Abstract: The disclosure relates to aisle width sensor for a mobile storage system for determining the width between adjacent movable storage units, particularly when creating an aisle therebetween. The sensor includes a first bracket which is slidable with respect to a second bracket. The first and second brackets are attached to respective first and second arms of a scissor arm arrangement between the adjacent storage units. The sensor provides an output, particularly an analog output, which is proportional to the distance between the adjacent storage units and therefore simple to calculate and process for the central controller of the mobile storage system.

Abstract: A photoelectric encoder that has a lens optical system including a lens inserted between a main scale and a light receiving element. In the photoelectric encoder, three planes extended from a surface of the main scale, a principal plane of the lens, and an image plane of the light receiving element are disposed so as to intersect at a single point and satisfy the Scheimpflug rule. Focus can thereby be obtained over the entire image plane, so that a reduction in contrast is prevented, even if the optical axis is inclined to make an optical system smaller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to various optical elements, related manufacturing methods and systems incorporating the optical elements. In at least one embodiment an optical element is provided that improves a vision systems capability to accurately measure a spectral characteristic of a distant light source.

Abstract: An image reading system comprising a display panel with an image display area formed by a plurality of display pixels which emits display light and displays an image in a viewing field side corresponding to a display signal from the image display area; a transparent substrate which has a read area provided in a viewing field side of the display panel; a plurality of photosensors formed in the read area above the transparent substrate; a driver circuit section formed in an outer side of the read area as one unit with the photosensors; a transparent conductive film for electrostatic protection is provided in an upper part of a plurality of photosensors and the driver circuit section; and comprises a photosensor panel which reads an image of a detectable object placed on the read area that penetrated at least some of the display light emitted from the image display area.

Abstract: A trans-impedance amplifier receives an input current and is operable to generate an output voltage responsive to the input current. The amplifier is responsive to an increased range of input currents and has a wide bandwidth. The amplifier includes an input stage having a first and a second transistor and is configured to receive the input current. The amplifier includes an output stage coupled to the input stage and having a third and a fourth transistor. A variable resistor is coupled to the output stage to adjust the amount of current in the output stage. A variable current source is coupled to the output stage and is operable to adjust the amount of current in the output stage. A output driver, which is coupled to the output stage, includes at least another transistor. The output driver is operable to provide the output voltage and is operable to reduce the output impedance of the amplifier.

Abstract: An optical imager, such as a microscope for performing multiple frequency fluorometric measurements comprising a light source, such as a laser source is disclosed. The system is used to excite a sample into the fluorescent state. Light from the excited sample is collected by a microscope. The microscope utilizes conventional confocal optics optimized to have a very narrow depth of field, thus limiting the information collected to a thin planar region. Measurements are taken over the fluorescence lifetime of the sample simultaneously from the excitation source and from the excited sample. Information is taken in a matrix and comparison of the image matrix and the standard during simultaneous measurements yields output information.

Abstract: A scanning device for scanning a scale graduation for detecting relative movements of the scanning device with respect to the scale graduation. The scanning device includes a first primary sensor field and a second primary sensor field used for detecting relative movements along a first spatial direction. A first secondary sensor field and a second secondary sensor field for detecting relative movements along a second spatial direction, which is linearly independent of the first spatial direction. The first primary sensor field, the second primary sensor field, the first secondary sensor field and the second secondary sensor field are arranged point-symmetrically in relation to a mid-point in a plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for adjusting focus in an automated microscope. The method may comprise the steps of: providing an optical detector for image acquisition, wherein the optical detector comprises an array of sensor pixels; designating a region of interest in the array of sensor pixels to emulate a confocal aperture; directing a light beam to illuminate an object according to a predefined pattern, thereby forming an image of the illuminated pattern at the optical detector, wherein the image of the illuminated pattern substantially overlaps the designated region of interest; detecting a light intensity from sensor pixels located within the designated region of interest; and adjusting a relative focal position of an objective lens based on the detected light intensity.

Abstract: An electronic module adapted to sense light and configured to minimize the entry of stray light into the module. The module includes a housing having an opening through which light enters the housing, a first substrate coupled to the housing, a second substrate on the first substrate opposite the housing, and a chip on the second substrate. The first substrate defines a window aligned with the housing so that light traveling through the housing also passes through window. The second substrate defines an opening aligned with the window, and the chip is located over the opening in the second substrate so that a light-sensing element on the chip senses light passing through the opening. The module is equipped with features that prevent light from entering the module through the second substrate, the first substrate, and between the chip and second substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing position measurement information. For example, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a multiple-pitch grating is disclosed which is adapted to receive one or more laser beams and provide an output laser beam encoded with position information of the grating.

Abstract: A device for emission of high frequency signals is provided. The emission device is capable of emission of signals in the Gigahertz (GHz) and Terahertz (THz) range. The device may utilize, for example, a cantilever comprising a material that is capable of altering its electrical properties when flexed.

