Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090201570 | Electrophoretic Light Modulator - An electrophoretic light modulator includes a plurality of similarly charged particles comprising a first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic light modulator also includes at least one reflecting surface comprising a second optical characteristic different that the first optical characteristic. The electrophoretic light modulator further includes a pair of electrodes that create an electric field that causes the plurality of charged particles to obscure or expose the reflecting surface based on the polarity of the electric field. | 08-13-2009 |
20090295611 | Optical Digital to Analog Converter - According to one embodiment of the invention, a digital to analog converter for converting a digital signal to an analog optical signal includes a light source and a plurality optical switches. Each optical switch is responsive to a respective one of a plurality of bits of a digital signal to selectively allow transmission of light from the light source through the switch. The digital to analog converter also includes a light combination system operable to combine the light passed through each of the switches and produce an analog optical signal indicative of the digital signal. | 12-03-2009 |
20100026399 | Method and Apparatus for Effecting Stable Operation of Resonant Tunneling Diodes - A circuit includes a resonant tunneling device having first and second terminals, and biased to exhibit a negative resistance between the terminals, the terminals being coupled at spaced locations to a further section made of a material which has a plasma resonance tuned to a selected frequency. A different circuit includes a resonant tunneling structure with plural layers, including an outer layer coupled to a further layer made of a material which has a plasma resonance tuned to a selected frequency. Two circuit sections are respectively coupled to the resonant tunneling structure at spaced locations thereon. A bias is applied across the tunneling structure and further layer, and causes the tunneling structure to exhibit a negative resistance. | 02-04-2010 |
20100095786 | Passive Hit Locator System And Method - A system for locating impacts comprises at least one array of a plurality of carbon nanotubes, each carbon nanotube operable to emit electrical activity when compressed. The system also comprises at least one sensor coupled to the at least one array configured to detect emitted electrical activity from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. Furthermore, a computer is configured to determine the location of an impact on the at least one array in response to the detected emitted electrical activity from the plurality of carbon nanotubes. | 04-22-2010 |
20100220381 | Multilayer Light Modulator - A multilayer light modulator includes, a light modulating stack operable to transform an electrical control signal into a modulated optical signal. The light modulating stack comprises one or more optically reflecting layers, optically transmitting layers, and optically variable layers. The optically variable layer comprises a plurality of electrophoretic particles supported in a fluid. The multilayer light modulator also includes a bias generator coupled to the optically variable layers. The bias generator is responsive to the electrical control signal, wherein the bias generator creates a bias that changes the reflectance of the light modulating stack by causing the electrophoretic particles to move within the fluid. | 09-02-2010 |
20110134507 | Multilayer Light Modulator - A method in accordance with particular embodiments includes receiving an electrical control signal. The method further includes adjusting a reflectance of a light modulating stack comprising a plurality of layers by changing the relative location of a plurality of electrophoretic particles with respect to the remainder of the light modulating stack. The method additionally includes receiving light waves from a light source. The method also includes converting the electrical control signal into a modulated optical signal that selectively switches between reflecting or absorbing at least a portion of the light waves. | 06-09-2011 |
20120062328 | SELF-POWERED MICROELECTROMECHANICAL OSCILLATOR - Self powered microelectromechanical oscillators are provided for various applications. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a self powered microelectromechanical tagging or sensing system including a microelectromechanical oscillator having a characteristic frequency, the oscillator including a first substrate having a radioactive material configured to emit electrons, and a second substrate, spaced apart from the first substrate by first and second ends supported at spaced locations on the first substrate, where the second substrate includes a flexible material and is configured to collect the electrons emitted from the first substrate, and move toward the first substrate from a default position to an actuated position when a sufficient number of electrons have been collected, where, in the actuated position, a plurality of the collected electrons are transferred from the second substrate to the first substrate, and a circuitry configured to receive, from the oscillator by wireless communication, information indicative of the characteristic frequency of the oscillator. | 03-15-2012 |
20120081013 | Energy Conversion Device - According to one embodiment, an energy conversion device comprises a nuclear battery, a light source coupled to the nuclear battery and operable to receive electric energy from the nuclear battery and radiate electromagnetic energy, and a photocell operable to receive the radiated electromagnetic energy and convert the received electromagnetic energy into electric energy. The nuclear battery comprises a radioactive substance and a collector operable to receive particles emitted by the radioactive substance. | 04-05-2012 |
20120087389 | System and Method for Detecting the Temperature of an Electrophoretic Display Device - An apparatus includes a temperature detector coupled to a conductive layer of an electrophoretic display device. The temperature detector is operable to measure a leakage current that is responsive to a temperature associated with the electrophoretic device and determine the temperature associated with the electrophoretic device based at least in part on the measured leakage current. | 04-12-2012 |
20120105937 | Method and Apparatus for Modulating Light - An apparatus for modulating light includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a sealed enclosure. The first electrode includes a frequency selective surface operable to reflect light having a first wavelength, and the second electrode is spaced apart from the first electrode. The sealed enclosure stores electrophoretic fluid and at least a portion of the sealed enclosure is positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode. A plurality of particles are suspended in the electrophoretic fluid. The particles are capable of absorbing light having the first wavelength. In addition, the first electrode is capable of attracting the particles towards the frequency selective surface when an electrical bias is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. | 05-03-2012 |
20120299762 | RADIO FREQUENCY PARTICLES - Particle circuits for disrupting signals associated with a communication system or for marking a position of a device are provided. In one embodiment, the invention relates to a composite for generating radio frequency (RF) signals, the composite including a medium configured to adhere to a device for emanating communication signals, and at least one particle circuitry within the medium, wherein the at least one particle circuitry is configured to radiate radio frequency signals for disrupting the communication signals of the device. | 11-29-2012 |