Abstract: Displays are described comprising electrically quenched phosphor pixels, in which light emissions by a phosphor pixel are inhibited by application of an electric field. Such pixels may be excited by UV and de-excited by applying a voltage to control the display. In an embodiment, a pixel amplifier structure may be included and added to the output of a quenched phosphor display.

Abstract: An optical switching device contains an active stage coupled to a passive stage. The index of refraction in the active stage is variable to change the entry direction of a light beam into the passive stage, which has a fixed index of refraction. Because the light beam can enter the passive stage at different angles, the exit direction of the light beam from the passive stage can be changed. The resulting optical switch allows switching without any mechanical components.

Abstract: In a computer system having a device and a communications link for communicating with the device. A method for dynamically managing power consumption by the computer system comprises associating a particular device identifier with the device. Communications are monitored over the communications link to determine whether the communications include the particular device identifier. A clock input is withheld from the device when the communications do not include the particular device identifier. Clock input is provided to the device only when the communications include the particular device identifier. The clock input causes the device to transition from a non-operational power conservative state to an operational state wherein the device consumes more power than in the non-operational state. A performance requirement is established for a task to be executed. Clock frequency is dynamically controlled according to the performance requirement established for the task being executed.

Abstract: Displays are described comprising electrically quenched phosphor pixels, in which light emissions by a phosphor pixel are inhibited by application of an electric field. Such pixels may be excited by UV and de-excited by applying a voltage to control the display.

Abstract: An optical control device allows switching of signals without mechanical components. The device includes a first member; a second member; an active stage between the first member and the second member, the active stage including an electro-optical material; a first transmission region for transmitting a first optical signal toward the first member; and a second transmission region for transmitting a second optical signal toward the second member. The index of refraction of the active stage can be varied to either reflect both the first optical signal and the second optical signal or to permit the transmission of the first optical signal and the second optical signal through the first and second member. The index of refraction can be controlled by an electric field associated with the active stage. A method for using an optical control device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical switching device contains an active stage coupled to a passive stage. The index of refraction in the active stage is variable to change the entry direction of a light beam into the passive stage, which has a fixed index of refraction. Because the light beam can enter the passive stage at different angles, the exit direction of the light beam from the passive stage can be changed. The resulting optical switch allows switching without any mechanical components.

Abstract: A dual-edge FIFO interface having a host FIFO interface operative to receive data from a host module on a single edge of a host clock, and determine situations when valid read data is present in a read data FIFO or when the read data FIFO is full, a target FIFO interface operative to receive read data from a target core module, transfer data out, and determine when the read data FIFO is full, and a register block in communication with the host FIFO and the target FIFO, wherein the dual-edge FIFO interface is operative to interconnect internal modules at a core logic level, a block level, or a chip level.

Abstract: A power management unit for use in a computer system includes an activity monitor which monitors activity of the computer system and generates an activity indicator signal reflective of the monitored activity, a mode controller responsive to the activity indicator signal and having at least three operating modes, and a power switching circuit having a plurality of power control signal lines each for controlling one of the plurality of power control switches.

Abstract: An optical switching device contains an active stage coupled to a passive stage. The index of refraction in the active stage is variable to change the entry direction of a light beam into the passive stage, which has a fixed index of refraction. Because the light beam can enter the passive stage at different angles, the exit direction of the light beam from the passive stage can be changed. The resulting optical switch allows switching without any mechanical components.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a digital memory system having a control unit for checking for proper format initialization of a removable digital memory element and for performing format initialization of the memory element when necessary.

Abstract: Cathodoluminescent field emission display devices feature phosphor biasing, amplification material layers for secondary electron emissions, oxide secondary emission enhancement layers, and ion barrier layers of silicon nitride, to provide high-efficiency, high-brightness field emission displays with improved operating characteristics and durability. The amplification materials include copper-barium, copper-beryllium, gold-barium, gold-calcium, silver-magnesium and tungsten-barium-gold, and other high amplification factor materials fashioned to produce high-level secondary electron emissions within a field emission display device. For enhanced secondary electron emissions, an amplification material layer can be coated with a near mono-molecular film consisting essentially of an oxide of barium, beryllium, calcium, magnesium or strontium.

