Abstract: Apparatus, packaging, and methods of manufacture of an integrated circuit are provided. The integrated circuit includes a component of a first type fabricated on a first substrate containing a first material, and a component of a second type fabricated on a second substrate containing a second material. The first material has better compatibility than the second material with fabrication and/or performance of the component of the first type, while the second material has better compatibility than the first material with fabrication and/or performance of the component of the second type. Also described, is a method of making the above-mentioned integrated circuit, the method including, among other steps, the step of disposing the first and second substrates opposite one another, and the step of establishing an electrical connection between the components.

Abstract: Methods for performing time-domain equalization of an information signal represented by an optical signal are provided. A representative method includes: receiving the optical signal; optically splitting the optical signal into beams; optically delaying at least one of the beams; detecting a plurality of the beams to generate respective electrical signal components; and combining a plurality of the electrical signal components to generate an electrical output signal representing the information signal. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: The differential drive circuit generates a differential drive signal having a root mean square value defined by a digital input value. The differential drive signal includes a first differential component and a second differential component. The circuit comprises a first differential component generator and a second differential component generator. The first differential component generator is for counting the clock signal to generate successive values of a periodic count. Each of the values includes a most-significant bit. The first differential component generator is additionally for generating the first differential component in response to successive ones of the most-significant bit of the count. The second differential component generator is for generating the second differential component in response to the digital input value and the successive values of the count.

Abstract: A semiconductor color sensor implemented without the use of color filters. Fabricating photodiodes using different semiconductor materials provide photodiodes with different sensitivities vs. wavelengths. A first embodiment uses photodiodes with different junction depths. A shallow junction depth produces a photodiode with its sensitivity peak in shorter wavelengths, while a deeper junction depth produces a photodiode with its sensitivity peak in longer wavelengths. Amorphous as well as crystalline structures may be used. A second embodiment uses photodiodes with different materials, such as Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) which has a longer wavelength peak sensitivity, and Silicon (Si) which has a shorter wavelength peak sensitivity in comparison. More than two photodiodes having different wavelength sensitivities may be used. Sensing current ratios between pairs of diodes allows color balance to be maintained.

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: A display device reduces artifacts in displayed images using an illumination device that includes light sources for emitting light and an illumination drive circuit operable to individually modulate each of the light sources. Electro-optical elements defining pixels of an image are each optically coupled to receive light correlated with one of the light sources. A controller loads data representing a portion of the image into those electro-optical elements that are correlated with a modulated one of the light sources modulated to reduce the intensity thereof.

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: A semiconductor color sensor implemented without the use of color filters. Fabricating photodiodes using different semiconductor materials provide photodiodes with different sensitivities vs. wavelengths. A first embodiment uses photodiodes with different junction depths. A shallow junction depth produces a photodiode with its sensitivity peak in shorter wavelengths, while a deeper junction depth produces a photodiode with its sensitivity peak in longer wavelengths. Amorphous as well as crystalline structures may be used. A second embodiment uses photodiodes with different materials, such as Silicon-Germanium (SiGe) which has a longer wavelength peak sensitivity, and Silicon (Si) which has a shorter wavelength peak sensitivity in comparison. More than two photodiodes having different wavelength sensitivities may be used. Sensing current ratios between pairs of diodes allows color balance to be maintained.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, apparatus is provided with a plurality of laser diodes, sensing means and control means. During normal operation, the laser diodes produce a mixed light. The sensing means measures light that is output by the laser diodes; and the control means 1) compares the measured light to a spectral reference, and 2) sets drive signals of the laser diodes in response to the comparison. In a related and exemplary method, 1) a mixed light is produced using a plurality of laser diodes of different colors, 2) a measurement of light produced by the laser diodes is compared to a spectral reference, and 3) drive signals of the laser diodes are automatically set in response to the comparison.

Abstract: An illumination device for use in display devices produces a spatial pattern of light at different wavelengths using multiple light sources and waveguides. Each light source emits light at a different wavelength. The waveguides define optical apertures that are spatially arranged in a predetermined pattern, and each waveguide is optically coupled to one of the light sources to produce the spatial pattern of light at wavelengths corresponding to the predetermined pattern.

Abstract: The differential drive circuit generates a differential drive signal having a root mean square value defined by a digital input value. The differential drive signal includes a first differential component and a second differential component. The circuit comprises a first differential component generator and a second differential component generator. The first differential component generator is for counting the clock signal to generate successive values of a periodic count. Each of the values includes a most-significant bit. The first differential component generator is additionally for generating the first differential component in response to successive ones of the most-significant bit of the count. The second differential component generator is for generating the second differential component in response to the digital input value and the successive values of the count.

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: An ultrasonic device determines a position of a user-controlled object within a virtual mouse region. The ultrasonic device includes an ultrasonic transmitter, spatially separated ultrasonic receivers and a processor. The ultrasonic transmitter produces an ultrasonic pulse and radiates the ultrasonic pulse into the virtual mouse region. The ultrasonic receivers receive a reflected ultrasonic pulse reflected from the user-controlled object within the virtual mouse region and produce respective reflected ultrasonic signals in response thereto. The processor determines the position of the user-controlled object within the virtual mouse region based on the reflected ultrasonic signals, and generates a position signal indicative of the position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided related to a system for imaging an object and a fiducial reference pattern that is projected onto or beside the object. The captured image of the fiducial reference pattern is used to detect a distortion in the captured image of the object.

Abstract: Systems and methods of detecting wireless channel status from acoustic discrimination of spectral content are described. In one aspect, a wireless system includes a spectrum analyzer, a detector, and a controller. The spectrum analyzer is operable to acoustically discriminate spectral content of an input electrical signal in multiple discrete frequency channels. The detector is operable to determine respective statuses of the frequency channels from the acoustically discriminated spectral content. The controller is operable to select one of the frequency channels based on the determined statuses of the frequency channels.

Abstract: A biometric identification device includes a biometric sensor, an encryption factor, and a microprocessor. The biometric sensor is operable to sense a biometric characteristic from a user and to generate data representing the biometric characteristic. The microprocessor is coupled to the biometric sensor and is operable to generate a user key based on the biometric characteristic and the encryption factor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention involve UV resistant liquid crystal cells. One embodiment of the invention is to increase the volume of the liquid crystal material that is stored inside the cell. For example, trenches may be used to provide reservoirs that hold the additional liquid crystal material. The inventive cell can be used as a SLM in photolithographic imaging systems.

Abstract: Sports equipment includes an embedded optical sensor. The embedded optical sensor includes an image array and a navigation engine. The navigation engine receives image information originating from the image array and performs a correlation on the image information to calculate overlap of images and to determine shift between images in order to detect motion.

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: A spatial light modulator for use in a photolithography system includes light modulation elements configured to photolithographically transfer an image onto a substrate using an optical oversampling technique to reduce defects in the transferred image. A first set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer a portion of the image onto an area of a substrate, and a second set of the light modulation elements is operable to photolithographically transfer the portion of the image onto the area of the substrate. The spatial light modulator further includes memory elements in communication with respective light modulation elements for storing data representing the portion of the image.