238 results about "Visible radiation" patented technology

Vehicle lighting methods and apparatus, in which an LED-based light source is configured to generate at least visible radiation associated with a vehicle. The light source is controlled such that the generated visible radiation has a variable color over a range of colors including at least three different perceivable colors. Examples of vehicles in which such methods and apparatus may be used include, but are not limited to, an automobile, airplane, boat, non-motorized vehicle, etc. The LED-based light source may be disposed inside the vehicle (e.g., dashboard, instrument panel) or outside the vehicle (e.g., brake lights, undercarriage lighting), and may be controlled to generate white light as one of the perceivable colors. A user interface may be employed to facilitate an adjustment of the variable color of the generated visible radiation. Additionally, information relating to at least one condition associated with the vehicle may be employed to control the LED-based light source such that the variable color of the generated visible radiation is based at least in part on the condition associated with the vehicle.

To provide a bright and highly reliable light-emitting device. An anode (102), an EL layer (103), a cathode (104), and an auxiliary electrode (105) are formed sequentially in lamination on a reflecting electrode (101). Further, the anode (102), the cathode (104), and the auxiliary electrode (105) are either transparent or semi-transparent with respect to visible radiation. In such a structure, lights generated in the EL layer (103) are almost all irradiated to the side of the cathode (104), whereby an effect light emitting area of a pixel is drastically enhanced.

Illumination methods and apparatus, in which a first number of first light sources are adapted to generate first radiation having a first spectrum, and a second number of second light sources are adapted to generate second radiation having a second spectrum different than the first spectrum. In one example, the first number of the first light sources and the second number of the second light sources are different. In another example, a first intensity of the first radiation and a second intensity of the second radiation are independently controlled so as to controllably vary at least an overall perceivable color of generated visible radiation. In yet another example, a first control signal controls all of the first light sources substantially identically, and a second control signal controls all of the second light sources substantially identically.

A digital still camera (10) receives and digitizes visible radiation (17) and sound waves (32) from a scene (12). When an operator actuates a shutter release (46), the camera detects and evaluates digitized information (22, 38) from the scene in a continuing manner, until a point in time when information representative of a human facial characteristic satisfies a specified criteria set by the operator through use of switches (47, 48) and a display (51). The camera then records in a memory (59) a digital image of the scene, which corresponds to the point in time. The stored image is a high-quality image, which can avoid characteristics such as eyes that are closed or a mouth that is open.

Covert flakes having one or more symbols and / or a selected shape are used in a composition, such as ink or paint, to provide a covert security feature to an object. In some embodiments the composition includes base pigment, and the covert flakes are covert pigment flakes that match the visual characteristics of the base pigment. In another embodiment, clear covert flakes are mixed in the carrier with base pigment. In another embodiment, clear covert flakes are mixed in a varnish base to provide a clear composition that can be applied over an existing security feature or elsewhere. The composition is used to print a field on the object, such as a stock certificate or bank note, for example. The covert flakes are not readily detectable by causal observation under visible light. In one embodiment, illuminating the covert security feature with ultraviolet light causes a covert flake to fluoresce and allows the observer to identify the location of the covert flake so that cover indicia may be observed. In a particular embodiment, a covert flake having one or more symbols is located using non-visible radiation, and then observed under visible light to read the symbol(s) on the covert flake.

Covert flakes having one or more symbols and / or a selected shape are used in a composition, such as ink or paint, to provide a covert security feature to an object. In some embodiments the composition includes base pigment, and the covert flakes are covert pigment flakes that match the visual characteristics of the base pigment. In another embodiment, clear covert flakes are mixed in the carrier with base pigment. In another embodiment, clear covert flakes are mixed in a varnish base to provide a clear composition that can be applied over an existing security feature or elsewhere. The composition is used to print a field on the object, such as a stock certificate or bank note, for example. The covert flakes are not readily detectable by causal observation under visible light. In one embodiment, illuminating the covert security feature with ultraviolet light causes a covert flake to fluoresce and allows the observer to identify the location of the covert flake so that cover indicia may be observed. In a particular embodiment, a covert flake having one or more symbols is located using non-visible radiation, and then observed under visible light to read the symbol(s) on the covert flake.

