Abstract: A videoconferencing terminal, a method of videoconferencing and a videoconferencing infrastructure. In one embodiment, the terminal includes: (1) a flat panel display and (2) a camera associated with the flat panel display and configured to receive light from an object through the flat panel display and acquire an image of the object.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatuses for videoconferencing and a method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: (1) a display substrate occupying less than an entirety of a viewing area, (2) an actuator configured to move the display substrate over the viewing area and (3) a camera having a field of view at least partially overlapping the viewing area and configured to capture a camera image through the viewing area.

Abstract: An optical circuit package comprising a substrate having a planar surface and an interferometric planar lightwave circuit located on the planar surface of the substrate. A refractive-index-compensation material is incorporated into a portion of the planar lightwave circuit such that an optical path through the planar lightwave circuit passes through the refractive-index-compensation material. The package also comprises a moisture or organic vapor sensitive electro-optic device located on the substrate. An inner hermetic can is located on the substrate, wherein the inner hermetic can encapsulates the portion of the planar lightwave circuit incorporating the refractive-index-compensation material. An outer hermetic can is located on or around the substrate, wherein the outer hermetic can encloses the planar lightwave circuit, the moisture or organic vapor sensitive electro-optic device and the inner hermetic can.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reconfigurable spatial light modulator capable of spatially modulating an incident wavefront responsive to an image formed on the modulator. A light source is configured to direct a coherent illumination light beam towards the modulator such that the modulator produces a modulated outgoing light beam therefrom. A filter is configured to spatially filter a light pattern formed by the outgoing light beam on a plane to selectively transmit light from a plurality of diffraction peaks therein.

Abstract: In a planar lightwave circuit (PLC) package, a ball lens is used to broaden a collimated beam from a waveguide in a PLC device. A holder for the ball lens is attached to the PLC device in the package, which attachment effects a passive alignment of the waveguide with the ball lens to achieve efficient optical coupling therebetween.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatuses for videoconferencing and a method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: (1) a display substrate occupying less than an entirety of a viewing area, (2) an actuator configured to move the display substrate over the viewing area and (3) a camera having a field of view at least partially overlapping the viewing area and configured to capture a camera image through the viewing area.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a state-switchable screen, a video camera, and a video projector. The video camera and projector are located on a side of the screen opposite to the side thereof of a video conference participant. The apparatus is configured to temporally interleave the screen between a substantially transparent state and a diffusive state. In the substantially transparent state, the video projector is configured to be outside of a viewing field of a video conference participant looking toward the video camera.

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) imaging system adapted to (i) convert an IR image of an object into mechanical displacements of a plurality of movable plates, (ii) use the mechanical displacements to impart a corresponding spatial phase modulation pattern onto a beam of visible light, and (iii) apply spatial filtering to convert the spatial phase modulation pattern into a visible image of the object.

Abstract: In a videoconferencing terminal, a flat panel display has thereon display elements for displaying an image of a remote object during a videoconference. The display elements are arranged on the flat panel display such that light-transmissive regions are interspersed among the display elements. A camera in the terminal is used to receive light through the light-transmissive regions to capture an image of an object in front of the flat panel display to realize the videoconference.

Abstract: The disclosure provides apparatuses for videoconferencing and a method of operation thereof. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: (1) a flat panel display including a substrate and a first two-dimensional array of electronic light sources fabricated along the substrate such that a second two-dimensional array of substantially transparent regions of the substrate are laterally interspersed among the electronic light sources, the display being able to transmit externally received light through the substantially transparent regions and (2) a camera configured to receive light external to the display through the substantially transparent regions of the second two-dimensional array.

Abstract: A highly reliable fuse for explosives and armaments is achieved by employing a micro mechanical device that operates to disrupt a relatively low impedance bypass circuit coupled in parallel with a relatively high impedance trigger mechanism. The removal of the electrical bypassing is performed as a result of the movement of the micro mechanical device to enable detonation under prescribed conditions. The electrical bypassing is removed by having at least one low impedance electrical bridge that is part of the bypass circuit break when the micro mechanical device is subjected to prescribed trigger activation forces, which are typically large forces, such as are generated during launch or impact. The micro mechanical device may be a micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) device and the bridge is at least one spring that is part of the MEMS device and also part of the bypass circuit.

Abstract: A videoconferencing terminal, a method of videoconferencing and a videoconferencing infrastructure. In one embodiment, the terminal includes: (1) a flat panel display and (2) a camera associated with the flat panel display and configured to receive light from an object through the flat panel display and acquire an image of the object.

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) imaging system adapted to (i) convert an IR image of an object into mechanical displacements of a plurality of movable plates, (ii) use the mechanical displacements to impart a corresponding spatial phase modulation pattern onto a beam of visible light, and (iii) apply spatial filtering to convert the spatial phase modulation pattern into a visible image of the object.

Abstract: A mechanical switch includes a pair of conducting contacts, metal located on and between the conducting contacts, a heater, and an electro-mechanical actuator. The heater is operable to apply heat that melts the metal. The electro-mechanical actuator is capable of moving one or both of the conducting contacts in a manner that causes the metal to either start physically bridging the conducting contacts or to stop physically bridging the conducting contacts.

Abstract: As discussed herein, there is presented an apparatus comprising micro-posts. The apparatus includes a substrate having a planar surface, a plurality of micro-posts located on the planar surface, wherein each micro-post has a base portion on the planar surface and a post portion located on a top surface of the corresponding base portion, and wherein side surfaces of the base portions intersect the planar surface at oblique angles.

Abstract: Electrical and visual test structures monitor the degree of removal of conductive sacrificial layers used in micromachining processes that fabricate micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) detector having a movable plate supported at an offset distance from a substrate by a suspension arm. In response to a temperature difference between the plate and the substrate generated by the incident IR radiation, the suspension arm deforms and changes the offset distance for the plate. In one embodiment, the suspension arm has three rod-shaped bimorph transducers that lie within a plane that is parallel to the substrate. The transducers are also parallel to one another, with the transducer that is attached to an anchor of the suspension arm being located between the two transducers that are attached to the plate.

Abstract: A mechanical lens includes a rigid chamber, a first transparent window located to close one end of the chamber, a flexible transparent membrane window located to close another end of the chamber, and a transparent fluid having an index of refraction. The flexible transparent membrane window is along an optical path of light received through said first transparent window. The chamber is filled with said fluid and a curvature of said flexible transparent membrane window is responsive to a pressure of said transparent fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reconfigurable spatial light modulator capable of spatially modulating an incident wavefront responsive to an image formed on the modulator. A light source is configured to direct a coherent illumination light beam towards the modulator such that the modulator produces a modulated outgoing light beam therefrom. A filter is configured to spatially filter a light pattern formed by the outgoing light beam on a plane to selectively transmit light from a plurality of diffraction peaks therein.

Abstract: A representative embodiment of the invention provides an infrared (IR) detector having a movable plate supported at an offset distance from a substrate by a suspension arm. In response to a temperature difference between the plate and the substrate generated by the incident IR radiation, the suspension arm deforms and changes the offset distance for the plate. In one embodiment, the suspension arm has three rod-shaped bimorph transducers that lie within a plane that is parallel to the substrate. The transducers are also parallel to one another, with the transducer that is attached to an anchor of the suspension arm being located between the two transducers that are attached to the plate.