Abstract: The invention relates to a unit (1) for determining the dominant light source type in electromagnetic radiation (2) incident on the unit (1) and generated from a plurality of light sources of different types. The unit comprises at least one first photodiode (10) designed to detect electromagnetic radiation in the visible spectral range and to generate a first output signal (11). The unit comprises at least one second photodiode (20) designed to detect electromagnetic radiation in the infrared spectral range and to generate a second output signal (21). The unit comprises at least one calculation unit (30) designed to derive a quotient result (23) and a frequency result (13) from the first (11) and second (21) output signals. The frequency result (13) provides information about the presence or absence of signal components in a predetermined frequency range contained in the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to processing optical signals. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, an aperture receives a plurality of optical signals and passes the signals to one or more optical processing stages. Each stage includes a plurality of optical detectors and an optical element that operates with the aperture to provide optical signals from inputs of the stage to at least one of an output of the stage and respective ones of the plurality of optical detectors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tactile or contactless user interface device (50), comprising organic semiconductor components (52) made by depositing organic conducting and semiconducting material in liquid form on a dielectric support (54).

Abstract: The illumination apparatus includes a light collector directing light from a light source, radially inward further than the light source, and a light guider provided radially inside further than the light source so as to circumferentially extend and guiding the light from the light source toward an area extending to a side away from the light source and causing the light from the light source to exit toward a light projecting direction. The light collector includes two reflective surfaces on a light projecting direction side and on an opposite side thereto in the thickness direction, and a light exiting opening between the two reflective surfaces. In a sectional plane along the thickness direction, a direction of a center of a light exit range from the light collector tilts to the opposite side to the light projecting direction side.

Abstract: An optical scale, a method for manufacturing an optical scale, and an optical encoder. The optical scale includes a plurality of wires provided thereon so that the wires do not intersect each other and each of the tangential directions of the respective wires changes continuously. The optical encoder includes the optical scale, a light source, an optical sensor, and a computing unit. The optical sensor includes a first polarizing layer that splits incident light that is light source light from the light source passed through or reflected on the optical scale and being incident on the first polarizing layer to a first polarization direction, a second polarizing layer that splits the incident light to a second polarization direction, a first photoreceiver that receives first polarized light split by the first polarizing layer, and a second photoreceiver that receives second polarized light split by the second polarizing layer.

Abstract: An encoder includes a first multiple rotation counter that generates first multiple rotation data using a rotation signal indicating one rotation of a rotational shaft of a motor, a second multiple rotation counter that generates second multiple rotation data using the rotation signal, a first cumulative-number calculation unit that calculates first accumulated multiple rotation data using an angle signal indicating a rotational angle of the rotational shaft, a second cumulative-number calculation unit that calculates second accumulated multiple rotation data using the angle signal, and a first comparative diagnosis unit that diagnoses whether the encoder has a fault by performing a comparison to determine whether the first multiple rotation data, the second multiple rotation data, the first accumulated multiple rotation data, and the second accumulated multiple rotation data are a same value.

Abstract: Described herein is a nanowire array, comprising a substrate, a plurality of fluorescent nanowires extending essentially perpendicularly from the substrate and a reflective layer disposed on the substrate in areas between the fluorescent nanowires; wherein the fluorescent nanowires are operable to fluoresce at a wavelength of a collective mode of the nanowire array.

Abstract: A compensating current is applied at one or more points in a signal processing path to compensate for one or both of a dark or offset current present in an input signal. In certain implementations, the dark or offset current is present in a signal generated by a photomultiplier device. The dark or offset current may be monitored in an output of the signal processing path and, the monitoring being used to determine how much compensation is needed in the signal processing path and to allocate where in the signal processing path the compensation current will be applied.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, systems, and devices relating to fabricating one or more nanowires are disclosed. One method for fabricating a nanowire includes: selecting a particular wavelength of electromagnetic radiation for absorption for a nanowire; determining a diameter corresponding to the particular wavelength; and fabricating a nanowire having the determined diameter. According to another embodiment, one or more nanowires may be fabricated in an array, each having the same or different determined diameters. An image sensor and method of imaging using such an array are also disclosed.

Abstract: A microfluidic optoelectronic tweezers (OET) device can comprise dielectrophoresis (DEP) electrodes that can be activated and deactivated by controlling a beam of light directed onto photosensitive elements that are disposed in locations that are spaced apart from the DEP electrodes. The photosensitive elements can be photodiodes, which can switch the switch mechanisms that connect the DEP electrodes to a power electrode between an off state and an on state.