A high-speed, three-dimensional, gamma-ray imaging method and system as well as a detector and array of such detectors for use therein are provided which characterize radioactivity distributions in nuclear and radioactive waste and materials facilities by superimposing radiation images on a view of the environment using see-through display screens or shields to provide a stereoscopic view of the radiation. The method and system provide real-time visual feedback about the locations and relative strengths of radioactive sources. The method and system dynamically provide continuous updates to the displayed image illustrating changes, such as source movement. A pair of spaced gamma-ray cameras of a detector subsystem function like “gamma eyes”. A pair of CCD cameras may be coupled to the detector subsystem to obtain information about the physical architecture of the environment. A motion tracking subsystem is used to generate information on the user's position and head orientation to determine what a user “sees”. The invention exploits the human brain's ability to naturally reconstruct a 3D, stereoscopic image from 2D images generated by two “imagers” separated by a known angle(s) without the need for 3D mathematical image reconstruction. The method and system are not only tools for minimizing human exposure to radiation thus assisting in ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) planning, but also are helpful for identifying contamination in, for example, laboratory or industrial settings. Other optically-invisible radiation such as infrared radiation caused by smoldering fires may also be imaged. Detectors are manufactured or configured in curvilinear geometries (such as hemispheres, spheres, circles, arcs, or other arrangements) to enable sampling of the ionizing radiation field for determination of positional activity (absolute or relative amounts of ionizing radiation) or spectroscopy (energy distributions of photons). More than one detector system may be used to obtain three-dimensional information. The detector systems are specifically suitable for direct visualization of radiation fields.

The invention provides a class of actinically-crosslinkable silicone-containing prepolymers which comprise (1) ethylenically-unsaturated groups and (2) UV-absorbing polymeric units, latent UV-absorbing polymeric units, and / or dual photo-functional polymeric units. The prepolymer of the invention can be used to prepare silicone hydrogel contact lenses capable of absorbing UV / visible radiation. The present invention is also related to silicone hydrogel contact lenses made from a prepolymer of the invention and methods for making the contact lenses in a cost-effective way and with high consistency and high fidelity to the original lens design.

Disclosed are environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. In addition, the disclosed coating compositions are suitable for coating flexible objects and / or objects having angular features, such as, but not limited to, flexible metal objects with angular features. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example leaf springs. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation.

A device for the detection of multi-spectral infrared and visible radiation using a bolometric detector having at least one active layer and two control electrodes for the detection of both infrared and visible radiation, and also using at least one photodetector having at least two active layers and two control electrodes for detecting solely visible radiation. The device is uncooled, and the two detectors are superimposed and combined with one-another for forming the same sensitive element.

Disclosed are environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. In addition, the disclosed coating compositions are suitable for coating composite objects and / or objects comprising composite materials, such as, but not limited to, fiberglass, fire retardant fiberglass, carbon fiber, fire retardant carbon fiber, Kevlar®, and fire retardant Kevlar®. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example composite architectural panels. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation.

Photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass is a multi-component silicate glass having photosensitivity in rear UV region. A novel process is disclosed for PTR glass sensitization to visible region by means of two-step illumination followed by thermal development. This disclosed process utilizes a first illumination at approximately 325 nm followed by a second illumination with radiation in the visible spectral region out of the region of original photosensitivity of the PTR glass which enables fabrication of complex holographic optical elements for visible region such as plane elements, lenses, curved mirrors, combinations of complex elements and optical correlators. The same process provides a positive increment of refractive index in the bulk of the PTR glass and, therefore, can be used for refractive optical elements recording, such as lenses and waveguides.

