Abstract: Control systems for liquid lenses can use feedback control using one or more measured parameters indicative of a position of the fluid interface in the liquid lens. Capacitance between a fluid and an electrode in the liquid lens can vary depending on the position of the fluid interface. Current mirrors can be used for making measurements indicative of the capacitance and/or the fluid interface position. The liquid lens can be calibrated using the measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position as the voltage is driven across an operational range. A control system can use pulse width modulation (PWM) for driving a liquid lens, and a carrier frequency for the PWM signals can be varied to control power consumption in the liquid lens. The slew rate can be adjustable to control power consumption in the liquid lens.

Abstract: Control systems for liquid lenses can use feedback control using one or more measured parameters indicative of a position of the fluid interface in the liquid lens. Capacitance between a fluid and an electrode in the liquid lens can vary depending on the position of the fluid interface. Current mirrors can be used for making measurements indicative of the capacitance and/or the fluid interface position. The liquid lens can be calibrated using the measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position as the voltage is driven across an operational range. A control system can use pulse width modulation (PWM) for driving a liquid lens, and a carrier frequency for the PWM signals can be varied to control power consumption in the liquid lens. The slew rate can be adjustable to control power consumption in the liquid lens.

Abstract: A liquid lens system includes first and second liquids disposed within a cavity. An interface between the first and second liquids defines a variable lens. A common electrode is in electrical communication with the first liquid. A driving electrode is disposed on a sidewall of the cavity and insulated from the first and second liquids. A controller supplies a common voltage to the common electrode and a driving voltage to the driving electrode. A voltage differential between the common voltage and the driving voltage is based at least in part on at least one of: (a) a first reference capacitance of a first reference electrode pair disposed within the first portion of the cavity and insulated from the first liquid or (b) a second reference capacitance of a second reference electrode pair disposed within the second portion of the cavity and insulated from the first liquid and the second liquid.

Abstract: A liquid lens can be coupled to ground, such as to impede charge from building up in the liquid lens during operation thereof. For example, an electrode that is in electrical communication with a conductive fluid of the liquid lens can be coupled to ground. A switch can be used to selectively couple the liquid lens to ground, such as for discharging the liquid lens. An electrode can be selectively coupled to ground and to driving signals using a switch. In some cases, drive signals can be provided to electrodes other than the grounded electrode for driving the liquid lens. In some cases, the liquid lens can be driven using feedback control based on one or more measured parameters indicative capacitance between a fluid and one or more electrodes in the liquid lens.

Abstract: Control systems for liquid lenses can use feedback control using one or more measured parameters indicative of a position of the fluid interface in the liquid lens. Capacitance between a fluid and an electrode in the liquid lens can vary depending on the position of the fluid interface. Current mirrors can be used for making measurements indicative of the capacitance and/or the fluid interface position. The liquid lens can be calibrated using the measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position as the voltage is driven across an operational range. A control system can use pulse width modulation (PWM) for driving a liquid lens, and a carrier frequency for the PWM signals can be varied to control power consumption in the liquid lens. The slew rate can be adjustable to control power consumption in the liquid lens.

Abstract: A method of separating a portion of an object comprising: presenting an object having a thickness; using a laser emission at a wavelength to perforate at least a portion of the thickness of the object sequentially over a length to form a series of perforations between a first portion of the object on one side of the series of perforations and a second portion of the object on the other side of the series of perforations; and applying a stress to the object at the series of perforations to separate the first portion of the object from the second portion of the object, wherein the thickness of the object, at the series of perforations, is transparent to the wavelength of the laser emission.

Abstract: A liquid lens can be coupled to ground, such as to impede charge from building up in the liquid lens during operation thereof. For example, an electrode that is in electrical communication with a conductive fluid of the liquid lens can be coupled to ground. A switch can be used to selectively couple the liquid lens to ground, such as for discharging the liquid lens. An electrode can be selectively coupled to ground and to driving signals using a switch. In some cases, drive signals can be provided to electrodes other than the grounded electrode for driving the liquid lens. In some cases, the liquid lens can be driven using feedback control based on one or more measured parameters indicative capacitance between a fluid and one or more electrodes in the liquid lens.

Abstract: A liquid lens system includes first and second liquids disposed within a cavity. An interface between the first and second liquids defines a variable lens. A common electrode is in electrical communication with the first liquid. A driving electrode is disposed on a sidewall of the cavity and insulated from the first and second liquids. A controller supplies a common voltage to the common electrode and a driving voltage to the driving electrode. A voltage differential between the common voltage and the driving voltage is based at least in part on at least one of: (a) a first reference capacitance of a first reference electrode pair disposed within the first portion of the cavity and insulated from the first liquid or (b) a second reference capacitance of a second reference electrode pair disposed within the second portion of the cavity and insulated from the first liquid and the second liquid.

Abstract: Control systems for liquid lenses can use feedback control using one or more measured parameters indicative of a position of the fluid interface in the liquid lens. Capacitance between a fluid and an electrode in the liquid lens can vary depending on the position of the fluid interface. Current mirrors can be used for making measurements indicative of the capacitance and/or the fluid interface position. The liquid lens can be calibrated using the measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position as the voltage is driven across an operational range. A control system can use pulse width modulation (PWM) for driving a liquid lens, and a carrier frequency for the PWM signals can be varied to control power consumption in the liquid lens. The slew rate can be adjustable to control power consumption in the liquid lens.

Abstract: Control systems for liquid lenses can use feedback control using one or more measured parameters indicative of a position of the fluid interface in the liquid lens. Capacitance between a fluid and an electrode in the liquid lens can vary depending on the position of the fluid interface. Current mirrors can be used for making measurements indicative of the capacitance and/or the fluid interface position. The liquid lens can be calibrated using the measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position as the voltage is driven across an operational range. A control system can use pulse width modulation (PWM) for driving a liquid lens, and a carrier frequency for the PWM signals can be varied to control power consumption in the liquid lens. The slew rate can be adjustable to control power consumption in the liquid lens.

Abstract: Control systems for liquid lenses can use feedback control using one or more measured parameters indicative of a position of the fluid interface in the liquid lens. Capacitance between a fluid and an electrode in the liquid lens can vary depending on the position of the fluid interface. Current mirrors can be used for making measurements indicative of the capacitance and/or the fluid interface position. The liquid lens can be calibrated using the measurements indicative of capacitance and/or fluid interface position as the voltage is driven across an operational range. A control system can use pulse width modulation (PWM) for driving a liquid lens, and a carrier frequency for the PWM signals can be varied to control power consumption in the liquid lens. The slew rate can be adjustable to control power consumption in the liquid lens.

Abstract: A printing operation using a gradient ink containment structure to test wetting characteristics of printing compositions. The gradient ink containment structures are arranged in columns with gaps between adjacent structures. These gaps may increase when progressing through the column of gradient ink containment structures. The top surfaces of the gradient ink containment structures define geometric shapes that may vary in area when progressing through the column of gradient ink containment structures.

Abstract: A printing operation using a gradient ink containment structure to test wetting characteristics of printing compositions. The gradient ink containment structures are arranged in columns with gaps between adjacent structures. These gaps may increase when progressing through the column of gradient ink containment structures. The top surfaces of the gradient ink containment structures define geometric shapes that may vary in area when progressing through the column of gradient ink containment structures.