Abstract: An imaging system, methodology, and various applications are provided to facilitate optical imaging performance. The system includes a sensor having one or more receptors and an image transfer medium to scale the sensor and receptors in accordance with resolvable characteristics of the medium. A computer, memory, and/or display associated with the sensor provides storage and/or display of information relating to output from the receptors to produce and/or process an image, wherein a plurality of illumination sources can also be utilized in conjunction with the image transfer medium. The image transfer medium can be configured as a k-space filter that correlates a pitch associated with the receptors to a diffraction-limited spot associated with the image transfer medium, wherein the pitch can be unit-mapped to about the size of the diffraction-limited spot.

Abstract: A light receiving device 7 includes a sensor 10 for outputting a signal correlating to incident light on a detection surface 10a and a light receiving element 8 disposed in confrontation with the detection surface and capable of transmitting light. The light receiving element has a recessed portion 22 on the opposite surface of the surface confronting the detection surface. A wall surface 24 of the recessed portion reflects the light beam L2 from a lateral direction of the detection surface toward the detection surface 10a.

Abstract: A method of capturing an image of a scene includes providing an imaging device having an array of pixels. Each pixel is configured to provide a pixel output. The method also includes determining a frequency of light produced by a light source illuminating the scene and capturing an image of the scene using the pixel array. A first capture time for one or more pixels in the array is different from a second capture time of one or more other pixels in the array. The method further includes, for each pixel in the array, determining a relative phase of the light with respect to the capture time of the pixel, determining a compensating gain based on the relative phase of the light and the frequency of the light, and adjusting the pixel output of the pixel in relation to the compensating gain.

Abstract: An optical sensor circuit has a first optical sensor that outputs a signal according to the amount of received light on an opened light-receiving surface, a second optical sensor that is provided near the first optical sensor and outputs a signal according to the amount of received light on a shielded light-receiving surface, and a difference calculating circuit that calculates a difference between the output signal of the first optical sensor and the output signal of the second optical sensor and outputs the difference.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a movable optical element having an optical axis and including one or more focusing elements, an image sensor positioned along the optical axis and substantially normal thereto, and a radiation source attached to the movable optical element, wherein the radiation source directs a beam of radiation onto the sensor at a selected angle relative to the optical axis. A process comprising positioning a sensor along, and normal to, an optical axis of a movable optical element, projecting a radiation beam onto the sensor from a radiation source attached to the movable optical element, wherein the radiation beam is at a selected angle relative to the optical axis, and adjusting the position of the movable optical element until the position where the radiation beam falls on the sensor corresponds to the position where the radiation beam is expected to fall on the sensor when the movable optical element is in focus. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: To measure the characteristics of the surface coating of a moving metal strip, such as the alliation level of a coating including zinc and iron, the product is exposed to the radiation of a radiative source with a predetermined wavelength directed orthogonally to the surface of the product and the energy reflected by the surface is measured also in a direction orthogonal to the surface so as to overcome reflectivity variations due to the morphological characteristics of the surface and these operations are performed with the help of off-the-shelf optical fibres previously stripped at their free ends of their normal optical focusing accessories so that they can be brought as near to each other as possible and placed parallel to each other.

Abstract: An object plane detection system comprises a light source adapted to illuminate a media object to generate an image area on a photosensitive sensor. The system also comprises a detection module adapted to determine a location of an object plane corresponding to the media object based on a size of the image area.

Abstract: A confocal microscope apparatus has a confocal scanner for scanning a sample with shifting a focal position of a light beam in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, a moving mechanism for moving the focal position of the light beam in an optical axis direction, a camera for picking up an image of the sample with the light beam, and a movement control unit for controlling the moving mechanism to move the focal position of the light beam by a predetermined distance in the optical axis direction for every vertical synchronizing signal of the camera in synchronization with the vertical synchronizing signal. A high-speed three-dimensional image can be displayed in such that while measuring the sample, two or more slice images in such an arrangement on a common screen that their positions relative to the sample enables to be grasped.

Abstract: We disclose an apparatus and method for detecting probe-tip contact with a surface, generally inside a focused ion-beam instrument, where the probe tip is attached to a capsule, and the capsule is movably secured in a probe shaft. There is a fiber-optic cable having a first end and a second end; a beam splitter having first and second output ports; and a light source connected to the beam splitter. The first output port of the beam splitter is connected to the first end of the fiber-optic cable, and the second output port of the beam splitter is connected to a photodiode. The second end of the fiber-optic cable has a mirror for reflecting incident light at approximately a ninety-degree angle to the axis of the optical path in the fiber-optic cable and onto the capsule, so that the intensity of the light reflected back from the capsule through the fiber-optic cable is proportional to the deflection of the capsule as the probe tip makes contact with the surface.