Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a system for taking displacement measurements of an object. The invention utilizes the Moiré effect to take precise displacement measurements of an object. In this regard, a visible pattern is disposed on an object, and a plurality of photosensors are uniformly spaced apart from the visible pattern. Importantly, the spacing between the photosensors is slightly different than the spacing between light and dark lines forming a projection or image of the visible pattern. This allows the invention to utilize the Moiré effect to accurately compute precise displacements or movements of the object. In this respect, electrical signal generated by the photosensor array will embody a repeating envelope pattern resulting from the difference in the pitch of the photosensors and the pitch of the projection or image of the visible pattern.

Abstract: A reversible optical circulator and a coupling device constructed therefrom. The optical circulator includes first and second non-reciprocal optical elements having magnetic field generators for generating magnetic fields that determine the rotation of the polarization vector of light signals passing therethrough. The non-reciprocal optical elements rotate the polarization of the light signals by either 90 degrees or 0 degrees depending on the direction of the magnetic field associated with that non-reciprocal element. The reversible circulator can be combined with wavelength selective reflectors to form a light coupling device that adds a first light signal having a wavelength of &lgr;1 to a second light signal of wavelength &lgr;2 traveling in an optical channel. The direction of the added light signal in the optical channel is controlled by the direction of the magnetic field in the optical circulator and the choice of which selective reflector is active.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for mixing a film of fluid, particularly a film of chemical, biochemical, or biological fluids undergoing a reaction. The apparatus comprises a means for nucleating a bubble using a discrete heat source, such as a resistor, and moving the bubble in the fluid by creating a temperature gradient, thereby mixing the fluid.

Abstract: A method of connecting displayed samples of a signal, where the samples are obtained by sequential or random repetitive sampling. Three example embodiments are presented. In a first embodiment, the system decides whether or not to connect to the next consecutive sample, based on the outcome of comparison of the magnitude of the slope to a slew rate threshold. In the second embodiment, the system looks ahead (or behind) up to M samples to see if any samples represent valid slew rates, and connects to the first sample representing a valid slew rate. In the third embodiment, the system looks ahead (or behind) M samples and connects to the sample in the next M samples that represents the smallest valid slew rate. In each embodiment, if no sample represents a valid slew rate, no connection is drawn. In the second and third example embodiments, by looking ahead (or behind) M samples, the system can potentially resolve a waveform with up to M phases and can accommodate trigger placement uncertainty.

Abstract: A method for creating large area, thick film resistors with improved predictability and uniformity. “Tent poles” are employed during the printing of the large area resistors to prop up the screen mesh to ensure the resultant resistor does not have a scooped out center portion. The tent poles can be made from gold pads, resistor spots or emulsion spots.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for testing photo-receiver arrays and their associated read channels. A photo-receiver array may include one or a plurality of photo-receivers. Each photo-receiver may include a capacitor for storing a charge which is indicative of how much light has entered the photo-receiver. A first number of multiplexors have inputs for reading the charge off of at least one capacitor of at least one of the plurality of photo-receivers, and an input for receiving first test voltages. The outputs of the first number of multiplexors are connected to a charge transfer stage. Select inputs of the first number of multiplexors serve to couple each multiplexor's output with one or more of its inputs. In this manner, charges may be read from the integration capacitors of the photo-receivers, or charges determined by the first test voltages may be placed on the integration capacitors for subsequent reading.

Abstract: A Vertical Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) assembly in which the polarization is locked to a specified direction that is the same for all VCSELs. A VCSEL according to the present invention includes a VCSEL having a top mirror region, a bottom mirror region, a light generation region between the top and bottom mirror regions, a conducting substrate and a bottom electrode. The bottom mirror region is sandwiched between the conducting substrate and the light generation region, and the conducting substrate is sandwiched between the bottom electrode and the bottom mirror region. The assembly also includes a mounting substrate having top and bottom surfaces, the VCSEL being mechanically coupled to the mounting substrate. The mounting substrate includes a means for defining a first axis. The assembly includes a means for causing the mounting substrate to flex about the first axis thereby inducing a strain in the light generation region which locks the polarization into a mode determined by the first axis.

