Abstract: A smart surface is composed of a semiconductor memory layer overlaid on an insulated conductive layer with a one to one correspondence of each memory cell with the conductive pad on the insulated layer. The entire structure can be fashioned into a either a planar structure or other geometric structure. An appliance may be overlaid the smart surface and signals transmitted and received to and from the appliance via the conductive pad(s) of the smart surface.

Abstract: The print engine is composed of a semiconductor memory layer overlaid on an insulated conductive layer with a one to one correspondence of each memory cell with the conductive pad on the insulated layer. The entire structure can be fashioned into a either a planar structure or a cylindrical structure with insulated conductive pads providing protection to the sensitive semiconductor memory from impact loading that occurs during the printing process.

Abstract: A print engine suitable for printing barcodes and other patterns using charged inks includes a semiconductor memory layer having memory circuits that are coupled to one or more line elements and/or printel cells. The printel cells and line elements either attract or do not attract charged ink based on the data stored in the corresponding memory circuit. The line elements and printel cells may be configured to form a linear barcode or a 2-dimensional barcode. The charged ink may also be electrically conducting and the line elements and printel cells may be configured to form electrical structures such as electrical circuits or antennae. The charged ink may also be electrically semiconducting and by the line elements and printel cells may be configured to form electronic semiconductor devices and circuits.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for straightening propeller drive shafts without the need for removing the shaft from the lower unit/drive assembly is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a mechanical linkage is provided that is configured to securely grip the propeller drive shaft and that is mechanically coupled to an extension module. The extension module may be a hydraulic ram that provides a linear force. The linkage is configured to receive the linear force from the extension module and transfer the linear force to the propeller drive shaft. Because the propeller drive shaft is securely fixed within the linkage and within the lower unit/drive assembly, the force applied to the propeller drive shaft is operative to bend the propeller drive shaft opposite of the existing bend in order to straighten it.

Abstract: An optical waveguide laser, preferably a fiber laser, has unintentionally incorporated impurities disposed in the lasing medium which upconvert a portion of the lasing radiation to radiation of shorter wavelength, thereby introducing defects in the medium which result in increased absorption due to photodarkening. Suitable rare-earth co-dopants are intentionally incorporated during the manufacture of the fiber for effectively shunting the upconversion process. The lifetime of the fiber laser is thereby increased.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two-level current driver suitable for driving a semiconductor laser for printing applications, the laser driver including a primary power source for producing a first current pulse of amplitude I.sub.1 and of duration T.sub.2, a secondary power source for producing a second current pulse of amplitude I.sub.2 and of duration T.sub.1, means for combining the outputs of the power sources, and sensing means for detecting the current pulse output from the primary power source.

Abstract: A semiconductor laser device is disclosed in which the device comprises one or more ion-implanted regions as a means to decrease the occurrence of device failures attributable to dark-line defects. The ion-implanted regions, which are formed between the laser gain cavity and the regions of probable dark-line defect origination, serve to modify the electrical, optical, and mechanical properties of the device lattice structure, thus reducing or eliminating the propagation of dark-line defects emanating from constituent defects or bulk material imperfections which may be present in the device.

Abstract: An electronic still camera is disclosed which adjusts focus to an object image by mechanically moving an electronic sensor within the electronic still camera. The electronic sensor is moved along an optical path of the electronic still camera. In this way, the sensor follows the focal plane of the image, thus tracking a focused image.