Abstract: A finger-mounted data entry device that allows a user to enter information into a computing device without using a keyboard and a method of using the data entry device. The data entry device includes thumb contacts and finger contacts. The thumb contacts are positioned on the user's thumbs such that the thumb contacts represent rows of keys on a standard keyboard: a first thumb contact representing a base row of keys; a second thumb contact representing an upper row of keys; and a third thumb contact representing a lower row of keys.

Abstract: A keyboard and a method of arranging such a keyboard. The keyboard has a first side and a second side for providing information in an electronic device. The keyboard includes one electronic circuit located on the first side and another on the second side, and a spacer plate separating the electronic circuits. The spacer plate has a plurality of apertures to house a plurality of dome-shaped contacts, some facing the first circuit and some facing the second circuit. A plurality of keys located on both sides of the keyboard for pressing the dome-shaped contacts to make electrical contact with the facing electronic circuits. The spacer plate can be used as a light guide for illuminating the keyboard.

Abstract: An optical switch includes two optical input terminals, two optical output terminals, two reflecting devices and a movable device. The optical input terminals are used to receive light rays. The two reflecting devices are positioned at fixed positions, and the movable device reflects light rays. When the position of the movable device moves, the light rays are reflected by one of the reflecting devices and are selectively output from the optical output terminals.

Abstract: Provided are a color combining optical element capable of forming a good projected image on a screen surface while permitting scaling-down of entire apparatus and a projection image display apparatus using it.

Abstract: A device is used to hold an optical element, in particular one made of a crystalline material, in particular of CaF2, while the optical element is being coated, in particular by the vapor-deposition of at least one functional layer in a vacuum coating plant. The latter has a device for mounting the optical element, it being possible for the optical element to be heated in the vacuum coating plant via suitable radiation, in particular infrared radiation. An intermediate element which has a lower thermal absorption than the device for mounting the optical element is arranged between the device for mounting the optical element and the optical element.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an optical collimator array. The method begins by directing light through a first optical collimator to produce a first optical output beam. The first collimator is supported by a first carrier element. The first collimator is rotated about its central longitudinal axis to adjust a position of the first optical output beam on a surface that intercepts the first optical output beam. The first carrier element is then rotated about a carrier axis perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis and in a plane containing the central longitudinal axis to further adjust the position of the first optical output beam on the surface. The first collimator continues to be rotated about these axes until the first optical output beam is located at a desired position on the surface, at which point the first optical collimator is secured to the first carrier element. Next, the first carrier element itself is secured to prevent rotation about the carrier axis.

Abstract: A vehicular imaging system for capturing an image includes an imaging sensor and an electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is operable to attenuate light in response to a voltage applied to said electro-optic filter. The electro-optic filter is positioned along an optic path between the imaging sensor and a scene being captured by the imaging sensor. The imaging system includes a control for applying the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter. Preferably, the control is operable to selectively apply the voltage to the electro-optic filter in response to an ambient light intensity.

Abstract: A shutter switch that may be fabricated using a single wafer, which alleviates the alignment problem associated with a two-piece prior art design. The switch has a movable mirror that is designed for in-plane motion. The mirror is connected to a drive shaft that can be moved, e.g., using one or more serpentine springs and a comb drive actuator. During operation, the mirror is in either one of two terminal positions. The mirror moves between the terminal positions in response to a voltage applied to the actuator. The springs and actuator are designed such that small voltage variations around the voltage values corresponding to the terminal positions do not substantially displace the mirror from those positions. As a result, any electrostatic charge accumulation will not result in significant drifting of the mirror. Multiple shutter switches may be arrayed in a single integrated structure.

Abstract: A system for providing high-resolution color separation in electronic imaging. Comb drives controllably oscillate a red-green-blue (RGB) color strip filter system (or otherwise) over an electronic imaging system such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) or active pixel sensor (APS). The color filter is modulated over the imaging array at a rate three or more times the frame rate of the imaging array. In so doing, the underlying active imaging elements are then able to detect separate color-separated images, which are then combined to provide a color-accurate frame which is then recorded as the representation of the recorded image. High pixel resolution is maintained. Registration is obtained between the color strip filter and the underlying imaging array through the use of electrostatic comb drives in conjunction with a spring suspension system.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for generating a code sequence. A code-generation instruction is received from memory. One or more control signals are determined based on the code-generation instruction. A code sequence is generated based on the control signals, a current state input, and a mask input.

