Abstract: The present invention provides a micromirror array with iris function that comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to provide an adjustable aperture having a plurality of aperture sizes by controlling motions of the micromirrors. The adjustable aperture controls the amount of incident light admitted to an image sensor by changing the aperture size. Also, the micromirrors comprised in the aperture forms a Micromirror Array Lens having variable focusing function.

Abstract: A discretely controlled micromirror device provides multiple motions of a micromirror using stepper plate and micromirror bottom support. The discretely controlled micromirror device can be controlled in a low driving voltage. Also, simple motion control is applied by digital controlling and only single voltage is needed for driving the micromirror motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromirror array with iris function that comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to provide an adjustable aperture having a plurality of aperture sizes by controlling motions of the micromirrors. The adjustable aperture controls the amount of incident light admitted to an image sensor by changing the aperture size. Also, the micromirrors comprised in the aperture forms a Micromirror Array Lens having variable focusing function.

Abstract: This invention provides a Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens with reduced chromatic aberration over a broadband wavelength range of light. Conventional micromirror array lens uses phase matching condition. Therefore, the optical surface profile of Micromirror Array Lens using the same phase condition has a discontinuous surface profile. As the required optical power of Micromirror Array Lens is increased, the number of profile discontinuity of Micromirror Array Lens is increased. Therefore, the chromatic aberration is increased. To minimize the chromatic aberration, the number of profile discontinuity should be minimized. The number of discontinuity is reduced when the optical surface profile has a simulating base curve, called a translation contour with optical power. Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens is invented to reduce a large translational amount and chromatic aberration for large optical power lens.

Abstract: This invention provides a discretely controlled micromirror array device comprising a plurality of micromirrors. The discretely controlled micromirror array device forms multiple surface profiles, wherein the rotational and translational motion of each micromirror is discretely controlled by selectively activating different groups of segmented electrodes using a control circuitry. The discretely controlled micromirror array device is compatible with known semiconductor electronics technologies and provides structural stability and efficiency in motion.

Abstract: A compact image taking lens system with a lens-surfaced prism of the present invention comprises a prism, an aperture stop, a first lens element, a second lens element, reflecting mirror surface, and image surface, optionally an infrared cut-off filter. By introducing a lens-surfaced prism, the compact image taking lens system with a lens-surfaced prism of the present invention has many advantages over the prior arts in the field of invention, such as compactness in thickness, small number of optical elements, high performance of optical quality, enough space for optional elements such as an infrared cut-off filter and diversity in optical geometries.

Abstract: A MEMS (micro electro mechanical system) actuator with discretely controlled multiple motions comprises bottom layer, stepper plate, support, and motion plate. The multiple motion of the motion plate is generated by the electrostatically actuated stepper plates and geometrically predetermined supports. By introducing the MEMS actuator with discretely controlled multiple motions, simple motion control can be achieved by digital controlling and only single voltage is needed for motion control of the motion plate.

Abstract: The optical tracking device of this invention comprises a lens unit, a control circuitry communicatively coupled to the lens unit, and an imaging unit optically coupled to the lens unit. The lens unit comprises at least one Micromirror Array Lens, wherein the Micromirror Array Lens comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to have a plurality of optical surface profiles by controlling rotations or translations of the micromirrors. The optical tracking device of the invention further comprises an image processing unit, communicatively coupled to the imaging unit, configured to process the image information from the imaging unit and generates a control signal for the control circuit to control the lens unit. The optical tracking device of the present invention provides capability of tracking a target moving in a high speed, providing three-dimensional image information of the object, and compensating the aberration of the optical tracking device.

Abstract: The optical tracking device of this invention comprises a lens unit, a control circuitry communicatively coupled to the lens unit, and an imaging unit optically coupled to the lens unit. The lens unit comprises at least one Micromirror Array Lens, wherein the Micromirror Array Lens comprises a plurality of micromirrors and is configured to have a plurality of optical surface profiles by controlling rotations or translations of the micromirrors. The optical tracking device of the invention further comprises an image processing unit, communicatively coupled to the imaging unit, configured to process the image information from the imaging unit and generates a control signal for the control circuit to control the lens unit. The optical tracking device of the present invention provides capability of tracking a target moving in a high speed, providing three-dimensional image information of the object, and compensating the aberration of the optical tracking device.

