Abstract: A web-based online customer experience and survey management and monitoring system to provide business owners with tools to monitor opinions on different websites, solicit opinions from existing customers, and manage negative customer experiences through various alert systems and response options. In addition, there is a suite of reporting available to business owners based on survey metrics, geographic locating and competitive analytics.

Abstract: In embodiments, methods and systems are presented for physical interaction with computer-mediated information. A movable display module (including a touch screen monitor, CPU, absolute encoder and other sensors, and wireless network connection) is mounted on and can be moved along rails. The rails serve four purposes relating to the movable display module: 1) to provide DC power and/or data through the rails to the equipment; 2) to act as a rack gear for absolute encoding of physical position; 3) to provide physical support; 4) to act as guide tracks. As the display module slides along the rails, a computer program receives positional and other sensor data. The program maps the sensor data to programmatic content, and presents said content on the display module or on other displays or in external effects such as lights or robotics. The entire system is designed for reliability, affordability, and ease of mass production.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (42) provides drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (20) in a mass data storage device (10). The integrated circuit (42) includes a circuit (61) for selectively operating the integrated circuit (42) in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit (44) can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements (124, 126, 138-141) that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit (44).

Abstract: An integrated circuit (42) provides drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (20) in a mass data storage device (10). The integrated circuit (42) includes a circuit (61) for selectively operating the integrated circuit (42) in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit (44) can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements (124, 126, 138-141) that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit (44).

Abstract: A piezo actuator drive circuit (40) adapted to operate in both a charge mode and a voltage mode. A low frequency compensation loop (44) is formed from a piezo actuator output (OUT6XP) of a driver (42) to the input thereof. The resulting closed loop system produces charge mode operation within a bandpass that can be tuned for desired operation. Below the bandpass turn on frequency (Fh) the closed loop system restores the piezo output (OUT6XP) to a defined DC voltage and compensates for any wandering effects, such as DC current mismatches in the closed loop configuration, such that the piezo output is centered around the desired DC operating point. The circuit is further provided with a DC restore feature in combination with the feedback which allows for a low frequency DC coupled path and thus allows for the DC positioning of the piezo in the charge mode to be changed. The DC restoring amplifier is used to compensate for offsets in the amplifier chain.

Abstract: A electrostatic sensing device for sensing a voltage from a electrostatic device, includes a first actuator having a first membrane and a first electrode, the first membrane being moveable and a second actuator having a second membrane and a second electrode, the second membrane being moveable. Additionally, a control device controls the first actuator and the second actuator to alternatively charge the first actuator with a first charge and the second actuator with a second charge, and a circuit outputs a first voltage linearly based on the first charge and a second voltage linearly based on the second charge.

Abstract: A circuit (40) and method are provided to create a drive voltage that is linearly proportional to a position of a movable member (12) of an electrostatic actuator device (10) that is positioned by a voltage (18) applied thereto. The circuit (40) has a sensor (42) to sense a position of the movable member (12) from a reference position (d0) to provide an analog position indicating signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (46) receives the analog position indicating signal and converts it to a digital position indicating signal. A digital signal processor (DSP) (48), programmed to convert the digital position indicating signal into a digital signal that is linearly proportional to the position of the movable member, receives the digital position indicating signal.

Abstract: The present invention discloses drive apparatus for rotating a mirror used for switching light signals. The drive apparatus has reduced internal wiring and uses a base printed circuit board which is mounted to a support printed circuit board by sandwiching conductive ball connections between matching traces or pads on the two printed circuit boards. A drive module is also included between the two printed circuit boards which can be either a drive coil or an electrostatic plate and is used to rotate the mirrors. The use of the bump grid array or conductive ball connections significantly reduces the amount of internal wiring required.

Abstract: A driver (40) for supplying drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (21) in a mass data storage device (10) in a charge mode of operation has a first circuit (96, 98) for providing a charging current to a sense capacitor (58) in response to head position control signals. The first circuit is powered by a voltage supply (VM) that is referenced to a substrate potential, or a ground potential (AGND). A second circuit (104, 106) for mirroring a current in the first circuit at a predetermined mirror ratio (1x:Nx) to provide drive currents to the piezo element (48). The substrate potential may be, for example, an analog ground potential. If desired, the integrated circuit may also include a first switch (60) connected to selectively disable the first circuit (96, 98) a second switch (62) connected to selectively provide a feedback path from the second circuit (104, 106) to an input of the second circuit (104, 106).

