Abstract: A system for performing digital lithography onto a subject is provided. The system utilizes pixel panels to generate pixel patterns. Mirrors are utilized to divert and align the pixel elements forming the patterns onto a subject. A gradient lens system positioned between the panels and the subject simultaneously directs the pixel elements to the subject. The pixel elements may overlapping, adjacent, or spaced as desired. The pixel elements may be directed to multiple surfaces simultaneously. One or more point array units may be utilized in the system to achieve higher resolution.

Abstract: An inclinometer comprising a spherical mass, a spherical shell having a reference axis and surrounding said spherical mass and a plurality of electrodes mounted on the spherical inner surface of said spherical shell, said inclinometer applied to detect the inclination angle of said reference axis by the output signal of said electrodes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for a spherical surface inspection system comprising a controller having software, an optical sensor connected to the controller, and an inspection device disposed adjacent to the optical sensor, and connected to the controller. The inspection device is for retaining and rotating the spherical-shaped object along a first axis to allow the optical sensor to convey an image of a portion of the surface of the spherical-shaped object to the controller. The inspection device also rotates the spherical-shaped object along a second axis to convey an image of more of the surface of the spherical-shaped object to the controller.

Abstract: A digital photolithography system is provided that is capable of making smooth diagonal components. The system includes a computer for providing a first digital pattern to a digital pixel panel, such as a deformable mirror device (DMD). The DMD is capable of providing a first plurality of pixel elements for exposure onto a plurality of wafer sites. After exposure, the wafer can be scanned a distance less than the site length. The DMD then receives a second digital pattern for exposing a second plurality of pixel elements onto the plurality of sites of the subject. The exposed second plurality of pixel elements overlaps the exposed first plurality of pixel elements. This overlapping allows incremental changes to be made in the image being exposed, thereby accommodating the creation of diagonal components.

Abstract: A spherical shaped semiconductor integrated circuit (“ball”) and a system and method for manufacturing same. The ball replaces the function of the flat, conventional chip. The physical dimensions of the ball allow it to adapt to many different manufacturing processes which otherwise could not be used. Furthermore, the assembly and mounting of the ball may facilitates efficient use of the semiconductor as well as circuit board space.

Abstract: A system for performing digital lithography onto a subject is provided. The system includes a telecentric lens system that utilizes a field lens for redirecting light without distortion. The field lens may be utilized with a microlens array, a grating, and other lenses to achieve a desired result. A Fresnel lens may be used in place of the field lens and may be combined with the microlens array into a diffraction optical element.

Abstract: A system for performing digital lithography onto a subject is provided. The system includes a noncoherent light source for producing a first light and an optical diffraction element for individually focusing the first light into a plurality of second lights. The system also includes a pixel panel for generating a digital pattern, the pixel panel having a plurality of pixels corresponding to the plurality of second lights. A lens system may then direct the digital pattern to the subject, thereby enabling the lithography.

Abstract: A light modulation element, device, and system is discussed. The light modulation element includes three electrodes, a rigid member, and a mirror. The rigid member is connected between the three electrodes so that the first and second electrodes are on one side and the third electrode is on the opposite side of the rigid member. The mirror is attached to the rigid member so that it can move therewith. The rigid member moves responsive to an external electrostatic force provided by one or more of the three electrodes so that the mirror is positioned in a predetermined position responsive to the state of the rigid member.

Abstract: A miniature implantable drug delivery capsule system. The drug delivery system (400) comprises one or more ball semiconductor aggregations (404) and (406) facilitating release of a drug stored in a reservoir (402). The first aggregate (404) is used for sensing and memory, and a second aggregation (406) for control aspects, such as for pumping and dispensing of the drug. Notably, the aggregates (404) and (406) may be interconnected by a common bus (410) for communication purposes, or may be implemented to operate independently of each other. Each aggregate (404) and (406) is encased in a semipermeable membrane (408) to allow species which are to be monitored, and drugs to be delivered, to freely diffuse. The system (400) may communicate with a remote control system, or operate independently on local power over a long period for delivery of the drug based upon a request of the patient, timed-release under control by the system (400), or delivery in accordance with measured markers.

Abstract: A method for losslessly transmitting data is provided. The data is separated into two or more portions and the second portion is subtracted from the first portion to find a difference. The first portion and the difference are transmitted, and then the second portion is reconstructed by adding the difference to the first portion. The data may comprise two or more images, with each image being a temporally displaced version of the preceding image. Each image may be divided into multiple areas, where the areas on each image correspond to the areas on the other images. A difference may be obtained by subtracting each area of an image from the corresponding area of the preceding image. The first image may then be transferred as a reference image along with the differences, and each image may be reconstructed by adding each difference to the corresponding area of the previous image.

