Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include a fluidic device comprising a chamber, an inlet port coupled to the chamber and configured to convey fluid to the chamber, and an outlet port coupled to the chamber and configured to convey the fluid from the chamber. The fluidic device may also have a restricting region that (1) is dimensioned to restrict a flow of the fluid through the outlet port when the pressure in the chamber is below a threshold level and (2) is configured to move in a manner that allows a flow rate of the fluid through the outlet port to increase when pressure in the chamber reaches the threshold level.

Abstract: Tooling and optic elements for a retro-imaging system may be formed on order near atomic level of accuracy by making use of either etching or growth techniques of a cubic crystal lattice, such as silicon. The elements may be formed directly using selective etching or epitaxial growth by coating and clear resin lamination, or replicated to avoid shrinkage and curvature by use of low shrinkage resins or double-fill molding techniques. Through the use of these highly accurate reflection/diffraction elements, floating images may be formed with relatively high resolution in retro-reflective imaging systems, for example.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a waveguide body and a spatially-varying volume hologram. The volume hologram increases, in a coordinate direction along the volume hologram, an angle of incidence by which light propagating in the waveguide body via total internal reflection is released from the waveguide body. The optical waveguide may form part of an optical system that includes one or more light sources and/or optical sensors.

Abstract: Tooling and optic elements for a retro-imaging system may be formed on order near atomic level of accuracy by making use of either etching or growth techniques of a cubic crystal lattice, such as silicon. The elements may be formed directly using selective etching or epitaxial growth by coating and clear resin lamination, or replicated to avoid shrinkage and curvature by use of low shrinkage resins or double-fill molding techniques. Through the use of these highly accurate reflection/diffraction elements, floating images may be formed with relatively high resolution in retro-reflective imaging systems, for example.

Abstract: Interactive sensing in retro-reflective imaging systems may be enabled through auto-alignment of an infrared (IR) illumination region with a floating image region by transmitting IR light, added on or within a display, through the same optical path as the visible floating image light. The IR illumination at the display may be either a flood of light or structured light. In some implementations, stereo vision based imaging techniques may be employed in conjunction with an auto-aligned IR floating image to provide illumination for a stereo imaging system and to provide position sensing for interaction.

Abstract: Tooling and optic elements for a retro-imaging system may be formed on order near atomic level of accuracy by making use of either etching or growth techniques of a cubic crystal lattice, such as silicon. The elements may be formed directly using selective etching or epitaxial growth by coating and clear resin lamination, or replicated to avoid shrinkage and curvature by use of low shrinkage resins or double-fill molding techniques. Through the use of these highly accurate reflection/diffraction elements, floating images may be formed with relatively high resolution in retro-reflective imaging systems, for example.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device is provided. The multi-touch device includes a matrix of pressure-sensitive cells, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell. The multi-touch device further includes a force-spreading layer configured to diffuse a force of a touch input at a contact area to two or more pressure-sensitive cells within the matrix of pressure-sensitive cells.

Abstract: Tooling and optic elements for a retro-imaging system may be formed on order near atomic level of accuracy by making use of either etching or growth techniques of a cubic crystal lattice, such as silicon. The elements may be formed directly using selective etching or epitaxial growth by coating and clear resin lamination, or replicated to avoid shrinkage and curvature by use of low shrinkage resins or double-fill molding techniques. Through the use of these highly accurate reflection/diffraction elements, floating images may be formed with relatively high resolution in retro-reflective imaging systems, for example.

