Abstract: A focus detection device includes an image sensor and a plurality of lenslets. Each of the plurality of lenslets has a distinct conjugate length and is associated with a distinct portion of the image sensor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recording a watermark pattern on a color recording medium that forms an image using a number N of colorants, the method comprising the step of forming the watermark pattern using at least two colorants, but fewer than N colorants.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a watermark pattern along a length of photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium having a frame pitch in the length direction that is the sum of an image frame height plus an interframe distance. The method exposes watermark tiles contiguously along the length of the photosensitive medium, wherein each watermark tile has a height dimension that is an integral divisor of the frame pitch.

Abstract: A method is provided for applying a watermark pattern along a length of photosensitive medium, the photosensitive medium having a frame pitch in the length direction that is the sum of an image frame height plus an interframe distance. The method exposes watermark tiles contiguously along the length of the photosensitive medium, wherein each watermark tile has a height dimension that is an integral divisor of the frame pitch.

Abstract: Apparatus for exposing reference calibration patches onto photosensitive medium, includes: a light source; a plurality of optical fibers, one fiber for each element to be exposed; a light collector having an input port for receiving light emitted by the light source and an output port for delivering light to one end of the optical fibers; a plurality of light attenuators located with respect to the optical fiber for individually attenuating the light transmitted by each fiber; a projection print head located at the other end of the optical fibers for directing light from the fiber onto the photosensitive medium; and a controller connected to the light source for measuring and controlling the light output of the light collector.

Abstract: Reference calibration patches produced by a sequence of exposures on a photographic element, the photographic element exhibiting linear defects in a predominant direction, are arranged in a two dimensional array and exposures are assigned to the reference calibration patches in the array such that nearest neighbors in the predominant direction are not nearest neighbors in the exposure sequence, whereby the effects of a linear defect are reduced; and the maximum number of steps in the exposure sequence between a reference calibration patch and that of its nearest neighbors in any direction is less than a predetermined number, whereby the effects of flare are reduced.

Abstract: A non-impact printer apparatus and method for recording on a medium that is moving at a variable rate. A plurality of recording elements arranged transverse to movement of the medium records respective pixels. Each pixel is formed by enabling each recording element a plurality of times during a pixel recording period. To maintain uniformity in pixel recording a duration for recording a sub-pixel and the number of sub-pixels per pixel are adjusted in accordance with the speed of the recording medium. The sum of the sub-pixel recording durations during a pixel recording period comprises the pixel exposure time.

Abstract: A plastic container comprising a blow-molded plastic bottle with a reinforcing ring encircling the bottle base to reinforce the base against undesirable deformation. The ring encircles the lower end of the bottle base. Pressure within the container expands the base structure outwardly against the ring and creates tension in the ring to maintain the ring in assembly relation with the bottle base in which the ring reinforces the base and acts to maintain the structural integrity of the base. The container is manufactured by inserting the ring into the base portion of the blow-mold such that the ring defines a portion of the blow-mold cavity. A plastic preform is blow-molded outward, into engagement with the ring to secure the ring to the base.

Abstract: A plastic container having a reinforcing ring in its base to strengthen the base. The ring reinforces the base to prevent deformation of the base which would result in an unstable container and also reduces the potential for stress cracking found in one-piece containers having reinforcing ribs in the base structure. The reinforcing ring has a weight that is less than the weight of a typical base cup used to provide a supporting surface for a two-piece composite bottle. The ring is attached to the base portion of the container by one of three methods: molding the reinforcing ring into the base; providing a ring and a base which snap fit together, or adhesively bonding the ring to the base of the container. When the contianer is filled with a carbonated beverage, the pressure within the container acts to maintain the ring in an assembly relation with the container base in which the ring reinforces the base and acts to maintain the structural integrity of the base by resisting eversion of the base.

Abstract: An improved preform is disclosed for molding plastic containers having a self-supporting base structure. The preform has a reinforcing section of concentric annular ribs near its closed end. The wall thickness of the preform is increased in the reinforcing section by a plurality having an increasing thickness in a direction toward the closed end of the preform. When blow molded into a final container, these concentric ribs form annular reinforcing ribs on the inner surface of the container base. These ribs are substantially concentric about the longitudinal axis of the container and are of decreasing thickness radially outward from the center. The ribs coact with other reinforcing ribs in the base structure to further increase the strength of the container base. During stretching of the preform prior to blow molding, the concentric ribs act to reduce the stretching of the preform in the reinforcing section thus increasing the wall thickness of the base and thereby increasing the base strength.

Abstract: An improved beverage bottle support base is disclosed having an upwardly directed conical inner wall, the apex of which is centrally of the base and a convex outer wall of annular shape surrounding the conical inner wall and merging therewith and with the side wall of the bottle. A plurality of reinforcing grooves extend radially outward from the apex and merging with the convex outer wall, dividing the conical inner wall and convex outer wall into a plurality of spaced apart hollow feet.

Abstract: An improved beverage bottle support base is disclosed having an upwardly directed conical inner wall, the apex of which is centrally of the base and a convex outer wall of annular shape surrounding the conical inner wall and merging therewith and with the side wall of the bottle. A plurality of reinforcing grooves extend radially outward from the apex and merging with the convex outer wall, dividing the conical inner wall and convex outer wall into a plurality of spaced apart hollow feet.