Abstract: The present invention provides a computer joystick which will convert movements of its control stick into digital signals. The computer joystick comprises a housing with an opening on its top, a control stick, and two optical sensing devices for detecting movements of the control stick in two perpendicular directions and generating corresponding displacement signals. The control stick comprises a handle installed at its top section, a ball-shaped portion installed at its middle section, and a driving mechanism installed at its bottom section. Each of the optical sensing devices comprises an optical panel comprising a plurality of light transmitting holes installed on it, a light source and a plurality of optic sensors installed at opposite sides of the optical panel, and a plurality of comparators for comparing detecting signals generated by the optic sensors so as to generate the displacement signals.

Abstract: A test slide for the calibration, characterization, standardization, use and study of photon and electron microscopes. The slide is created by forming patterns with specific types of geometries on suitable substrates and these slides provide a standard for comparison of image forming capability of any type of microscope imaging system including, without limitation, light, UV, and X-ray photon microscopical imaging systems operating in transmission or reflection modes, and other microscope techniques. Microscopists can employ one of these slides to compare images of the slide which have been produced by the microscope system under consideration with a known, accurate, image of the slide to better understand the fidelity and accuracy of the microscope system under consideration. The test patterns can also comprise reference images which can be images created by a graphic artist or the like or which can be actual images of samples, these images being either two dimensional or three dimensional.

Abstract: An over molded reflective optical fiber terminal (100) generally includes an end portion of an optical fiber (102) that has been stripped of its buffer (104), a terminal block (106), an integral mirror (108) formed on the terminal block (106), and an optical element such as a window (112). The terminal block (106) is preferably formed from transparent injection molded plastic. The block can be molded so as to define a profile for the mirror (108). By virtue of this design, construction and alignment of the terminal/mirror system is simplified and costs are reduced. In addition, the reflective surface of the mirror (108) may be protected against dust or other optical interference. Moreover, a compact reliable terminal system for off axis application is provided.

Abstract: A produce data collector with minimal spectral distortion. The produce data collector includes a light pipe having entrance and exit ends through which a portion of light reflected from a produce item travels, and a spectrometer adjacent the exit end of the light pipe which splits the portion of light into a plurality of wavelengths and which produces signals associated with the wavelengths for identifying the produce item.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for temperature and concentration measurement at liquid surfaces using reflectance. The apparatus includes a light source which produces a measurement light beam, and also includes a detector. The measurement light beam has a measurement light beam intensity and impinges on the surface of the liquid specimen. It reflects back as a reflected light beam with a reflected light beam intensity which is related to the reflectivity R of the liquid surface and to the measurement light beam intensity. The detector receives the reflected light beam and determines the reflected light beam intensity. Either the temperature or concentration of the liquid specimen can then be determined based on the reflected light beam intensity. The light source can be a coherent light source, such as a laser. A beam splitter can be provided to split the light beam from the light source into a reference light beam and the measurement light beam.

Abstract: A method of calculating optical frequency spectrum for use in an optical-spectrum measuring apparatus for measuring optical spectrum characteristics of a light source. In the method, a bandwidth storage section stores a characteristic of a bandwidth of passed wavelengths with respect to a measuring wavelength of a spectrometer. A CPU obtains a bandwidth of wavelengths with respect to each measuring point in accordance with the stored bandwidth of wavelengths. Then, measured intensities of light at the measuring points are used to add measured values across the measured value in a required range of bandwidth of optical frequencies. Moreover, correction is performed in accordance with a ratio of the bandwidth of wavelengths at each of the measuring points and the intervals of wavelength at the measuring points. Thus, an intensity of light at each of the measuring points is obtained.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a three-dimensional image. The apparatus includes a projector which projects a reference light on an object; an image sensor which senses an image of the object; and a controller for controlling the projector and the image sensor, wherein the image sensor includes an aperture that restricts the passage of entering light; and an aperture controller for setting an aperture value for the aperture when receiving a two-dimensional image input, and setting an aperture value for the aperture when receiving a three-dimensional image input. The aperture value is set based on the intensity of received reference light. A processing unit determines the position of the object based on a relationship between an illumination direction of the reference light at the determined time center Npeak and an entrance direction of the reference light relative to the target pixel.

Abstract: Disclosed is a source of polychromatic electromagnetic radiation which, utilizing a beam combiner system, combines beams of polychromatic electromagnetic radiation from a plurality of sources to provide a relatively broad and flattened intensity characteristic vs. wavelength output spectrum, and its application in material system investigation systems, such as ellipsometers, spectrophotometers and polarimeters which comprise a polychromatic source of electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a micropolarimeter comprising an analyzer (1) and a detector (10) located past the analyzer in the direction of radiation and presenting a number of segments ND which is higher than or equal to 3 (11). The invention seeks to provide a micropolarimeter with no moving parts, with a high polarization index, for use for polychromatic light, so small that it can detect the ray of common lasers in one single measurement step without it being necessary to enlarge it, and capable of being converted in a simple manner into a complete Stokesmeter.

