Abstract: An electronic contact lens. In some embodiments, the electronic contact lens includes: a power management circuit; and a first cell, the power management circuit including an active switch, the active switch being configured to isolate the first cell from other contact lens elements when the power management circuit is powered down.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system is adapted for noninvasive measurement of blood pulse (hear rate). A capacitive sensor is located near a skin pulse point exhibiting pulse displacement of skin tissue from vascular pulsation (for example, the temple area of the head), and includes a sensor electrode disposed over and spaced from the skin pulse point, such that the distance between sensor electrode and the skin pulse point cycles between a proximal and a distal displacement distance based on vascular pulsation.

Abstract: A dual mode switching regulator includes a PWM/PFM control architecture with PFM frequency foldback based on extending switching cycle off time TOFF. A controller includes a PWM/PFM clock generator that, in response to assertion of a TOFF control signal, extends the nominal PWM switching cycle off-time TOFFnom for an extended off-time TOFFext (variable), so that switching cycle off-time is [TOFFnom+TOFFext]. A TOFF modulator generates the TOFF control signal based on generating a TOFF control voltage from an ITOFF control current equal to [IPWM-IPFM], generated by sourcing an IPWM reference current, and, in response to a PFM load condition, sinking an IPFM control current. The TOFF control signal is asserted when the TOFF control voltage is not substantially equal to a TOFF reference voltage at the end of TOFFnom, to cause the PWM/PFM clock generator to extend switching cycle off-time to [TOFFnom+TOFFext], with the duration of TOFFext determining PFM switching frequency.

Abstract: A dual mode switching regulator includes a PWM/PFM control architecture with PFM frequency foldback based on extending switching cycle off time TOFF. A controller includes a PWM/PFM clock generator that, in response to assertion of a TOFF control signal, extends the nominal PWM switching cycle off-time TOFFnom for an extended off-time TOFFext (variable), so that switching cycle off-time is [TOFFnom+TOFFext]. A TOFF modulator generates the TOFF control signal based on generating a TOFF control voltage from an ITOFF control current equal to [IPWM-IPFM], generated by sourcing an IPWM reference current, and, in response to a PFM load condition, sinking an IPFM control current. The TOFF control signal is asserted when the TOFF control voltage is not substantially equal to a TOFF reference voltage at the end of TOFFnom, to cause the PWM/PFM clock generator to extend switching cycle off-time to [TOFFnom+TOFFext], with the duration of TOFFext determining PFM switching frequency.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system is adapted for noninvasive measurement of blood pulse (hear rate). A capacitive sensor is located near a skin pulse point exhibiting pulse displacement of skin tissue from vascular pulsation (for example, the temple area of the head), and includes a sensor electrode disposed over and spaced from the skin pulse point, such that the distance between sensor electrode and the skin pulse point cycles between a proximal and a distal displacement distance based on vascular pulsation.

Abstract: An inductive sensing system is adapted for noninvasive measurement of blood flow through a blood vessel. A resonant sensor is disposed in proximity to the blood vessel, and includes a coil resonator that generates a magnetic field within a sensing area that includes the blood vessel. The resonator changes resonance state based on changes in a flow of blood hemoglobin through the sensing area. The IDC unit establishes an IDC control loop, including the resonator as a loop filter, that provides feedback resonance control of the resonator to maintain a resonant frequency state (steady state oscillation) representative of blood hemoglobin flow through the sensing area. A feedback resonance control signal provides sensor data corresponding to the resonant frequency state as representative of blood flow through the sensing area. In one embodiment, the IDC control loop is implemented as a negative impedance control loop, controlling negative impedance to counterbalance resonant impedance.

Abstract: In an integrated circuit package, a method for insulation and reinforcement of individual bonding wires in an integrated circuit package. Using an airbrush, bonding wires are sprayed and coated with an insulating material prior to the molding process. Mold flow induced short rejects are eliminated as a result of: (a) Electrically insulating the bonding wires by coating them with an insulating mixture; (b) Physically isolating the bonding wires as a result of bead formation around individual bonding wires, with the insulating beads acting as contact barriers between the bonding wires; and (c) Enhancing the structural rigidity of the bonding wires as a result of the coating. Reinforcement and separation of bonding wires also reduces inductive coupling and/or crosstalk interference due to proximity of bonding wires.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for non-destructive removal of cured epoxy from a wafer backside. A wafer back-coated with epoxy is soaked in an acetone bath for a period of time, allowing degradation of the epoxy coating adhesion strength. The epoxy coating is then peeled or scraped away, leaving the wafer backside ready for a rework or for a reapplication of a new epoxy coating.