Other

Loral Fairchild Corporation

University of Massachusetts

Sayag, Michel

Michel Sayag

Andrew Karellas

Steven Onishi

An adjustable apodized lens aperture is described which is constructed using photochromic material. As the excitation energy increases, the aperture constricts so as reduce the amount of light through the aperture. As the excitation energy decreases, the aperture dilates so as increase the amount of light through the aperture.

Adjustable apodized lens aperture

Methods and apparatus are described for retrieving information from a storage medium. A first portion of the surface of the storage medium is exposed to stimulating light which diffuses in the storage medium under a second portion of the surface adjacent the first portion. The second portion of the surface is shielded from exposure to the stimulating light. Stimulated light corresponding to the information is received with at least one detector positioned to receive the stimulated light via the second portion of the surface of the storage medium. The stimulated light is released from the storage medium in response to the stimulating light diffused under the second portion of the surface.

Light stimulating and collecting methods and apparatus for storage-phosphor image plates

Methods and apparatus for generating an x-ray image. An object is interposed between a detector and an x-ray source. A grid is interposed between the x-ray source and the object. The grid is exposed to primary x-ray energy generated by the x-ray source, thereby exposing the object to a first portion of the primary energy via the interstices of the grid. A second portion of the primary energy is received with first areas of the detector corresponding to the interstices of the grid. Secondary x-ray energy is received with the first areas of the detector and with second areas of the detector corresponding to the elements of the grid. The secondary energy results from scattering of the primary x-ray energy. Image data are generated by altering data from the first areas with reference to data from the second areas.

Technique for digitally removing x-ray scatter in a radiograph

Electronic displays are provided which can reproduce image data with high contrast ratios and a gray scale range comparable to conventional X-ray film viewed on a light box. One such display includes a rear low-resolution LCD or DLP display which projects an image onto a high-resolution LCD display. In such embodiments, the mechanical and optical registration between the two displays is not critical. Therefore, modulation transfer function and distortion of the projection optics are not critical. Accordingly, the brightness of the inventive display can be maximized with high power lamps and high aperture projection optics. Because the display has a high dynamic range, the need for dynamic range compression algorithms is reduced.

Dual-stage high-contrast electronic image display

An optical system operable to transmit an energy flux is described. A first substantially spherical lens includes first and second substantially hemispherical portions joined at an interface. The interface includes a partially reflective material on a first substantially planar surface of at least one of the first and second hemispherical portions. A second lens has a convex surface and a second substantially planar surface. A portion of the second substantially planar surface of the second lens is secured to the first lens to form an optical axis. The first and second lenses are operable to transmit a first portion of the energy flux along the optical axis. The partially reflective surface is operable to reflect a second portion of the energy flux at an angle to the optical axis.

Design and fabrication process for a lens system optically coupled to an image-capture device

Simple, inexpensive and durable multi-element lens systems are provided. These lens systems may be optically coupled to digital image-capturing devices, such as those used in digital cameras. Some lens systems of the present invention include a glass microsphere bonded to a planar surface of a glass hemisphere. In preferred lens systems, the thickness of the glass hemisphere is selected to form an image plane for transmitted light that is tangent to the surface of the microsphere. Accordingly, in digital cameras fabricated with such lens systems, the glass microsphere can be attached directly to a digital image-capturing device. These preferred lens systems require no focusing adjustment and are suitable for applications to requiring a wide field of view. In some embodiments, the glass microsphere is bonded to the glass hemisphere using a light-absorbing material in order to create an apodized pupil. Some such embodiments are fabricated with a light-absorbing material with an absorption coefficient that varies according to the wavelength of transmitted light.

A method and apparatus for generating a control signal which corresponds to movement of an object in contact with a first surface are described. The apparatus includes a platen having the first surface. The platen is characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted. A source of electromagnetic radiation emits electromagnetic radiation through the platen thereby illuminating the object. A detector having a plurality of sectors receives a portion of the electromagnetic radiation diffused by the object and transmitted through the platen beyond the critical angle. The sectors of the detector accumulate charge in response to the incident electromagnetic radiation. Conversion circuitry then converts the charge accumulated in the detector to the control signal, which in a specific embodiment is for controlling the movement of a pointer on a display.

Method and apparatus for generating a control signal

An input device comprising an overlay for a display screen comprising an optically conductive material is described. The overlay has a central region for transmitting first electromagnetic radiation corresponding to an object in contact with the overlay at a first location, and a light conduit along the edge of the central region for receiving and transmitting the first electromagnetic radiation. The light conduit is configured to inhibit transmission of the first electromagnetic radiation back into the central region of the overlay. At least one detector is coupled to the light conduit for receiving the first electromagnetic radiation and generating a signal indicative thereof. Location circuitry receives the signal and generates location data indicative of the first location.

Optically-based touch screen input device

A technique and structure is used for producing high resolution color images using a monochrome area charge-coupled device (CCD) 64 and a sequential color illumination scheme. The monochrome CCD 64 comprises a plurality of semiconductor storage cells 76, the semiconductor storage cells 76 being configured in an array having vertical columns 74 and horizontal rows 79. The entire CCD 64 is exposed to a first color image. The charge packets 82 stored in two adjacent horizontal rows as a result of the exposure are then shifted into a third horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a second color image. The charge packets 82 stored in the first horizontal row as a result of the second exposure are then shifted into the second horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a third and final color image. The CCD output is digitized and stored in a frame. The color information of a particular location on the CCD array 64 is derived by utilizing a simple set of equations.

Electronic color snapshot technique and structure using very high

A CCD-scintillator x-ray image sensor (18) has a high sensitivity at room temperature and a low profile, enabling the use of the x-ray image sensor in most modern mammography x-ray machines. A cassette 10 that encloses the CCD-based x-ray image sensor has the approximate dimensions of 10.5.times.7.7.times.0.6 inches, and is thus form and fit compatible with conventional film-based cassettes. An electronic interface to the cassette requires but a single cable (24) and a standard connector (22) for connection to a CCD sensor electronics unit. The CCD sensor electronics unit interfaces to a computer, such as a conventional personal computer or workstation, having a relatively high resolution display and a provision for digitally recording high-resolution electronic images. The high sensitivity at ambient (room) temperature results from an x-ray scintillator screen (18c) that is coupled to the CCD image sensor (18a) via a bias cut fiber optic faceplate (18b). The CCD image sensor has very low dark current density, high responsivity to the green fluorescence of the screen, and multiple output ports for minimizing the time required for readout and for minimizing the noise bandwidth at the output.

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Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Michel Sayag