Abstract: A position sensing apparatus includes a position sensor, a voltage/current detector, and an alarm. The position sensor is coupled to the body part and includes a capsule, and first and second electrodes. The capsule has an interior volume configured to contain a liquid with a first density, and a contact member having a second density different from the first density. The first and second electrodes are fixed to the capsule to define a sensor meridian that is coupled to a tilt angle of the body part, with each electrode having a distal portion in the interior volume of the capsule, and the distal portions being configured to form a circuit with the liquid or the contact member. The voltage/current detector is configured to detect a change in a state of the circuit, and the alarm is configured to respond to the voltage/current detector.

Abstract: Disclosed are a light emitting diode (LED) display device and a method for driving the same which are capable of decreasing degradation of pixels. The LED display device includes a system for outputting image data to be supplied to pixels, a compensation value generator for determining a drive time of a light emitting element in each pixel, based on the image data from the system, and generating a compensation value for the pixel, based on the determined drive time, a compensation value adjuster for determining at least one of a degree of complexity and a degree of motion in an image for each pixel, based on the image data from the system, thereby adjusting the compensation value generated, for the pixel, from the compensation value generator, and an image modulator for modulating the image data from the system, based on the adjusted compensation value from the compensation value adjuster.

Abstract: A touch panel display device and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The touch panel display device and the driving method thereof sense illumination of external light using a photo-sensor formed on a touch panel, and control a PWM duty of a light source suited to each mode when the sensed illumination of external light corresponds to illumination in a gray zone to be a difference between the illumination of light created by the light source and that of external light, thereby improving touch recognition capability in a gray zone.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing intraocular pressure are described. An example miniaturized intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring system is provided using a nanophotonics-based implantable IOP sensor with remote optical readout that can be adapted for both patient and research use. A handheld detector optically excites the pressure-sensitive nanophotonic structure of the IOP-sensing implant placed in the anterior chamber and detects the reflected light, whose optical signature changes as a function of IOP. Optical detection eliminates the need for large, complex LC structures and simplifies sensor design. The use of nanophotonic components improves the sensor's resolution and sensitivity, increases optical readout distance, and reduces its size by a factor of 10-30 over previous implants. Its small size and convenient optical readout allows frequent and accurate self-tracking of IOP by patients in home settings.

Abstract: Systems and methods of sensing intraocular pressure are described. An example miniaturized intraocular pressure (IOP) monitoring system is provided using a nanophotonics-based implantable IOP sensor with remote optical readout that can be adapted for both patient and research use. A handheld detector optically excites the pressure-sensitive nanophotonic structure of the IOP-sensing implant placed in the anterior chamber and detects the reflected light, whose optical signature changes as a function of IOP. Optical detection eliminates the need for large, complex LC structures and simplifies sensor design. The use of nanophotonic components improves the sensor's resolution and sensitivity, increases optical readout distance, and reduces its size by a factor of 10-30 over previous implants. Its small size and convenient optical readout allows frequent and accurate self-tracking of IOP by patients in home settings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a local dimming driving method and device of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device, which is capable of preventing color change due to gray scale saturation when data is compensated while enabling local dimming. The local dimming driving method of the LCD device includes detecting maximum values per pixel from input image data, analyzing the maximum values per pixel on a block-by-block basis, and determining local dimming values per block according to the analysis result, calculating a first gain value using the local dimming values per block, calculating a maximum gain value per pixel using the maximum value per pixel as a second gain value, selecting a smaller value of the first and second gain values as a final gain value, compensating the input image data using the final gain value, and controlling luminance of a backlight unit on the block-by-block basis using the local dimming value per block.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasmonic optical transformer to produce a highly focuses optical beam spot, where the transformer includes a first metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on the first metal layer, and a second metal layer formed on the dielectric layer, where the first metal layer, the dielectric layer, and the second layer are patterned to a shape including a first section having a first cross section, a second section following the first section having a cross-section tapering from the first section to a smaller cross-section, and a third section following the second section having a cross-section matching the tapered smaller cross-section of the second section.

Abstract: Disclosed are a light emitting diode (LED) display device and a method for driving the same which are capable of decreasing degradation of pixels. The LED display device includes a system for outputting image data to be supplied to pixels, a compensation value generator for determining a drive time of a light emitting element in each pixel, based on the image data from the system, and generating a compensation value for the pixel, based on the determined drive time, a compensation value adjuster for determining at least one of a degree of complexity and a degree of motion in an image for each pixel, based on the image data from the system, thereby adjusting the compensation value generated, for the pixel, from the compensation value generator, and an image modulator for modulating the image data from the system, based on the adjusted compensation value from the compensation value adjuster.

Abstract: A driving method for local dimming of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device and an apparatus using the same are disclosed. The driving method includes determining a dimming value of each of a plurality of local dimming blocks into which a backlight unit is divided to be driven on a block basis by analyzing input image data on a block basis, detecting a high gray area concentrated with high gray levels from each local dimming block based on the analysis of the input image data, and generating position information about the high gray area according to a distance between the high gray area in the block and an adjacent block, and compensating the dimming value of each of the plurality of local dimming blocks by spatial filtering using a spatial filter having a different filter size or different filter coefficients for local dimming blocks according to the position information about the high gray area in the local dimming block.

