Abstract: A display device for providing optical feedback includes light sources, each for emitting light in a different respective wavelength range, electro-optical elements defining pixels of an image, each for selectively passing light in one of the wavelength ranges and a sensor for measuring the intensity of light output from a portion of the electro-optical elements. To provide the optical feedback, a controller activates one of the light sources, alters those electro-optical elements within the portion of the electro-optical elements that are arranged to pass light in the wavelength range of a select one of the light source and reads out the measured intensity from the sensor. Based on the measured light intensity, the controller adjusts an illumination parameter associated with the select light source.

Abstract: An electrochemical device having an electrode plate assembly that includes: (a) at least one first electrode; (b) at least one second electrode; and (c) a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the electrode plate assembly including a PTC device. The use of the electrochemical device according to this invention makes it possible to efficiently manufacture secondary batteries with a simple structure, a high reliability and a high electrical capacity.

Abstract: In one aspect, a data communication system includes a modulator, an integrated acoustic data coupler, and a demodulator. The modulator modulates a carrier signal having a frequency in an operating frequency range in response to an input data signal and provides the modulated carrier signal at a modulator output. The integrated acoustic data coupler includes an acoustically resonant structure that has one or more acoustic resonant frequencies in the operating frequency range. The acoustically resonant structure includes a first thin film electro-acoustic transducer electrically coupled to the modulator output, a second thin film electro-acoustic transducer, and a substrate. The substrate supports, acoustically couples, and provides an electrical isolation barrier between the first and second thin film electro-acoustic transducers.

Abstract: A mixed-color light emitting diode (LED) apparatus may be made by forming a pixellated array of LEDs on a substrate, and then placing phosphors over at least some of the LEDs. The phosphors are chosen to convert light emitted by the LEDs to one or more different colors. The LEDs may be lithographically printed on the substrate, and the phosphors may be lithographically printed on the LEDs.

Abstract: Systems and methods of characterizing eye diagrams are described. In one aspect, at measurement times across a measurement interval spanning at least one unit interval of the input signal, corresponding levels of the input signal are classified into groups based on at least one threshold. An eye diagram characteristic width is derived based on a distribution across the measurement interval of the levels in one of the groups.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a system for assured reliability in DC to AC power converters with application to distributed power generation systems is presented.

Abstract: In one embodiment, light having a first spectrum is filtered from a mixed light. Light having a second spectrum, different from the first spectrum, is also filtered from the mixed light. An intensity of the light having the first spectrum, and an intensity of the light having the second spectrum, are then sensed. From the sensed intensities of the lights having the first and second spectrums, an intensity of light having a third spectrum is estimated.

Abstract: A pointing device having a laser in a handheld housing is disclosed. The laser generates a light beam that exits the housing. A beam steering assembly causes the light beam to move relative to the housing. The pointer includes a housing orientation sensor that measures the orientation of the housing. A controller operates the beam steering assembly to compensate for changes in the housing orientation. Embodiments based on housing orientation sensors constructed from a gyroscope and a camera are described. In addition to stabilizing the light beam location, embodiments in which the beam steering assembly also causes the light beam to execute a fixed pattern can also be constructed.

Abstract: Circuitry is included to recover the monitorable, e.g. GMII, interface into the path between the actual MAC/PHY device being used and the RJ45 connector to allow PTP circuitry to monitor the transmission and reception of the Ethernet Frames.

Abstract: A computer peripheral system comprising a computer peripheral and a mechanical input device adapted to initiate a conversion of mechanical energy to electrical energy. The computer peripheral includes an energy conversion device adapted to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy. The converted electrical energy provides power to at least one computer peripheral component.

