Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of cytological material. Specifically, the invention relates to stains and methods of producing the stains, methods of staining cells for cytological or histological analysis to contrast the nuclear portion of the cell from the cytoplasmic portion, and systems and methods for illuminating a cytological sample. The analysis can be automated or manual.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of cytological material. Specifically, the invention relates to stains and methods of producing the stains, methods of staining cells for cytological or histological analysis to contrast the nuclear portion of the cell from the cytoplasmic portion, and systems and methods for illuminating a cytological sample. The analysis can be automated or manual.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for reading a luminescent bar code on a background surface whose reflectance may vary over the coded area, including a light source for providing light to scan, and to excite luminescence in the bar code or to reflect from the background surface of the coded area; a first detector responsive to reflected non-luminescent light for providing a first signal; a second detector responsive to luminescent light for providing a second signal; and memory having stored calibration indicia of reflectance and luminescence, the memory responsive to the first and second signals for providing an output signal substantially independent of background reflectance, and substantially free of bar code edge distortion.

Abstract: A method for providing intelligible markings that are virtually invisible to the unaided eye on the surface of an article, comprises: applying onto the surface, by a jet printing process, a marking medium comprising a compatible liquid or viscous substance containing an organic laser dye (typically IR-125 in a concentration of about 0.005 to 0.05 percent by weight of the medium) that is poorly absorptive of radiation in the visible range of about 400 to 700 nanometers, is highly absorptive of radiation in the near infrared range of at least about 750 nanometers in wavelength (typically about 750 to 900 nanometers), and fluoresces in response to radiation excitation in the said near infrared range to produce fluorescent radiation of wavelengths longer than the wavelength of the excitation (typically in the range of about 800 to 1100 nanometers). Other useful laser dyes may comprise DTTCI, DNTTCI, HDITCI, DDTTCI, IR-140, DDCI-4, or IR-132.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reading a luminescent and substantially transparent bar code 1 on a background surface 2 whose reflectance may vary over the coded area. Light 7 scans (70), and excites luminescence 8 in, the bar code 1. The light 7 also reflects (9) without luminescence from the background surface 2 of the bar code 1. A first electrical or optical signal 11 is provided (4) responsive to the reflected nonluminescent light 9, and a second electrical or optical signal 10 is provided (4) responsive to the luminescent 8. Typically the first signal 11 is processed (5) to provide a third signal 31 that varies with background reflectance substantially as does the second signal 10; and the second and third signals 10, 31 are combined (5) to provide a fourth signal 12 that is substantially independent of background reflectance in the coded area, and which is decoded (6) to provide the desired reading.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing patterns of materials, as for color printing. A support member (30) has groups of surface areas (40A,40B, etc.) with each surface area in a given group (e.g. 40A) facing generally in a direction different from that faced by the surface areas in any other group (e.g. 40B, etc.), and an energy-modifiable material (41A,41B, etc.) adjacent to the surface areas in each group. Energy (A,B,C) is directed onto the material adjacent to the surface areas in each group in such manner as to substantially modify some of the material without substantially modifying the material adjacent to the surface areas of the other groups.