Abstract: A webcam apparatus, having a display surface characterized by a display area, includes an image capture device characterized by an optical axis and a first footprint in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; and an energy transfer device with a first portion coupled to the image capture device; and a second portion allowing attachment to an edge of a display screen. When attached, the image capture device and the first portion lie against and in contact with the display surface, or in a proximate and parallel plane. An optical axis characterizing the image capture device is aligned with a gaze direction of a user addressing a viewer via the captured images. The first portion of the energy transfer device is transparent at optical wavelengths, and has a second footprint in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The first and second footprints are small relative to the display area.

Abstract: A webcam apparatus, having a display surface characterized by a display area, includes an image capture device characterized by an optical axis and a first footprint in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis; and an energy transfer device with a first portion coupled to the image capture device; and a second portion allowing attachment to an edge of a display screen. When attached, the image capture device and the first portion lie against and in contact with the display surface, or in a proximate and parallel plane. An optical axis characterizing the image capture device is aligned with a gaze direction of a user addressing a viewer via the captured images. The first portion of the energy transfer device is transparent at optical wavelengths, and has a second footprint in the plane perpendicular to the optical axis. The first and second footprints are small relative to the display area.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer and a method of spectrally analyzing an optical signal. The optical spectrum analyzer includes a wave shaper such as an optical modulator that shapes an optical signal, a dispersive element such as a dispersive fiber in which the shaped optical signal is dispersed, a detector that provides an output signal indicative of the dispersed shaped optical signal, and a signal processor that analyzes the output signal, for example by calculating a transform such as an inverse Fourier transform or a Fourier transform of the output signal, to provide a frequency spectrum of the optical signal.

Abstract: Test instruments constituting an automatic test system are characterized in terms of execution time data. The execution time data is composed of a set of execution times. Each of the execution times is the time required for the test instrument to perform a respective testing operation. The test instruments additionally have the ability to communicate their respective execution time data to such recipients as others of the test instruments, the system controller and recipients outside the automatic test system. Additionally, such test instruments have the ability to communicate test results to at least one other of the test instruments and the ability to process test results received from at least one other of the test instruments. Such characterization, communication and processing allows a system integrator to devise execution time-dependent test programs as part of a test suite that allows test throughput to be maximized.

Abstract: The use of a high power and an incoherent light source to reduce noise associated when investigating unknown molecules in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) systems. High power and incoherent light sources can improve resolution and accuracy of SPR system measurements.

Abstract: A swept-angle SPR measurement system deflects an optical beam over a range of deflection angles according to a control signal and maps the deflected beam to a target within a range of incidence angles that corresponds to the range of deflection angles.

Abstract: Utilizing frequency-dependent diffraction (also referred to as dispersion) to determine the angular position of a retro-reflective object within a scanning space. The technique involves dispersing an electromagnetic beam into a scanning space by frequency. If a retro-reflective object is located within the scanning space, the object will retro-reflect a portion of the dispersed beam having a frequency that is associated with the angular position of the retro-reflective object within the scanning space. The frequency of the retro-reflected beam is used to determine the angular position of the retro-reflective object within the scanning space. When a second beam is dispersed into the scanning space and a portion of the second beam is retro-reflected in the manner just described, a second angular position of the retro-reflective object can be found. Coordinates of the retro-reflective object are determinable by triangulation using the two angular positions.

Abstract: An optical spectrum analyzer and a method of spectrally analyzing an optical signal. The optical spectrum analyzer includes a wave shaper such as an optical modulator that shapes an optical signal, a dispersive element such as a dispersive fiber in which the shaped optical signal is dispersed, a detector that provides an output signal indicative of the dispersed shaped optical signal, and a signal processor that analyzes the output signal, for example by calculating a transform such as an inverse Fourier transform or a Fourier transform of the output signal, to provide a frequency spectrum of the optical signal.

Abstract: A swept-angle SPR measurement system deflects an optical beam over a range of deflection angles according to a control signal and maps the deflected beam to a target within a range of incidence angles that corresponds to the range of deflection angles.