A liquid compound or a compound solution is kept in contact with the surface of a solid material, such as a synthetic resin, glass, metal, or ceramic, radiation selected from ultraviolet radiation, visible radiation, and infrared radiation is irradiated on the interface between the surface of the solid material and the liquid compound or compound solution to optically excite the surface of the solid material and the liquid compound or compound solution, thereby effecting substitution with a chemical species in the liquid compound or compound solution, depositing the chemical species, or performing etching with the chemical species. Preferably, a transparent window is kept in tight contact with the surface of a solid material to be treated, a thin layer of a liquid compound or of a compound solution is interposed between the surface of the solid material and the transparent window by using capillarity, and ultraviolet radiation, visible radiation, or infrared radiation is irradiated through the transparent window. With this treatment, the irradiated portion can be imparted with hydrophilicity, adhesion properties printing properties, a corrosion resistance, and conductivity.

A method of marking an article with a watermark that diffracts radiation according to Bragg's law is disclosed. The watermark includes a periodic array of particles fixed in a matrix. The watermark may change colors with viewing angle, disappear and reappear with viewing angle or may diffract non-visible radiation that is detectable at certain angles of detection.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for annealing semiconductor nanowires and for fabricating electrical devices are provided. Nanowires are deposited on a substrate. A plurality of electrodes is formed. The nanowires are in electrical contact with the plurality of electrodes. The nanowires are doped. A polarized laser beam is applied to the nanowires to anneal at least a portion of the nanowires. The nanowires may be aligned substantially parallel to an axis. The laser beam may be polarized in various ways to modify absorption of radiation of the applied laser beam by the nanowires. For example, the laser beam may be polarized in a direction substantially parallel to the axis or substantially perpendicular to the axis to enable different nanowire absorption profiles.

A display for producing either visible or invisible images to the human eyes comprising a plurality of pixels wherein each of the pixels includes one or more visible radiation subpixels capable of producing visible radiations to the human eyes and at least one invisible radiation subpixel capable of producing invisible radiations to the human eyes; and means for selectively operating the display to activate either visible or invisible radiation subpixels to respectively producing visible or invisible images to the human eyes.

The invention is directed to a catalyst having activity under the irradiation of a visible light, the catalyst being an oxide semiconductor such as an anatase type titanium dioxide, having stable oxygen defects. A method for producing a catalyst having activity under the irradiation of a visible light which comprises treating an oxide semiconductor with hydrogen plasma or with a plasma of a rare gas element, comprising performing the treatment in a state substantially free from the intrusion of air into the treatment system is also provided. An article comprising a base material having the catalyst above provided on the surface thereof and a method for decomposing a substance, comprising bringing an object to be decomposed into contact with the catalyst above under the irradiation of a light containing at least a visible radiation are disclosed. A novel photocatalyst which enables use of a visible radiation is provided, as well as a method utilizing the photocatalyst for removing various substances containing an organic matter or bacteria by photodecomposition.

Disclosed are environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. In addition, the disclosed coating compositions are suitable for coating wooden objects, such as, but not limited to, wooden products, which may have angular features. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces are also disclosed. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example moldings. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation.

A lighting assembly for an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes an illumination source, a reflective element and a lens. The illumination source is operable to radiate radiation including visible radiation and infrared radiation. The radiation from the illumination source impinges on the reflective element. The reflective element reflects reflected radiation toward the lens. The reflective element is adapted to at least partially transmit the infrared radiation so that reduced reflection of the infrared radiation occurs toward the lens. The lens may include an optical element which functions to substantially transmit the visible radiation through the optical element and the lens while at least partially reflecting the infrared radiation generally away from the lens.

To provide a bright and highly reliable light-emitting device. An anode (102), an EL layer (103), a cathode (104), and an auxiliary electrode (105) are formed sequentially in lamination on a reflecting electrode (101). Further, the anode (102), the cathode (104), and the auxiliary electrode (105) are either transparent or semi-transparent with respect to visible radiation. In such a structure, lights generated in the EL layer (103) are almost all irradiated to the side of the cathode (104), whereby an effect light emitting area of a pixel is drastically enhanced.

A method and apparatus to recognize, identify, and authenticate / verify humans and human behavior by using shadow characteristics data, as well as body data in the visible and invisible radiation spectrum.

