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Medialink Technologies Corporation

Kenneth Noboru Fujimoto

David J Warman

A holographic resonant system includes a plurality of volume phase holograms superimposed on a single layer of photosensitive film. The volume phase holograms are oriented with respect to one another such that a first volume phase hologram selects an incoming light beam incident upon a surface of the holographic resonant system having a wavelength &lgr;,and an angle of incidence &thgr;,and internally diffracts the incoming light beam to a second volume phase hologram. The second volume phase hologram then accepts the resulting diffracted light beam from the first volume phase hologram and diffracts the light beam to form an image reflected from the surface of the holographic resonant system at wavelength &lgr;,and an angle &thgr;,. The result is a holographic resonant system that only permits light beams from a predetermined direction to illuminate the system, thereby reducing the effect of ambient light upon the system and thus increasing the contrast ratio of the image.

Holographic resonant system and method

A touch screen input device and method for use with a rear-mounted video output projection system incorporates a transparent sheet preferably having substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces as the touch screen panel. A rear-mounted light source projects light onto the rear surface of the touch screen panel, on which a diffusing surface is imposed, with the result that some of the light from the light source is totally internally reflected within the touch screen panel and is imaged by a rear-mounted video camera. When the front surface of the touch screen panel is touched by a finger or rubbery object, total internal reflection is interrupted and the video camera images the touch as a dark spot. Because the touch screen panel is a sheet having substantially parallel surfaces, the video output system with which the input device is designed to be used is a projection system, and the technology used to detect touches is optical imaging, the touch screen input device can be readily scaled up to desktop or large work-surface sizes. The touch screen input device operates equally well in an environment with any level of ambient light or no ambient light and can simultaneously detect multiple touches. The touch screen input device remains operative while books or other common desktop objects are left resting on portions of the touch screen panel.

Integrated computer display and graphical input apparatus and method

A method and apparatus are provided for determining and indicating the integrity of a network that interconnects a group of nodes. Each node includes an internal clock (42 or 58), an indicator (27) for emitting a signal at a synchronized signaling interval and a processing unit (36 or 60) electronically coupled to the indicator and the internal clock. The processing of the node causes the indicator to emit a signal at the synchronized signaling interval. When the integrity of the network is intact, the processing unit of each node causes the indicator of the node to emit a signal at the same synchronized signaling interval. As a result, all of the indicators are emitting signals in unison. When the integrity of the network has been lost due to a malfunctioning node or physical break, on a group-to-group basis, the indicators of those nodes improperly communicating with each other emit signals at different synchronized signaling intervals. As a result, the indicators emit signals in an asynchronous manner.

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Manhattan Beach, CA, United States of America

Kenneth Noboru Fujimoto