Abstract: A micromirror light valve target configuration that overcomes the problems of limited deflection range, electrostatic and resolution by forming the secondary electron collector grid of a fine conductive mesh and placing it in close proximity to the micromirror array. The source, preferably a fixed beam array, addresses the micromirror array such that it exhibits a secondary emission coefficient less than one to write a negative charge pattern onto the mirrors so that they are attracted to the collector grid. If the anode is also in close proximity to the array, the mirrors can be addressed so that they deflect up toward the grid and down toward the anode thereby increasing the deflection range.

Abstract: A thin low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of bistable micromirrors that are deflected between two stable states, a dark state in which the mirror covers a portion of the background and a white state in which the mirror uncovers the background. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LCDs but are modified in order to drive the micromirrors to one of their two stable states. The micromirrors in the enabled row are attracted up or down with sufficient force to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold and deflect the micromirrors to their dark and white states, respectively. The attractive forces on the micromirrors in the remaining non-enabled rows are insufficient to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold so that the micromirrors remain in their current stable state.

Abstract: A bright, high contrast, compact, large area, high-resolution light modulator uses a field emitter array (FEA) to address a charge controlled mirror (CCM). The FEA deposits a charge pattern onto the CCM, which in turn produces electrostatic forces that deflect the micromirrors in accordance with the amount of accumulated charge. The CCM that is used in combination with the FEA can be configured in many different ways to implement different actuation modes, e.g. attractive, repulsive, grid-actuated or membrane-actuated and different charge control modes, e.g. RC decay, RC sustain and charge control.

Abstract: The present invention provides a Schlieren projection system with a large aperture reflective imager. The combination of a beam-addressed CCM design with flat-panel manufacturing techniques configuration produces a large aperture imager that overcomes the problems of limited deflection range, high beam current, electrostatic instability and limited resolution associated with known electrostatically-actuated micromirror targets. The CCM imager includes a thin insulating membrane that decouples the electron beam from the micromirror array. Decoupling also allows the mirror to be designed to optimize reflectivity, exhibit a higher resonant frequency for better video performance, and be fabricated simultaneously with the hinges. The CCM imager is fabricated using flat-panel manufacturing techniques that are ideally suited to producing large aperture devices at low cost.

Abstract: A flat-panel direct view display positions an array of electrostatically-actuated cantilevered micromirrors in front of a contrasting background and opposite a flat-panel electron beam source. Depending upon the display configuration, the electron beam source addresses either the array of micromirrors or a reference surface a row at a time while the other is held at a reference potential. The electron beams modulate the potential difference between each micromirror and the reference surface thereby adjusting the magnitude of the attractive electrostatic force between the two. This in turn modulates the deflection of the micromirrors between their quiescent and fully actuated states to selectively cover and uncover the background thereby producing a grey scale direct-view image.

Abstract: A beam addressed electrostatically-actuated charge controlled mirror (CCM) with frame time utilization approaching 100% is provided by partially coating the CCM's pixelized beam addressing surface with a material having the opposite electron affinity. Each pixel of the pixelized beam addressing surface has first and second portions that exhibit secondary emission coefficients that are respectively less than and greater than one for the same beam energy. A beam or beams that are capable of subpixel resolution selectively address each pixel's first and second portions to control the amount of charge on the pixelized beam addressing surface and its localized potentials.

Abstract: Lens retention in an eyewear having a front frame having continuous rim type right and left eye openings each having a substantially L-shaped cross-section formed of any desired material. A lens having a beveled edge is placed in a respective eye opening with the apex of the bevel abutting the inner surface of the side wall of the eye opening which thereby forms an adhesive trough at the rear surface of the lens. A bead of UV-curable adhesive is applied within the trough which thereby firmly secures the lens within the eye opening.

Abstract: An electrostatically actuated micromirror light modulator that exhibits increased deflection range, better charge efficiency and improved electrostatic stability. A thin insulating membrane decouples the electron beam from the micromirror array inside the vacuum cell. The membrane is just thick enough to stop the incident electrons from penetrating through to the mirrors but is thin enough to maintain resolution of the deposited charge pattern. An equipotential layer beneath the mirror array prevents any attractive force from being developed due to the accumulation of static charge on the surface of the light modulator that may otherwise cause the mirror to snap-over and become stuck to the substrate.

Abstract: A high intensity light modulator includes a micro-mirror light valve target with electrostatically-repelled micro-mirror elements. Each micro-mirror of the target array comprises a base electrode and an overlying micro-mirror element. In operation, charge is deposited upon the micro-mirrors to produce repulsive electrostatic forces that outwardly deflect the micro-mirror elements by an amount proportional to the deposited charge. In one embodiment, an array of micro-mirror light valves is formed directly upon the face plate of a vidicon tube and is addressed using a scanning electron gun.

Abstract: A high intensity image projection system includes a micro-mirror light valve target with micro-mirror elements repulsively pivotally-actuable. Each micro-mirror of the target array comprises a fixed base electrode joined to an overlying micro-mirror element by means of a hinge with each element formed of conductive material. As such, in operation, charge deposited upon either the base electrode or the micro-mirror element is free to migrate, in response to repulsive forces between deposited charges, to the element spaced therefrom. The resulting presence of like charge distributions upon the base electrode and micro-mirror element of a micro-mirror produces a repulsive electrostatic force for pivotally deflecting the micro-mirror element by an amount proportional to the charge deposited thereon. Capacitive charge storage elements and resistive paths are provided for storing and draining the deposited charge between applications of video frame information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a throttle control device to be used in combination with an engine having a throttle and a pump driven by the engine. The automatic control device has a housing defining a chamber having a first opening adapted to receive a fluid containing conduit in communication with the pump. A piston is slideably mounted in the chamber and has a first end acted on by a fluid contained in the conduit. A spring surrounds a portion of the piston within the chamber and biases the piston towards the first opening and, therefore, the fluid. A second end of the piston extends through a second opening in the chamber and controls the throttle. A first adjustable stop in the chamber limits travel of the piston and a second adjustable stop controls the compression of the spring.