Abstract: A tunable modulator includes an epitaxial structure formed on a substrate. The epitaxial structure includes a waveguide for light guiding, generally in form of a ridge, a trench for thermal insulation and an integrated heating element which, when a current is passed therethrough, heats the modulator and in turn changes the effective bandgap. This alters the wavelength that is best modulated resulting in a tunable modulator in accordance with the present invention. Literature [1] Beck Mason, Greg A. Fish, Steven P. DenBaars, Larry A. Coldren, “Widely Tunable Sampled Grating DBR Laser with Integrated Electroabsorption Modulator,” IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 11, no. 6 pp. Jun. 4-6, 1999 FIG. 4. [2] Lucent/Agere Application Note TN00008 on electro-absorption modulators (EML), May 2000.

Abstract: A system for the production of a dynamic image for use in display applications includes a light source (16) which travels via a liquid crystal modulator (18) placed in the path of the light source (16). The output of the LC modulator (18) passes modulated light a lens ray (22) which itself guides light to an optically addressed spatial light modulator (24). The resulting real image from the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24) may be used in two dimensional and three dimensional displays. The addressing frame-rate of the liquid crystal modulator (18) is substantially greater than the frame-rate of the optically addressed spatial light modulator (24).

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical lens system (39) which is suitable for use in an optical scanning device (15) for reading and/or writing an optically scannable record carrier (9). The lens system comprises a first lens or objective lens (45) and a second lens or auxiliary lens (47) which is small in comparison with the first lens and which, in operation, is positioned between the first lens and the record carrier. The lenses are arranged in a lens holder (61). According to the invention, the lens holder (61) and one of the two lenses (45, 47) are manufactured as one integrated part (63) from a transparent synthetic material by means of a moulding process, and the other lens is arranged in the integrated part as a separate component, with a chamber (85) enclosed by the lens holder and the two lenses communicating with the environment of the lens system via an air vent connection (93). The lens system thus comprises only two parts to be assembled, so that the assembling process is considerably simplified.

Abstract: A method of mapping diagonal rows and columns of two-dimensional grid elements to rectangular rows and columns of two-dimensional grid elements. The method is of particular use with a spatial light modulator in optical equalization application.

Abstract: A programmable transducer device that includes a signal source (e.g., a sensor) and a transducer output to output a transducer output signal and to receive a control signal from an external control unit. The control signal is superposed on the transducer output signal, and is detected at the transducer output from a resultant superposition signal by a detector circuit. The transducer output signal and the control signal may co-exist on the transducer output. Advantageously, providing a programmable transducer device that is actuated by control signals conducted through the transducer output and does not need to be switched over to a special receiving state, ensures the uninterrupted transmission of transducer output signals even while the control signals are received by the programmable transducer device. In addition, no additional signal path is required for programming.

Abstract: Lighted headgear is provided to enable clear vision in poorly lit locations. The lighted headgear has lights, such as LEDs that generate narrow light beam cones. The headgear is preferably a baseball-type hat with the LEDs secured in small notches in the forward edge of the brim, or in light modules attached toward the brim forward edge. The lights can be similarly provided with a variety of other headgear types including rigid safety hats and rigid fire fighters helmets to name a few. In one form, the lights are positioned so that their respective light beam cones overlap to provide high brightness light in a conical overlap area that can be in the range of normal reading distances or at other distances depending on the intended use of the hat.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical modulator for transmitting data encoded in NRZ mode by modulating the intensity of a light signal, the modulator including means for shaping the light signal including shaping means for producing a signal of low bandwidth from an input control signal, and a laser modulator having a transfer function favoring the extinction time of the resulting light signal.

Abstract: A focal plane array has a plurality of detectors for each pixel of the array. The detector having the best operability for each pixel is determined and a custom microlens array is fabricated, with each lens having a focal point directed to the best detector on each pixel. A Multiplexer (MUX) similarly transmits signals from the selected detectors while blocking transmission from the non-selected detectors.

Abstract: An anamorphic lens for correcting aberration of a highly divergent beam from a laser source has first and second cylindrical surfaces having mutually perpendicular planes of symmetry. Each surface is defined from a generator polynomial including cross terms in two variables so as to correct aberration of light from a widely divergent source.

Abstract: An electro-optical assembly, consisting of an optical sub-assembly and a transmission line. The optical sub-assembly consists of an electro-optical component having an optical region and a first and a second electrode coupled thereto, and a conductive optical bench in contact with the second electrode of the electro-optical component, the optical bench being adapted to permit optical alignment of the electro-optical component while making such contact. The transmission line consists of a live conductor, a ground conductor insulated from the live conductor, and a port adapted to receive a signal. The live and ground conductors are coupled to the first and second electrodes of the electro-optical component so as to convey the signal between the port and the electro-optical component and to provide a direct current (DC) bias level to the electro-optical component independent of the signal.