam pointing aid for field testing of breadboard laser systems and tilizing a hollow housing with apertures at each end and with crosshairs at one end of the housing and a telescope adjustably mounted to the hollow housing and being positionable relative to an output beam from a laser system to allow one to utilize the last mirror of the laser system and the laser beam pointing aid to accurately point the laser beam to a target.

Abstract: An ink jet printer employs a wire mesh gutter electrode assembly and a wire mesh high voltage electrode, each having angled or skewed configurations geometrically related for providing a relatively narrow constricted path for ink droplets, so that charged and partially charged droplets, which are not used for imprinting, traverse a short path and are effectively captured and collected for recirculation and use in the ink recording process.

Abstract: A nonimaging technique for identification of a ground vehicle as a nontar utilizing a pulsing infrared wavelength energy source located on the ground vehicle and a matched receiver at the point making the identification. The transmitter is designed to not increase the vehicle infrared signature nor to be easily duplicated by target vehicles. The receiver allows continuous identification of detected vehicles in a highly discriminating system.