Abstract: The present disclosure provides numerous applications for the use of liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPGs) to controllably steer light. When combined with an image sensor, light generated or reflected from different fields of view (FOV) can be steered, allowing an increase in the FOV or the resolution of the image. Further, the LCPG can stabilize the resulting image, counteracting any movement of the image sensor. The combination of LCPGs and liquid crystal waveguides (LCWGs) allows fine deflection control of light (from the LCWG) over a wild field of view (from the LCPG). Further applications of LCPGs include object tracking and the production of depth images using multiple imaging units and independently steered LCPGs. The LCPG may be used in controlling both the projection and reception of light.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting motor operational state parameters from an electric motor for improved motor control and motor fault or failure detection are discussed. An exemplary system includes an excitation circuit to apply a drive voltage to an electric motor, and a processor circuit to measure a resulting winding current, extract a current waveform by oversampling the winding current in an entire PWM frame at a sampling rate higher than the PWM frequency, and fit the current waveform in the PWM period to a parametric model. The processor circuit can determine a motor operational state parameter using one or more of the applied drive voltage or the parametric model of the winding current.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting motor operational state parameters from an electric motor for improved motor control and motor fault or failure detection are discussed. An exemplary system includes an excitation circuit to apply a drive voltage to an electric motor, and a processor circuit to measure a resulting winding current, extract a current waveform by oversampling the winding current in an entire PWM frame at a sampling rate higher than the PWM frequency, and fit the current waveform in the PWM period to a parametric model. The processor circuit can determine a motor operational state parameter using one or more of the applied drive voltage or the parametric model of the winding current.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a Time of Flight (ToF) camera system configured to be operable in a proximity mode. In the proximity mode, the proximity of an object may be estimated by relatively delaying or offsetting the charge accumulation timing of multiple different columns of pixels of the ToF imaging sensor. The relative charge accumulated in those pixel columns is dependent on the proximity of the object and the relative time delays in charge accumulation of each column. Therefore, by reading out the charge accumulated in multiple different pixel columns and knowing the relative accumulation delay of those pixel columns, the proximity of an object may be determined. This enables the operation of the ToF camera system to be switched between relatively high power, full ToF depth imaging, and relatively low power proximity mode of operation, thereby rendering a single system as being capable of performing two different functions.

Abstract: Accurately measuring bio-impedance is important for sensing properties of the body. Unfortunately, contact impedances can significantly degrade the accuracy of bio-impedance measurements. To address this issue, circuitry for implementing a four-wire impedance measurement can be configured to make multiple current measurements. The multiple current measurements set up a system of equations to allow the unknown bio-impedance and contact impedances to be derived. The result is an accurate bio-impedance measurement that is not negatively impacted by large contact impedances. Moreover, bad contacts with undesirably large impedances can be identified.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Accurately measuring bio-impedance is important for sensing properties of the body. Unfortunately, contact impedances can significantly degrade the accuracy of bio-impedance measurements. To address this issue, circuitry for implementing a four-wire impedance measurement can be configured to make multiple current measurements. The multiple current measurements set up a system of equations to allow the unknown bio-impedance and contact impedances to be derived. The result is an accurate bio-impedance measurement that is not negatively impacted by large contact impedances. Moreover, bad contacts with undesirably large impedances can be identified.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting motor operational state parameters from an electric motor for improved motor control and motor fault or failure detection are discussed. An exemplary system includes an excitation circuit to apply a drive voltage to an electric motor, and a processor circuit to measure a resulting winding current, extract a current waveform by oversampling the winding current in an entire PWM frame at a sampling rate higher than the PWM frequency, and fit the current waveform in the PWM period to a parametric model. The processor circuit can determine a motor operational state parameter using one or more of the applied drive voltage or the parametric model of the winding current.

