Abstract: A unitary sensor package having a magnetometer, accelerometer and gyroscope incorporated into a monolithic structure composed of one or more wafers or substrates. Pressure and/or other types of sensors can also be incorporated in the monolithic structure.

Abstract: An optical system for a head mounted display includes a light pipe having two parallel surfaces along which modes can travel by total internal reflection. An illumination element allows selection of modes so that the desired modes can be transmitted along the light pipe, either axially or by total internal reflection.

Abstract: A binocular viewing system provides images from electronic display elements to the left and right eyes of a user transmitted via right eye and left eye display assemblies connected by a nose bridging element. The binocular viewing system includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism to accommodate multiple users. Accommodation for vision correction and a focus mechanism may also be provided. Also, the binocular viewing system provides a virtual image at a distance less than infinity, in an arrangement that also accommodates a range of interpupillary distances. In other aspects, the binocular viewing system incorporates face curvature to more comfortably fit a user's head, and places the electronic display elements close to the user's eye, either in the line of sight, or within the nose bridging element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting devices such as micro-switches (100) and micro-relays from adverse effects of electrostatic discharge (ESD). A protection device is provided that includes a two terminal switch (102, 104) that can be actuated by an ESD event to protect an EDS-sensitive micro-switch or micro-relay from potential malfunction and/or damage. The two terminal switch is configured to close in less time than the micro-switch or micro-relay it is protecting, thereby disipating the energy associated with the ESD event without causing damage to the micro-relays which are provided with increased immunity to the adverse effects of ESD events. The micro-switch includes respective drain/gate terminal pairs at respective ends of the device. The micro-relay includes at least two drain terminals (106) and a gate terminal (102) at respective ends of the device.

Abstract: A binocular viewing system provides images from electronic display elements to the left and right eyes of a user transmitted via right eye and left eye display assemblies connected by a nose bridging element. The binocular viewing system includes an interpupillary distance adjustment mechanism to accommodate multiple users. Accommodation for vision correction and a focus mechanism may also be provided. Also, the binocular viewing system provides a virtual image at a distance less than infinity, in an arrangement that also accommodates a range of interpupillary distances. In other aspects, the binocular viewing system incorporates face curvature to more comfortably fit a user's head, and places the electronic display elements close to the user's eye, either in the line of sight, or within the nose bridging element.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for protecting devices such as micro-switches (100) and micro-relays from adverse effects of electrostatic discharge (ESD). A protection device is provided that includes a two terminal switch (102, 104) that can be actuated by an ESD event to protect an EDS-sensitive micro-switch or micro-relay from potential malfunction and/or damage. The two terminal switch is configured to close in less time than the micro-switch or micro-relay it is protecting, thereby disipating the energy associated with the ESD event without causing damage to the micro-relays which are provided with increased immunity to the adverse effects of ESD events. The micro-switch includes respective drain/gate terminal pairs at respective ends of the device. The micro-relay includes at least two drain terminals (106) and a gate terminal (102) at respective ends of the device.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical optical switch assembly is provided for an optical network. The switch assembly includes arrays of input and output optical fibers and optical components for selecting light paths that connect any selected pair of input and output fibers. The optical components include optical switching elements, such as torsionally supported micromechanical mirrors that are electrostatically actuated to rotate to direct the light beam along the desired light path. The mirrors are bulk micromachined into a semiconductor wafer, preserving their optical qualities, and formed into a chip mated to a cover. The package incorporates alignment elements to ensure correct position and orientation of the optical components in the package.

Abstract: A multi-layered structure is fabricated in which a microprocessor is configured in different layers and interconnected vertically through insulating layers which separate each circuit layer of the structure. Each circuit layer can be fabricated in a separate wafer or thin film material and then transferred onto the layered structure and interconnected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating pixel electrodes (44) for active matrix displays including the formation of arrays of transistor circuits in thin film silicon (10) on an insulating substrate and transfer of this active matrix circuit onto an optically transmissive substrate (24). An array of color filter elements can be formed prior to transfer of the active matrix circuit that are aligned between a light source for the display and the array of pixel electrodes to provide a color display.

