Abstract: A computer input system includes a mouse including a housing having an interior surface defining an internal volume and a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume. A processor is electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and a memory component having electronic instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the processor, causes the processor to determine an orientation of the mouse relative to a hand based on a touch input from the hand detected by the sensor assembly. The mouse can also have a circular array of touch sensors or lights that detect hand position and provide orientation information to the user.

Abstract: An input device, such as a mouse, can include a housing defining an exterior grip portion and an internal volume, a sensor assembly disposed in the internal volume, and an emitter electrically coupled to the sensor assembly. In response to the sensor assembly detecting a first touch input on the housing, the emitter sends a first signal including information regarding an angular position of the grip portion. In response to the sensor assembly detecting a second touch input on the housing, the emitter sends a second signal including information regarding a direction of a force exerted on the housing from the second touch input.

Abstract: A card-like device for storing and retrieving multiple sizes of leader materials in a shirt pocket size configuration in which all the housed leader material sizes are clearly and always visible and which permits quick and easy finding of the stored leader material ends, and firm retention and easy grasping of same.

Abstract: A card-like device for storing and retrieving multiple sizes of leader materials in a shirt pocket size configuration in which all the housed leader material sizes are clearly and always visible and which permits quick and easy finding of the stored leader material ends, and firm retention and easy grasping of same.

Abstract: A device that is removably attached to one or both broad sides of a shipping container. The device provides a surface that occupies a substantial portion of the broad side of the container. The device may be used to present signage or other indicia that is positioned on the side of the container by means of the device. This device may be used to present advertising and other indicia or information by way of containers that are in transit, or by way of containers that are retired from shipping and are utilized for storage and other uses. The device comprises efficient fixation of the device by means comprising use of the containers' corner castings and/or door hinges. The invention provides an attachment that withstands wind and weather incurred during all modes of transportation. The flush and unobtrusive design of the surface and mounting devices of the invention do not interfere with commonly used container moving equipment or stowage practices.

Abstract: Optical systems, including apparatus and methods, for obtaining images, particularly with multiple fields of view. These systems may utilize a plurality of optical components with different optical axes, where the optical axes may be selectively rotated into alignment with an imaging axis to obtain images having various discrete fields of view.

Abstract: A scanning optical rangefinder including an optical scanner and a light source. The optical scanner includes a rotating scan disc with a circular array of concave reflectors thereon. Mirrors are provided for directing light from the light source towards the concave reflectors on the rotating scan disc and then to direct light from the concave reflectors on the scan disc towards a target. Light received from the target is directed towards the concave reflectors on the scan disc by mirrors along a plurality of channels. A detector adapted to receive light reflected from the concave reflectors is provided for each channel, along with error correction for parallax data from the detector. The light is directed towards the target along a channel laterally displaced from a channel for light received from the target.

Abstract: An optical system providing a rotating scan disc including a circular array of concave reflectors on a planar surface thereof and imaging means adapted to coincide with the scanning sweep of the concave reflectors and separated from the concave reflectors by a distance equal to the focal length of the concave reflectors. A light source is provided to emit a light beam toward the circular array of concave reflectors to form an image redirected from the imaging means and the imaging means includes an objective mirror and a strip prism adapted to correct field curvature of the image. Additionally, means are provided to monitor the position of the light beam in both the scan and cross-scan directions and to reposition the light beam by movement of at least one optical component.

Abstract: An optical system providing a rotating scan disc including a circular array of concave reflectors on a planar surface thereof and imaging means adapted to coincide with the scanning sweep of the concave reflectors and separated from the concave reflectors by a distance equal to the focal length of the concave reflectors. A light source is provided to emit a light beam toward the circular array of concave reflectors to form an image redirected from the imaging means and the imaging means includes an objective mirror and a strip prism adapted to correct field curvature of the image. Additionally, means are provided to monitor the position of the light beam in both the scan and cross-scan directions and to reposition the light beam by movement of at least one optical component.

Abstract: An optical system providing a rotating scan disc including a circular array of concave reflectors on a planar surface thereof and imaging means adapted to coincide with the scanning sweep of the concave reflectors and separated from the concave reflectors by a distance equal to the focal length of the concave reflectors. A light source is provided to emit a light beam toward the circular array of concave reflectors to form an image redirected from the imaging means and the imaging means includes an objective mirror and a strip prism adapted to correct field curvature of the image. Additionally, means are provided to monitor the position of the light beam in both the scan and cross-scan directions and to reposition the light beam by movement of at least one optical component.

Abstract: An optical system including a scan disc having concave reflectors thereon. As an optical printer, positioned adjacent to the scan disc are a corrector lens, a strip mirror, and a primary mirror. Positioned adjacent to the image plane are a field mirror and a pick-off mirror. Input light is directed onto the scan disc perpendicular to the plane of rotation. When one of the concave reflectors on the rotating scan disc is centered over one end of the strip mirror, the input light is brought to focus and is redirected to the primary mirror by the strip mirror. The primary mirror forms an image of the light spot after passing through the corrector lens. This image is intercepted by a field mirror which forms a final image of the spot. This image is picked out of the incident light beam by a thin pick-off mirror which redirects the light allowing image accessibility. With minor modification the optical system may also function as an optical scanner.