Abstract: Actuators are used to move a variety of objects to desired positions. It is generally desirable that they can do this quickly without exhibiting overshoot or ringing. Some actuators are required to respond very quickly and examples of these are voice coil drivers used to move lenses in autofocus cameras provided in everyday devices such as smart phones and tablets. A rapid two step controller scheme had already been disclosed by Analog Devices Inc. While the scheme works well, it can only be used reliably if the resonant frequency of the actuator is known to within 2 or 3%. The inventors have discovered that the resonant frequency of an actuator unexpectedly changes as a function of position. This disclosure provides ways of modifying the control scheme to cope with changes in resonant frequency.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides numerous applications for the use of liquid crystal polarization gratings (LCPGs) to controllably steer light. When combined with an image sensor, light generated or reflected from different fields of view (FOV) can be steered, allowing an increase in the FOV or the resolution of the image. Further, the LCPG can stabilize the resulting image, counteracting any movement of the image sensor. The combination of LCPGs and liquid crystal waveguides (LCWGs) allows fine deflection control of light (from the LCWG) over a wild field of view (from the LCPG). Further applications of LCPGs include object tracking and the production of depth images using multiple imaging units and independently steered LCPGs. The LCPG may be used in controlling both the projection and reception of light.

Abstract: Accurately measuring bio-impedance is important for sensing properties of the body. Unfortunately, contact impedances can significantly degrade the accuracy of bio-impedance measurements. To address this issue, circuitry for implementing a four-wire impedance measurement can be configured to make multiple current measurements. The multiple current measurements set up a system of equations to allow the unknown bio-impedance and contact impedances to be derived. The result is an accurate bio-impedance measurement that is not negatively impacted by large contact impedances. Moreover, bad contacts with undesirably large impedances can be identified.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to a time-of-flight imaging system and methods of using the same. The time-of-flight imaging system includes a light emitter comprising at least one one-dimensional array of laser diodes; a photosensitive element for receiving reflected light from an object; and a light deflection device configured to deflect light from the light emitter to the object. In embodiments, the time-of-flight imaging system includes a lens structure to deflect emitting light from the laser diodes at a predetermined angle towards a light steering device.

Abstract: A blood oxygenation sensor is provided comprising: a first current-powered light source to produce light having a first wavelength; a second current-powered light source to produce light having a second wavelength; a light sensor to produce a current signal having a magnitude that is indicative of intensity of light incident upon it; a current level driver circuit that includes a current source configured to couple the current source to alternatively provide current to one of the first current-powered light source and the second light current-powered light source; a processor configured to predict times of occurrence of one or more first time intervals in which arterial volume at a tissue site is at one of a maximum and a minimum; wherein the processor is configured to control the current source, to provide a first pattern of higher power-dissipation current pulses to the first and second current-powered light sources during the first time intervals, and to provide a second pattern of lower power-dissipation

Abstract: An embodiment of a position sensing system includes a signal generation circuit to generate an excitation signal according to a selected characteristic signal, a drive circuit to drive an excitation source with the excitation signal, an input circuit to receive a sensor output while driving the excitation source, a signal detection circuit to identify a component of the sensor output corresponding to the characteristic signal, and a control circuit to determine the position of the movable object as a function of the identified component of the sensor output. The positioning system may be included an electronic camera, where the movable object may be a lens. The excitation source may be a conductive coil, the excitation a magnetic field, and the sensor a magneto resistive sensor. Alternatively, the excitation source may be an optical excitation source, the excitation an optical excitation, and the sensor an optical sensor.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to systems, methods, and devices for eye gaze tracking. In embodiments, a projective surface, such as a virtual reality display screen or augmented reality projective surface, can project light towards a wearer's eyes. The light can be light representing the shape of the projective surface or can be a displayed shape. The light can be reflected from a cornea. The reflected light from the cornea can be received. A distortion of the shape of the projective surface or displayed shape can be used to determine an eye gaze position.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.

Abstract: Aspects of the embodiments are directed to time-of-flight (ToF) imaging systems and method for image processing. The ToF imaging system can include a depth sensor; a light steering device; a photodetector; and an image processor. The ToF imaging system can be configured to acquiring a first image of a scene by the photodetector; identifying one or more regions of interest of the scene from the first image; and capturing a depth map of at least one of the one or more regions of interest.

Abstract: A magnetic device may include a magnetic structure, a device structure, and an associated circuit. The magnetic structure may include a patterned layer of material having a predetermined magnetic property. The patterned layer may be configured to, e.g., provide a magnetic field, sense a magnetic field, channel or concentrate magnetic flux, shield a component from a magnetic field, or provide magnetically actuated motion, etc. The device structure may be another structure of the device that is physically connected to or arranged relative to the magnetic structure to, e.g., structurally support, enable operation of, or otherwise incorporate the magnetic structure into the magnetic device, etc. The associated circuit may be electrically connected to the magnetic structure to receive, provide, condition or process of signals of the magnetic device.