Abstract: A method for delineating a metallization pattern in a layer of sputtered aluminum or sputtered copper using a broad spectrum high intensity light source. The metal is deposited on a polymeric substrate by sputtering, so that it has a porous nanostructure. An opaque mask that is a positive representation of the desired metallization pattern is then situated over the metallization layer, exposing those portions of the metallization layer intended to be removed. The masked metallization layer is then exposed to a rapid burst of high intensity visible light from an arc source sufficient to cause complete removal of the exposed portions of the metallization layer, exposing the underlying substrate and creating the delineated pattern.

Abstract: A laser projector display module for a handheld device may include an electronics module, a miniaturized light source module electrically connected with the electronics module, a scanner module electrically connected with the electronics module, and an optical assembly configured to direct light from the light source onto the scanner module. The scanner module and the light source module may abut the electronics module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming controlled stress fractures in metal produces electrically isolated, closely spaced circuit sub-entities for use on a metallized printed wiring board. A polymeric substrate has a layer of metal adhered to the surface, and the metal layer is formed into entities. Each entity has a fracture initiating feature formed into it, which serves to initiate and/or direct a stress crack that is induced in the metal. The entities are fractured in a controlled manner by subjecting the substrate and the entities to mechanical stress by a rapid thermal excursion, creating a stress fracture in the entity extending from the fracture initiating feature. The stress fracture divides each entity into two or more sub-entities that are electrically isolated from each other by the stress fracture. The resulting structure can be used to form circuitry requiring very fine spaces for high density printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for microprojection that uses multiple imagers to produce a high resolution output image. Each of a set of imagers produces a portion of the final image. Relay lenses then tile the individual image portions together into a combined image. Because the height of the individual imagers is smaller than the height of a monolithic imager, they can fit into a very thin device. The combined image has a resolution equal to the sum of the resolutions of the individual imagers. The individual images are tiled together within the microprojector itself rather than on a projection screen. This allows the tiling to be adjusted once at the factory and set forever. In some embodiments, the light created for use by the microprojector is split by a polarizing beamsplitter. Each resultant polarized beam is then sent to an imager. Another polarizing beamsplitter combines the individual images.

Abstract: A projector assembly includes a multi-pixel frame projector that sequentially projects each pixel making up a frame to a viewing surface, a movement detector coupled to the projector to detect a physical movement of the projector, and a movement compensator coupled to the projector, the movement compensator operable to transmit a correction signal to the projector, the correction signal capable of causing the projector to compensate for the detected movement.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for microprojection that uses a “reduced-height” imager to sequentially display a series of partial images within one frame time. The partial images visually combine on a projection surface (e.g., a screen or a wall) into one high-resolution projected image. As a result, the microprojector projects an image with a resolution equal to the sum of the resolutions of the individual partial images while avoiding the use of very small imager optics with their lowered efficiency. For example, one embodiment projects exactly two partial images during each frame. During a first state of operation, a “half-height” imager displays the odd-numbered lines of the projected image. During a second state of operation, the imager displays the even-numbered lines of the projected image. By quickly cycling through these two states, no image flickering between phases is visible, and the combined image appears as a seamless whole.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for microprojection that uses multiple imagers to produce a high resolution output image. Each of a set of imagers produces a portion of the final image. Relay lenses then tile the individual image portions together into a combined image. Because the height of the individual imagers is smaller than the height of a monolithic imager, they can fit into a very thin device. The combined image has a resolution equal to the sum of the resolutions of the individual imagers. The individual images are tiled together within the microprojector itself rather than on a projection screen. This allows the tiling to be adjusted once at the factory and set forever. In some embodiments, the light created for use by the microprojector is split by a polarizing beamsplitter. Each resultant polarized beam is then sent to an imager. Another polarizing beamsplitter combines the individual images.

Abstract: A method for delineating a metallization pattern in a layer of sputtered aluminum or sputtered copper using a broad spectrum high intensity light source. The metal is deposited on a polymeric substrate by sputtering, so that it has a porous nanostructure. An opaque mask that is a positive representation of the desired metallization pattern is then situated over the metallization layer, exposing those portions of the metallization layer intended to be removed. The masked metallization layer is then exposed to a rapid burst of high intensity visible light from an arc source sufficient to cause complete removal of the exposed portions of the metallization layer, exposing the underlying substrate and creating the delineated pattern.