Abstract: An electronic imaging system is mountable on a user's head without eyewear. The system provides a computer monitor image or other electronic display, such as television or data display. The system provides many of the functions and advantages of known eyewear-mounted displays, but without requiring the user to wear spectacles. The system can be fit to a wide range of users without prescriptive correction or other customization.

Abstract: A display panel is formed using essentially single crystal thin-film material that is transferred to substrates for display fabrication. The transfer includes the step of transferring the semiconductor regions onto a stretchable substrate. The resulting circuit panel can be incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.

Abstract: A micro-electromechanical optical switch assembly is provided for an optical network. The switch assembly includes arrays of input and output optical fibers and optical components for selecting light paths that connect any selected pair of input and output fibers. The optical components include optical switching elements, such as torsionally supported micromechanical mirrors that are electrostatically actuated to rotate to direct the light beam along the desired light path. The mirrors are bulk micromachined into a semiconductor wafer, preserving their optical qualities, and formed into a chip mated to a cover. The package incorporates alignment elements to ensure correct position and orientation of the optical components in the package.

Abstract: A display panel is formed using essentially single crystal thin-film material that is transferred to substrates for display fabrication. The transfer includes the step of transferring the semiconductor regions onto a stretchable substrate. The resulting circuit panel can be incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microfabricated spectrometers including methods of making and using same. Microspectrometers can be formed in a single chip in which detectors and light sources can be monolithically integrated. The microspectrometer can be integrated into a sensor system to measure the optical and physical properties of solids and fluids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating pixel electrodes (44) for active matrix displays including the formation of arrays of transistor circuits in thin film silicon (10) on an insulating substrate and transfer of this active matrix circuit onto an optically transmissive substrate (24). An array of color filter elements can be formed prior to transfer of the active matrix circuit that are aligned between a light source for the display and the array of pixel electrodes to provide a color display.

Abstract: A display panel is formed using a single crystal thin-film transistors that are transferred to substrates for display fabrication. Pixel arrays form light valves or switches that can be fabricated with control electronics in the thin-film material prior to transfer. The resulting circuit panel is then incorporated into a projection display system with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired light valve.

Abstract: A display panel is formed using essentially single crystal thin-film material that is transferred to substrates for display fabrication. The transfer includes the step of transferring the semiconductor regions onto a stretchable substrate. The resulting circuit panel can be incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.

Abstract: A method of creating plastically deformed devices which have a three dimensional aspect. Micromechanical structures are created from a material which is plastically deformable and then a section of the structure is bent to an out-of-plane position and can be maintained there without being supported by other mechanical devices such as latches or hinges. The bending of the structures may be done mechanically, by electrostatic forces or by magnetic forces. The bending can also be done in a batch mode where a plurality of devices are bent at the same time as part of the same process. Fuses can be utilized to allow only a predetermined number of devices to be bent in batch mode. The fuses are later blown, thereby providing a plurality of devices which are relatively parallel to the substrate as well as a plurality of devices which are generally out-of-plane with respect to the substrate.

Abstract: A display panel is formed using essentially single crystal thin-film material that is transferred to substrates for display fabrication. The transfer includes the step of transferring the semiconductor regions onto a stretchable substrate. The resulting circuit panel can be incorporated into a display panel with a light emitting or liquid crystal material to provide the desired display.

Abstract: A microelectric flow sensor including a deformable mechanical element is disclosed. The sensor includes a beam element mounted to a substrate. The beam element is anchored to the substrate on a first end, and deformed to a position normal to the surface of the substrate. An electrode is positioned on the substrate below a portion of the beam, such that when the beam is deflected, an electrical connection is established between the beam and the electrode. An alternate flow sensor includes a sensing beam surrounded by at least two cantilever beams which act as switches. The sensing beam is defined with two mechanically weak points which allow the sensing beam to be mechanically deformed to a new position approximately perpendicular to the cantilever beams and the top surface of the substrate. The substrate also includes electrodes which are positioned underneath the ends of the cantilever beams.