Abstract: A device for analyzing the surface structure of an object, the device comprising a touchable Lambertian light diffusing surface that covers a cavity containing a light source and an image sensor. The image detector senses the contact of the outer Lambertian surface of the device by a contacting object, for example a finger-tip, by means of light from the light source reflecting back to the image detector. At the same time, ambient light from objects external to the device is diffusely scattered by the Lambertian surface as it enters the cavity and does not affect the ability of the image detector to clearly determine the surface structure of the contacting object. Thus, for example, the surface contours of a fingerprint may be determined with a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A three-dimensional graphical user interface (3D GUI) configured to be used by a computer, a display system, an electronic system, or an electro-mechanical system. The 3D GUI provides an enhanced user-engaging experience while enabling a user to manipulate the motion of an object of arbitrary size and a multiplicity of independent degrees of freedom, using sufficient degrees of freedom to represent the motion. During operation, the 3D GUI fetches positional data in absolute address mode and translational and rotational motion vector data from a unique 3D navigation device that uses color as a means of motion detection. The 3D navigation device transforms color index data to the 3D GUI through a matrix representation of the six degrees of freedom (DOF) of motion of an object.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to compact packaging for optical MEMS devices, such as one- and two-dimensional beam scanners. An embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure includes a light source and a MEMS-based scanning element for steering at least a portion of the light provided by the light source in at least one dimension as an output light signal, as well as one or more optical elements for collimating and/or redirecting light within a sealed chamber defined by the elements of a housing. In some embodiments, the one or more optical elements include a reflective lens that collimates the light provided by the light source while simultaneously correcting phase-front error imparted by the scanning element while steering the output beam.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) maneuvering device generates 3D data by irradiating a two-dimensional (2D) reference surface with light of variable frequency. The 3D maneuvering device has high sensitivity, high resolution, and immunity from the noise caused by human vibrations. A rotational motion vector is derived by comparing the relative motion vectors derived from a pattern recognition process of surface features on the same reference plane with the positional data derived using the color index data. Thus, a single gestural movement of the operator's hand provides both the translational and rotational motion data simultaneously.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) maneuvering device generates 3D data by irradiating a variably tinted two dimensional (2D) reference surface. The tri-stimuli color index data (e.g. CIE 1931 RGB) is a reliable and high definition source of such tinting. By mathematical conversion, the color index data on the 2D surface is mapped into 3D positional data, i.e. (x, y, z) to be used by a computer, a 3D rendering device or an electronic or electromechanical device such as a 3D printer. The 3D maneuvering device has high sensitivity, high resolution, and immunity from the noise caused by human vibrations. A rotational motion vector is derived by comparing the relative motion vectors derived from a pattern recognition process of surface features on the same reference plane with the positional data derived using the color index data. Thus, a single gestural movement of the operator's hand provides both the translational and rotational motion data simultaneously.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the surface structure of an object, the device comprising a touchable Lambertian light diffusing surface that covers a cavity containing a light source and an image sensor. The image detector senses the contact of the outer Lambertian surface of the device by a contacting object, for example a finger-tip, by means of light from the light source reflecting back to the image detector. At the same time, ambient light from objects external to the device is diffusely scattered by the Lambertian surface as it enters the cavity and does not affect the ability of the image detector to clearly determine the surface structure of the contacting object. Thus, for example, the surface contours of a fingerprint may be determined with a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A method for assessing worker engagement and company culture. The method includes generating questions relating to a user's work experience, determining a set of predetermined times during the user's workday to prompt the user to answer the questions, and prompting the user at each of the predetermined times to provide an answer, in real time, to each of the questions. Answers may be received from the user and then correlated with contextual data associated with the user. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: A method for assessing worker engagement and company culture. The method includes generating questions relating to a user's work experience, determining a set of predetermined times during the user's workday to prompt the user to answer the questions, and prompting the user at each of the predetermined times to provide an answer, in real time, to each of the questions. Answers may be received from the user and then correlated with contextual data associated with the user. A corresponding system and computer program product are also disclosed and claimed herein.

Abstract: An optical computer mouse senses movement by detecting the variations in intensity of reflected primary colors from a surface over which the mouse is moved. The surface is illuminated by a plurality of colors of light. An image sensor is formed from an array of photodiodes covered with a color filter array that matches the primary colors of the lights and is used to detect intensity of reflected light of the primary colors from the surface on which the optical computer mouse rests. Variations in the intensity of at least one of the primary colors of reflected light are used to determine movement by the computer mouse. Both the intensity of the individual lights and sensitivity of the array of photo diodes are controlled by a controller.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the surface structure of an object, the device comprising a touchable Lambertian light diffusing surface that covers a cavity containing a light source and an image sensor. The image detector senses the contact of the outer Lambertian surface of the device by a contacting object, for example a finger-tip, by means of light from the light source reflecting back to the image detector. At the same time, ambient light from objects external to the device is diffusely scattered by the Lambertian surface as it enters the cavity and does not affect the ability of the image detector to clearly determine the surface structure of the contacting object. Thus, for example, the surface contours of a fingerprint may be determined with a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A corona polarization (also denoted “poling”) process and associated apparatus polarizes a ferroelectric polymer thin film while monitoring and evaluating a substrate current whose magnitude, slope and noise profile (Barkhausen noise) varies in accordance with phase transformation processes of crystallites within the film and, thereby, provides an indication of the polarization status. The electric current flowing through the microstructures of the thin film can be modeled by an equivalent circuit, within which electrical charges stored in the respective microstructures are denoted by a plurality of discrete components (e.g., capacitors). Alternatively, the process can be modeled in terms of a hysteresis loop of polarization vs. electric field, corresponding to the availability of recombination sites on the thin-film surface.

