Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting an object by optical triangulation, where the signal of interest in a captured image corresponds to an interaction between a light beam and an environment surrounding the object rather than between a light beam and the object itself. The surrounding environment may be configured to interact in a manner that is detectable by filling it with a flowable scattering medium, e.g. a gas, mist or vapour comprising a suspension of fine particles in air. Light that is scattered by the flowable scattering medium is visible in a captured image. Where the flowable scattering medium is not present, e.g. because the object blocks it, the scattered signal is less. A boundary of a scattered signal region may thus provide information about the location of an object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting an object by optical triangulation, where the signal of interest in a captured image corresponds to an interaction between a light beam and an environment surrounding the object rather than between a light beam and the object itself. The surrounding environment may be configured to interact in a manner that is detectable by filling it with a flowable scattering medium, e.g. a gas, mist or vapour comprising a suspension of fine particles in air. Light that is scattered by the flowable scattering medium is visible in a captured image. Where the flowable scattering medium is not present, e.g. because the object blocks it, the scattered signal is less. A boundary of a scattered signal region may thus provide information about the location of an object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for convergent 3D displays. In one embodiment, the 3D display has a display screen that includes a convergent reflector and a horizontally narrow angle diffuser. The convergent reflector focuses 2D images projected on the diffuser from an array of 2D image projectors to form viewpoints in an eyebox where one viewpoint corresponds to one projector. At a particular viewpoint, the viewer's eye sees a full-screen field of view from a corresponding projector in the array. The narrow angle diffuser diffuses incident rays projected from the 2D image projectors into narrow angular slices so that the views in the eyebox are continuously blended together. The system and methods provide advantages in that only a few projectors are required in the array to provide the viewer with a full-screen field of view and a sufficiently large eyebox for comfortable viewing.

Abstract: A packaging system and method for securing a product within a shipping container includes providing a shipping container appropriately sized for the product, attaching at least a first shock absorption member to the shipping container for serving as a locator for the product and for positioning the product on the shipping container. Attaching at least a second shock absorption member to the shipping container for, together with the at least a first shock absorption member, securing the product on the shipping container. The shipping container is closed about the product, which is itself suspended by the at least a first shock absorption member and the at least a second shock absorption member.

Abstract: A packaging combination is disclosed that includes a box and at least first and second planar objects in the box. At least first and second shock absorbing clips are attached to the planar objects in the box. At least one of the first clips is fastened to the first planar object and the clip is positioned between one wall of the box and the second planar object. At least one of the second clips is fastened to both planar objects and is positioned between opposite walls of the box.

Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a 3D display system. In one embodiment, a system includes a display screen, 2D image projectors that project 2D projection images onto the screen and a camera that captures calibration images of the screen. A computer generates the 2D projection images, which include calibration patterns, and processes the captured calibration images. The computer uses the calibration images to calculate corrections based upon the calibration images. The computer can then generate corrected 2D projection images that are projected by the 2D image projectors onto the screen to produce a substantially visually correct 3D image with continuous viewing, true horizontal parallax, and a different view for each eye within a valid viewing zone. The corrections to the images may include corrections to the geometry (including distortion, alignment, etc.) color (including intensity and related parameters).

Abstract: Systems and methods for shear-corrected digital hologram acquisition, wherein the shear-corrected geometry is highly suited for two (or more) color operation with either broadband or laser illumination. An apparatus for shear-corrected recording of a spatially heterodyne hologram with broad-band or laser illumination includes: an illumination source; a beamsplitter optically coupled to said illumination source(s); a reference beam corner-mirror pair for translation and phase-shaping of the object beam optically coupled to the beamsplitter; an object optically coupled to the beamsplitter; a focusing lens optically coupled to both the reference beam corner-mirror pair and the object; and a digital recorder optically coupled to the focusing lens. A reference beam is incident upon the translating and phase-shaping corner-mirror pair, and the reference beam and an object beam are focused by the focusing lens at a focal plane of the digital recorder to form a spatially heterodyne hologram.

Abstract: The invention provides a positioning device for locating a planar light beam emitted by an optical triangulation sensor across a diameter of a hole formed in a surface of an object. The positioning device has an adjustable guiding element which is capable of locating an optical triangulation sensor at the same distance away from holes have a range of diameters. The guiding element is movably mounted relative to a platform that is fixed to the optical triangulation sensor. The guiding element comprises a body which is insertable into the hole, the body having a pair of contact surfaces for contacting diametrically opposed portions of the hole, the pair of contact surfaces being opposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the planar light beam.

Abstract: A packaging system and method for securing a product within a shipping container includes providing a shipping container appropriately sized for the product, attaching at least a first shock absorption member to the shipping container for serving as a locator for the product and for positioning the product on the shipping container. Attaching at least a second shock absorption member to the shipping container for, together with the at least a first shock absorption member, securing the product on the shipping container. The shipping container is closed about the product, which is itself suspended by the at least a first shock absorption member and the at least a second shock absorption member.

Abstract: The invention provides a positioning device for locating a planar light beam emitted by an optical triangulation sensor across a diameter of a hole formed in a surface of an object. The positioning device has an adjustable guiding element which is capable of locating an optical triangulation sensor at the same distance away from holes have a range of diameters. The guiding element is movably mounted relative to a platform that is fixed to the optical triangulation sensor. The guiding element comprises a body which is insertable into the hole, the body having a pair of contact surfaces for contacting diametrically opposed portions of the hole, the pair of contact surfaces being opposed to each other in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the planar light beam.

