Abstract: Adaptive optical zoom systems and methods are described herein. One example of a method for adaptive optical zoom includes receiving an image at a focal plane array through a number of variable focal length elements, determining a quality of the image, and altering an amperage of the number of variable focal length elements to increase the quality of the image.

Abstract: A single cell apparatus and method for single ion addressing are described herein. One apparatus includes a single cell configured to set a frequency, intensity, and a polarization of a laser, shutter the laser, align the shuttered laser to an ion in an ion trap such that the ion fluoresces light and/or performs a quantum operation, and detect the light fluoresced from the ion.

Abstract: An HVAC controller such as a thermostat may include a housing having an aperture formed within the housing and a proximity sensor that is disposed within the housing proximate the aperture. The proximity sensor may include a sense die that has a first IR detector and a second IR detector, and a lens element disposed in front of the sense die. The lens element may be shifted to one side to preferentially direct incident IR energy to the first IR detector at the expense of the second IR detector. An IR energy transparent element may be disposed in front of the lens element, and may include a portion that fits into and seals the aperture formed within the housing. A controller may be configured to receive an electrical signal from the proximity sensor indicating an approach of an individual towards the thermostat, and in response, wake-up a user interface.

Abstract: A single cell apparatus and method for single ion addressing are described herein. One apparatus includes a single cell configured to set a frequency, intensity, and a polarization of a laser, shutter the laser, align the shuttered laser to an ion in an ion trap such that the ion fluoresces light and/or performs a quantum operation, and detect the light fluoresced from the ion.

Abstract: Adaptive optical zoom systems and methods are described herein. One example of a system for adaptive optical zoom includes a number of variable focal length elements aligned to receive an image through an aperture, wherein the aperture is smaller than at least one of the number of variable focal length elements, a focal plane array aligned to receive the image, and a computing device coupled to the number of variable focal length elements.

Abstract: Aspheric variable focal length lens systems and methods are described herein. One example of a system for aspheric variable focal length lens includes a first surface coupled to a second surface by a number of concentric rings that creates a void, wherein the first surface is a variable aspheric surface, an optical material within the void between the first surface and the second surface, a first actuator located at a first end of the first surface and a first end of the second surface, and a second actuator located at a second end of the first surface and a second end of the second surface.

Abstract: Adaptive optical zoom systems and methods are described herein. One example of a system for adaptive optical zoom includes a number of variable focal length elements aligned to receive an image through an aperture, wherein the aperture is smaller than at least one of the number of variable focal length elements, a focal plane array aligned to receive the image, and a computing device coupled to the number of variable focal length elements.

Abstract: Aspheric variable focal length lens systems and methods are described herein. One example of a system for aspheric variable focal length lens includes a first surface coupled to a second surface by a number of concentric rings that creates a void, wherein the first surface is a variable aspheric surface, an optical material within the void between the first surface and the second surface, a first actuator located at a first end of the first surface and a first end of the second surface, and a second actuator located at a second end of the first surface and a second end of the second surface.

Abstract: An HVAC controller such as a thermostat may include a housing having an aperture formed within the housing and a proximity sensor that is disposed within the housing proximate the aperture. The proximity sensor may include a sense die that has a first IR detector and a second IR detector, and a lens element disposed in front of the sense die. The lens element may be shifted to one side to preferentially direct incident IR energy to the first IR detector at the expense of the second IR detector. An IR energy transparent element may be disposed in front of the lens element, and may include a portion that fits into and seals the aperture formed within the housing. A controller may be configured to receive an electrical signal from the proximity sensor indicating an approach of an individual towards the thermostat, and in response, wake-up a user interface.

Abstract: Adaptive optical zoom systems and methods are described herein. One example of a method for adaptive optical zoom includes receiving an image at a focal plane array through a number of variable focal length elements, determining a quality of the image, and altering an amperage of the number of variable focal length elements to increase the quality of the image.