Abstract: An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux. In an embodiment, the current outputs from detectors having a same state are grouped together. The encoder system may also include one or more current duplicators to duplicate the current outputs from detectors having one state to group with the current outputs from detectors having a different state. The encoder system may also adjust weights of the current outputs.

Abstract: An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux. In an embodiment, the current outputs from detectors having a same state are grouped together. The encoder system may also include one or more current duplicators to duplicate the current outputs from detectors having one state to group with the current outputs from detectors having a different state. The encoder system may also adjust weights of the current outputs.

Abstract: An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. In an embodiment, the encoder system includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. In an embodiment, the memory includes a non-volatile memory. The encoder system may also include a controller, such as a microcontroller, operable to read from the memory the partition map and to adjust the partition map according to a misalignment measurement before configuring the configurable detector array. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux.

Abstract: An optical encoder system includes: a light emitter configured to emit a light flux; a plurality of photodetectors in an array, wherein each photodetector is operable to generate a current in response to the light flux; and a target object positioned to reflect the light flux onto the plurality of photodetectors; wherein the light emitter is configured to produce a non-circular pattern of the light flux.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent current generator includes a first transistor connected between first and second nodes and providing a first voltage potential at the second node that decreases first order linearly when ambient temperature increases. The generator further includes an operational amplifier having first and second input terminals and an output terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to a second voltage potential that is first order independent of the ambient temperature. The second input terminal is coupled to a third node. The generator further includes a second transistor with gate, source, and drain terminals. The gate terminal is coupled to the output terminal of the operational amplifier. One of the source and drain terminals is coupled to the third node. The generator further includes a resistor coupled between the second and the third nodes. A resistance value of the resistor is first order independent of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux. In an embodiment, the current outputs from detectors having a same state are grouped together. The encoder system may also include one or more current duplicators to duplicate the current outputs from detectors having one state to group with the current outputs from detectors having a different state. The encoder system may also adjust weights of the current outputs.

Abstract: An encoder system includes a configurable detector array, wherein the configurable detector array includes a plurality of detectors. In an embodiment, the encoder system includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The encoder system may also include a memory operable to store a partition map that defines a state for each of the plurality of detectors. In an embodiment, the memory includes a non-volatile memory. The encoder system may also include a controller, such as a microcontroller, operable to read from the memory the partition map and to adjust the partition map according to a misalignment measurement before configuring the configurable detector array. The encoder system may also include an emitter operable to generate a flux modulated by a motion object, wherein the configurable detector array is operable to receive the flux and generate respective current outputs for each of the detectors in response to the flux.

Abstract: An encoder system includes a group of programmable detectors, a group of programmable channels, and a programmable connectivity network coupled between the programmable detectors and the programmable channels. Each of the programmable detectors is operable to produce an electric current in response to an optical or magnetic input. Each of the programmable channels is operable to produce an output in response to an electric current input. The outputs from the programmable channels form at least a part of a code word for determining an absolute position of a motion object. The programmable connectivity network is operable to route electric currents from at least a part of the programmable detectors to each of the programmable channels.

Abstract: An optical detection system includes a first device that has a first light source and a first light detector, and a second device that has a second light source and a second light detector. The first and second devices are configured to turn on and off the first and second light sources periodically based on first and second control signals, respectively. The first and second light sources are configured not to emit light simultaneously. The first and second light sources emit light in wavelength ranges that overlap. The optical detection system further has the characteristic that when the first light source is turned on, a radiant power delivered to the second light detector from the first light source is at least 25 percent of a radiant power delivered to the first light detector from the first light source.

Abstract: An optical detection system includes a first device that has a first light source and a first light detector, and a second device that has a second light source and a second light detector. The first and second devices are configured to turn on and off the first and second light sources periodically based on first and second control signals, respectively. The first and second light sources are configured not to emit light simultaneously. The first and second light sources emit light in wavelength ranges that overlap. The optical detection system further has the characteristic that when the first light source is turned on, a radiant power delivered to the second light detector from the first light source is at least 25 percent of a radiant power delivered to the first light detector from the first light source.