Abstract: An optical-electric converting module includes a printed circuit board (PCB) and an optical-electric coupling element. The PCB includes a supporting surface, at least one laser diode, and at least one photo diode. The at least one laser diode and the at least one photo diode are positioned on the supporting surface and electrically connected to the PCB. The supporting surface defines at least one locating hole. The optical-electric coupling element includes a lower surface facing the supporting surface. The optical-electric coupling element defines a first cavity in the lower surface. The optical-electric coupling element includes at least one locating pole extending from the lower surface. The optical-electric coupling element is detachably connected to the supporting surface through the engagement of the at least one locating pole and the least one first locating hole, with each laser diode and each photo diode being received in the first cavity.

Abstract: A linear encoder includes a housing, a scale disposed within the housing and a sensor unit disposed within the housing facing the scale with a gap between the sensor unit and the scale. The sensor unit is configured to scan the scale and obtain position information. At least one adjustment hole for a gap adjustment is disposed in at least one of the housing and an end cover of the housing at a position corresponding to a position of the gap.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus adapted to aid in an illumination of a test sample in a test vessel. The method includes sequencing multiple wavelength light sources by turning OFF all but the light source of interest and taking a reading. The illumination apparatus has a bracket with a first and second arms and a space between them adapted to receive a test vessel, an array of light sources and a lens array coupled to the first arm, an array of bandpass filters adapted to filter light signals from each light source, at least one aperture array adapted to limit an extent of light emitted to the test vessel, and a single photo detector coupled to the second arm adapted to receive light signals from each of the light sources without moving the test vessel. Systems are disclosed, as are other aspects.

Abstract: A readhead control mechanism serves to control a readhead included in an optical encoder that measures a mechanical displacement between a fixed portion and a movable portion by reading out a gradation mark on a scale provided on the fixed portion, by using the readhead that is provided on the movable portion. The readhead mechanism includes a securing member that secures the readhead onto the movable portion, an actuator that is directly or indirectly secured onto the readhead to shift the readhead in an approaching direction or in a distancing direction, and an actuator controller that controls the actuator to maintain a constant distance between the readhead and the scale.

Abstract: A variable-wavelength interference filter includes: a first substrate; a second substrate facing the first substrate; a first reflection layer provided on a surface facing the second substrate, of the first substrate; a second reflection layer which is provided on a surface facing the first substrate, of the second substrate, and faces the first reflection layer via an inter-layer gap; and an electrostatic actuator which flexes the second substrate in a direction toward the first substrate and thus changes the inter-layer gap. The first reflection layer and the second reflection layer have a reflectance characteristic showing a higher reflectance to light with a second wavelength that is shorter than a first wavelength, than a reflectance to light with the first wavelength.

Abstract: In the field of imaging devices comprising a detector generating electric charges in response to incident photon radiation, and an analog-to-digital conversion circuit forming means for reading the quantity of electric charges generated, an analog-to-digital conversion circuit comprises: a comparator which can switch depending on the comparison between a potential on an integration node and a predetermined threshold potential, a counter incrementing with each switch of the comparator, a counter-charge injection circuit injecting a quantity Qc of counter-charges on the integration node with each switch of the comparator, and control means which determine the quantity Qc of counter-charges injected. The analog-to-digital conversion circuit is characterized in that the control means determine the quantity Qc of counter-charges injected as a function of a value of the counter.

Abstract: In an image sensor containing an array of pixels, a pixel signal corresponding to the state of a photosensitive element is read-out of each pixel and compared with a threshold. If the pixel signal exceeds the first threshold, the state of the photosensitive element is reset and an analog-count voltage that corresponds to the pixel is incremented.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting deformation of an elongate body may comprise a light source configured to sequentially provide light of multiple frequencies, an optical receiver configured to receive light from the light source, and a filter disposed between the light source and the optical detector. The filter may comprise multiple segments, each of the segments configured to filter light at one of the frequencies so as to alter the amount of light incident on said optical receiver. A total amount of light detected by the optical receiver may change during the sequence so as to be indicative of deformation of the elongate body.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method of evaluating luminance of a light source, including acquiring first data including a plurality of luminance values by measuring luminance of the light source, converting the first data into second data corresponding to a plurality of unit cells, acquiring a moving average of the second data, and acquiring a ripple factor. The ripple factor is represented by (Draw?Ma)/Ma, where Draw is the second data and Ma is the moving average.

Abstract: A method of detecting a laser beam emitted by a laser tool includes receiving light via an optical window of a receiver unit, and directing the light received via the optical window onto a first light sensor array and a second light sensor array. At least one signal is output from the first light sensor array indicating a characteristic of the light incident upon the first light sensor array. At least one signal is output from the second light sensor array indicating a characteristic of the light incident upon the second light sensor array. The at least one signal from the first light sensor array and the at least one signal from the second light sensor array are processed with respect to each other to produce a measurement signal. A determination is then made whether the received light is a laser beam emitted by the laser tool based on the measurement signal.