Abstract: An incoming call destined for a personal voice communication device is responded to by providing a user alert in response to the incoming call and performing a courtesy hold process. In the courtesy hold process, the incoming call is answered, a courtesy hold message is sent as a response to the incoming call and, at the end of the courtesy hold message, the incoming call is put temporarily on hold. The courtesy hold process allows a recipient located in a telephone conversation-inappropriate location to answer the incoming call without needing to speak and then, while the incoming call is on hold, to move to a location where a telephone conversation would be appropriate to take the call. The call responding process may be performed by the recipient's personal voice communication device or by an intermediate communication device with which the recipient's personal voice communication device is in communication.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying images are provided. In the method, a pixel is provided that includes a layer of ferroelectric material and a layer of liquid crystal material. A first electric field is momentarily applied to the pixel to electrically polarize the ferroelectric layer to a first polarization. The first polarization is then used to maintain the liquid crystal material in a first orientation corresponding to a first apparent brightness of the pixel.

Abstract: A spatial pressure distribution sensor comprises a sensor array and a processor. The sensor array comprises an array of pressure sensors. Each of the pressure sensors is operable to generate a respective pressure signal in response to pressure applied to it. The pressure signal quantifies the pressure with greater than single-bit resolution. The processor is operable in response to the pressure signals to generate an information signal representing the spatial distribution of pressure applied to the sensor array.

Abstract: In one method, an operating current of an LED is varied and, at one or more values of the operating current, a corresponding voltage of the LED is measured. The measured voltages are then used as feed-forward variables to set the light intensity of the LED. In another method, an operating current of an LED is modified in a predetermined manner near its nominal operating value. At two or more values of the operating current, a corresponding voltage of the LED is measured. The measured voltages are then used as feed-forward variables to set the light intensity of the LED. Additional methods, as well as apparatus for performing these and other methods, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The area density of broadcast stations having respective service areas and broadcasting on the same channel is increased without exceeding a specified level of co-channel interference within the service areas by a method in which the field strength of the signal transmitted by the first broadcast station is monitored, and a field strength determining property of the first broadcast station is controlled in response to the monitoring.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating navigation information indicative of translational movement of a stylus including a ball rotatably mounted at an end of the stylus, a sensor system and a processor. The ball has an orientation-indicating property and the sensor system is arranged to sense the orientation-indicating property of the ball. The processor is coupled to the sensor system. In response to successive sensings of the orientation-indicating property, the processor is operable to determine changes in the orientation of the ball and to derive the navigation information from the orientation changes.

Abstract: An overhead running vehicle 10 uses an absolute position sensor or an encoder to detect its own position. The overhead running vehicle 10 then reports its own position and state to a system controller 14 via a communication line also used as an electricity feeding line. Further, the overhead running vehicle 10 intercepts reports from other overhead running vehicles 10 to avoid collisions or deadlocks. The system controller 14 and each overhead running vehicle 10 can determine the positions and state of other overhead running vehicles 10. This enables the system to be efficiently operated.

Abstract: A frequency modulated (FM) vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL). The frequency modulated VCSEL includes a mirror region that has an active region. The frequency modulated VCSEL also includes a phase adjustment region for use in altering the characteristics of the VCSEL. For example, by changing the index of refraction in the phase adjustment region, the wavelength of the VCSEL can be changed, resulting in frequency modulation.

Abstract: A method and a system for displaying images are provided. In the method, a pixel is provided that includes a layer of ferroelectric material and a layer of liquid crystal material. A first electric field is momentarily applied to the pixel to electrically polarize the ferroelectric layer to a first polarization. The first polarization is then used to maintain the liquid crystal material in a first orientation corresponding to a first apparent brightness of the pixel.

Abstract: An optical signal multiplexer/demultiplexer using an orthogonal pseudorandom (PRN) coding scheme for optical mode modulation to produce a plurality of independent optical signals that may be combined into one multiplex signal for transmission over an optical fiber to the receiving end, where the multiplex signal may be demultiplexed by relying on the orthogonal properties of the PRN code to isolate each independent optical signal from the transmitted multiplex signal. In channels subject to mode modulation distortion, one of the signal components may be used as a pilot signal to obtain a correction for channel mode modulation distortion. The PRN optical signal multiplexer/demultiplexer is particularly useful with polarization mode modulation.