Abstract: Systems and methods for convergent 3D displays. In one embodiment, the 3D display has a display screen that includes a convergent reflector and a horizontally narrow angle diffuser. The convergent reflector focuses 2D images projected on the diffuser from an array of 2D image projectors to form viewpoints in an eyebox where one viewpoint corresponds to one projector. At a particular viewpoint, the viewer's eye sees a full-screen field of view from a corresponding projector in the array. The narrow angle diffuser diffuses incident rays projected from the 2D image projectors into narrow angular slices so that the views in the eyebox are continuously blended together. The system and methods provide advantages in that only a few projectors are required in the array to provide the viewer with a full-screen field of view and a sufficiently large eyebox for comfortable viewing.

Abstract: An optical, such as a laser, triangulation sensor is disclosed in which a configuration of an output light beam is controlled using a mask in front of a light source. The configuration may include a plurality of coplanar spatially separated planar light beams. The mask may be movable to provide different light beam configurations. Masking parts of the light beam enables unwanted features on the measurement surface to be omitted. Also disclosed is a guide element for an optical sensor for facilitating hole diameter measurement. The guide element has contact surfaces lying on a virtual conical surface which abut the hole edge to enable consistent placement of the light beam with respect to the hole centre. Also disclosed is a guide element for an optical sensor having an aperture for framing surface features, such as a rivert to permit accurate location of the light beam therewith.

Abstract: A bandless packaging assembly for cabinets includes a top packaging member including a front wall, a back wall and first and second side walls; a bottom packaging member including a front wall, back wall and first and second side walls; at least one side member extending between a first side wall of the top packaging member and a first side wall of the bottom packaging member; wherein the side member includes an upper flap and a lower flap which are received in corresponding slots formed in the top packaging member and the bottom packaging member; and at least one strip extending between front and back walls of the top packaging member and the bottom packaging member. The strip is received by slots formed in the front and back walls of the top packaging member and bottom packaging member.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a true 3-D display, where each of a viewer's eyes not only sees a different scene, but the scene changes continuously as the viewer moves his/her head or change his/her position from one angular location to another angular location with respect to the display screen. In one embodiment, a system comprises a set of 2-D image projectors and a display screen. The 2-D image projectors are configured to project individual 2-D images substantially in focus on the display screen. The display screen then diffuses (or reflects) each pixel from each of the 2-D images into a small angular slice. This enables the viewer observing the display screen to see a different one of the 2-D images with each eye. Further, the image seen by each eye varies as the viewer moves his or her head with respect to the display screen.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes preparing a semiconductor wafer with a substrate of a first conductivity type and forming a first epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type on the substrate. The first epitaxial layer has a first thickness. The method further includes growing a first oxide layer on the first epitaxial layer, masking the first oxide layer, ion implanting to create at least one embedded region of a second conductivity type in the first epitaxial layer, removing the first oxide layer, and forming a second epitaxial layer of the first conductivity type on the first epitaxial layer. The second epitaxial layer has the first thickness minus a thickness equal to a thickness of the at least one embedded region of the second conductivity type.

Abstract: A power metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) cell includes a semiconductor substrate. A first electrode is disposed on the semiconductor substrate. A voltage sustaining layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. A highly doped active zone of a first conductivity type is formed in the voltage sustaining layer opposite the semiconductor substrate. The highly doped active zone has a central aperture and a channel region that is generally centrally located within the central aperture. A terminal region of the second conductivity type is disposed in the voltage sustaining layer proximate the highly doped active zone. The terminal region has a central aperture with an opening dimension generally greater than an opening dimension of the central aperture of the highly doped zone. An extension region is disposed in the voltage sustaining region within the central aperture of the highly doped active zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shearless digital hologram acquisition, including an apparatus incorporating an illumination source configured to produce a first beam of light, which is then split by a beamsplitter into a reference beam and an object illumination beam. The reference beam is directed onto a phase-shaping optical element which imparts a phase shift to the reference beam and returns the phase-shifted reference beam on itself to the beamsplitter. The object illumination beam is directed onto an object, and a portion of the beam is reflected back to the beamsplitter, which combines the phase-shifted reference beam and object illumination beam substantially coaxially. The combined beams are passed through a focusing lens which focuses them at a focal plane. A digital recorder is positioned at the focal plane to record the spatially heterodyne hologram formed by the focused phase-shifted reference beam and reflected object illumination beam.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having an active region and a termination region includes providing a semiconductor substrate having first and second main surfaces opposite to each other. The semiconductor substrate has an active region and a termination region surrounding the active region. The first main surface is oxidized. A first plurality of trenches and a first plurality of mesas are formed in the termination region. The first plurality of trenches in the termination region are filled with a dielectric material. A second plurality of trenches in the termination region. The second plurality of trenches are with the dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having an active region and a termination region includes providing a semiconductor substrate having first and second main surfaces opposite to each other. The semiconductor substrate has an active region and a termination region surrounding the active region. The first main surface is oxidized. A first plurality of trenches and a first plurality of mesas are formed in the termination region. The first plurality of trenches in the termination region are filled with a dielectric material. A second plurality of trenches in the termination region. The second plurality of trenches are with the dielectric material.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a heavily doped region of a first conductivity and has a lightly doped region of the first conductivity. The semiconductor substrate a plurality of trenches etched into an active region of the substrate forming a plurality of mesas. A preselected area in the active region is oxidized and then etched using a dry process oxide etch to remove the oxide in the bottoms of the trenches. A protective shield is formed over a region at a border between the active region and the termination region. The protective shield is partially removed from over the preselected area. Dopants are implanted at an angle into mesas in the preselected area. The plurality of trenches are with an insulating material, the top surface of the structure is planarized and a superjunction device is formed on the structure.