Abstract: Interactive sensing in retro-reflective imaging systems may be enabled through auto-alignment of an infrared (IR) illumination region with a floating image region by transmitting IR light, added on or within a display, through the same optical path as the visible floating image light. The IR illumination at the display may be either a flood of light or structured light. In some implementations, stereo vision based imaging techniques may be employed in conjunction with an auto-aligned IR floating image to provide illumination for a stereo imaging system and to provide position sensing for interaction.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a waveguide body and a spatially-varying volume hologram. The volume hologram increases, in a coordinate direction along the volume hologram, an angle of incidence by which light propagating in the waveguide body via total internal reflection is released from the waveguide body. The optical waveguide may form part of an optical system that includes one or more light sources and/or optical sensors.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining distance to an object in a depth camera's field of view. The techniques may include raster scanning light over the object and detecting reflected light from the object. One or more distances to the object may be determined based on the reflected image. A 3D mapping of the object may be generated. The distance(s) to the object may be determined based on times-of-flight between transmitting the light from a light source in the camera to receiving the reflected image from the object. Raster scanning the light may include raster scanning a pattern into the field of view. Determining the distance(s) to the object may include determining spatial differences between a reflected image of the pattern that is received at the camera and a reference pattern.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device is provided. The multi-touch device includes a matrix of pressure-sensitive cells, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell. The multi-touch device further includes a spacer assembly between pressure-sensitive cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes touch interfaces that feature optical touch navigation. A lighting device distributes a light over an optical element that, in turn, generates a light beam at an exit of the optical element by internally reflecting the light. A sensing device captures images in response to the light beam striking the sensing device. A processing device detects an object proximate to the optical element by comparing successive images captured by the sensing device.

Abstract: A method for constructing a 3D representation of a subject comprises capturing, with a camera, a 2D image of the subject. The method further comprises scanning a modulated illumination beam over the subject to illuminate, one at a time, a plurality of target regions of the subject, and measuring a modulation aspect of light from the illumination beam reflected from each of the target regions. A moving-mirror beam scanner is used to scan the illumination beam, and a photodetector is used to measure the modulation aspect. The method further comprises computing a depth aspect based on the modulation aspect measured for each of the target regions, and associating the depth aspect with a corresponding pixel of the 2D image.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device is provided. The multi-touch device includes a matrix of pressure-sensitive cells, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell. The multi-touch device further includes a force-spreading layer configured to diffuse a force of a touch input at a contact area to two or more pressure-sensitive cells within the matrix of pressure-sensitive cells.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive multi-touch device is provided. The multi-touch device includes a matrix of pressure-sensitive cells, each pressure-sensitive cell configured to change a resistance of the cell inversely proportional to an amount of force applied to that cell. The multi-touch device further includes a spacer assembly between pressure-sensitive cells.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining distance to an object in a depth camera's field of view. The techniques may include raster scanning light over the object and detecting reflected light from the object. One or more distances to the object may be determined based on the reflected image. A 3D mapping of the object may be generated. The distance(s) to the object may be determined based on times-of-flight between transmitting the light from a light source in the camera to receiving the reflected image from the object. Raster scanning the light may include raster scanning a pattern into the field of view. Determining the distance(s) to the object may include determining spatial differences between a reflected image of the pattern that is received at the camera and a reference pattern.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining distance to an object in a depth camera's field of view. The techniques may include raster scanning light over the object and detecting reflected light from the object. One or more distances to the object may be determined based on the reflected image. A 3D mapping of the object may be generated. The distance(s) to the object may be determined based on times-of-flight between transmitting the light from a light source in the camera to receiving the reflected image from the object. Raster scanning the light may include raster scanning a pattern into the field of view. Determining the distance(s) to the object may include determining spatial differences between a reflected image of the pattern that is received at the camera and a reference pattern.

Abstract: An optical tracking system is disclosed that provides more precise tracking and better performance in an optical mouse. It involves provides a collimated laser, and imaging a reflection of the collimated laser, such that the reflection has a substantially linear phase gradient. The reflection of the laser includes a pattern of speckles due to optical interference effects. The speckles are imaged such that the substantially linear phase gradient restricts any variation in intensity of the imaging of the speckles during a translating motion of the reflection, thereby providing superior tracking performance.

Abstract: An optical tracking system is disclosed that provides more precise tracking and better performance in an optical mouse. It involves provides a collimated laser, and imaging a reflection of the collimated laser, such that the reflection has a substantially linear phase gradient. The reflection of the laser includes a pattern of speckles due to optical interference effects. The speckles are imaged such that the substantially linear phase gradient restricts any variation in intensity of the imaging of the speckles during a translating motion of the reflection, thereby providing superior tracking performance.