Abstract: Systems and methods of creating a touch sensitive surface structure comprising a piezo structure in communication with a deformable surface such that the piezo structure, or any suitable pressure sensing device, is capable of sensing pressure from a touch upon the deformable surface and communicating that pressure signal to an actuating circuit. The actuating circuit, upon receiving a suitable pressure signal, sends a piezo actuating signal to the piezo structure. The piezo structure, upon receiving the piezo actuating signal, is capable of communicating a mechanical signal to the deformable surface, sufficient for a person's finger to feel a “click” and/or haptic sensation. In one embodiment, the piezo actuating signal comprises a first slow charging portion and a second fast discharging portion, sufficient for the piezo structure to communicate the click and/or haptic sensation.

Abstract: A piezoelectric haptic feedback structure disclosed herein includes a supporting base defining a cavity and a piezoelectric actuator assembly at least partially suspended within the cavity. A perimeter hinge secures a perimeter portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly while permitting movement of a central portion of a piezoelectric actuator. The piezoelectric actuator haptic feedback structure further includes a force-communicating structure that communicates haptic feedback responsive to movement of the central portion of the piezoelectric actuator assembly within the cavity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating multiple haptic zone responses for electronic devices are disclosed. Suitable electronic devices are embedded with a number of haptic elements that are spaced along the surface of the device. In one aspect, the number of haptic elements is sufficient to have at least one haptic element proximal in a grip zone of a user. During operation, the device may receive user interaction information (e.g., user location, pressure etc.) and indications to deliver a haptic response to the user, possibly depending on the execution of an application where haptic response is appropriate. The device determines a desirable number of haptic elements to energize depending upon the user interaction information and the set of haptic elements define a dynamic set of user interaction zones in which to deliver the haptic response.

Abstract: An optical lighting apparatus having a constant luminance with a drive current controlled by a controller unit. A temperature controlled photodetector indirectly monitors the luminance and informs the controller when a change in luminance has occurred so that the controller can make appropriate adjustments to the drive current. Also disclosed is a method of regulating the drive current to a light source to enable the luminance to remain fixed and independent of fluctuations in ambient temperature. A temperature compensated photodetector senses the amount of light reflected off a diffuser lens and feeds back the output to a controller circuit which regulates the drive current to the light source. The lighting apparatus has application in calibrating imaging systems, such as digital cameras, and for scanning devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods of defending and/or guarding against inadvertent actuation of a virtual button upon a touch sensitive screen and/or device. A virtual button may be a touch sensor, set of touch sensors and/or touch areas upon a touch screen—the actuation of which may be associated with the execution of a process. In one embodiment, a virtual button may comprise a first touch area and a second guarding area. Certain touches and other conditions within the first touch area and/or second guarding area may be interpreted by the device as either intentional or inadvertent. If the touches are interpreted as inadvertent, then the process associated with the virtual button may be suppressed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of creating a touch sensitive surface structure comprising a piezo structure in communication with a deformable surface such that the piezo structure, or any suitable pressure sensing device, is capable of sensing pressure from a touch upon the deformable surface and communicating that pressure signal to an actuating circuit. The actuating circuit, upon receiving a suitable pressure signal, sends a piezo actuating signal to the piezo structure. The piezo structure, upon receiving the piezo actuating signal, is capable of communicating a mechanical signal to the deformable surface, sufficient for a person's finger to feel a “click” and/or haptic sensation. In one embodiment, the piezo actuating signal comprises a first slow charging portion and a second fast discharging portion, sufficient for the piezo structure to communicate the click and/or haptic sensation.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes touch interfaces that feature optical touch navigation. A lighting device distributes a light over an optical element that, in turn, generates a light beam at an exit of the optical element by internally reflecting the light. A sensing device captures images in response to the light beam striking the sensing device. A processing device detects an object proximate to the optical element by comparing successive images captured by the sensing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for color sensing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a set of color sensor tolerances for a Non-Contact color sensor device; and a Contact color sensor device, conforming to the set of color sensor tolerances.

