Abstract: An improved LED status indicating unit for an electrical appliance including at least one LED status indicator configured to indicate an operating status of the electrical appliance; at least one sensor; a storage unit configured to store one or more predefined conditions, each of which being associated with a command for controlling one or more lighting parameters of at least one LED status indicator; and a processing unit configured to determine, for each of the one or more signals produced by each of the at least one sensor, whether the signal satisfies any of the one or more predefined conditions; and if the signal satisfies any of the one or more predefined conditions, control the one or more lighting parameters of the at least one LED status indicator which is electrically connected with the processing unit according to the command associated with the predefined condition satisfied.

Abstract: An improved LED status indicating unit for an electrical appliance including at least one LED status indicator configured to indicate an operating status of the electrical appliance; at least one sensor; a storage unit configured to store one or more predefined conditions, each of which being associated with a command for controlling one or more lighting parameters of at least one LED status indicator; and a processing unit configured to determine, for each of the one or more signals produced by each of the at least one sensor, whether the signal satisfies any of the one or more predefined conditions; and if the signal satisfies any of the one or more predefined conditions, control the one or more lighting parameters of the at least one LED status indicator which is electrically connected with the processing unit according to the command associated with the predefined condition satisfied.

Abstract: An Optical Projecting Encoder (“OPE”) having an emitter module for transmitting emitted optical radiation through a mask to a moving object, and a detector module for receiving reflected optical radiation from the moving object. The reflected optical radiation from the moving object may include a predetermined image cast by the mask and a surface texture image from the moving object. The OPE may include a transmissive layer covering both the emitter module and the detector module, where the transmissive layer covering the emitter module collimates the optical radiation from the emitter module, and the transmissive layer covering the detector module concentrates the optical radiation reflected from the moving object to the detector module. The detector module may include an optical navigation sensor that continuously acquires and compares predetermined images cast by the mask and surface texture images from the moving object.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a code strip having a first side, a second side, a first track comprising indicia thereon, and a second track comprising indicia thereon. The code strip is moveable along a displacement path with respect to the optical encoder. A light source positioned on the first side of the code strip directs light toward the code strip. A first detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the first track of the code strip. A second detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the second track of the code strip. The second detector element is also positioned so that the second detector element is located a spaced distance along the displacement path from the first detector element.

Abstract: An encoder having a code pattern on a carrier and an emitter detector module is disclosed. The code pattern includes alternating reflective and opaque regions on a carrier that includes a planar surface. The emitter-detector module includes a light source that generates light and directs a portion of the generated light at the first side of the carrier and a first detector that detects light reflected from one of the reflective regions. The reflective regions include a three-dimensional element for directing light from the light source onto the first detector. The element has a surface that is inclined at an oblique angle with respect to the planar surface. The code pattern moves with respect to the emitter-detector module. The three-dimensional element can include a reflective imaging element that images the light source onto a surface of the first detector.

Abstract: A photodiode array and an encoder utilizing the same is disclosed. The encoder includes the photodiode array, a code wheel, a light source, and an optical system. The photodiode array includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a ring, each photodiode includes an annular sector of the ring, each photodiode generates a signal determined by the optical radiation incident on the photodiode, the photodiode array is characterized by an array center. The code wheel includes an annular array of alternating code stripes disposed about a code wheel axis, the code wheel moving relative to the photodiode array about the code wheel axis. The light source illuminates the code wheel and the optical system forms an image of the code wheel having alternating light and dark bands on the photodiode array.

Abstract: An encoder having a carrier that passes through an opening in a mounting body is disclosed. The carrier includes an encoding region having a plurality of clear and opaque regions, the carrier having first and second surfaces. The clear and opaque regions of the carrier pass through the opening in the mounting body when the carrier moves relative to the mounting body. A light emitter generates a light signal that passes through the carrier, the light emitter being located adjacent to the first side of the carrier and separated therefrom. A light reflector is attached to the mounting body at a position such that the light reflector directs the light signal through the second surface of the carrier where a photodetector measures light leaving the first surface of the carrier when one of the clear regions passes through the light signal.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes an optical encoder pattern of alternating light elements and dark elements, and an optical unit, including an optical emitter providing light to the encoder pattern, and an optical sensor including a photo-detector receiving the light from the optical encoder pattern and in response thereto outputting a sinusoidal signal indicating relative movement between the optical sensor and the encoder pattern. In one embodiment, the photo-detector has a diamond shape, a modified-diamond shape, or an hourglass shape. In another embodiment, at least one of the light elements and the dark elements of the optical encoder pattern has a diamond shape, a modified-diamond shape, or an hourglass shape.

Abstract: A light source having a flexible light-generating module that includes a flexible circuit carrier, a plurality of light emitting dies, and a cover layer is disclosed. The flexible circuit carrier includes a sheet of flexible material having electrically conducting traces. The light emitting dies are electrically connected to the electrically conducting traces. The cover layer is constructed from a transparent, flexible material and covers the light emitting dies. The light-generating module can be attached to various surfaces to provide a light source that is non-planar as well as to surfaces that are piecewise planar. These more complex light sources can include garments that generate complex light patterns to call attention to the wearer and three-dimensional light sources. The light sources also provide improved heat-conduction and can be used to create non-rectangular back lights for displays.

Abstract: A sensor head for sensing light modulated by a moveable member, such as a code wheel or code strip, in an optical encoder. The sensor head has at least one monitor optical sensor and a primary optical sensor positioned to receive light modulated by a modulation track on the moveable member. The monitor optical sensor provides a monitor signal that is compared in a signal comparator to the output from the primary optical sensor to detect light at the primary sensor.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a code strip having a first side, a second side, a first track comprising indicia thereon, and a second track comprising indicia thereon. The code strip is moveable along a displacement path with respect to the optical encoder. A light source positioned on the first side of the code strip directs light toward the code strip. A first detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the first track of the code strip. A second detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the second track of the code strip. The second detector element is also positioned so that the second detector element is located a spaced distance along the displacement path from the first detector element.