Abstract: A switching device includes a substrate, a first waveguide segment, a second waveguide segment, a heating device, a liquid, and a pressure controlling mechanism. The substrate is coupled to the first waveguide segment and the second waveguide segment, and the substrate includes a chamber that separates the first waveguide segment from the second waveguide segment. The liquid is disposed in the chamber and is responsive to the heating device. The pressure controlling mechanism controls a pressure in the chamber such that inadvertent bubbles are prevented from forming between the first waveguide segment and the second waveguide segment.

Abstract: Effects of adapters present only during calibration of a network analyzer are removed. Scattering parameters are obtained for the adapters. For example, the scattering parameters for the adapters are obtained by characterizing the adapters. Systematic error terms for the calibration which remove adapters effects are generated using the scattering parameters for the adapters. In one embodiment, the scattering parameters for the adapters are used to pre-load adapter error terms into the network analyzer before the calibration. The calibration is then performed with the adapter error terms pre-loaded to generate systematic error terms for the calibration. In an alternative embodiment, the calibration is performed (without pre-loading error terms) in order to generate preliminary systematic error terms for the calibration. The preliminary systematic error terms and the scattering parameters for the adapter are used to generate the systematic error terms which do not include effects of the adapters.

Abstract: An engineering unit converter system for converting an analog measurement into an engineering value. An analog measurement of a physical quantity is transformed into a digital value. The digital value is then split into a high order digit and a lower order digit. The high order digit is used as an address to a memory device for fetching a line segment coefficient and a line segment offset coefficient. The lower order digit is multiplied with the line segment coefficient in a multiplier resulting in a product. The product is added to the line segment coefficient offset resulting in a sum whose value is an engineering unit. One embodiment is directed to converting temperature measurements into engineering units via thermocouples. This embodiment includes: thermocouple devices, resistance thermal devices or positive temperature coefficient thermistors, adders, multipliers, and memory devices (readable and writable memory devices).

Abstract: A master-slave flip-flop and method is provided for use with critical path circuits, for example, driving output pads on an integrated circuit. Briefly described, in architecture, the master-slave flip-flop comprises a master stage and a slave stage. The master stage includes a pass gate, an input inverter coupled to the pass gate, a feedback inverter coupled across the input inverter, and a driving inverter coupled to the output of the input inverter. The output of the driving inverter is coupled to the slave stage which includes a second pass gate through which the output of the driving inverter is applied to the master-slave flip-flop output. The above architecture results in a fast setup time and a fast clock-to-Q time without the problems associated with kickback. Also, the output of the master-slave flip-flop is tristatable.

Abstract: A wash reagent employed for the bulk washing of the surface of a high-density array to remove unreacted reactants from cells of the array while, at the same time, reacting with the unreacted monomer in order to prevent reaction of the reacted monomer with functional groups on the surface of the HDA outside of the region of the surface to which the reactive monomer is applied. The wash reagent is chosen for a particular solid-state synthesis so that the unreacted reactants and catalyzing agents are soluble in the wash reagent, so that the wash reagent does not react with, or catalyze, reactions of the substrate or the biopolymers bound to the substrate, and so that the wash reagent reacts with unreacted reactive monomer in order to prevent subsequent reactions of the unreacted reactive monomer.

Abstract: A defibrillator having a self test operation requiring reduced energy is provided. During a self test operation of the defibrillator, it is necessary to deliver a test pulse to a test load under appropriate levels of voltage and current stress to the HV circuits. In verifying the functionality of an HV switch under self test, several critical parameters must be evaluated. First, the voltage stress test is conducted at the maximum voltage level to ensure that the dielectric withstand voltage of the various components of the HV circuit are adequate under maximum voltage conditions. Second, the current stress test is conducted at the maximum current level but at a partial voltage which consumes substantially less energy. The maximum voltage and maximum current levels may be chosen to exceed the operating voltage and current levels encountered during normal operation of the defibrillator to more fully test the HV switch.

