Abstract:
Methods and devices are provided for processing sound signals, localizing sound signals corresponding to one or more sound sources, and rendering, on a wearable display device, an acoustic visualization corresponding to localized sound sources. A wearable visualization device may include two or more microphones for detecting sounds from one or more sound sources, and display devices for displaying the acoustic visualizations, optionally in a stereographic manner. A sound source may be located by processing the sound signals recorded by the microphones to localize sound signals corresponding to a given sound source, and processing the localized sound signals to identify the location of the sound source. The acoustic visualization may be a frequency-domain visualization, and may involve a mapping of frequency to color. The acoustic visualization devices and methods provided herein may assist in training the human brain to comprehend sound visualization signals as sound signal itself.
Abstract:
Metallization patterns are provided to reduce the probability of chip fracture in semiconductor lasers. According to one embodiment disclosed herein, the pad edges of a metallization pattern extend across a plurality of crystallographic planes in the laser substrate. In this manner, cracks initiated at any given stress concentration would need to propagate across many crystallographic planes in the substrate to reach a significant size. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the respective geometries and orientations of adjacent pairs of contact pads. Still further embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
Abstract:
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of evaluating the operating characteristics of a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) laser diode is provided. According to the method, a diagnostic electrical current is injected into the wavelength tuning section of the DBR laser to generate amplified spontaneous emission of light in the wavelength tuning section. Light emitted from the wavelength tuning section is absorbed by the gain section and photo current generated by the light absorbed in the gain section is measured. The photo current measured in the gain section can be correlated with an evaluation of the operating characteristics of the DBR laser diode. For example, the measured photo current can be correlated with a substandard operating characteristic when it departs from a given photo current metric by more than an acceptable amount. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.
Abstract:
A semiconductor laser source is provided wherein the wavelength selective section of the laser diode comprises a P+ type current confinement layer and first and second sets of interdigital heater electrodes formed over the current confinement layer. Individual electrode digits of the first and second sets of interdigital heater electrodes alternate in succession along a direction of optical propagation defined by the active waveguide layer of the laser diode. The first set of interdigital heater electrodes are positively or negatively biased relative to the laser diode cathode and relative to the second set of interdigital heater electrodes such that the relative bias is either less than the forward bias turn-on voltage of the P-N junction or has an absolute value less than the reverse break-down voltage of the P-N junction.
Abstract:
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a programmable light source comprises one or more semiconductor lasers, a wavelength conversion device, and a laser controller. The controller is programmed to operate the semiconductor laser using a modulated feedback control signal. The wavelength control signal is adjusted based on the results of a comparison of a detected intensity signal with a feedback signal to align the lasing wavelength with the conversion efficiency peak of the wavelength conversion device. Laser controllers and projections systems operating according to the control concepts of the present invention are also provided.
Abstract:
A semiconductor laser is provided comprising a semiconductor substrate, an active region, a ridge waveguide, a driving electrode structure, and a micro-heating element structure. The micro-heating element structure comprises a pair of heating element strips extending along the longitudinal dimension of the semiconductor laser. The heating element strips are on opposite sides of the ridge waveguide such that one of the heating element strips extends along one side of the ridge waveguide while a remaining heating element strip extends along another side of the ridge waveguide.
Abstract:
A semiconductor laser is provided comprising a semiconductor substrate, an active region, a ridge waveguide, a driving electrode structure, and a micro-heating element structure. The micro-heating element structure comprises a pair of heating element strips extending along the longitudinal dimension of the semiconductor laser. The heating element strips are on opposite sides of the ridge waveguide such that one of the heating element strips extends along one side of the ridge waveguide while a remaining heating element strip extends along another side of the ridge waveguide.
Abstract:
A fully automatic phase controller for non-coil armature type generator includes a starting control circuit and an automatic voltage control circuit, to fully automatically control the phase according to the range of the amplitude or the forward and backward movement of a pulse train, by means of magnetic saturation using a TRIAC and a voltage stabilizer. According to the present invention, the controller is very compact and inexpensive to manufacture, which helps to provide a stable voltage while the phase is fully automatically controlled.
Abstract:
A wireless communication device and method adapted for temperature monitoring and warning is disclosed. In its simplest form, it can include: providing (510) a multi-mode communication device including an unrestricted mode having an unrestricted operation temperature range, a restricted mode having a restricted operation temperature range and a warning mode having a warning operation temperature range; determining (520) if a temperature in proximity to the energy storage device is in at least one of the restricted operation temperature range, the unrestricted operation temperature range and a warning operation temperature range; and entering (540) the warning mode when in the warning operation temperature range. The warning mode can include a notification, banner or the like, to a user, to suggest that at least one active application be shut down.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor lasers and laser projection systems. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a projected laser image is generated utilizing an output beam of the semiconductor laser. A gain current control signal is generated by a gain current feedback loop to control the gain section of the semiconductor laser. Wavelength fluctuations of the semiconductor laser are narrowed by incorporating a wavelength recovery operation in a drive current of the semiconductor laser and by initiating the wavelength recovery operations as a function of the gain current control signal or an optical intensity error signal. Additional embodiments are disclosed and claimed.