Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate with a semiconductor surface layer having a first conductivity type and a top surface, a diode including a buried region within the surface layer, the buried region having an opposite second conductivity type and being spaced apart from the top surface by a portion of the semiconductor surface layer having the first conductivity type, a dielectric layer over the surface layer, and a metal layer located over the dielectric layer and including an aperture extending laterally in a first direction over the semiconductor surface layer and laterally spaced apart from the buried region in a second direction.

Abstract: An inductive current digital-to-analog converter (DAC) includes: a power supply input adapted to be coupled to a power supply; a load terminal adapted to be coupled to a load; an inductor between the power supply input and the load terminal; and inductor current control circuitry. The inductor current control circuitry has: a sense signal input configured to receive a sense signal representative of the inductor current; a control code input configured to receive a control code; a set of switches having respective control terminals; and a set of control circuit outputs coupled to the respective control terminals of the set of switches. The inductor current control circuitry is configured to adjust control signals provided to the set of control circuit outputs based on the sense signal and the control code.

Abstract: A resonant line driver for driving capacitive-loads includes a driver series-coupled to an energy transfer inductor L1, driving signal energy at a signal frequency through L1. A switch array is controlled to switch L1 between multiple electrodes according to a switching sequence, each electrode characterized by a load capacitance CL. L1 and CL form a resonator circuit in which signal energy cycles between L1 and CL at the signal frequency. The switch array switches L1 between a current electrode and a next electrode at a zero_crossing when signal energy in the energy transfer inductor is at a maximum and signal energy in the load capacitance of the current electrode is at a minimum. An amplitude control loop controls signal energy delivered to the L1CL resonator circuit, and a frequency control loop controls signal frequency/phase. In an example application, the resonant driver provides line drive for a mutual capacitance touch screen.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a binocular viewing system. In one embodiment, the binocular viewing system includes a binocular viewer and a computer. The binocular viewer has left and right display screens and a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between and separate from the display screens and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer. The computer is configured to provide control signals to the binocular viewer. The control signals are operable to place images on the left and right display screens and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. The images include a plurality of objects controlled by the variable focal depth optical subsystem to make at least one of the plurality of objects appear closer to the user and at least one of another of said plurality of objects appear farther away from the user.

Abstract: A switch monitoring system is provides information on sensor readings and contact closures over a one-wire network or a loop.

Abstract: A touch screen system includes a capacitive touch screen (1) including a plurality of row conductors (7-1, 2 . . . n) and a column conductor (5-1). A plurality of contemporaneous orthogonal excitation signals (S1(t), S2 (t) . . . Sn(t)) are simultaneously driven onto the row conductors, respectively. The capacitively coupled signals on the column conductor may be influenced by a touch (10) on the capacitive touch screen. Receiver circuitry (50) includes a sense amplifier (21-1) coupled to generate an amplifier output signal (r1(t)) in response to signals capacitively coupled onto the column conductor. WHT-based circuitry (35) determines amounts of signal contribution capacitively coupled by each of the excitation signals, respectively, to the amplifier output signal.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a handheld vision tester. In this particular embodiment, the handheld vision tester comprises a display, cursor control, and an interface port. The display delivers vision tests to a user. The user interacts with the vision tests by using the display and cursor control. The interface port allows for communication of results of the vision tests from the handheld tester to external devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an embodiment of a calibration system for use with a vision tester having a display. In this particular embodiment, the calibration system comprises a calibration stand and a reflective surface. The calibration stand is configured to hold the vision tester. The reflective surface is coupled to the calibration stand and is oriented substantially parallel to the display. The calibration stand is configured to hold the display of the vision tester at a fixed distance from the reflective surface.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure provides a binocular viewing system. In one embodiment, the binocular viewing system includes a binocular viewer and a computer. The binocular viewer has left and right display screens and a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between and separate from the display screens and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer. The computer is configured to provide control signals to the binocular viewer. The control signals are operable to place images on the left and right display screens and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. The images include a plurality of objects controlled by the variable focal depth optical subsystem to make at least one of the plurality of objects appear closer to the user and at least one of another of said plurality of objects appear farther away from the user.

Abstract: A resonant line driver for driving capacitive-loads includes a driver series-coupled to an energy transfer inductor L1, driving signal energy at a signal frequency through L1. A switch array is controlled to switch L1 between multiple electrodes according to a switching sequence, each electrode characterized by a load capacitance CL. L1 and CL form a resonator circuit in which signal energy cycles between L1 and CL at the signal frequency. The switch array switches L1 between a current electrode and a next electrode at a zero_crossing when signal energy in the energy transfer inductor is at a maximum and signal energy in the load capacitance of the current electrode is at a minimum. An amplitude control loop controls signal energy delivered to the L1CL resonator circuit, and a frequency control loop controls signal frequency/phase. In an example application, the resonant driver provides line drive for a mutual capacitance touch screen.