Abstract: A method for fabricating resilient z-axis contacts to electrically interconnect IC wafers or MCMs in 3-D integrated circuits uses photolithography to provide larger carrier sizes, higher contact densities by decreasing the spacing, smaller contact footpads, and precise control of the contact's shape and position. The contacts are fabricated by forming photoresist patterns on the carrier's top and bottom surfaces that are initially rectangular, and then reflowing the photoresist materials to provide smooth surfaces suitable for forming the metal contacts, and depositing metal layers over the respective patterns. Second photoresist patterns are formed over respective metal layers to conform with the contact's shape, the metal is etched away according to the pattern, and the photoresists are removed such that the remaining metalization forms a resilient z-axis contact that is attached to the carrier and extends therefrom with a predetermined shape.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit interconnect which can be formed at the wafer level is achieved by depositing an intentionally stressed contact layer over a release layer which is subsequently removed. The removal of the release layer permits a portion of the contact layer to curve away from the surface of an integrated circuit chip. The result is a spring contact having a base portion joined to a metal member of the chip and a spring portion which is available for joining to other metal members, e.g., on a substrate or another chip. The resilience of the spring portion can also be used to position and align integrated circuit elements.

Abstract: An integrated-circuit interconnect which can be formed at the wafer level is achieved by depositing an intentionally stressed contact layer over a release layer which is subsequently removed. The removal of the release layer permits a portion of the contact layer to curve away from the surface of an integrated chip. The result is a spring contact having a base portion joined to a member of the chip and a spring portion which is available for joining of other metal members, e.g., on a substrate or another chip. The resilience of the spring portion can also be used to position and align integrated circuit elements.

Abstract: A torso and lumbar support and position stabilizing pillow for a lateral recumbency position comprising a substantially planar base member, a main body and a lumbar support member, the main body having a top surface, a bottom surface, an outside surface and an inside surface. The main body is shaped such that the bottom surface is planar and attached to the base member, while the outside surface of the main body is also planar and perpendicular to the base member, with the inside surface of the main body being opposite the outside surface and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the base member. Optionally, the inside surface can be concave to accommodate the natural curve of the spine, allowing room for the protrusion of a person's shoulder and buttocks areas. In use, the pillow is placed in firm contact with a person's back and side to provide lumbar support when a person is lying in lateral recumbency, on their side.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transparent inband signaling during a telephone conversation provides an advantageous way of enabling a party to a telephone conversation to signal a telecommunications system to perform desired functions. A person signaling a system with a general inband signal, such as DTMF, can do so transparently, that is without the other party hearing the inband signals used. This innovation is based on detecting the inband signal, muting the inband signal to prevent the other party from hearing it, and determining which party generated it while allowing the conversation to continue substantially uninterrupted. The inband signal is delayed prior to muting for a short period of time in an alternate embodiment in order to compensate for the time delay in reliably detecting DTMF signals thus mute the inband signal more completely.

Abstract: An airbag igniter having an initiator charge in an inner case and an output charge in a surrounding outer case, has a first metal header closing the inner case and a glass seal providing feed through of one or more electrical connections to the initiator charge through the first header. The outer case has a second metal header fitted to it. The second header surrounds the first header in a spaced relationship maintained by a second glass seal. The second glass seal electrically isolates the second header and outer case from the inner header for protection against accidental ignition. The dual glass seals provide protection against maloperation due to gas leakage. A ceramic washer in axial compression between the outer header and a flange of the inner header provides added assurance against failure of the second glass seal.

Abstract: A 3-D IC chip assembly is formed from stacked substrates in which each individual substrate has a plurality of different IC chips retained in respective recesses. Conductive feedthroughs extend through the substrate from the side where the chips are located to the opposite side, with the chips electrically connected to the feedthroughs. An electrical routing network on the opposite side of the substrate from the chips provides desired interconnections between the chips by connecting to the feedthroughs. The routing can be formed by standard photolithographic techniques.

Abstract: A cellular array processor (10) for efficiently performing data dependent processing such as floating point arithmetic functions. One module (84) in the array processor (12) generates a signal applied to bus line (24) when all of the bits in a register (86) are zero. The signal on bus line (24) effects the shifting operation of a shift register (36) in a memory module (34) located on a different functional plane. Thus, the processing functions carried out in each elemental processor (26) can be made to depend on the value of data stored therein instead of being dictated solely by a simultaneous executed instruction from the control processor (14) as is the normal case.

Abstract: A sewing machine having a presser bar and a needle bar and each having a force transducer mounted thereon for simultaneously detecting changes in load applied to the presser bar and needle bar. The force transducers are connected to a circuit including a computer for monitoring the fabric feeding and stitch formation forces encountered by the presser bar and the needle bar during sewing and analyzing the simultaneous force signal data from the force transducers on the needle bar and the presser bar of the sewing machine.