Abstract: A valve array system including microelectromechanical valves embedded in a dielectric substrate is disclosed. These microelectromechanical valves can be batch fabricated using resin impregnated dielectric laminates having photolithographically formed circuitry for electrical connections. Movable components of valves, including electromagnetic or electrostatically actuated membranes, flaps, or beams, can be formed from laminate material using sacrifice layers and etching.

Abstract: A bistable valve useful for paper handling applications is disclosed. The valve can be batch fabricated in two dimensional valve arrays, with each valve in the array being controlled by passive matrix addressing. Typically, each valve includes a valve housing an electrically conductive movable element such as cantilever beam, diaphragm or film. Valve action is provided by use of housing embedded switching electrodes for moving the movable element between an aperture blocking position and an aperture open position. To reduce unswitched movement when the switching electrode bias is reduced or not present, electrostatic or mechanical catches can be used.

Abstract: A sensor system for measuring physical properties of a sheet. In one embodiment, the sensor system measures paper curl and thickness using two sensors, each of which includes a member, a base, and measurement circuit. The two members are positioned in opposition to each other and both contact the sheet as it passes between them. Each member is coupled to a base, which includes a measurement circuit. Each measurement circuit measures the displacement of its associated member. In another embodiment, the sensor system measures stiffness and curl using two pairs of opposed sensors. In yet another embodiment, the sensor system measures thermal diffusivity of a sheet of paper using three sensors, one of which includes a heater for heating the sheet of paper and the other two sensors include thermocouples in contact with the sheet of paper for sensing the heat of the paper.

Abstract: A bistable valve useful for paper handling applications is disclosed. The valve can be batch fabricated in two dimensional valve arrays, with each valve in the array being controlled by passive matrix addressing. Typically, each valve includes a valve housing having an aperture plate defining an aperture therethrough, and an opposing plate positioned in spaced apart relationship to the aperture plate. A flexible film or strip is attached at its first end to the aperture plate and at its second end to the opposing plate. Valve action is provided by use of at least two switching electrodes for moving the flexible film between an aperture blocking position and an aperture open position, with at least one of the switching electrodes positioned adjacent to the aperture plate and at least one of the switching electrodes positioned adjacent to the opposing plate. To reduce unswitched movement when the switching electrode bias is reduced or not present, at least two electrostatic or mechanical catches are used.

Abstract: A paper handling system for air mediated transport of sheets or pages of paper is disclosed. Microelectromechanical valves and sensors are embedded in a dielectric substrate for tracking and controlling paper transport. These microelectromechanical systems can be batch fabricated using resin impregnated dielectric laminates having photolithographically formed circuitry for electrical connections. Use of high speed sensor and valve control systems permit dynamic adjustments to paper trajectory during paper transport.

Abstract: A projective display system includes a light source, a display surface, and a two dimensional light modulator array in an optical path between the light source and the display surface. The two dimensional light modulator array has a plurality of light modulators arranged in rows to modulate light from the light source, with at least one row being susceptible to failure. To compensate for any failed rows, a redundant light modulator array is provided, with modulated light output of the redundant light modulator array being directed by an optical element positioned to selectively substitute for at least one failed row of light modulators.

Abstract: A projective display system includes a light source, a display surface, and a two dimensional light modulator array in an optical path between the light source and the display surface. The two dimensional light modulator array has a plurality of light modulators arranged in rows to modulate light from the light source, with at least one row being susceptible to failure. To compensate for any failed rows, an optical element redirects modulated light from presenting a first row of virtual pixels on the display surface to substantially occupy a second row of virtual pixels on the display surface. In conjunction with various image processing techniques for deblurring, this permits partial or complete correction for faulty rows of light modulators.

Abstract: A system of partially transparent light beam detectors that allow passage of the light beam through the detector allows multiple detectors that use the same reference light beam. Transparent detectors can be position sensitive detectors (PSD), photodiode arrays, or CCD imaging arrays. The detectors are attached to vibration susceptible structural elements, with detected movement of the light beam with respect to the partially transparent light beam detectors corresponding to movement of the vibration susceptible structural element.

Abstract: A display system attached to a fixed substrate includes a two-dimensional light modulator array having a plurality of light modulators arranged in a first row and a second row, with the first row at a first row position with respect to the fixed substrate and the second row at a second row position with respect to the fixed substrate. A mechanically movable element such as a rotary stepper or piezovibrator attaches the two-dimensional light modulator array to the fixed substrate. The movable element is operated to move the first row from its first row position to substantially occupy the second row position. In conjunction with various image processing deblurring and rescaling techniques, this effectively distributes light between adjacent rows to compensate for failure of one or more light modulators in a row.

Abstract: A platenless book scanner with line buffering performs electronic perspective correction to account for rotation of the spine of a non-planar bound document relative to a reference line in a support plane of the platenless book scanner. A pre-scan of the non-planar bound document is performed to provide a geometrical contour map of the bound document. The geometrical contour map, which identifies displacement of the bound document from the support plane, is analyzed to calculate an angular offset between a spine of the bound document and the reference line in the support plane. The angular offset is used to identify a minimum number of scan line buffers for recording image data, from a set of scan line buffers. Once the minimum number of scan line buffers is filled with recorded image data, distortions caused by displacements of the non-planar bound document from the support plane and skew of the bound document relative to the reference line in the support plane are corrected.

Abstract: An overhead scanning system records pages from bound documents in an upright and open condition. The scanning system is defined with a general imaging geometry that makes the scanning system readily portable, and provides the scanning system with a variable imaging area. Once an operator defines an imaging area of an image acquisition system, the operator positions a light stripe projector to project across the imaging area. After recording calibration data, a perspective transform is provided by a perspective transform generator. In operation, a first image of the bound document having a light stripe projected there across is recorded by the image acquisition system. A page shape transform generator is then used to derive a page shape transform. Subsequently, a second image of the bound document is recorded without projecting a light stripe thereacross.

Abstract: An object tracking and motion control system includes a thermal marking unit such as a laser for inducing localized thermal indicia on objects. A thermal tracking unit, typically a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) such as a two dimensional thermal sensing array, is positioned to measure movement of objects marked with localized thermal indicia. A motion control unit is connected to the thermal tracking unit to permit adjustment of motion of objects marked with induced localized thermal indicia based on their measured movement.

Abstract: An object tracking and motion control system includes a thermal marking unit such as a laser for inducing localized thermal indicia on objects. A thermal tracking unit, typically a two dimensional thermal sensing array, is positioned to measure movement of objects marked with localized thermal indicia. A motion control unit is connected to the thermal tracking unit to permit adjustment of motion of objects marked with induced localized thermal indicia based on their measured movement.

Abstract: A fluid transport system for moving flexible objects includes a conveyor configured to direct fluid flow against opposite sides of flexible objects. A sensor unit senses motion state of flexible objects, and a motion analysis unit is connected to the sensor unit to calculate relative or absolute movement of flexible objects based on the motion state. Overall movement, position, velocity, and orientation of flexible objects can be determined, as well as internal movement of the object attributable to flexure or edge curling. A motion control unit is connected to the motion analysis unit to modify fluid flow directed against opposite sides of flexible objects, accurately adjusting motion of flexible objects.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for increasing the compressive strength of a beam loaded in compression. A sensor is responsive to shape changes of the loaded beam, and an actuator responsive to the sensor is constructed to apply a force to counteract the bending of the beam.