Abstract: An apparatus includes a spectrometer receiving an optical input signal that includes an input optical spectrum. The spectrometer includes a fiber laser cavity pumped by a first optical replica of the optical input signal that generates stimulated Brillouin scattering traveling in a direction opposite to a direction of the optical input signal. The first optical replica of the optical input signal excites at least one lasing mode in the fiber laser cavity. The at least one lasing mode respectively includes at least one lasing mode frequency. The at least one lasing mode frequency is onset by a respective Brillouin frequency shift from the respective at least one input frequency. The spectrometer also includes an optical heterodyne receiver. The optical heterodyne receiver generates the electrical output signal. The spectrometer outputs a measurement of the input optical spectrum based on the respective Brillouin frequency shift and the at least one input frequency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for quantitatively measuring strain in an optical fiber. An optical source comprising an optical beam generator and a pulse generator receives instructions from a controller and generates a pulsed optical beam in response to those instructions. The pulsed optical beam is directed into an optical fiber to generate a reflected beam from scattering centers within the optical fiber. A detector records a plurality of frames of data generated by the reflected beam, and the controller tracks an evolution of a speckle pattern carried by the reflected beam from the plurality of frames and calculates a strain induced in a section of the optical fiber from the evolution of the speckle pattern.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for quantitatively measuring strain in an optical fiber. An optical source comprising an optical beam generator and a pulse generator receives instructions from a controller and generates a pulsed optical beam in response to those instructions. The pulsed optical beam is directed into an optical fiber to generate a reflected beam from scattering centers within the optical fiber. A detector records a plurality of frames of data generated by the reflected beam, and the controller tracks an evolution of a speckle pattern carried by the reflected beam from the plurality of frames and calculates a strain induced in a section of the optical fiber from the evolution of the speckle pattern.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a vibrator, an accelerometer that senses a parameter of rotation, and a processor. The vibrator includes a drive motor and a drive circuit. The accelerometer senses a speed of rotation of the vibrator. The processor analyzes the sensed speed of rotation and generates a drive voltage that is received by the drive circuit to adjust the drive motor to produce a pre-determined, desired rotational speed. In another embodiment, the accelerometer senses an amplitude of a vibration produced by the vibrator. The processor analyzes the sensed amplitude of a vibration and generates a drive voltage that is received by the drive circuit to adjust the drive motor to produce a pre-determined, desired vibration amplitude. The processor may also compare the sensed parameter with a pre-determined desired parameter of rotation and generate a signal responsive to a result of the comparison and based on stored vibrator calibration curves.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a vibrator, an accelerometer that senses a parameter of rotation, and a processor. The vibrator includes a drive motor and a drive circuit. The accelerometer senses a speed of rotation of the vibrator. The processor analyzes the sensed speed of rotation and generates a drive voltage that is received by the drive circuit to adjust the drive motor to produce a pre-determined, desired rotational speed. In another embodiment, the accelerometer senses an amplitude of a vibration produced by the vibrator. The processor analyzes the sensed amplitude of a vibration and generates a drive voltage that is received by the drive circuit to adjust the drive motor to produce a pre-determined, desired vibration amplitude. The processor may also compare the sensed parameter with a pre-determined desired parameter of rotation and generate a signal responsive to a result of the comparison and based on stored vibrator calibration curves.

Abstract: A hand-held accessory for a camera-equipped device comprises a short-range transceiver to transmit signals to and receive signals from the camera-equipped device. A controller and a display are operatively connected to the short-range transceiver. The controller generates control signals responsive to user input, and conveys the control signals to the short-range transceiver for transmission to the camera-equipped device. The control signals control the camera functionality on the camera-equipped device. Images captured by the camera-equipped device may be displayed on the accessory display.