Abstract: This invention provides a Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens with reduced chromatic aberration over a broadband wavelength range of light. Conventional micromirror array lens uses phase matching condition. Therefore, the optical surface profile of Micromirror Array Lens using the same phase condition has a discontinuous surface profile. As the required optical power of Micromirror Array Lens is increased, the number of profile discontinuity of Micromirror Array Lens is increased. Therefore, the chromatic aberration is increased. To minimize the chromatic aberration, the number of profile discontinuity should be minimized. The number of discontinuity is reduced when the optical surface profile has a simulating base curve, called a translation contour with optical power. Hybrid Micromirror Array Lens is invented to reduce a large translational amount and chromatic aberration for large optical power lens.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an array of micromirrors with non-fixed underlying structures which can be oriented to have principal rotational axis with no structural and mechanical interference and with no electrical conflict. The micromirror array in the present invention can reproduce various surfaces including spherical, aspherical (e.g. parabolic, hyperbolic, elliptical, etc.), anamorphic, other than rotational symmetric profiles. With the newly introduced non-fixed underlying structure, the present invention makes possible for a micromirror array to generate a desired optical surface profile by simple motion controls and to improve structural stability, simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency in motion and motion control.

Abstract: A discretely controlled micromirror device provides multiple motions of a micromirror using stepper plate and micromirror bottom support. The discretely controlled micromirror device can be controlled in a low driving voltage. Also, simple motion control is applied by digital controlling and only single voltage is needed for driving the micromirror motion.

Abstract: This invention provides a discretely controlled micromirror array device comprising a plurality of micromirrors. The discretely controlled micromirror array device forms multiple surface profiles, wherein the rotational and translational motion of each micromirror is discretely controlled by selectively activating different groups of segmented electrodes using a control circuitry. The discretely controlled micromirror array device is compatible with known semiconductor electronics technologies and provides structural stability and efficiency in motion.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a micromirror device with multi-axis rotational and translational motion. Newly introduced structure of the top electrode plate improves structural stability, flexibility, and more motion efficiency of the micromirror device. The invention also improves controllability of micromirror motion by designing the appropriate flexible structure to generate desired motion. With side-by-side arrangement of the micromirror devices, the micromirror devices are built as an array to form a micromirror array lens.

Abstract: A power regulator includes a pass transistor, a feedback circuit, an error amplifier and a protection circuit. The pass transistor receives an unregulated first power supply voltage, and an output terminal of the power regulator outputs an output voltage varying depending upon a control signal. The feedback circuit senses a current flowing through the pass transistor and generates a feedback signal. The error amplifier compares a reference signal to the feedback signal and generates a control signal varying depending upon a voltage difference between the reference signal and the feedback signal. The protection circuit scales down a current flowing through the pass transistor by a prescribed ratio and changes a voltage of the control signal when the scaled-down current has a value higher than a prescribed value.

Abstract: The present invention provides a micromirror array device specially Micromirror Array Lens device structure and method for making the same. By introducing a sub coating layer and an over coating layer with a high reflective metal layer, the reflective layer of the micromirrors is protected from environmental circumstances, oxidation, degradation, acid, base, and galvanic corrosion of the micro-mechanical structures. Also the new coating structure enhances the performance of the Micromirror Array Lens by reducing degradation of the reflectivity of the metal layer, by providing anti-reflection in the optically non-effective area, and by protecting the micro-mechanical structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical micromirror device and their array device and method for making the same. By introducing a sub coating layer and an over coating layer with a high reflective metal layer, the reflective layer of the micromirrors is protected from environmental circumstances, oxidation, degradation, acid, base, and galvanic corrosion of the micro-mechanical structures. Also the new coating structure enhances the performance of the micromirror array device by reducing degradation of the reflectivity of the metal layer, by providing anti-reflection in the optically non-effective area, and by protecting the micro-mechanical structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small and fast zoom system using micromirror array lens (MMAL). Thanks to the fast response and compactness of the MMAL as well as absence of the macroscopic mechanical movements of lenses, the zoom system of the present invention fastens the speed of the zooming and reduces the space and weight for the zoom system. Also the present invention provides magnifying the area not on the optical axis and can compensate the aberration of the zoom system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a micromirror device with multi-axis rotational and translational motion. Newly introduced structure of the top electrode plate improves structural stability, flexibility, and more motion efficiency of the micromirror device. The invention also improves controllability of micromirror motion by designing the appropriate flexible structure to generate desired motion. With side-by-side arrangement of the micromirror devices, the micromirror devices are built as an array to form a micromirror array lens.

Abstract: A data amplifying circuit for an output driver has a swing level that is controllable according to an operation mode. The data amplifying circuit includes a mode responding circuit supplying an additional source current to a source node of an amplifying circuit in response to a mode selection signal. The mode responding circuit controls the supply of the additional source current in accordance with an operation mode. Another data amplifying circuit of a semiconductor device, according to the invention, includes a small-swing amplifier and a full-swing amplifier. The small-swing amplifier causes a swing level of the output signal to be relatively smaller, while the full-swing amplifier causes the output signal swing level be relatively larger. The small-swing and full-swing amplifiers are alternatively enabled in response to the mode selection signal.