Abstract: The disclosure relates to displays. In one arrangement a plurality of pixels is provided in which each pixel comprises a phase change material thermally switchable between a plurality of stable states. Each pixel comprises a switching device configured to heat the phase change material, and thereby thermally switch the phase change material, in response to a control signal. The switching device comprises a single electronic component capable of being switched between different states by the control signal and configured such that heat received by the phase change material of the pixel during the thermal switching of the phase change material of the pixel consists predominantly of heat generated within the single electronic component.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to displays. In one arrangement a plurality of pixels is provided in which each pixel comprises a phase change material thermally switchable between a plurality of stable states. Each pixel comprises a switching device configured to heat the phase change material, and thereby thermally switch the phase change material, in response to a control signal. The switching device comprises a single electronic component capable of being switched between different states by the control signal and configured such that heat received by the phase change material of the pixel during the thermal switching of the phase change material of the pixel consists predominantly of heat generated within the single electronic component.

Abstract: A device for detecting the location of an object within two or more at least partially overlapping sensing volumes of the device. The device is configured to illuminate the sensing volumes and generate a sensing signal individually for each sensing volume by sensing light modulated by any object in the sensing volume. Spatial encoding is applied to the sensing volumes. The device comprises a processor configured to determine the presence of an object in the sensing volumes based on the sensing signals generated for the sensing volumes and on the spatial encoding.

Abstract: A device for detecting the location of an object within two or more at least partially overlapping sensing volumes of the device. The device is configured to illuminate the sensing volumes and generate a sensing signal individually for each sensing volume by sensing light modulated by any object in the sensing volume. Spatial encoding is applied to the sensing volumes. The device comprises a processor configured to determine the presence of an object in the sensing volumes based on the sensing signals generated for the sensing volumes and on the spatial encoding.

Abstract: A tactile feedback actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a gap, and a surface layer above the first and second electrodes. The first electrode receives a first stimulus voltage at a first frequency and the second electrode receives a second stimulus voltage at a second frequency, and the first and second electrodes superimpose the first and second stimulus voltages to generate a total voltage that has a beat frequency less than a perception threshold frequency. An object in contact with a portion of the surface layer is caused to vibrate at the beat frequency. The first electrode and the second electrode may constitute an electrode array including a plurality of column electrode segments, and a plurality of row electrode segments. An object in contact with a portion of the surface layer above one or more electrode segments is caused to vibrate at the beat frequency.

Abstract: A tactile feedback actuator includes a first electrode and a second electrode separated by a gap, and a surface layer above the first and second electrodes. The first electrode receives a first stimulus voltage at a first frequency and the second electrode receives a second stimulus voltage at a second frequency, and the first and second electrodes superimpose the first and second stimulus voltages to generate a total voltage that has a beat frequency less than a perception threshold frequency. An object in contact with a portion of the surface layer is caused to vibrate at the beat frequency. The first electrode and the second electrode may constitute an electrode array including a plurality of column electrode segments, and a plurality of row electrode segments. An object in contact with a portion of the surface layer above one or more electrode segments is caused to vibrate at the beat frequency.

Abstract: A sensor array includes a plurality of pixel sensor circuits; and a current-mode readout circuit to sample signals generated in each pixel sensor circuit; and addressing circuitry to individually select each pixel sensor circuit. Each pixel sensor circuit includes: a transducer and an amplifying element coupled to the transducer and configured to output a signal current which varies as a function of a measured physical property. The current-mode readout circuit includes: a sense signal line coupled to each of the amplifying elements in order to monitor the voltage presented across the amplifying element of the selected pixel sensor circuit; a drive signal line coupled to an output of each of the amplifying elements in order to provide a constant bias voltage to the amplifying element of the selected pixel sensor circuit; and a current conveyor circuit coupled to the sense signal line and drive signal line.