Abstract: A totally integrated imaging system has a housing including imaging optics, a scanning mirror and a curved detector array. The imaging optics constitute a meniscus lens and a spherical focusing mirror. The scanning mirror scans the image, and the spherical mirror focuses the scanned image onto the detector array. The meniscus lens advantageously corrects aberrations. A detector support provides access, if desired, for cryogenic cooling of the detector, and individual cold shielding of the detector elements is made possible by the telecentricity of the optics. Processing electronics, at least a portion of which may also be disposed on the detector support, process the detector signals to display an image. The integrated structure advantageously eliminates any need for separate scanner, imager, and electronics modules and the scanning optical system obtains highly desirable image quality over a wide field of view.

Abstract: A collision avoidance system particularly suited for automotive applications includes an electro-optical rangefinder scanner, retroreflectors on target vehicles, and a processing unit. The rangefinder supplies data on the range and angle of target vehicles to the processor, which monitors each target vehicle's position, speed and acceleration and constantly determines and updates target range, angle, velocity, acceleration and predicted separation distances. A warning signal or evasive manuever instructions are issued if the predicted separation at the time of intercept is below a minimum acceptable value.

Abstract: A totally integrated thermal imaging system has a dewar housing including imaging optics, a scanning mirror and a curved detector array. The imaging optics constitute a meniscus lens and a spherical focusing mirror. The scanning mirror scans the image, and the spherical mirror focuses the scanned image onto the detector array. The meniscus lens advantageously corrects aberrations. A detector support provides access for cryogenic cooling of the detector, and individual cold shielding of the detector elements is made possible by the telecentricity of the optics. Processing electronics, at least a portion of which may also be disposed on the detector support, process the detector signals to display an image. The integrated structure advantageously eliminates any need for separate scanner, imager, detector dewar and electronics modules.

Abstract: An improved optical reticle having a high degree of reflection suppression is provided. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention a fused silica reticle substrate is optically contacted with a fused silica cover plate to yield a sandwich optical reticle having virtually zero reflectance.

Abstract: A commutator end bracket formed from a singular piece of sheet metal. The bracket is formed to include bases for mounting the commutator end bracket to a motor. Windows are punched into side pieces of the bracket for receiving brushes for communication with a commutator. The brushes are retained by a clip received within channels formed along the edges of the side pieces. A bearing is received within a housing drawn from a top plate of the bracket. The bearing is maintained within the housing by means of a spring clip which mates with portions of the top plate.

Abstract: An optical scanner for orthogonal scanning in read and/or write modes has a framing mirror (20) for linear vertical scanning and a rotating disc (30) with a circular array of concave reflectors (32) for horizontal scanning. Primary imagers (24, 164) focus the linear vertical scan onto a strip mirror (26) which reflects the scanned pixels to the concave reflectors. Preferably, the concave reflectors reflect the pixel image in a collimated beam which is focused by a collection optic (38, 200) onto radiation detector (40). Image rotator (221), collection aperture defining device (270, 272), aperture shading device (290), and a device for suppressing spurious radiation are also provided.

Abstract: A latch and lock guard for doors which comprises a pair of similar elongated bars of sufficient width and thickness for purposes of rigidity. Each bar has a flat base and a series of uniform, regularly spaced teeth extending integrally from the bar sideways along one edge. The width of the spaces between the teeth is slightly greater than the width of the teeth. Means are provided to secure solidly one bar to the external side of a door over the lock area, with its teeth pointing towards the adjacent door edge, and to secure solidly the other bar to the door jamb with its teeth pointing towards the door edge, the teeth of one bar fitting within the slots between the teeth of the other, and vice versa, in interlocking fashion when the door is in closed position.

Abstract: A composition suitable for use as an additive to gasoline to increase the efficiency of use thereof comprising, in solution: about 10 to about 35 percent by volume of a zirconium salt of an organic acid; about 10 to about 35 percent by volume of a plasticizer boiling above 300.degree. C. and comprising as a part of its structure an ester group or an aromatic group, or both; and from 0 to about six percent by volume of an organic acid capable of forming a salt with zirconium. A solvent for said zirconium salt and said plasticizer may be provided comprising a hydrocarbon or a halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon, or a mixture thereof, as a major component of the solvent.

Abstract: A wide angle telecentric projection lens system, having a long back focal distance, includes a front lens doublet, comprising negative and positive meniscus lens elements, located in front of an aperture stop, and a rear lens group on the other side of the aperture stop, the rear group comprising a rear lens doublet which includes positive and negative meniscus lens elements, the rear doublet having its curvature reversed relative to the front doublet but having an air space between its component lens elements, plus two biconvex lens elements slightly spaced from each other and from the second doublet. A beam splitting optical prism and/or similar optical element(s) may be included between the rear lens group and the object.