Abstract: A substrate-handling robot which serves a processing tool such as a plating tool may be automatically controlled by a controller to perform a self-calibration procedure. As part of the procedure, an end effector of the robot is moved to interact with sensors provided on a calibration fixture that is positioned in a substrate placement location for which the calibration procedure is performed. The calibration fixture may have an opening formed therein to allow movement of the robot end effector within the calibration fixture. Sensor light beams generated by the sensors may interact with the end effector during the automatic calibration process so as to determine calibration data for the substrate placement location.

Abstract: A free space optical data communications system, including transceiver nodes employing common optics in both the transmit and receive subsystem, is disclosed. Likewise, a beacon is disclosed utilizing some of the common optics as well. In one embodiment, a double-faced mirror cooperates with a beacon, a primary mirror, and the transmit and receive subsystems. In one other embodiment, the beacon is located in front of the primary mirror. In still another embodiment, the common optics includes TEM11 mode signal separation using phase plates. A tracking system in each embodiment maintains alignment of the optics with a second node by generating a correction vector responsive to the incoming signal from its companion node.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for recognizing the gesture of the image of a player by identifying a gesture from a set of specific pre-defined gestures. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of retrieving a background image that does not include the player's image, and a current image that includes the player's image and at least a portion of the background image. Then the method removes at least a portion of the background image from the current image to generate the player's image, which is mapped directly to a number of templates to generate a number of template outputs. Finally, the method analyzes the template outputs to identify the specific pre-defined gesture that corresponds to the gesture in the image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to reconfigure a programmable logic device on a chip. The device includes a number of configurable elements. The methods include the steps of retrieving reconfiguration data pre-stored in a memory device located apart from the chip, and transferring the retrieved reconfiguration data in parallel to each of the configurable elements. One approach pre-stores the data in holograms.

Abstract: A method and a system to re-align onto a detector array a holographic image of a Fourier region hologram stored in a medium, with the medium spinning around a first axis, and the hologram being generated by a reference beam and a signal beam. In generating the hologram, the reference beam is incident on the medium with respect to a second axis at a second-axis-incident angle, and a third axis at a third-axis-incident angle, such that the holographic image of the hologram when reproduced by the reference beam is aligned onto the detector array. Also, the three axes are substantially orthogonal to each other. As the medium spins, the medium's orientation can change through tilting with respect to the second and the third axes so that the holographic image when reproduced by the reference beam is not aligned onto the detector array.

Abstract: The present invention is a holographic reconstruction device for reconstructing successive holograms previously recorded by a recording reference beam in a recording medium, each previously recorded successive hologram being spaced apart a recording displacement. The recording reference beam has a recording wavelength in the range where the recording medium is photosensitive and a recording propagation angle. The device comprises a reconstruction mechanism having a reconstruction reference beam with a reconstruction wavelength in the range where the recording medium is relatively photo-insensitive and a reconstruction propagation angle. The reconstruction reference beam is provided onto the recording medium. Also, a succession of relative displacements in the recording medium is produced and each of the displacements are equal to the distance of the recording displacements with which the holograms were previously recorded.

Abstract: A method of verifying the authenticity of an object is disclosed employing a spatial integrating optical correlator. An unreadable and hence non-counterfeitable mask (e.g., a. complex mask or a phase mask) is coupled to the object and the optical correlator compares the mask with a reference mask on which it is scanned over. The correlator produces a correlation spot or image having an intensity which exceeds a given level if the mask is genuine. An alternate embodiment includes a fingerprint or other personalized pattern bonded to the mask, and the fingerprint or other personalized pattern on the card is compared to a reference fingerprint or other personalized pattern of the card holder for added security.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a fingerprint sensing system includes a sheet prism having a sensing surface and a number of prismlets positioned opposite to the sensing surface. Each prismlet has an entrance surface and an exit surface, and is adjacent to another prismlet. The width of the sheet is more than ten times the maximum thickness of any one of the prismlets. When a finger is positioned on the sensing surface, a portion of the radiation entering a number of the entrance surfaces and incident at the sensing surface is reflected through total internal reflection. The reflected radiation emits from a number of the exit surfaces to create an image of the fingerprint. In another embodiment, the system further includes a second sheet prism stacked together with the previously described sheet prism. The second sheet prism has a flat surface and a number of prismlets positioned opposite to the flat surface, which faces the prismlets of the previously described sheet prism.

Abstract: Selecting different sectors in a storage medium using switches on the storage medium, instead of programming the instrument reading the storage medium. Each switch has a switching material. The switching material can be located at more than one interchangeable position. The position determines the priority of its corresponding sector as compared to other sectors. The location of the switching material is determined electronically. Switching materials suitable for the present invention include a reflective material, an opaque material, a reflective concave material, a convex lens, a prism, a set of lines, a magnetic material and a flexible reflective membrane.

Abstract: Multiple volume holograms are recorded by changing the incidence angle of the reference beam at one wavelength. The stored holograms are reconstructed at another wavelength by using the reference beam oriented at the proper incidence angle. The proper holographic data are retrieved by pre-formatting or post-formatting the holographic data to be recorded or reconstructed. This usage of using different wavelengths for recording and reconstruction are independent of the scanning mechanisms for the reference beam. Utilization of holographic memories for storage and retrieval of data, and correlations can make use of this invention.