Abstract: A projector assembly includes a multi-pixel frame projector that sequentially projects each pixel making up a frame to a viewing surface, a movement detector coupled to the projector to detect a physical movement of the projector, and a movement compensator coupled to the projector, the movement compensator operable to transmit a correction signal to the projector, the correction signal capable of causing the projector to compensate for the detected movement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming controlled stress fractures in metal produces electrically isolated, closely spaced circuit sub-entities for use on a metallized printed wiring board. A polymeric substrate has a layer of metal adhered to the surface, and the metal layer is formed into entities. Each entity has a fracture initiating feature formed into it, which serves to initiate and/or direct a stress crack that is induced in the metal. The entities are fractured in a controlled manner by subjecting the substrate and the entities to mechanical stress by a rapid thermal excursion, creating a stress fracture in the entity extending from the fracture initiating feature. The stress fracture divides each entity into two or more sub-entities that are electrically isolated from each other by the stress fracture. The resulting structure can be used to form circuitry requiring very fine spaces for high density printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Light from a plurality of light sources is combined in a beam combiner. Photo-sensors are used to sense the intensity of each light source. Signals from the photo-sensors may be used to control the intensity of the light sources. The photo-sensors can be located in the beam combiner or located in the fringe of a collimated beam produced by the beam combiner. The illumination system has application in laser-scanning micro-projectors, for example.

Abstract: A low profile projector (102) for handheld devices (100) comprise a spatial light modulator (400) that has an aspect ratio that is increased relative to a standard video format and relative to an image projected by the low profile projector. The reduced height of the spatial light modulator (400) allows it fit within a thin handheld electronic device (100). An anamorphic lens (604,700) reduces the aspect ratio of the projected image relative to the aspect ratio of the spatial light modulator (400).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling light intensity from two or more light sources. A timing scheme is used to modulate the light sources. Light from the light sources is combined to form a beam and a photo-sensor senses the beam. In a time interval when only one of the light sources is activated, the signal from the photo-sensor is monitored and used in a feedback control circuit to control the active light source.

Abstract: A laser projector display module for a handheld device may include an electronics module, a miniaturized light source module electrically connected with the electronics module, a scanner module electrically connected with the electronics module, and an optical assembly configured to direct light from the light source onto the scanner module. The scanner module and the light source module may abut the electronics module.

Abstract: A handheld electronic device (100), e.g., cellular telephone handset, is provided with a color laser projector system (300) that includes an optics module (112) includes a large green laser module (316) and smaller red (314) and blue (318) laser modules in a compact arrangement in which the red (314) and blue (318) laser module are arrange within a dimensional extent D1 of the green laser module (316) in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction in which a green laser beam (426) is emitted. The optics module (112) uses a single photo-detector 328 to sense the intensity of laser beams emitted by the three laser modules (314, 316, 318). A prism can be used to direct light to a bare chip (804) photo-detector (328). Alternatively, a right angle mounted surface mount photo-detector (328) can be used.

Abstract: A laser image projector display system (200) includes laser operating electronics (208, 210, 212, 400, 500, 700) that selectively operates a laser diode at a bias that is low enough to save energy based on analysis pixel brightness values. The laser bias may be high enough that laser can be transitioned to a lasing state in time to display a pixel, or the system can “look ahead” into a stream of pixels and adjust the bias in advance.

Abstract: High quality epitaxial layers of piezoelectric monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying monocrystalline substrates such as large silicon wafers by forming a compliant substrate for growing the piezoelectric monocrystalline layers. An accommodating buffer layer comprises a layer of monocrystalline oxide spaced apart from a silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. The accommodating buffer layer is lattice matched to both the underlying silicon wafer and the overlying piezoelectric monocrystalline material layer.

Abstract: An optical communication between a first and second body portion connected by a rotatable member is established. A first optical fiber is attached to the first body portion and a second optical fiber is attached to the second body portion in a manner to allow the first and second optical fibers to be co-aligned with each other and with the rotatable member axis of rotation within the rotatable member. An optical signal emitted from a source on an input circuit board on the first body will transfer through the first optical fiber and be transmitted from the first fiber to the second optical fiber while concentrically aligned within the rotatable member, establishing optical communication between the source on the first body portion and a display device on the second body portion.

Abstract: An optical communication between a first and second body portion connected by a rotatable member is established. A first optical fiber is attached to the first body portion and a second optical fiber is attached to the second body portion in a manner to allow the first and second optical fibers to be co-aligned with each other and with the rotatable member axis of rotation within the rotatable member. An optical signal emitted from a source on an input circuit board on the first body will transfer through the first optical fiber and be transmitted from the first fiber to the second optical fiber while concentrically aligned within the rotatable member, establishing optical communication between the source on the first body portion and a display device on the second body portion.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for attaching a flip chip to an electrical substrate such as a printed wiring board. A bumped flip chip is provided, the flip chip including an active surface and a plurality of connective bumps extending from the active surface, each connective bump including a side region. A thin layer of an underfill material is applied to the active surface of the flip chip and to a portion of the side regions of the connective bumps. The flip chip is positioned on the electrical substrate, the electrical substrate including a thick layer of a solder mask disposed on the electrical substrate. The flip chip is heated to electrically connect the flip chip to the electrical substrate, wherein the underfill material and the solder mask combine to form a stress-relief layer when the flip chip is electrically connected to the electrical substrate.