Abstract: A switch monitoring system is provides information on sensor readings and contact closures over a one-wire network or a loop

Abstract: A binocular viewer, a method of measuring and training vision that uses a binocular viewer and a vision measurement and training system that employs a computer to control the binocular viewer. In one embodiment, the binocular viewer has left and right display elements and comprises: (1) a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between the display elements and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer and (2) a control input coupled to the left and right display elements and the variable focal depth optical subsystem and configured to receive control signals operable to place images on the left and right display elements and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. In another embodiment, the binocular viewer lacks the variable focal depth optical subsystem, but the images include at least one feature unique to one of the left and right display elements.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided an embodiment of a calibration system for use with a vision tester having a display. In this particular embodiment, the calibration system comprises a calibration stand and a reflective surface. The calibration stand is configured to hold the vision tester. The reflective surface is coupled to the calibration stand and is oriented substantially parallel to the display. The calibration stand is configured to hold the display of the vision tester at a fixed distance from the reflective surface.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a handheld vision tester. In this particular embodiment, the handheld vision tester comprises a display, cursor control, and an interface port. The display delivers vision tests to a user. The user interacts with the vision tests by using the display and cursor control. The interface port allows for communication of results of the vision tests from the handheld tester to external devices.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a handheld vision tester comprising a display, cursor control, interface port, and camera. The display delivers a series of images making up vision tests to a user who interacts with the vision tests by using the display and cursor control of the handheld vision tester. The camera verifies the user is taking the vision tests. The results of the vision tests are stored in the handheld communication device. The interface port allows for communication of the stored results of the vision tests with external devices. In another aspect, there is provided a calibration system for the handheld vision tester. The calibration system includes a stand to hold the handheld vision tester and a reflective surface substantially parallel to a display of the handheld vision tester.

Abstract: A MEMS may integrate movable MEMS parts, such as mechanical elements, flexible membranes, and sensors, with the low-cost device package, leaving the electronics and signal-processing parts in the integrated circuitry of the semiconductor chip. The package may be a leadframe-based plastic molded body having an opening through the thickness of the body. The movable part may be anchored in the body and extend at least partially across the opening. The chip may be flip-assembled to the leads to span across the foil, and may be separated from the foil by a gap. The leadframe may be a prefabricated piece part, or may be fabricated in a process flow with metal deposition on a sacrificial carrier and patterning of the metal layer. The resulting leadframe may be flat or may have an offset structure useful for stacked package-on-package devices.

Abstract: A binocular viewer, a method of measuring and training vision that uses a binocular viewer and a vision measurement and training system that employs a computer to control the binocular viewer. In one embodiment, the binocular viewer has left and right display elements and comprises: (1) a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between the display elements and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer and (2) a control input coupled to the left and right display elements and the variable focal depth optical subsystem and configured to receive control signals operable to place images on the left and right display elements and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. In another embodiment, the binocular viewer lacks the variable focal depth optical subsystem, but the images include at least one feature unique to one of the left and right display elements.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS device is disclosed. A metal layer is provided over a first surface of a substrate including over an opening. The metal layer is patterned to define a membrane segment and a pad, with the membrane segment extending at least partially across the opening. An integrated circuit chip is attached over the opening to the membrane segment and pad, with the integrated circuit separated from an extending portion of the membrane segment by a gap. The integrated circuit chip includes a conductive member so that deflection of the extending portion relative to the conductive member can be measured as a change in capacitance.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a MEMS device is disclosed. A metal layer is provided over a first surface of a substrate including over an opening. The metal layer is patterned to define a membrane segment and a pad, with the membrane segment extending at least partially across the opening. An integrated circuit chip is attached over the opening to the membrane segment and pad, with the integrated circuit separated from an extending portion of the membrane segment by a gap. The integrated circuit chip includes a conductive member so that deflection of the extending portion relative to the conductive member can be measured as a change in capacitance.

Abstract: A binocular viewer, a method of measuring and training vision that uses a binocular viewer and a vision measurement and training system that employs a computer to control the binocular viewer. In one embodiment, the binocular viewer has left and right display elements and comprises: (1) a variable focal depth optical subsystem located in an optical path between the display elements and a user when the user uses the binocular viewer and (2) a control input coupled to the left and right display elements and the variable focal depth optical subsystem and configured to receive control signals operable to place images on the left and right display elements and vary a focal depth of the variable focal depth optical subsystem. In another embodiment, the binocular viewer lacks the variable focal depth optical subsystem, but the images include at least one feature unique to one of the left and right display elements.