Am International Incorporated

Other

Security First Corporation

Ethentica, Inc.

Ronald S Smith

Vincent T Kubert

Mark F Duchesne

Matthew J Olenski

Paul F Vachris

Alexander G Dickinson

Andrew Cole

Steven J Marteney

Gregory A Mullins

John A McMorris, Iii

Shahin Hadjiabadi

Fredric F Derwitsch

A device for imaging a relief object without illuminating a platen is disclosed. The device includes a single electrode electroluminescent device, which may be inorganic or organic, and a current source. The current source is coupled to the single electrode of the electroluminescent device and to the relief object to be imaged. The valleys and ridges of the relief object couple current to the electroluminescent device at different magnitudes which causes the electroluminescent device to generate light at different intensities that correspond to the ridges and valleys of the relief object. The generated light forms an image of the relief object which may be focused by optical elements onto a sensor array for capture and image processing. In another embodiment of the invention, a one-to-one sensor array is located proximate the electroluminescent device to capture the image. In an embodiment of the invention which insulates the relief object from current, the electroluminescent device is covered with a variable resistance layer and the variable resistance layer is covered with a flexible electrode. One lead from the current source is coupled to the flexible electrode and another lead is coupled to the single electrode. When a relief object is brought in contact with the flexible electrode, a localized pressures generated by the ridges of the relief object form conductive paths through the variable resistance layer which are lower in electrical resistance than those formed by pressure in the areas adjacent the valleys of the relief object. The different magnitudes of current delivered through the conductive paths to the electroluminescent device cause the electroluminescent device to generate an image of the relief object without exposing the relief object to electrical current.

Relief object image generator

A system and method for using a relief object image generator for cursor control, computer access control, and operational parameter control is disclosed. The system includes a relief object image generator, a sensor array, an image processor, and a memory. The relief object image generator generates images of relief objects, such as fingerprints, brought in proximity of the exposed surface of the image generator. The image processor receives the image from the sensor array, processes the image, and compares the resulting descriptive information to stored information corresponding to authorized users. If a match is found, the user is granted access to the computer. The image processor may also process the image to determine image movement or the image's presence or absence. Detected movement is used to generate directional signals while the presence and abserice of the image is used to generate highlight and select signals. These signals conform to those generated by known mouse devices so the system of the present invention can replace a position variable device in the keyboard of a laptop or other portable computer without sacrificing functionality for the system. Other uses of the system disclosed herein include control of operational parameters for a device such as brightness and contrast for a monitor and the transmission of relief object images to remote sites for authentication of a user.

Method and system for computer access and cursor control using a relief object image generator

A flat display for providing high contrast, low-artifact enlarged optical images. The flat panel display comprises a pixelated input imaging device, a first array of optical waveguides including a bias cut, a first light redirecting layer, a second array of optical waveguides also including a bias cut, and a second light redirecting layer. The first and second arrays of optical waveguides enlarge an input image in first and second directions, respectively. Moir&eacute; fringe effects are minimized by one or more of: forming the waveguides of the first and second arrays such that the ratio between the waveguide size of the first array to the waveguide size of the second array is at least 1.25; forming a random distribution of waveguides sizes in the first and second arrays; and tilting the second array with respect to the first array. A ratio between the major dimension of the pixels of the input imaging device and the major equivalent dimension of waveguides is between about 1.20 to 4.0. This particular spatial frequency relationship typically yields a modulation transfer function of between 0.2 and 0.95 at the highest spatial frequency supported by the input imaging device.

Optical waveguide system for a flat-panel display

A large scale LED exposure array and system for printers, and unique methods of inputting data to and operating such an array, are disclosed. The array can be loaded and refreshed with data information at rates compatible with high speed printing, and forms part of an electronic image forming and handling system which can load an refresh an exposure array at variable speeds of at least 100 to 300 ft./min. The system includes compensation for differences in illuminating capability of individual LEDs in a large array, by introducing modifications in LED on-time which are centered with respect to the incremental area of the photoreceptor on which a pixel is to be formed, and to compensate for changes in pixel exposure time with increase in speed of the photoreceptor. Also disclosed are an LED configuration which can emit high energy in a controlled pattern to give a desired pixel spot on a photoreceptor, and an arrangement for mounting the array to maintain each light emitting spot in focus on the photoreceptor surface, although a wide array is employed.

Imaging diode array and system

A large scale LED exposure array and system for printers, and unique methods of inputting data to and operating such an array, is disclosed. The array can be loaded and refreshed with data information at rates compatible with high speed printing, and forms part of an electronic image forming and handling system which can load and refresh an exposure array at variable speeds of at least 100 to 300 ft./min. The system includes compensation for differences in illuminating capability of individual LEDs in a large array, by introducing modifications in LED on-time which are centered with respect to the incremental area of the photoreceptor on which a pixel is to be formed, and to compensate for changes in pixel exposure time with increase in speed of the photoreceptor. Also disclosed are an LED configuration which can emit high energy in a controlled pattern to give a desired pixel spot on a photoreceptor, and an arrangement for mounting the array to maintain each light emitting spot in focus on the photoreceptor surface, although a wide array is employed.

A scanned video display system in which a stress wave propagating medium forms a viewing plane and scanning is accomplished in a first scanning direction by stress waves propagated along the medium, while scanning in a second scanning direction is accomplished by emitting light along a scan line in the second direction. The light emitted along the scan line in the second direction is modulated in intensity by a video signal and is incident upon each of the stress waves over the extent of the viewing plane so as to produce a video modulated beam of light scanned in the two dimensions or directions of the viewing plane. In one embodiment, the emitted light is polarized in a first direction and passes through the stress wave propagating medium. The light is again polarized after passing through the medium but in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. In another embodiment, a surface of the medium is reflective and the emitted light is parallel to the reflective surface of the medium such that the light strikes the propagated wave and is reflected away from the surface of the medium. A color embodiment and parallel output feature are also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Palm Bay, FL, United States of America

Ronald S Smith