Abstract: An optical lighting apparatus having a constant luminance with a drive current controlled by a controller unit. A temperature controlled photodetector indirectly monitors the luminance and informs the controller when a change in luminance has occurred so that the controller can make appropriate adjustments to the drive current. Also disclosed is a method of regulating the drive current to a light source to enable the luminance to remain fixed and independent of fluctuations in ambient temperature. A temperature compensated photodetector senses the amount of light reflected off a diffuser lens and feeds back the output to a controller circuit which regulates the drive current to the light source. The lighting apparatus has application in calibrating imaging systems, such as digital cameras, and for scanning devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for color sensing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a set of color sensor tolerances for a Non-Contact color sensor device; and a Contact color sensor device, conforming to the set of color sensor tolerances.

Abstract: A contact lithography apparatus, system and method use a hydraulic deformation to facilitate pattern transfer. The apparatus, system and method include a spacer that provides a spaced apart proximal orientation of lithographic elements, and a hydraulic force member that provides the hydraulic deformation. One or more of the lithographic elements and the spacer is deformable, such that hydraulic deformation thereof facilitates the pattern transfer.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first die, a second die, a third die, and a fourth die, wherein a portion of the second die and a portion of the third die are movably connected between the first die and the fourth die.

Abstract: A method for determining an offset vector. The method includes obtaining an image of a first feature. An image of a second feature is also obtained. Also, a combination image of the first feature and the second feature is obtained. A plurality of composite images is utilized to determine an accurate offset vector between the first feature and the second feature in the combination image. The plurality of composite images is based on the image of the first feature and the image of the second feature.

Abstract: An imprint apparatus and method employ an effective pressure in imprint lithography. The imprint apparatus includes a compressible chamber that encloses an imprint mold having a mold pattern and a sample to be imprinted. The chamber is compressed to imprint the mold pattern on the sample. The mold is pressed against the sample with the effective pressure. The effective pressure is controlled by a selected ratio of a cavity area of the chamber to a contact area between the mold and the sample.

Abstract: A system including a data acquisition system and a processing system is provided. The data acquisition system has a fixed position relative to a first substrate with a first pattern. The data acquisition system is configured to capture a reference frame that includes the first pattern and capture a first comparison frame that includes a second pattern on a second substrate, where the second pattern is substantially identical to the first pattern, subsequent to a relative position between the first and the second substrates being established such that the first and the second substrates to at least partially overlap. The processing system configured to calculate a first distance between the first pattern in the reference frame and the second pattern in the first comparison frame and determine whether the first distance indicates that the first pattern is substantially aligned with the second pattern.

Abstract: A method for determining an offset vector. The method includes obtaining an image of a first feature. An image of a second feature is also obtained. Also, a combination image of the first feature and the second feature is obtained. A plurality of composite images is utilized to determine an accurate offset vector between the first feature and the second feature in the combination image. The plurality of composite images is based on the image of the first feature and the image of the second feature.

Abstract: A contact lithography apparatus, system and method use a hydraulic deformation to facilitate pattern transfer. The apparatus, system and method include a spacer that provides a spaced apart proximal orientation of lithographic elements, and a hydraulic force member that provides the hydraulic deformation. One or more of the lithographic elements and the spacer is deformable, such that hydraulic deformation thereof facilitates the pattern transfer.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a first die, a second die, a third die, and a fourth die, wherein a portion of the second die and a portion of the third die are movably connected between the first die and the fourth die.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for aligning a lithography template having a pattern with a substrate in preparation for transferring the pattern to a surface of the substrate. The system includes an optical imaging system adapted to image a first alignment structure formed on a top surface of the template using light of a first wavelength and a second alignment structure formed on a top surface of the substrate using light of a second wavelength.

Abstract: A method comprising capturing a first image that includes a target on a substrate, adjusting a first relative position between the substrate and a fabrication unit, capturing a second image that includes the target subsequent to adjusting the first relative position, and determining whether a first displacement of the target in the second image relative to the target the first image indicates that a second relative position between the substrate and the fabrication unit has been achieved is provided.