Abstract: Methods of separating and classifying the relative amounts of two or more classes of hydrocarbon molecules in a sample are disclosed wherein an input stream comprising a mobile phase and the sample is injected into a chromatographic column, and an effluent stream exiting a chromatographic column is split into a first effluent stream and a second effluent stream. The mass of carbon in each of the classes of hydrocarbons in the first effluent stream is determined, preferably using a flame ionization detector, and the second effluent stream is directed through a variable restrictor, allowing the pressure and mass flow rate of the input stream to be independently controlled and improved results obtained. In a preferred embodiment the present invention also includes identifying the hydrocarbon molecules in the second effluent stream in order to verify the analysis or provide additional data, preferably by using an ultraviolet detector.

Abstract: A versatile signal generator for generating digitally modulated test signals computed in real-time is provided. Each of the blocks ol the versatile signal generator, including the MUX, coder, map, filter, re-sampler, and modulator, are implemented in a sufficiently flexible manner so as to allow ready configuration to produce any of a variety of digitally modulated signals as well as high quality analog modulated signals. Each of the blocks may be implemented using ASICs and RAM that allow to obtain high symbol rates while being capable of being reconfigured for different test signals as needed. The versatile signal generator has a real time input for receiving input data to modulate the test signal in real time.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead and fabrication method include integrating actuators and ink firing chambers on a single substrate, such as a semiconductor substrate. The integration process utilizes semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) techniques in the preferred embodiment. Actuators are formed on one surface of the substrate, typically a silicon substrate, and firing chambers are aligned with the actuators. Electrical switching devices, such as transistors, are formed along the surface and are utilized to individually address the actuators. After the integrated structure is formed, a supply manifold may be attached to the structure for replenishing fluid ink following a firing operation. Optionally, a flow control mechanism, such as a valve, may be incorporated between the manifold and the firing chamber.

Abstract: An inverse assembler that uses a memory map as a substitute for some microprocessor status signals. This reduces the number of signals needed from a microprocessor to perform disassembly.

Abstract: A battery chemistry identification system and method that identifies the chemistry of an installed battery pack which may be one of a number of battery packs having different battery chemistries. The battery packs have electrical and physical interfaces that are functionally interchangeable. The battery packs include one or more distinguishing features in either or both aspects of the interface. The identification system includes a sensor appropriate for detecting the feature(s) and, based on the presence or absence of those distinguishing feature(s), determines which battery pack and, hence, which battery chemistry, is installed in the battery-powered device. In one particular embodiment, the system determines whether a battery installed in a battery-powered device having multiple use models is a commonly available industry standard battery pack or a customized battery pack. The industry standard battery pack has a first battery chemistry and a standard mechanical and electrical battery interface.

Abstract: A method of generating an addressable array of biopolymers, such as DNA probes, on a substrate. The method includes receiving from a remote station, information on a layout of the array and an associated first identifier. A local identifier is generated corresponding to the first identifier and associated array, the local identifier being shorter in length than the corresponding first identifier. The addressable array is fabricated on the substrate in accordance with the received layout information. A first copy of the local identifier is applied to the substrate or a housing carrying the substrate. The fabricated array and the first copy of the local identifier are shipped to a remote user station. A method at the corresponding user station, and apparatus and computer program products useful at either station, are further provided.

Abstract: A high gain, low input capacitance clock buffer includes a plurality of transistors configured to supply an inverted representation of an input reference signal by alternatively switching to provide the output. While either of the transistors is operating to switch the input clock signal, the other transistor is in a stable state. Furthermore, by using n-type FET's, significant power reduction and space savings may be achieved.