Abstract: An optical detection system includes a first device that has a first light source and a first light detector, and a second device that has a second light source and a second light detector. The first and second devices are configured to turn on and off the first and second light sources periodically based on first and second control signals, respectively. The first and second light sources are configured not to emit light simultaneously. The first and second light sources emit light in wavelength ranges that overlap. The optical detection system further has the characteristic that when the first light source is turned on, a radiant power delivered to the second light detector from the first light source is at least 25 percent of a radiant power delivered to the first light detector from the first light source.

Abstract: A temperature-dependent current generator includes a first transistor connected between first and second nodes and providing a first voltage potential at the second node that decreases first order linearly when ambient temperature increases. The generator further includes an operational amplifier having first and second input terminals and an output terminal. The first input terminal is coupled to a second voltage potential that is first order independent of the ambient temperature. The second input terminal is coupled to a third node. The generator further includes a second transistor with gate, source, and drain terminals. The gate terminal is coupled to the output terminal of the operational amplifier. One of the source and drain terminals is coupled to the third node. The generator further includes a resistor coupled between the second and the third nodes. A resistance value of the resistor is first order independent of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit for a light source (e.g., light emitting diode (LED)) whose radiant energy output decreases when ambient temperature increases includes a first circuit element for generating a first current that increases proportional to an increase in the ambient temperature, and a second circuit element for generating a second current that is first order independent of the ambient temperature. The circuit further includes a weighted current adder for generating a third current by combining the first and second currents with first and second weights applied to the first and second currents respectively. The circuit further includes a third circuit element responsive to the third current for supplying a fourth current to the light source to maintain a radiant energy output of the light source constant independent of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A temperature compensation circuit for a light source (e.g., light emitting diode (LED)) whose radiant energy output decreases when ambient temperature increases includes a first circuit element for generating a first current that increases proportional to an increase in the ambient temperature, and a second circuit element for generating a second current that is first order independent of the ambient temperature. The circuit further includes a weighted current adder for generating a third current by combining the first and second currents with first and second weights applied to the first and second currents respectively. The circuit further includes a third circuit element responsive to the third current for supplying a fourth current to the light source to maintain a radiant energy output of the light source constant independent of the ambient temperature.

Abstract: A security device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the security device includes a memory device comprising having a first memory portion configured to store a device ID; and a second memory portion configured to store a device secret. The security device further includes a processor connected to the memory device wherein the processor is configured to read the stored device ID from the first memory portion and the stored device secret from the second memory portion and perform a nonreversible computation using the stored device ID, the stored device secret, and a challenge as seeds. Additionally, the security device includes a communication circuit connected to the processor, the communication circuit configured to receive the challenge from a host device and to communicate a result of the nonreversible computation performed by the processor.

Abstract: A low power integrated circuit having analog to digital conversion circuitry capable of receiving a plurality of analog signals and converting them to a digital value. The digital value is then transmitted, upon request, over a single wire bus. The accuracy of the analog to digital conversion circuitry can be calibrated via trim codes stored in an onboard EPROM.

Abstract: A low power integrated circuit having analog to digital conversion circuitry capable of receiving a plurality of analog signals and converting them to a digital value. The digital value is then transmitted, upon request, over a single wire bus. The accuracy of the analog to digital conversion circuitry can be calibrated via trim codes stored in an onboard EPROM.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a circuit positioned in a housing, which circuit includes an input/output module having a parasitic power sub-module. The circuit further includes a scratchpad memory, coupled to the input/output module; a programmable memory, coupled to the scratchpad memory; and a control module, coupled to the input/output module, the scratchpad memory and the programmable memory. In certain variations, the input/output module further includes at least one of a one-wire bus and a three-wire bus in addition to a bus arbitrator.

Abstract: A circuit positioned in a substantially token-shaped body, the circuit that comprises (a) a serial port to receive and transmit information following a write signal, a read signal, and a program signal; (b) a scratchpad memory coupled to the serial port to hold information that is received or transmitted; (c) an electrically programmable memory coupled to the scratchpad memory; (d) program port to receive program information and program the electrically programmable memory, said program port deriving all voltages necessary to program said electrically programmable memory from said program signal; and (e) control logic coupled to the serial port and the scratchpad memory and the electrically programmable memory, the control logic transfers information to and from the scratchpad memory to the electrically programmable memory as a block pursuant to a block transfer command received at the serial port.