Abstract: A display device having touch sensors and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The display device includes a display panel including a pixel array including pixels and a touch sensor array including touch sensors formed in the pixel array, the pixel array being divided into blocks, a gate driver to sequentially drive a plurality of gate lines in the pixel array in a block unit, a data driver to drive a plurality of data lines in the pixel array when the gate lines are driven, a touch controller to sequentially drive the touch sensor arrays in the block unit, and a timing controller to divide one frame into at least one display mode at which the pixel array is driven and at least one touch sensing mode at which the touch sensor array is driven and to control the gate drive, the data driver and the touch controller so that the display mode and the touch sensing mode alternate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for in-situ monitoring of material, process and dynamic properties of a MEMS device. The monitoring device includes a pair of comb drives, a cantilever suspension comprising a translating shuttle operatively connected with the pair of comb drives, structures for applying an electrical potential to the comb drives to displace the shuttle, structures for measuring an electrical potential from the pair of comb drives; measuring combs configured to measure the displacement of the shuttle, and structures for measuring an electrical capacitance of the measuring combs. Each of the comb drives may have differently sized comb finger gaps and a different number of comb finger gaps. The shuttle may be formed on two cantilevers perpendicularly disposed with the shuttle, whereby the cantilevers act as springs to return the shuttle to its initial position after each displacement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a plasmonic optical transformer to produce a highly focuses optical beam spot, where the transformer includes a first metal layer, a dielectric layer formed on the first metal layer, and a second metal layer formed on the dielectric layer, where the first metal layer, the dielectric layer, and the second layer are patterned to a shape including a first section having a first cross section, a second section following the first section having a cross-section tapering from the first section to a smaller cross-section, and a third section following the second section having a cross-section matching the tapered smaller cross-section of the second section,

Abstract: A driving method for local dimming of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device and an apparatus using the same are disclosed. The driving method includes determining a dimming value of each of a plurality of local dimming blocks into which a backlight unit is divided to be driven on a block basis by analyzing input image data on a block basis, detecting a high gray area concentrated with high gray levels from each local dimming block based on the analysis of the input image data, and generating position information about the high gray area according to a distance between the high gray area in the block and an adjacent block, and compensating the dimming value of each of the plurality of local dimming blocks by spatial filtering using a spatial filter having a different filter size or different filter coefficients for local dimming blocks according to the position information about the high gray area in the local dimming block.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a local dimming driving method and device of a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device, which is capable of preventing color change due to gray scale saturation when data is compensated while enabling local dimming. The local dimming driving method of the LCD device includes detecting maximum values per pixel from input image data, analyzing the maximum values per pixel on a block-by-block basis, and determining local dimming values per block according to the analysis result, calculating a first gain value using the local dimming values per block, calculating a maximum gain value per pixel using the maximum value per pixel as a second gain value, selecting a smaller value of the first and second gain values as a final gain value, compensating the input image data using the final gain value, and controlling luminance of a backlight unit on the block-by-block basis using the local dimming value per block.

Abstract: A touch panel display device and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The touch panel display device and the driving method thereof sense illumination of external light using a photo-sensor formed on a touch panel, and control a PWM duty of a light source suited to each mode when the sensed illumination of external light corresponds to illumination in a gray zone to be a difference between the illumination of light created by the light source and that of external light, thereby improving touch recognition capability in a gray zone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide structures for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that can be sensed, activated, controlled or otherwise addressed or made to respond by the application of forcing functions. In particular, an optical shutter structure suitable for use in an optical switch arrangement is disclosed. In one embodiment, an optical shutter or switch can be scaled and/or arranged to form arbitrary switch, multiplexer and/or demultiplexer configurations. In another embodiment of the present invention, an optical switch can include: a shutter; and a flexure coupled to the shutter, whereupon a vibration transmitted to the flexure when in the presence of a resonant frequency causes the shutter to move across an opening for the passage of an optical signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for in-situ monitoring of material, process and dynamic properties of a MEMS device. The monitoring device includes a pair of comb drives, a cantilever suspension comprising a translating shuttle operatively connected with the pair of comb drives, structures for applying an electrical potential to the comb drives to displace the shuttle, structures for measuring an electrical potential from the pair of comb drives; measuring combs configured to measure the displacement of the shuttle, and structures for measuring an electrical capacitance of the measuring combs. Each of the comb drives may have differently sized comb finger gaps and a different number of comb finger gaps. The shuttle may be formed on two cantilevers perpendicularly disposed with the shuttle, whereby the cantilevers act as springs to return the shuttle to its initial position after each displacement.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for fabricating microscanners. The fabrication processes employed pursuant to some embodiments are compatible with well known CMOS fabrication techniques, allowing devices for control, monitoring and/or sensing to be integrated onto a single chip. Both one- and two-dimensional microscanners are described. Applications including optical laser surgery, maskless photolithography, portable displays and large scale displays are described.

Abstract: Provided herein are optical devices fabricated to include a reflective surface, actuators and stress-relieving structures. Systems containing such devices, and methods of manufacturing such devices, are also provided.

Abstract: An addressable array of lenses is disclosed. Two electrical connections per row address specific lenses within that row. Carriages support individual lenses, thus forming resonant units with frequencies unique within each row. A voltage, having the same frequency as a selected resonant unit is applied. The selected lens produces a resonating image. Testing has verified proper resonance addressing within a 5-by-5 array of microlenses. The array can be applied to a Shack-Hartmann (SH) sensor. To compensate for errant images formed outside of their image area, resonating images are identified by a processor. The array thus improves the dynamic range of the wavefront aberration that can be measured by an SH sensor. The inventors currently estimate the improvement over conventional designs to be about a factor of 30.