Abstract: The pen input device has both a movement detection system and a position detection system that collectively track the position of the pen input device during a writing operation on a writing surface. The pen input device has a writing tip capable of performing a writing operation in contact with the writing surface. A controller is operable to activate the movement detection system continuously during the writing operation and to activate the position detection system intermittently during the writing operation. The movement detection system is operable to determine movement data that represent changes between successive positions of the writing tip. The position detection system is operable to determine position data that represents a position of the writing tip on the writing surface.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: Methods, machines, and machine-readable media storing machine-readable instructions for automatically scheduling meetings are described. In one aspect, a meeting request is received. The meeting request specifies a meeting duration, a set of non-fungible resources, and a number of required fungible resources of a specified type. A potential-meeting-time set of timeslots is determined. The potential-meeting-time set corresponding to a union of a first set of timeslots during each of which at least some of the non-fungible resources are available and a second set of timeslots corresponding to an intersection of each timeslot during which at least the specified number of fungible resources of the specified type are available. At least one timeslot having a duration at least as long as the specified meeting duration is identified in the potential-meeting-time set.

Abstract: An optical waveguide such as an optical fiber extends across a semi-rigid substrate or optical back plane and is made of conformal materials having indices of refraction selected to provide substantially total internal reflection of light transmitted within a core. An optical pin is made of substantially rigid optically transmissive materials. A receptacle in the substrate or optical backplane removably receives and holds the optical pin to allow a beveled terminal end of the pin to penetrate the core of the optical fiber to establish a gap-less interface that provides an optical path between the core and the pin.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: A universal fixture for testing a device, such as a bare printed circuit board, includes a plurality of addressable contact points. Each of the contact points includes a switch connected to a conductor capable of creating an electrical connection to the device. To obtain a measurement of a target on the device, two of the contact points on the universal fixture are selected based on the position of the target on the device relative to the contact points.

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: A universal fixture for testing a device, such as a bare printed circuit board, includes a plurality of addressable contact points. Each of the contact points includes a switch connected to a conductor capable of creating an electrical connection to the device. To obtain a measurement of a target on the device, two of the contact points on the universal fixture are selected based on the position of the target on the device relative to the contact points.

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: 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: Optical color sensor using diffractive elements. Semiconductor fabrication processes are used to form diffraction gratings as part of a photosensor. In a first embodiment, photosensors such as photodiodes are formed on a substrate, and diffraction gratings of fixed spacing are formed using the metallization layers common to semiconductor fabrication techniques. In a second embodiment, a linear photodiode array is formed on a substrate, and a diffraction grating with changing spacing is formed in the metal layers, providing a continuous color sensor. Other metal layers commonly used in semiconductor processing techniques may be used to provide apertures as needed.

Abstract: The piezoelectric isolating transformer is characterized by an operating frequency range and includes a resonant structure having at least one mechanical resonance in the operating frequency range. The resonant structure has an insulating substrate, a first electro-acoustic transducer and a second electro-acoustic transducer. The substrate has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. The first electro-acoustic transducer is mechanically coupled to the first major surface. The second electro-acoustic transducer is mechanically coupled to the second major surface. One of the transducers is operable to convert input electrical power in the operating frequency range to acoustic energy that excites mechanical vibration in the resonant structure. The other of the transducers converts the mechanical vibration to output electrical power.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: An optical retimer is provided that retimes an optical data signal entirely in the optical domain, thus eliminating the need for optical-to-electrical and electrical-to-optical converters, which are needed to perform retiming in the electrical domain. Eliminating these conversion steps also eliminates, or at least decreases, the potential for errors in the retimed optical signal, such as jitter. The optical retimer samples the optical data signal during a clock cycle that has been determined by clock recovery, allows the sampled signal to traverse an optical pathway for the remainder of the cycle, out-couples a fraction of the sampled optical signal each time the signal traverses the optical pathway, and amplifies the signal traversing the pathway to maintain the signal at the power level it had when it was sampled. By the end of the clock cycle, the out-coupled signal corresponds to a retimed version of the original signal, synchronized to the recovered clock signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, ones of a plurality of drive currents are modulated in accordance with ones of a plurality of unique modulation sequences. The modulated drive currents are then applied to a plurality of light emitters. Thereafter, a stream of optical measurements is obtained from a photosensor that is positioned to sense the aggregate light emitted by the light emitters. The stream of optical measurements is then correlated with the modulation sequences to extract optical responses to each of the plurality of drive currents. Finally, each drive current is regulated based on its relationship to its corresponding optical response. Related apparatus, and other methods for regulating the drive currents of a plurality of light emitters, is also disclosed.

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: An electrochemical device having an electrode plate assembly. The electrode plate assembly 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 first electrode includes a first current collector sheet and at least one first electrode mixture layer carried thereon. The second electrode includes a second current collector sheet and at least one second electrode mixture layer carried thereon. At least one of the first current collector sheet and the second current collector sheet has a conductive area and an insulating area.

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: 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 invention provides a current collector sheet for carrying an electrode material mixture for use in an electrode for an electrochemical device characterized in that the current collector sheet has a conductive area and an insulating area on the surface thereof.