Abstract: We describe a straightforward method/device that provides the “ideal” compensation to small micro-speaker acoustic transducers, such as those in current large-scale use in earbud headphones. This compensation results in an audio transducer that provides an output that precisely reproduces the input sound quality to the listener. The transducer thus has a “flat” reproduction for input sound; i.e. the reproduction is linear and independent of the sound frequency over a designated frequency range such as 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Applications for music appreciation and for speech comprehension enhancement for mobile phone communications are discussed.

Abstract: When an in-ear earbud is inserted into the ear canal, a front side sealed enclosure is created. The enclosure volume is sealed at the near end by the in-ear earbud and at the far end by the eardrum. The air trapped in the ear canal provides a stiff reactive volume that is comparable to the rear sealed enclosure volume provided by the earbud housing. An in-ear earbud simulator that closely replicates the ear canal volume and shape permits real-use measurements of the in-ear earbud frequency response. Such measurements lead to a transfer function that provides a frequency near flat frequency response. The transfer function is implemented with first order high pass and first order low pass circuits, either analog or digital in their embodiment. Additionally use of the approach for speech comprehension enhancement for cell phone conversations is implemented.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hearing assistance that corrects hearing deficiency of individuals and thus serves to provide a realistic hearing capability/experience to those suffering from hearing loss. The modification of the frequency response of earbuds is the method of modification discussed here. Additionally the invention corrects the deficiencies in hearing that are introduced by the large non-uniformities in earbud sound response as a function of audio frequency for every user. Similar deficiencies in the earpiece speakers of smartphones are addressed. Modifications used for smartphones include accommodation for the limited sound transmission bandwidth of all cell-phones.

Abstract: This invention discloses an apparatus and a method of use that permits localized bright sources in the field of view of night vision devices to be selective attenuated. This makes possible the observation of all objects in the device field of view regardless of their relative brightness. The invention results in a compact, lightweight, and low power addition to existing night vision devices that can be contained inside existing devices without modifying the case dimensions. The modified devices use a CCD camera display as the viewable output. The necessary parts to effect this conversion of existing devices can be furnished as a retro-fit kit.

Abstract: Electronics for altering the audio frequency response of a micro-speaker without modifying the micro-speaker itself; the micro-speaker having a resonant peak region. In one embodiment the electronics includes a first circuit for flattening the frequency response curve up to the resonant peak region, and a second circuit for flattening the frequency response curve for audio frequencies higher than this region. Preferably, the extent of the flattened response over such range of frequencies is in the range of plus or minus 3 dB. The first circuit includes one of the group consisting of a high pass filter and a low pass filter, while the second circuit includes the other of this group. Each filter yields an integer multiple of 6 dB per octave slope. In another embodiment, for correcting hearing loss, a high pass filter is connected to the micro-speaker to progressively attenuate the frequency response curve as the frequency decreases.

Abstract: The concentration of glucose in the anterior chamber of an eye is non-invasively measured by guiding a beam through a polarizer (4), a quarter wave plate (6), a polarization modulator (20), and an analyzer (7). After initializing the polarizer and the analyzer to extinguish the beam, it is guided parallel to the iris (56) of the eye (50) and introduced into the anterior chamber (57), wherein it is refracted, impinges on and is reflected from the iris, and exits the anterior chamber approximately collinear with the portion (55A) of the beam incident on the anterior chamber. The beam then is guided onto a detector (10), and a sufficient signal is applied to the polarization modulator to extinguish the beam. The signal represents the glucose concentration in the patient's blood.

Abstract: A capacitance microphone including: (1) an electrically conductive element that includes a surface which, when placed at (at least approximately) the focal point of a parabolic surface, receives sound energy reflected from the parabolic surface at a plurality of angles which are substantially perpendicular to the surface at the point of impingement; (2) an electrically conductive stalk for supporting the electronically conductive element; (3) a layer of piezoelectric material coating the surface; (4) a layer of insulating material covering a substantial portion of the stalk, but not covering the surface; and (5) a layer of conducting material covering the piezoelectric material and a substantial portion of the insulating material. Preferably, the surface approximates a spherical or hemispherical surface, the center of which is at the focal point of the parabolic like surface. The invention also includes a microphone assembly incorporating a parabolic surface and the above described capacitance microphone.

Abstract: The concentration of glucose in the anterior chamber of an eye is non-invasively measured by guiding a beam through a polarizer (4), a quarter wave plate (6), a polarization modulator (20), and an analyzer (7). After initializing the polarizer and the analyzer to extinguish the beam, it is guided parallel to the iris (56) of the eye (50) and introduced into the anterior chamber (57), wherein it is refracted, impinges on and is reflected from the iris, and exits the anterior chamber approximately collinear with the portion (55A) of the beam incident on the anterior chamber. The beam then is guided onto a detector (10), and a sufficient signal is applied to the polarization modulator to extinguish the beam. The signal represents the glucose concentration in the patient's blood.

Abstract: The concentration of glucose in the anterior chamber of an eye is non-invasively measured by guiding a beam through a polarizer (4), a quarter wave plate (6), a polarization modulator (20), and an analyzer (7). After initializing the polarizer and the analyzer to extinguish the beam, it is guided parallel to the iris (56) of the eye (50) and introduced into the anterior chamber (57), wherein it is refracted, impinges on and is reflected from the iris, and exits the anterior chamber approximately collinear with the portion (55A) of the beam incident on the anterior chamber. The beam then is guided onto a detector (10), and a sufficient signal is applied to the polarization modulator to extinguish the beam. The signal represents the glucose concentration in the patient's blood.