Abstract: A transducer assembly includes a transducer and a coupler with rheological material. A loudspeaker further includes an acoustic radiator. The coupler is mounted to the transducer and is operatively connected to the acoustic radiator. The transducer excites bending waves in the acoustic radiator to produce an acoustic output. By control of the rheological material, which may include mageto-rheological liquid or electro-rheological liquid, the transducer in various embodiments may selectively be substantially rigidly or substantially flexibly coupled to the acoustic radiator. If flexibly coupled the force experienced by the transducer when the host device is dropped, jarred, or pressured may be reduced from that experienced with a rigid connection. The acoustic radiator may be, for example, a display such as an LCD or a window mounted over a display. A mobile terminal may include such a loudspeaker in accordance with one embodiment.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a keypad assembly. The keypad assembly has a plurality of depressible keys and a touch sensitive pad disposed over at least one of the depressible keys.

Abstract: A wireless communications device can include a power amplifier that is configured to transmit information to a wireless communications network during a first time interval and configured to avoid transmitting information during a second time interval. A circuit substrate is coupled to the power amplifier and a power source is configured to provide power to the power amplifier. First and second conductor are coupled to the power amplifier and to the power source, and have respective overlapping and non-overlapping portions on the circuit substrate.

Abstract: A tactile generator comprises an eccentric mass that imparts a vibration as it rotates about a rotational axis. The mass is radially movable with respect to the rotational axis such that the distance between the mass and the axis is variable. Varying the distance of the mass from the axis varies the amount of vibration generated when the mass is rotated. The amount of vibration may be controlled responsive to a detected level of ambient noise.

Abstract: A portable communication device includes a rotating member and a latching mechanism which employs a magnet means and a quantity of magneto-rheological fluid (“MR” fluid) or electro-rheological (“ER”) fluid therein to latch the rotatable member against the primary body of the portable communication device when a magnetic or electric field is positioned proximate to the MR or ER fluid. The rotating member can be a low-profile flip and/or antenna. The magnet means can be an electromagnetic field or at least one translatable permanent magnet. Additionally, a portable communication device with a translating antenna and an antenna receptacle and elbow also includes a quantity of magneto-rheological fluid therein. The device can also include an externally accessible latch release which controls the application of the magnetic field to the MR fluid (or electric filed to the ER fluid). Associated latching mechanisms employ rheological fluid and a magnetic or electric field source.

Abstract: An apparatus and system automatically adjusts the acoustic output of a wireless handset. The system includes an actuator, a piezoelectric disk and a controller. The actuator generates vibrations that produce sound. The piezoelectric disk detects the acoustic vibrations of the actuator and the associated loudness of the sound. The controller analyzes the detected sound and, if necessary, adjusts the actuator or an input amplifier of the actuator to produce a desired acoustic output.

Abstract: An accessory unit for operation of a cellular telephone, including a casing, a microphone mounted to the casing, a first sound emitting element mounted to the casing for providing an audible alert signal, and a second sound emitting element mounted to the casing for providing voice communication. A vibrating element is mounted to the casing for providing a mechanical alert signal, and a connector port is connectable to the telephone for communicating received sound to the telephone and receiving voice communication from the telephone. The connector port also receives actuating signals for both the first sound emitting element and the vibrating element from the telephone. A gasket is between the microphone and both the second sound emitting element and the vibrating element, and selectively has a first stiffness when the second sound emitting element is providing voice communications, and a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness when the vibrating element is providing a mechanical alert signal.

Abstract: A buzzer assembly for a personal communications device changes geometry in order to emit sounds at a variety of frequencies at an approximately constant volume, such as for playing melodic alerts. The buzzer assembly incorporates a buzzer and gasket to create an air chamber with an associated acoustic impedance. A translational actuator moves a portion of either the buzzer or gasket, depending on the particular embodiment, to change the air volume and thus the associated acoustic impedance. By changing the acoustic impedance, the resonant frequency of the buzzer assembly is changed. When the buzzer is then operated at or near resonant frequency corresponding to the then-current acoustic impedance, the sound generated by the buzzer assembly is louder.