Abstract: A system comprises a voltage source, a piezoelectric material arranged in a first current path between the voltage source and a first reference voltage, a capacitor arranged in a second current path between the voltage source and a second reference voltage, and a correction circuit configured to adjust the first reference voltage to increase or decrease the current in the first current path according to the current in the second current path.

Abstract: An apparatus for atomic force microscopy (AFM) comprises a first actuator configured to move a cantilever along an axis; a second actuator configured to move the cantilever along the axis; an amplifier; and a crossover network connected between the amplifier, and the first actuator and the second actuator. The crossover network is adapted to provide a first drive signal to the first actuator over a first frequency range and to provide a second drive signal to the second actuator over a second frequency range.

Abstract: A touch device includes a touch panel and a vibration device to provide tactile feedback to a user to locate a key on a display of the touch panel. A processor generates a drive signal to the vibration device when the position on the display touched by a finger or stylus corresponds to a location of a key on the display. The vibration device causes the display to vibrate in response to the drive signal to provide a tactile key location indication to the user while the key is touched.

Abstract: An apparatus for atomic force microscopy (AFM) comprises a first actuator configured to move a cantilever along an axis; a second actuator configured to move the cantilever along the axis; an amplifier; and a crossover network connected between the amplifier, and the first actuator and the second actuator. The crossover network is adapted to provide a first drive signal to the first actuator over a first frequency range and to provide a second drive signal to the second actuator over a second frequency range.

Abstract: A system, method, and device for tracking motion across a surface by creating an interference pattern by reflecting light from the surface. There is produced, as a result of sensor moving across the surface, at least one signal pattern corresponding to a detection of a dimension of the interference pattern. This detected dimension is associated with an assumed dimensional value to determine a distance traveled by the sensor.

Abstract: A touch device includes a touch panel and a vibration device to provide tactile feedback to a user to locate a key on a display of the touch panel. A processor generates a drive signal to the vibration device when the position on the display touched by a finger or stylus corresponds to a location of a key on the display. The vibration device causes the display to vibrate in response to the drive signal to provide a tactile key location indication to the user while the key is touched.

Abstract: A touch device includes a touch panel and a vibration device to provide tactile feedback to a user to locate a key on a display of the touch panel. A processor generates a drive signal to the vibration device when the position on the display touched by a finger or stylus corresponds to a location of a key on the display. The vibration device causes the display to vibrate in response to the drive signal to provide a tactile key location indication to the user while the key is touched.

Abstract: A dual-positioning controller includes a two positioning controllers for controlling movement of an indicium, such as a cursor, on a display of an electronic device. A coarse controller controls coarse movement of the indicium relative to content displayed on the display. A fine controller controls fine movement of the indicium relative to the content on the display.

Abstract: An imaging system comprising a filter array adapted to filter electromagnetic waves, a lens array adapted to focus electromagnetic waves, and an image sensor configured to receive the focused electromagnetic waves. The filter array and the lens array are configured into elements that filter and focus electromagnetic waves that represent an object image window onto portions of the image sensor and each portion of the image sensor receives filtered electromagnetic waves that represent the object image window from one of the elements.

Abstract: The color image sensor generates a color image signal representing a subject and includes an optical substrate and a light sensor. The optical substrate includes spatially-separated imaging elements. Each of the imaging elements is configured to image light of a respective color. The light sensor includes regions of sensor elements disposed opposite respective ones of the imaging elements. The sensor elements in each of the regions are operable to generate a component of the color image signal in response to the light of the respective color incident on them.

Abstract: An atomic force microscope apparatus scans a sample disposed in an X-Y plane, the sample having a surface, the surface having features in a Z direction perpendicular to the X-Y plane. The apparatus comprises an elongated arm having a pivot point and being rotatable about the pivot point in the X-Y plane; and a probe tip substructure that includes (i) a probe tip and (ii) a tip actuator. The probe tip substructure is disposed on the elongated arm a predetermined distance from the pivot point, wherein the arm disposes the probe tip at a location extended outward from the remainder of the AFM apparatus. The atomic force microscope apparatus moves the probe tip (i) by rotating the elongated arm about the pivot point, and (ii) by moving the tip actuator.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are provided. One exemplary system incorporates multiple lenses that are individually configured to receive visible light from an object to be imaged, and to direct this light upon a corresponding sensor array. Luminance information is then derived from signals generated in one or more of the sensor arrays. When chrominance information is desired, an optical filter is interposed between a lens and the corresponding sensor array. The mosaic pattern contained in the optical filter is tailored to provide advantageous chrominance information. One or more such filters with different mosaic patterns may be employed. The luminance and chrominance information obtained from the sensor arrays are combined to generate an image of the object.

Abstract: An optical device and methods thereof are described. The device includes a first light source adapted to emit light onto a surface, and a detector adapted to receive light reflected from the surface. The reflected light produces a speckle pattern. The distance between the optical device and the surface can be measured using a quantifiable attribute associated with the speckle pattern.

Abstract: An emulated hard key that emulates a key of a user-selected keyboard is generated on a reconfigurable keyboard. In one exemplary embodiment, the reconfigurable keyboard has an array of microchambers. Each microchamber is operable to change from a first height to a second height. A keyboard emulator controller controls the array of microchambers to set a first group of microchambers to the second height. When set to the second height, the first group of microchambers collectively emulates a first key of the user-selected keyboard.

Abstract: A test system in accordance with the invention includes a field effect transistor (FET) sensor that is operable to detect an electric field present in an area located adjacent to a sensor surface of the FET sensor and generate thereby, a change in the drain-source current of the FET sensor. The change in drain-source current is typically detected by a current detector of the test system.

Abstract: An optical switch having liquid or vapor bubbles at switching sites operates with a fluid pressure less than the vapor pressure of the liquid. This negative pressure differential reduces the energy required to maintain a bubble at a switching site. Local heating provides the energy to create or maintain a bubble and activate a switching site, and turning off the heating collapses the bubble and deactivates the switching site.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are provided. One exemplary system incorporates multiple lenses that are individually configured to receive multi-wavelength light from an object to be imaged. Each lens provides an optimal modulation transfer function (MTF) for an individual wavelength contained in the multi-wavelength light when this individual wavelength of light strikes the lens at a particular incident angle. Associated with each lens is a color filter and a sensor. The color filter receives the multi-wavelength light from the lens, and transmits the individual wavelength of light on to the sensor. The image signals obtained from each of the multiple sensors are combined to generate an image of the object.

Abstract: A circuit element that can be used, for example, in a spatial light modulator to photolithographically transfer an image onto a substrate, includes a strobe buffer connected between a strobe line and at least two associated circuit elements to buffer the strobe signal on the strobe line and provide a buffered strobe signal to the associated circuit elements. The strobe line is electrically coupled to a set of the circuit elements to provide a strobe signal thereto. The strobe signal causes the circuit elements in the set to shift data to additional circuit elements outside of the set. The circuit elements are alterable in response to data stored therein.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator for use in a photolithography system includes light modulation elements configured to photolithographically transfer an image onto a substrate using an optical oversampling technique to reduce defects in the transferred image. A first set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer a portion of the image onto an area of a substrate, and a second set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer the portion of the image onto the area of the substrate. The spatial light modulator further includes memory elements in communication with respective light modulation elements for storing data representing the portion of the image.

Abstract: The color image sensor generates an image signal representing a subject. The color image sensor has a light sensor and imaging elements arranged to form images of the subject in light of different colors on respective regions of the light sensor. The light sensor includes sensor elements and is operable to generate the image signal in response to light incident on it.