Abstract: A two-dimensional light valve array comprising a pattern of reduced electrode spacing solid state light valves formed using semiconductor processing techniques, and a method of making same. The electrodes are recessed into channels in an electro-optic substrate, such as lanthanum modified lead zirconate-titanate (PLZT). A first set of electrodes are deposited in a comb-shaped configuration into parallel and orthogonal channels etched into the PLZT substrate. A second set of deposited electrodes are bands running in alternating channels between the teeth of the first set of electrodes. An insulating material isolates the two sets of electrodes. An applied voltage between the electrodes induces bi-refringence in the PLZT and affects light transmissivity through the light valve at that location. The array is activated electronically by means of matrix addressing and controlled by means of a microcomputer and appropriate software.

Abstract: A small hand-held optical scanning device for the accurate and precise scanning of lines of text characters is described. The scanner does not require any mechanical means of providing tachometer-like or encoder-like scanning signals in order to establish an accurate reproduction of the scanned text. An auxiliary single element detector samples the scanned text at an advanced (retarded) position relative to the main one dimensional scanner of the device. This advanced detector sensor, together with appropriate and disclosed software algorithms, permits the accurate correction of baseline imperfections as well as corrections for scan-speed non-uniformities and basic scan-speed errors. The processed scanner output is sufficiently faithful to the scanned text that optical character recognition (OCR) software can precisely interpret the scanned images and subsequently provide an accurate ASCII representation of the scanned text.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator including a thin layer of solid-state electro-optical material having parallel, opposite first and second surfaces, an elongated first electrode disposed on the first surface and a plurality of spaced, elongated second electrodes disposed on the second surface and generally perpendicular to the first electrode. The layer of solid-state electro-optical material has a thickness in the range of approximately 5 to 15 microns, and is composed of PLZT. In one embodiment, a plurality of thin regions of insulator are disposed on the first surface between portions of the first electrode and the electro-optical material.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprising a solid state light valve comprising a high density two-dimensional array of "Kerr-cell" like pixels formed in a solid state electro-optical composition such as lanthanum modified lead zirconium titanate (PLZT). Transverse electrodes are deposited on a layer of PLZT the composition of which may provide for memory mode or non-memory mode operation. Pixels are defined in the electro-optic materials in regions between adjacent electrodes deposited on the electro-optic material. The array may be addressed optically or electronically to generate an electric field in the electro-optic material, and thus activate pixels.

Abstract: An aspheric mirror, for example in the form of an off-axis parabolic mirror or a toric mirror, that includes a first element having a front surface which defines a spherical reflector and a spaced apart rear surface. The spherical reflector includes a constant radius of curvature, an X-axis with an X-axis radius of curvature and a Y-axis with a Y-axis radius of curvature. The first element possesses a first rigidity factor. A second element includes a front surface sized to mate with the rear surface of the first element along an interface zone. The second element possesses a second rigidity factor. An interface contour device produces a differential contour within the interface zone between the first and second elements. The interface contour device is aligned to modify the X-axis radius of curvature of the shperical reflector without significantly modifying the Y-axis radius of curvature.

Abstract: An aspheric mirror in the form of a toric mirror includes a first element having a front surface which defines a spherical reflector and a spaced apart rear surface. The spherical reflector includes a constant radius of curvature, an X-axis with an X-axis radius of curvature and a Y-axis with a Y-axis radius of curvature. The first element possesses a first rigidity factor. A second element includes a front surface sized to mate with the rear surface of the first element along an interface zone. The second element possesses a second rigidity factor. An interface contour device produces a differential cylindrical contour within the interface zone between the first and second elements. The interface contour device is aligned to modify the X-axis radius of curvature of the spherical reflector without significantly modifying the Y-axis radius of curvature.

Abstract: The present invention can be used either as a joystick controller having three dimensions of control or as a three dimensional pressure sensor for signature verification or other purposes. The invention comprises a flexible web including a first deflection zone which extends between first and second spaced apart points on the web. A second deflection zone extends between third and fourth spaced apart points on the web. The first and second deflection zones intersect to divide each of the zones into first and second sections. A first fixed yoke includes first and second arms which are coupled to the first and second points on the web. A second floating yoke includes first and second arms which are coupled to the third and fourth points on the web. A web deflection device is coupled to the second yoke to transmit the mechanical input deflections to the web.

Abstract: Security for a package or verifying seal in plastic material is provided by a print seal with unique thermally produced imprints in the plastic. If tampering is attempted, the material is irreparably damaged and thus detectable. The pattern of the imprints, similar to "fingerprints" are recorded as a positive identification for the seal, and corresponding recordings made to allow comparison. The integrity of the seal is proved by the comparison of imprint identification records made by laser beam projection.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator including a thin layer of solid-state electro-optical material having parallel, opposite first and second surfaces, an elongated first electrode disposed on the first surface and a plurality of spaced, elongated second electrodes disposed on the second surface and generally perpendicular to the first electrode. The layer of solid-state electro-optical material has a thickness in the range of approximately 5 to 15 microns, and is composed of PLZT. In one embodiment, a plurality of thin regions of insulator are disposed on the first surface between portions of the first electrode and the electro-optical material.

Abstract: The concentration of glucose in the anterior chamber of an eye is non-invasively measured by guiding a beam through a polarizer (4), a quarter wave plate (6), a polarization modulator (20), and an analyzer (7). After initializing the polarizer and the analyzer to extinguish the beam, it is guided parallel to the iris (56) of the eye (50) and introduced into the anterior chamber (57), wherein it is refracted, impinges on and is reflected from the iris, and exits the anterior chamber approximately collinear with the portion (55A) of the beam incident on the anterior chamber. The beam then is guided onto a detector (10), and a sufficient signal is applied to the polarization modulator to extinguish the beam. The signal represents the glucose concentration in the patient's blood.