Abstract: Cathodoluminescent field emission display devices features an electron amplification structure for generating secondary electron emissions. The electron amplification structure includes a channel structure having a bottom wall coupled to at least one side wall, thereby defining a channel cavity, and at least one protrusion extending from the side wall into the channel cavity. Furthermore, a primary electron source or emitter is provided for generating primary electron emission into the channel cavity, whereby secondary emissions of electrons are produced when the protrusion is bombarded by electrons within the channel structure. The use of a narrow channel in the electron amplification structure reduces the possibility that a returning ion will strike the emitter, and thus decreases cathode emitter tip erosion.

Abstract: A process for use in an electronic camera generates a digital image signal corresponding to an image incident on an image pick-up unit of the camera, formats the digital image signal in one of a plurality of computer image file formats and stores the formatted image file in a storage device of the camera.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a digital memory system having a control unit for checking for proper format initialization of a removable digital memory element and for performing format initialization of the memory element when necessary

Abstract: A cathodoluminescent field emission display device includes a faceplate through which emitted light is transmitted from an inside surface to an outside surface of the faceplate for viewing, a cathode electron emitter which provides a source of primary electron emissions for activating the display device, an anode of electrically conductive material disposed between the inside surface of the faceplate and the cathode emitter, and a light emitter layer of cathodoluminescent material disposed between the anode and the cathode emitter and capable of emitting light through the faceplate in response to bombardment by electrons emitted within the device. The cathode emitter is further defined as photosensitive material deposited onto a layer of transparent electrical conductive material. In operation, the photosensitive material generates electrons when exposed to light.

Abstract: Cathodoluminescent field emission display devices features a radioactive cathode emitter which is used to produce primary electron emissions to drive the FED device. Radioactive emitters eliminate the need for complex emitter structures, such as conventional Spindt cathodes. In addition, the use of a radioactive emitter allows for an “all-firm” FED, and thus represents an improvement over existing devices by reducing emitter to phosphor spacing, as well as eliminating the use of internal vacuums.

Abstract: Cathodoluminescent field emission display devices feature phosphor biasing, amplification material layers for secondary electron emissions, oxide secondary emission enhancement layers, and ion barrier layers of silicon nitride, to provide high-efficiency, high-brightness field emission displays with improved operating characteristics and durability. The amplification materials include copper-barium, copper-beryllium, gold-barium, gold-calcium, silver-magnesium and tungsten-barium-gold, and other high amplification factor materials fashioned to produce high-level secondary electron emissions within a field emission display device. For enhanced secondary electron emissions, an amplification material layer can be coated with a near mono-molecular film consisting essentially of an oxide of barium, beryllium, calcium, magnesium or strontium.

Abstract: Cathodoluminescent field emission display devices feature phosphor biasing, amplification material layers for secondary electron emissions, oxide secondary emission enhancement layers, and ion barrier layers of silicon nitride, to provide high-efficiency, high-brightness field emission displays with improved operating characteristics and durability. The amplification materials include copper-barium, copper-beryllium, gold-barium, gold-calcium, silver-magnesium and tungsten-barium-gold, and other high amplification factor materials fashioned to produce high-level secondary electron emissions within a field emission display device. For enhanced secondary electron emissions, an amplification material layer can be coated with a near mono-molecular film consisting essentially of an oxide of barium, beryllium, calcium, magnesium or strontium.

Abstract: Cathodoluminescent field emission display devices feature phosphor biasing, amplification material layers for secondary electron emissions, oxide secondary emission enhancement layers, and ion barrier layers of silicon nitride, to provide high-efficiency, high-brightness field emission displays with improved operating characteristics and durability. The amplification materials include copper-barium, copper-beryllium, gold-barium, gold-calcium, silver-magnesium and tungsten-barium-gold, and other high amplification factor materials fashioned to produce high-level secondary electron emissions within a field emission display device. For enhanced secondary electron emissions, an amplification material layer can be coated with a near mono-molecular film consisting essentially of an oxide of barium, beryllium, calcium, magnesium or strontium.

Abstract: An electronic still camera comprising a lens, shutter, and exposure control system, a focus and range control circuit, a solid state imaging device incorporating a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) through which an image is focused, a digital control unit through which timing and control of an image for electronic processing is accomplished, an Analog-to-Digital (A/D) converter circuit to convert the analog picture signals into their digital equivalents, a pixel buffer for collecting a complete row of an image's digital equivalent, a frame buffer for collecting all rows of an image's digital equivalent, and a selectively adjustable digital image compression and decompression algorithm that compresses the size of a digital image and selectively formats the compressed digital image to a compatible format for either the IBM Personal Computer and related architectures or the Apple Macintosh PC architecture as selected by the operator so that the digital image can be directly read into most word processing, desktop publ