Abstract: A method for coating a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device is provided. A coating material, such as a ceramic slurry, may be utilized to form a gas permeable enclosure or shell around the device after the coating material hardens. A vacuum may be applied near the device to exert an attractive force on the coating material to aid in homogenously distributing the coating material over the device. In addition, a vibration may be applied to the device to aid in distributing the coating material. If the device is attached to a substrate, a hole may be formed through the substrate with one opening near the device and a second opening located elsewhere. The vacuum may then be applied to the second opening to draw the coating material over the device and towards the first opening.

Abstract: A digital micromirror device is used in a semi-automated system to reflect a tailored portion of a laser beam according to image data that defines a mapped target area of an object for selective irradiation by the tailored laser beam. A computer having an interface device, such as a light pen, is used to map the boundary on a computer screen of a target area of an object, which may be the retina of a patient's eye or some other object. A projector cooperates with a laser source, the digital micromirror device and the computer to enable a laser beam to be tailored to correspond to the irregular shape of the intended target area to avoid irradiating portions of the object other than the target area itself. The system is capable of tracking movement of the target area and maintaining the tailored laser beam aligned to irradiate the target area during movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for segmenting and mapping a two-dimensional conventional circuit pattern to a flat mask for projection onto a three-dimensional surface. The circuit pattern is first segmented into a plurality of circuit segments enclosed in a plurality of base units of an imposed grid system. Subsequently, locations and the boundary conditions for a plurality of mask segments on the mask are determined such that no unneeded overlapping at the boundaries of the projected image on the spherical shaped semiconductor device is possible. The mask, along with a photolithography system having a plurality of mirrors, projects the circuit pattern onto the spherical shaped semiconductor device.

Abstract: A high power light source is provided. The light source includes one or more diodes that may produce relatively coherent light of a desired intensity. The diodes may be pulsed to provide light as desired. The light projected by the diodes passes through a combiner, which combines the light from the different diodes and passes the combined light to an incoherence apparatus. The incoherence apparatus may include a rotating surface relief phase device such as an optical hologram, a computer generated hologram, or a diffractive optical element with random phase modulation. The incoherence apparatus may include a rotating fiber conduit comprising a plurality of multifiber cores. The incoherence apparatus renders the combined light incoherent and passes it to an illuminator apparatus that focuses the incoherent combined light onto an image plane.

Abstract: A substantially spherical semiconductor ball implanted in orthopedic structures for sensing and/or stimulation. In one embodiment, a vertebral column (800) having a number of intervertebral discs (802) interspersed among respective vertebral bodies (804), material placed in intervertebral discs (802) allows for a semi-synthetic vertebral disc (806) to be constructed. The artificial intervertebral disk (806) contains one or more ball sensors (808) located within the body of the disk (806) in order to monitor the compression forces. Conventionally, the semi-synthetic disc (806) is monitored only retrospectively, and visualized on x-ray.

Abstract: A method and system for making a gas permeable shell in a micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) device is disclosed. The MEMS device is created with an internal sacrificial layer. The device is then coated with a slurry composition which, after drying, is later exposed to a solvent. As a result, the sacrificial layer is removed to produce interconnected voids.

Abstract: A system and method of utilizing spherical and hemispherical shaped devices to function as an optical switch is disclosed. The optical switch can contain mirrors that turn on and off, or are fixed in place with a movable spherical device. Additionally, the optical switches can contain grating patterns to deflect an optical signal from its original path. The grating patterns can vary in design and pattern to deflect the optical signal in almost any direction, or to not let the optical signal continue. The optical switch can also include photo sensors along the exterior of the sphere or along the reflection device. The optical switch can also include an integrated circuits.

Abstract: A method and system for securing a small spherical shaped semiconductor substrate for processing operations, such as lithography, is disclosed. The substrate is secured by attaching it to a member and applying an adhering substance, such as photo resist, to the substrate and a portion of the member. The application may be by electroplating or other means. The electroplated substance securely attaches the substrate to the member so that one or more processing operations may be performed on the substrate. After processing, the substrate can be removed from the member.

Abstract: A light modulation element, device, and system is discussed. The light modulation element includes three electrodes, a flexible member, and a mirror. The flexible member is connected between the three electrodes so that the first and second electrodes are on one side and the third electrode is on the opposite side of the flexible member. The mirror is attached to the flexible member so that it can move therewith. The flexible member moves responsive to an external electrostatic force provided by one or more of the three electrodes so that the mirror is positioned in a predetermined position responsive to the state of the flexible member.

Abstract: A system and method for making very small (e.g., 1 millimeter diameter) spherical shaped devices is disclosed. The system includes a supply system for providing predetermined amounts of raw material into a chamber, which is used for melting the raw material. The melted raw material is then provided to a dropper for measuring predetermined amounts of the melted raw material (droplets) and releasing the droplets into a drop tube, where they are cooled and solidified into spherical shaped silicon devices. The system includes a container of silicon powder in which the solidified spherical shaped devices are received from the drop tube, the container including a stirring mechanism for agitating the silicon powder. The system also includes a separating device for separating the powder from the solidified spherical shaped devices after the devices have been received into the container.