Abstract: A time-learning test system for running a test program on a device under test (DUT) is disclosed. A command is sent from a controller to an instrument. A preset wait period is observed in the test program. A response time of the instrument to the command is determined. The preset wait period is adjusted based on the response time.

Abstract: A computer cursor control device includes (1) a light source generating light directed toward a stationary surface, (2) an optional phase modulator, (3) an optional function generator causing the phase modulator to periodically phase shift the light, and (4) a signal processor determining a direction in which the device is moving from a beat frequency or an asymmetry in the light intensity. Another computer cursor control device includes (1) an optical element combining reference and measurement beams to form a heterodyned beam, (2) a phase modulator located in an optical path of the reference beam or the measurement beam, (3) a function generator causing the phase modulator to phase shift the reference beam, and (4) a signal processor determining a direction in which the device is moving from a beat frequency of the heterodyned beam.

Abstract: A system and method for superheterodyne detection in accordance with the invention. The system comprises a first conversion unit for performing a first heterodyne operation on an optical input signal to generate an electrical IF signal. A second conversion unit is electrically or optically coupled to the first conversion unit. The second conversion unit performs a second heterodyne operation to generate an electrical output signal suitable for signal processing.

Abstract: Test instruments constituting an automatic test system are characterized in terms of execution time data. The execution time data is composed of a set of execution times. Each of the execution times is the time required for the test instrument to perform a respective testing operation. The test instruments additionally have the ability to communicate their respective execution time data to such recipients as others of the test instruments, the system controller and recipients outside the automatic test system. Additionally, such test instruments have the ability to communicate test results to at least one other of the test instruments and the ability to process test results received from at least one other of the test instruments. Such characterization, communication and processing allows a system integrator to devise execution time-dependent test programs as part of a test suite that allows test throughput to be maximized.

Abstract: A computer aided design apparatus performs context-sensitive modeling of a test and measurement system that includes a plurality of actual system components including instruments and interconnections therebetween. The apparatus comprises a graphical user interface; a library of models of system components, each model including a graphical representation of the system component and a definition of properties of the system component; and a system model generator for selecting and interconnecting the system components to produce a model of the system, for displaying the model on the graphical user interface as a combination of the graphical representations of the components, and for simulating operation and testing of the system.

Abstract: An optical position-tracking system comprises a first light beam steering device for sweeping a first light beam through a first angular range to cause a reflection of the first light beam by a target. Additionally, the optical position-tracking system further comprises a second light beam steering device for sweeping a second light beam through a second angular range to cause a reflection of the second light beam by the target. Moreover, the optical position-tracking system enables determination of a position of the target using a triangulation technique utilizing a first angular value of the first light beam and a second angular value of the second light beam. The first angular value and the second angular value depend on the existence of the respective reflection.

Abstract: The use of a high power and an incoherent light source to reduce noise associated when investigating unknown molecules in Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) systems. High power and incoherent light sources can improve resolution and accuracy of SPR system measurements.

Abstract: An method and device suitable for navigation on a wide variety of surfaces is introduced. Specular reflection is used to determine relative motion over typical surfaces. A specific application is a computer mouse.

Abstract: A swept-angle SPR measurement system deflects an optical beam over a range of deflection angles according to a control signal and maps the deflected beam to a target within a range of incidence angles that corresponds to the range of deflection angles.

Abstract: Systems and methods for position determination and motion tracking for use in a processor based system. Embodiments may incorporate a redirector that moves in at least one direction about a fixed point, an object operable to reflect a search beam as a location beam, logic operable to determine at least one angle of position for the object from the orientation of the redirector, and logic operable to determine a distance of the object from a fixed point.

Abstract: An optical navigation system for determining movement relative to a navigation terrain includes a first source and a second source of optical radiation for illuminating the navigation terrain, the first source differing from the second source in at least one operating parameter. The system further includes means to select the first source and the second source independently based on decision criteria. The system further includes a detector for capturing patterns in the optical radiation subsequent to illuminating of the navigation terrain.