A wireless hands-free portable headset computer with a micro display arranged near but below a wearer's eye in a peripheral vision area not blocking the wearer's main line of sight. The headset computer can display an image or portions of an image, wherein the portions can be enlarged. The headset computer also can be equipped with peripheral devices, such as light sources and cameras that can emit and detect, respectively, visible light and invisible radiation, such as infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation. The peripheral devices are controllable by the wearer by voice command or by gesture. The headset computer also can be broken down into component parts that are attachable to another article worn by an individual, such as a helmet or respirator mask.

A 2-wavelength image sensor has a plurality of uniformly dispersedly arranged visible radiation detectors and a plurality of uniformly dispersedly arranged, uncooled infrared radiation detectors, and a single visible radiation detector configures a visible radiation detecting pixel and four series connected infrared radiation detectors configure a thermal infrared radiation detecting pixel. Consequently a visible image can be four times a thermal image in resolution. Furthermore for an infrared image an area increased four times per pixel to receive light can be achieved. As a result the infrared image can be enhanced in temperature resolution.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for annealing semiconductor nanowires and for fabricating electrical devices are provided. Nanowires are deposited on a substrate. A plurality of electrodes is formed. The nanowires are in electrical contact with the plurality of electrodes. The nanowires are doped. A polarized laser beam is applied to the nanowires to anneal at least a portion of the nanowires. The nanowires may be aligned substantially parallel to an axis. The laser beam may be polarized in various ways to modify absorption of radiation of the applied laser beam by the nanowires. For example, the laser beam may be polarized in a direction substantially parallel to the axis or substantially perpendicular to the axis to enable different nanowire absorption profiles.

Disclosed are environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. In certain embodiments, the disclosed coating compositions are suitable for coating flexible objects and / or objects having angular features, such as, but not limited to, flexible metal objects with angular features. In other embodiments, the cured coatings have improved slip properties and at least 6 H hardness. Such embodiments can served as substitutes for “hard chrome” coatings, TEFLON® coatings, coatings comprising TEFLON®, or TEFLON® like coatings. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example leaf springs, hydraulic rods and cylinders. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation.

An apparatus and a method, in a handheld portable multi purpose device, for producing multiple and variable wavelength distributions of UV radiation, or visible radiation, comprising a primary UV radiation source, and a system of wavelength transforming (WT) materials that allows selecting at will between UV A, UV B, UV C radiation (individual selections or various combinations,) and visible radiation, whereby the apparatus provides for UV sterilization of food, fluid, air, fluids, and surfaces; while also providing a means to emit visible light. Additionally, an apparatus and method, in a handheld portable multi purpose device, for enabling production and emission of UV radiation selectable between UV A, UV B, UV C radiation (individual selections or various combinations,) and visible radiation in a small form factor device embodied in a handheld portable flashlight, or lamp, type device.

Disclosed are environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions which are curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation. In addition, the disclosed coating compositions are suitable for coating composite objects and / or objects comprising composite materials, such as, but not limited to, fiberglass, fire retardant fiberglass, carbon fiber, fire retardant carbon fiber, Kevlar®, and fire retardant Kevlar®. In addition, methods are disclosed for coating surfaces, or at least a portion of the surfaces, and curing of the coated surface to obtain partially or fully cured coated surfaces. Furthermore, articles of manufacture incorporating fully cured coated surfaces are disclosed, including, for example composite architectural panels. Also disclosed are methods, processes, production lines, articles of manufacture, and factories which incorporate these environmentally friendly, substantially all solids coating compositions curable using ultraviolet and visible radiation.

A sensor with high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of NO2 uses a simple diode laser operating nominally at 405 nm in the visible region, a high finesse optical cavity and a low noise photon detector. The sensor employs the multimode broad output of the diode laser with the high finesse optical cavity in an essentially off-axis arrangement that can provide large path lengths of the order of a km in a small volume cell. The detected absorption signal corresponds to multiple line integrated absorption spectroscopy (MLIS). Because the sensor uses visible radiation it can employ optics in the visible region that are normally less expensive. Also, the sensor is free from interference from atmospheric water vapor which is often a severe problem for sensors based on mid-infrared quantum cascade lasers operating in the mid-infrared (for example 1650 cm−1) region.