Abstract: A sensor that is responsive to at least two distinct spectral bands, e.g., infrared radiation and ultraviolet or infrared and visible light makes use of the junction of a diode-based bolometer as a photocell in addition to its temperature dependence for detecting infrared radiation. More specifically the diode bolometer is arranged to work in the conventional manner, in that an electrical characteristic of the diode, e.g., the temperature dependence of its current-voltage (I-V) curve, is used as the basis for measuring temperature, and hence, infrared radiation. Additionally, the same diode may be operated as a photocell to detect radiation that is capable of interacting with the electrons in the junction of the diode. This may be achieved by detecting a change in the operating point of the diode based given its present biasing in response to noninfrared radiation incident upon the diode.

Abstract: A packaged MEMS device containing the micro mirrors has mounted on it at least two distinct integrated circuit chips, at least one of which contains the low-voltage digital-to-analog converts and at least one of which contains the high-voltage amplifiers. The integrated circuit chips may be mounted directly to the MEMS package, or they may be indirectly mounted thereto, e.g., by being directly mounted to a multi-chip module which is in turn mounted on the package. Thus, the MEMS package is employed in a dual role, 1) that of package for the MEMS device and 2) the role of a backplane in that it contains mounting places and the wires interconnecting the MEMS device and chips or modules containing the low-voltage digital-to-analog converters and the high-voltage amplifiers.

Abstract: An optically controlled switch includes first and second electrodes, a channel extending between the electrodes, and a light source positioned to illuminate the channel. The light source produces a wavelength capable of changing the material's conductivity. The channel includes a photosensitive organic material and is configured to operate as a light controlled switch.

Abstract: An optically controlled switch includes first and second electrodes, a channel extending between the electrodes, and a light source positioned to illuminate the channel. The light source produces a wavelength capable of changing the material's conductivity. The channel includes a photosensitive organic material and is configured to operate as a light controlled switch.

Abstract: A micro-machined transducer having a structure in which an acoustic enclosure is formed on a substrate above the plane of the substrate surface is disclosed. Forming the acoustic enclosure on the substrate above the plane of the substrate surface, rather than an acoustic cavity in a surface of the substrate, provides an acoustic cavity whose size is not limited by the thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: Acoustic dialers are widely used to dial telephone numbers by generating a pair of DTMF tones for each key being depressed. Non-linearities in telephone systems, acoustic dialer loudspeakers, and telephone microphones may cause interfering tones to be produced due to mixing of generated DTMF tones. These interfering tones are especially problematic when they are near the frequencies of the DTMF tones and have similar amplitudes. When these interfering tones are received by a receiver decoder, the decoder may be unable to distinguish the interfering tones from the DTMF tones, and consequently the decoder may reject the DTMF tones received. The present invention prevents these types of rejections by generating a supplemental tone in addition to the normal DTMF tones. This supplemental tone attenuates the interfering tones so that receiver decoders can distinguish the interfering tones from the DTMF tones.

Abstract: A unitary display and sensing device integrates liquid crystal display module elements of a liquid crystal display module for detecting input on a flat panel display screen with the capability for digitizing the detected inputs. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, display elements of a liquid crystal display module are modified to sense input on the display screen. An electrical signal is applied to modified display elements of the liquid crystal display module so that contact with a surface portion of the display screen produces an output signal indicative of its location. The integrated display and sensing device is active matrix addressed for finger input, but may also incorporate display systems for active pen input.

Abstract: The present invention provides a position-sensing system which employs sensors incorporating magnetoresistive materials. The position of a magnetic information input member is determined through the resistance change of the magnetoresistive sensor in response to the magnetic field from the magnetic information input member. Exemplary magnetoresistive materials are lanthanum manganites having high magnetoresistive ratios. Two-dimensional position sensing systems for graphics tablets are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for reading and decoding distorted data, e.g., bar code label or other symbology data, by fitting a scanned signal model j(t, .theta.), using a Deterministic Expectation-Maximization (DEM) algorithm, to the measured or detected data signal y(t). The DEM algorithm, which is a novel variation of the conventional Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm, enables the system and method according to the invention to determine the values of a plurality of parameters .theta. defining the scanned signal model j(t, .theta.) as it is being fitted to the measured data signal y(t). Based on these values, characteristic information such as data elements or symbols encoded within the image data are generated using conventional signal processing techniques. The use of the DEM algorithm advantageously deblurs the signal by reducing the effects of intersymbol interference. In an alternative embodiment, the DEM algorithm is supplemented by a conventional zero crossings decoding technique.