Abstract: TREMOLO STOP is a contact pin based improvement integrated into the tremolo and/or its related parts, to adjustably make initial contact at initial position or at the zero point either in a fixed “hard stop” position that can be further adjusted to disengage from the body. The STABILIZER TUNER dynamic “soft stop” contact pin arrangement comprises a resilient element to provide a second variable force tension at the zero point of the tremolo. The contact pin is adjustable relative to the body. An adjustable stabilizer housing varies the second variable force of tension.

Abstract: An optical computer mouse senses movement by detecting the variations in intensity of reflected primary colors from a surface over which the mouse is moved. The surface is illuminated by a plurality of colors of light. An image sensor is formed from an array of photodiodes covered with a color filter array that matches the primary colors of the lights and is used to detect intensity of reflected light of the primary colors from the surface on which the optical computer mouse rests. Variations in the intensity of at least one of the primary colors of reflected light are used to determine movement by the computer mouse. Both the intensity of the individual lights and sensitivity of the array of photo diodes are controlled by a controller.

Abstract: The Stabilizer Tuner adjustably supports a formed spring or a pre-loaded coil spring element operable to hold a variable force of tension to enforce initial position. The Tremolo Stabilizer includes a thumbwheel arrangement to variably adjust the position of an independent stabilizer arrangement. Tremolo Spring Tuner includes a pre-loaded coil spring element or formed flat spring operable to exert a first variable force of tension to contact the body with the capacity to variably support the pivoting of tremolo under the variable force of the string tension; the first force of tension is essentially equal to the force of tension provided by the strings to establish the fulcrum tremolo at initial position.

Abstract: HEADPIECE TUNER is integrated into the nut arrangement of a traditional headless musical instrument featuring lever-based individual string clamps, a removable nut, a truss rod adjustment feature and multi-function cross bar handle. A Magnetic Tuner comprising at least one of two magnetic elements secured to a tremolo, in fulcrum tremolos, moveable therewith about the tremolo pivot axis, in a mechanism operable to provide a first force of tension comprising the traditional tremolo coil spring biasing element and/or, in the case of coil spring integrated tremolo stabilizers, provide a second force of tension to enforce the tremolo at the equilibrium point or initial position.

Abstract: A device for analyzing the surface structure of an object, the device comprising a touchable Lambertian light diffusing surface that covers a cavity containing a light source and an image sensor. The image detector senses the contact of the outer Lambertian surface of the device by a contacting object, for example a finger-tip, by means of light from the light source reflecting back to the image detector. At the same time, ambient light from objects external to the device is diffusely scattered by the Lambertian surface as it enters the cavity and does not affect the ability of the image detector to clearly determine the surface structure of the contacting object. Thus, for example, the surface contours of a fingerprint may be determined with a high signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: A corona polarization (also denoted “poling”) process and associated apparatus polarizes a ferroelectric polymer thin film while monitoring and evaluating a substrate current whose magnitude, slope and noise profile (Barkhausen noise) varies in accordance with phase transformation processes of crystallites within the film and, thereby, provides an indication of the polarization status. The electric current flowing through the microstructures of the thin film can be modeled by an equivalent circuit, within which electrical charges stored in the respective microstructures are denoted by a plurality of discrete components (e.g., capacitors). Alternatively, the process can be modeled in terms of a hysteresis loop of polarization vs. electric field, corresponding to the availability of recombination sites on the thin-film surface.

Abstract: A three dimensional (3D) cursor maneuvering system for use by a computer or electro-mechanical system requiring 3D control, includes a tinted 2D planar or locally planar reference surface and a color sensitive mobile device that moves along the tinted reference surface and generates high sensitivity and high resolution absolute positional and motional data by accurately determining variations in the tint. Color index data (e.g. CIE 1931 RGB, etc.) on the tinted reference plane varies from place to place and methods are disclosed for imprinting the reference plane with that data in the form of dyes and pigments that may be reflective, refractive or emissive. When the mobile device moves on or over the reference surface, it captures a series of images whose data (e.g. CIE 1931 RGB) varies in correspondence with the movement of the device. The color index data measured by the mobile device can be mathematically converted into 3D positional and motional data.

Abstract: The Drop Tuner comprising a pivoting lever element and two ring-like elements in an arrangement operable to quickly alter the position of a macro-tuner or other string tuning element on the instrument body to change the tension of a musical instrument string from one pre-selected pitch to another and back by moving the lever to one of two corresponding adjustable pre-selected positions. “Drop Tuner” refers to an adjustment device added to a string tuner element, macro-tuner or similar, with the capacity to quickly change from one adjustable predetermined pitch to another adjustable predetermined pitch and back comprising at least two adjustable predetermined tensioning positions.