Abstract: The present invention provides improved driving methods for four particle electrophoretic displays that improves the performance of such displays when they are deployed in low temperature environments and the displays are required to be updated when positioned vertically (i.e., the driving electric fields are substantially perpendicular to the direction of Earth's gravity). Methods are provided for displaying each of the colors at each pixel, as desired, with minimal interference (contamination) from the other particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides four-particle electrophoretic displays with improved driving methods to achieve better color separation between adjacent pixel electrodes. The driving methods improve the color state performance when a first pixel is displaying a mixed state of a first highly-charged particle and a second lower-charged particle of the opposite polarity, while a neighboring pixel is displaying a state of a second highly-charged particle having the opposite polarity to the first highly-charged particle. The particles can be, for example, all reflective or one type of particle can be partially light transmissive.

Abstract: A multi-channel hemispherical ultrasonic wave transmit and receive detection system and method, wherein, a transmit control system transmits out a plurality of detection signals through an energy converter, a receive system receives the reflected signals reflected from an obstacle, in determining a channel used by said transmit control system to control a multiplexer to select a channel to switch to and then amplify said reflected signals. Then, said receive system performs high speed analog-to-digital sampling, and high speed transmission through USB for said reflected signals amplified. Finally, a Graphic User Interface (GUI) of a computer performs smooth-out processing for said reflected signals and displays its waveforms, in determining distance to said obstacle.

Abstract: A multi-channel hemispherical ultrasonic wave transmit and receive detection system and method, wherein, a transmit control system transmits out a plurality of detection signals through an energy converter, a receive system receives the reflected signals reflected from an obstacle, in determining a channel used by said transmit control system to control a multiplexer to select a channel to switch to and then amplify said reflected signals. Then, said receive system performs high speed analog-to-digital sampling, and high speed transmission through USB for said reflected signals amplified. Finally, a Graphic User Interface (GUI) of a computer performs smooth-out processing for said reflected signals and displays its waveforms, in determining distance to said obstacle.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus to control the shaping change of Shape-Memory-Alloy (SMA). The piece-wised current drain control device is designed to independently deliver current to stimulate sectional SMA but not the entire one. The invention is also successfully implemented on an automatic light sensitive aperture control device to simulate the light response of a pupil. The control technique can extend the application potential of SMA toward precise actuation, aeronautical applications, surgical tools, or biomedical applications such as artificial organ or muscles.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and apparatus to control the shaping change of Shape-Memory-Alloy (SMA). The piece-wised current drain control device is designed to independently deliver current to stimulate sectional SMA but not the entire one. The invention is also successfully implemented on an automatic light sensitive aperture control device to simulate the light response of a pupil. The control technique can extend the application potential of SMA toward precise actuation, aeronautical applications, surgical tools, or biomedical applications such as artificial organ or muscles.