Abstract: Centrifuged material layer volumes are measured and quantified during centrifugation of the material layers. The material layers are differentially highlighted by means of one or more supravital fluorescent dyes or stains which are admixed with the sample being analyzed. This kinetic quantification procedure is particularly useful in performing differential blood cell and platelet counts. The blood sample is centrifuged while being subjected to an intense filtered strobed light source at two different wavelengths. At least one photometric cell layer compaction measurement is made in conjunction with the light flashes so as to record a degree of cell layer compaction as the sample is being centrifuged. In certain cases, after several successive cell layer compaction readings are derived, a compaction curve is identified and the ultimate degree of cell layer compaction is calculated from the derived compaction curve prior to the achievement of the ultimate degree of cell layer compaction.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining the level of a material in a vessel. In one embodiment, and optical emitter emits light onto a rotating mirror. The light reflects off of the rotating mirror and propagates into a vessel. At a first time, the light reflects back and is detected by a first detector. At a second time, the light is reflected back and is detected by a second detector. The distance to the surface of the material in the vessel can be determined using the difference between the first and second times. The volume of the material may also be determined based on this distance. Additional embodiments include rotating the light source itself, maintaining an inert gas near a surface of a window located between the steering mirror and an interior area of the vessel, tilting the steering mirror and first and second detectors to obtain a reflection at maximum intensity, and accounting for the tilt in calculating the volume.

Abstract: When mounting crystal blanks, crystal blanks can be mounted readily in a desired position on a mounting platform, and during pick-up, they can be readily detached from the mounting platform. To inspect scratches in a crystal blank 1, diffused oblique light is shined onto the crystal blank 1 from below by light-emitting diodes 6, and light reflected by scratches on the crystal blank 1 is detected by image capturing means 11 directly above the crystal blank 1. The crystal blank 1 is conveyed to the mounting platform 2 by a conveyor robot arm 15, and after inspection, it is conveyed away by same. A plurality of grooves are formed in the mounting surface 3 of the mounting platform 2. Thereby, during mounting, the crystal blank 1 does not slide over the mounting platform 2 and after mounting, it does not adhere tightly to the mounting platform 2.

Abstract: The present invention can accurately detect a wavelength of a light to be detected, which is output from a source of light to be detected, without an error even if there is a change in the characteristic of a spectroscope due to an individual difference among the spectroscopes or a change in the measuring environment. The device according to the invention emits at least two reference lights (Ln, La) having different wavelengths (&lgr;n, &lgr;a) as the reference lights by reference light source. And, actual characteristic value (D) of spectroscope is calculated on the basis of detection positions (Sn, Sa) of the at least two reference lights (Ln, La) on a sensor and the known wavelengths (&lgr;n, &lgr;a) of the at least two reference lights (Ln, La) (D=(&lgr;a−&lgr;n)/(Sa−Sn)).

Abstract: A method for carrying out quantitative iris colorimetry on an eye is disclosed comprising the steps of detecting the iris coloration by means for converting it into an electronic signal, quantitatively comparing said electronic signal to a provided electronic standard, and computing a quantitative value representative of the iris coloration. The preferred means for converting it into a signal is a is a video camera and the preferred storage means is a computer memory, either in a magnetic or optical disk.

Abstract: An integrated-optic spectrometer is disclosed for analyzing the composition of light reflected off a sample under analysis. In a simplified embodiment, the spectrometer includes a buffer, located on the top of a substrate, which is etched to create a diffraction grating having grating lines. The diffraction grating and grating lines are formed to provide diffraction of discrete wavelengths of light, while providing for maximum transmission of non-diffracted wavelengths. A waveguide is fabricated on top of the etched buffer through which the reflected light is directed. A photodiode detector array is located above the waveguide into which the diffracted wavelengths are diffracted, providing an analysis of the composition of the reflected light. A clad encompasses the integrated-optic spectrometer, thereby providing protection from outside interference.

Abstract: A system for inspecting potentially warped printed circuit board assemblies is disclosed. The system includes an inspection head with an axial, centrally located camera, and a laser disposed at an angle off the central axis. The central camera and the angled laser can be used during an initial scan of a printed circuit board assembly to measure and compensate for warp in the assembly, thereby making a subsequent inspection of the assembly more accurate.

Abstract: A defect inspecting apparatus for inspecting a defect on an object to be inspected on the basis of comparison between a pattern at a first position and a pattern at a second position on the object to be inspected having repeated patterns.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for inspecting glass containers for checks. The container finish is illuminated from the exterior and light reflected from a check is detected by the apparatus. In one embodiment, the glass container finish is inspected for horizontal and related diagonal checks and, in another, the glass container finish is inspected for vertical and related diagonal checks. The checks redirect the normal beam of light and thereby permit the reflected light to be delivered to a detector which converts the received light into a corresponding electrical signal which is compared to a standard in order to determine whether the container should be rejected. The method eliminates incorrect inspection results due to reflection of light caused by threads, lugs, mold seams, takeout beads and the sealing surface of the container mouth. The vertical and horizontal embodiments may be combined into a single system which inspects for vertical, horizontal and diagonal checks.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector and an associated fabrication method where the connector has a connector housing having a base side, a and pair of sidewalls upstanding from the base side that are spaced apart in relation to each other, and each of the housing sidewalls define at least one aperture through which optical signals can be transmitted into and out of the housing by an input optical fiber and an output optical fiber, respectively, located in fixed positions outside the housing, and a unitary optical lens element is contained within the housing and is located between the housing apertures, wherein the optical lens is comprised of two segments optically bonded along confronting respective lens segment surfaces at an oblique angle effective to be able to transmit collimated light from the input fiber to the output fiber and reflect transmitted light reflected back from the output fiber to a photodetector integrally attached to the lens element and positioned to receive light reflected from the confronting resp

Abstract: An image display apparatus which enables observation of a clear image at a wide field angle with substantially no reduction in the brightness of the image, and which is extremely small in size and light in weight and hence unlikely to cause the observer to be fatigued. The apparatus includes an image display device (6) and an ocular optical system (9) for leading an image of the display device (6) to an observer's eyeball (1). The ocular optical system (9) has a first optical element (7) and a second optical element (8). The first optical element (7) has three surfaces, and a space formed by the surfaces is filled with a medium having a refractive index larger than 1.