Abstract: An apparatus and a method to be used for secured shipment of goods while monitoring location and status with one or more sensors embedded in the package of the shipment container. The apparatus is operated in sleep mode is used to preserve battery power and is activated to report sensor status by means of a touch sensitive pad or switch. Reporting of sensor status may be done with color code messages of various LED blinking messages and/or by wireless means that may include location.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for secure shipment of goods monitors location and status with multiple sensors embedded in the package of the shipment container. Encryption methods help ensure the shipped goods are authentic, and that the goods were not tampered with during shipment. Information placed in an RFID tag may provide the user with the history of performance during transit to ensure the quality of the goods from the shipment site to the receiving site.

Abstract: A controller (320) for controlling various operational parameters of the Laser Module (303). The modulation drive signal (300) causes the circuits in the driver (301) to send a signal to the output (302) so that the laser can send an optical power output (304) proportional to the drive signal (300). The control methods in Laser Controller IC (320) consist of control algorithms embedded in firmware. The Laser Controller IC (320) includes support circuits for control of a laser. Some of the distinguishing features in the present invention are 1) feedback information from the sensors is obtained in a synchronous manner as a snapshot of the laser performance, and 2) algorithms handle the entire set of controls in firmware. The algorithm feature allows for advanced servo controls, which precisely stabilize the laser, can accommodate adaptive controls, and can be leveraged from one laser transmitter design to another.

Abstract: A method and firmware for digitally controlling an electro-optical device include steps of receiving as input a first analog signal representative of a measured parameter from an electro-optical device generated by the electro-optical device in response to a second analog signal representative of a set parameter received by the electro-optical device, digitizing the first analog signal to generate a digital feedback value, subtracting the digital feedback value from a digital set point value to calculate a digital error value, calculating a digital cumulative error sum from the digital error value, calculating a digital control value as a function of the cumulative error sum, converting the digital control value to the second analog signal, and driving the electro-optical device toward the digital set point value with the second analog signal.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a method and apparatus for visual enhancement of liquid crystal displays. A microprocessor or embedded microcontroller associated with visual enhancement circuit modules allows a single inverter to control the intensity of illumination for an array of multiple CCFLs. The microcontroller continuously senses the operating currents of every lamp and adjusts for variations in illumination of individual lamps by parallel switching of capacitance that ensures an equal current is applied to each lamp. The microcontroller produces the appropriate control signals and executes a digital servo control algorithm to modify the currents for carrying out the luminance adjustments.

Abstract: A controller for an electroluminescent device includes an internal electroluminescent device system configuration database that includes configuration data stored in the controller for multiple electroluminescent device systems. A processor executes instructions from an application program module stored in the controller to perform a function of the configuration data for an electroluminescent device system selected from the multiple electroluminescent device systems in the internal electroluminescent device system configuration database.

Abstract: A method and firmware for digitally controlling an electro-optical device include steps of receiving as input a first analog signal representative of a measured parameter from an electro-optical device generated by the electro-optical device in response to a second analog signal representative of a set parameter received by the electro-optical device, digitizing the first analog signal to generate a digital feedback value, subtracting the digital feedback value from a digital set point value to calculate a digital error value, calculating a digital cumulative error sum from the digital error value, calculating a digital control value as a function of the cumulative error sum, converting the digital control value to the second analog signal, and driving the electro-optical device toward the digital set point value with the second analog signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for identification of a chemical or a biological agent using a handheld or portable unit in non-laboratory conditions. More specifically, the system uses a portable unit containing an array of tunable lasers, which are stabilized with a digital controller. The apparatus excites the sample under test with a narrow band light source used to excite fluorescence. The fluorescent response is detected with a broadband detector and digitized. The information is then sent through wireless means to a remote server where a database of appropriate signatures is used to determine the identity of the sample. The results are sent back to the portable unit or to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

Abstract: An electrical circuit includes a switch having an on state and an off state for connecting a single drive current power source in series with an electroluminescent device for each electroluminescent device of an electroluminescent device array to conduct a first drive current through the electroluminescent device in the on state. The switch connects an amplitude shift load in series with the electroluminescent device and the drive current power source to conduct a second drive current through the electroluminescent device in the off state. The first drive current and the second drive current constitute an amplitude shift modulated drive current through the electroluminescent device. A control signal generator receives a digital switch command for each electroluminescent device from an electroluminescent device controller and generates an amplitude shift control signal to cause the switch to switch between the on state and the off state for regulating an average of the amplitude shift modulated drive current.

Abstract: A controller for an electroluminescent device includes an internal electroluminescent device system configuration database that includes configuration data stored in the controller for multiple electroluminescent device systems. A processor executes instructions from an application program module stored in the controller to perform a function of the configuration data for an electroluminescent device system selected from the multiple electroluminescent device systems in the internal electroluminescent device system configuration database.

Abstract: A software enabled control method that allows dynamic configuration of the operation of a control system. The configuration can be done in a factory calibration or while the system is running in the field in communication with a Host computer. The Host computer may communicate through a serial or parallel I/O. Because the control system has an expert system with built-in mathematical models and intelligence for the system with luminent devices, once the software enabled control system has been configured and given set points for desired target performance, it will regulate performance of the system with a luminent device in a manner that does not require intervention of the Host computer. The system contains performance optimization monitors based on predetermined criteria. The results of the monitors are available to the user or a Host computer through one of the available I/Os.

Abstract: A computer system configured with an optical bus architecture is disclosed herein. The computer system includes a processing unit in electrical communication with a first optical bus interface. The computer system further includes a functional device in electrical communication with a second optical bus interface. An optical communication channel extends between the first optical bus interface and the second optical bus interface.