Abstract: A circuit (40) and method are provided to create a drive voltage that is linearly proportional to a position of a movable member (12) of an electrostatic actuator device (10) that is positioned by a voltage (18) applied thereto. The circuit (40) has a sensor (42) to sense a position of the movable member (12) from a reference position (d0) to provide an analog position indicating signal. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (46) receives the analog position indicating signal and converts it to a digital position indicating signal. A digital signal processor (DSP) (48), programmed to convert the digital position indicating signal into a digital signal that is linearly proportional to the position of the movable member, receives the digital position indicating signal.

Abstract: A electrostatic device for controllable movement in a predetermined direction, including a electrostatic portion including a membrane and a electrode. The membrane is moveable along said predetermined direction for a predetermined distance. The electrostatic portion has a snap down voltage that corresponds to a position, which is a portion of said predetermined distance. A control device controls the membrane such that said membrane can have controlled movement beyond said snap down voltage.

Abstract: A electrostatic sensing device for sensing a voltage from a electrostatic device, includes a first actuator having a first membrane and a first electrode, the first membrane being moveable and a second actuator having a second membrane and a second electrode, the second membrane being moveable. Additionally, a control device controls the first actuator and the second actuator to alternatively charge the first actuator with a first charge and the second actuator with a second charge, and a circuit outputs a first voltage linearly based on the first charge and a second voltage linearly based on the second charge.

Abstract: A driver (40) for supplying drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (21) in a mass data storage device (10) in a charge mode of operation has a first circuit (96,98) for providing a charging current to a sense capacitor (58) in response to head position control signals. The first circuit is powered by a voltage supply (VM) that is referenced to a substrate potential, or a ground potential (AGND). A second circuit (104, 106) for mirroring a current in the first circuit at a predetermined mirror ratio (1x:Nx) to provide drive currents to the piezo element (48). The substrate potential may be, for example, an analog ground potential. If desired, the integrated circuit may also include a first switch (60) connected to selectively disable the first circuit (96,98)a second switch (62) connected to selectively provide a feedback path from the second circuit (104, 106) to an input of the second circuit (104, 106).

Abstract: An integrated circuit (42) provides drive signals to a piezo element (48) of a milli-actuator device (20) in a mass data storage device (10). The integrated circuit (42) includes a circuit (61) for selectively operating the integrated circuit (42) in either a voltage or a charge mode of operation. A first amplifier circuit (44) can be compensated for a variable number of piezo elements in the charge mode of operation by adjustable output impedance adjusting elements (124, 126, 138-141) that are switchably connectable into the amplifier circuit (44).

Abstract: The present invention discloses drive apparatus for rotating a mirror used for switching light signals. The drive apparatus has reduced internal wiring and uses a base printed circuit board which is mounted to a support printed circuit board by sandwiching conductive ball connections between matching traces or pads on the two printed circuit boards. A drive module is also included between the two printed circuit boards which can be either a drive coil or an electrostatic plate and is used to rotate the mirrors. The use of the bump grid array or conductive ball connections significantly reduces the amount of internal wiring required.

Abstract: A piezo actuator drive circuit (40) adapted to operate in both a charge mode and a voltage mode. A low frequency compensation loop (44) is formed from a piezo actuator output (OUT6XP) of a driver (42) to the input thereof. The resulting closed loop system produces charge mode operation within a bandpass that can be tuned for desired operation. Below the bandpass turn on frequency (Fh) the closed loop system restores the piezo output (OUT6XP) to a defined DC voltage and compensates for any wandering effects, such as DC current mismatches in the closed loop configuration, such that the piezo output is centered around the desired DC operating point. The circuit is further provided with a DC restore feature in combination with the feedback which allows for a low frequency DC coupled path and thus allows for the DC positioning of the piezo in the charge mode to be changed. The DC restoring amplifier is used to compensate for offsets in the amplifier chain.

Abstract: A staring focal plane architecture that utilizes a frame buffer to meet the requirements of multiple applications. The frame buffer can be implemented in the array unit cell or external to the unit cell. The frame buffer allows windowing or outputting subsections of the array. Multiple windows per frame can also be outputs. Other features such as electronic dezoom are also supported. The frame buffer allows a high degree of flexibility and in the case where the frame buffer is external to the cell high dynamic range.