Abstract: A switchable diaphragm (9) and a device for beam deflection (10) are placed in the servo branch of an optical drive, in a path of light beams of different diffraction orders. This permits redirection of light beam orders towards a detection means (8) on an individual basis and selection of light orders at a detection means (8) depending on requirements. The number of detectors in the device detection means (8) can thus be reduced, thereby also reducing additional components associated with those detectors and saving on cost and complexity. With such device functionality, new methods for measuring beam landing and spherical aberration are developed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of optical spectroscopy, in particular Raman spectroscopy for performing invasive or non-invasive blood analysis. The fluorescence component of return radiation which is received from a detection volume is eliminated which is enabled by the usage of a pulsed excitation light source. The pulse length is substantially shorter than the fluorescence life time Hence, the elimination of the fluorescence composent can be performed by time gating or by other electronics or optical means.

Abstract: The invention relates to an intelligent wardrobe management system for advising appropriate clothing to a user. It comprises a wardrobe controller which is arranged to: receive input data, said input data comprising information about the clothing in a wardrobe; receive user data; process said input data and said user data; and output, on the basis thereof, a clothing proposal to the user. The system facilitates and accelerates the user's access to the wardrobe.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for reading data stored on an information carrier. The system comprises a waveguide (1203) which allows displacing laterally the different components in exploiting the reflection of the light beams between a first surface (1207) and a second surface (1208) of said wave guide (1203).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catheter head comprising: means (104, 108; 306, 304; 320, 322; 326; 338) for directing of radiation to a blood detection volume (220, 310), means (104, 108; 306, 304; 320; 322; 326; 332, 334, 330; 338) for receiving of return radiation from the blood detection volume, means (104; 306; 330) for transmitting of the return radiation to means (122) for analysis of the return radiation for determination of at least one property of the blood.

Abstract: A method is proposed that allows a static design of an optical pickup unit (OPU) that delivers two output beams (30, 32). Both laser beams (30, 32) result in successive spots, which have the appropriate characteristics. In this OPU concept both read and write spots are present at the same time, and they are sufficiently spaced apart in the focus direction. This allows switching from the read situation to the write situation by introducing an appropriate focus offset in the electronics. The two output beams (30,32) are generated from a polarized incoming beam, said polarized incoming beam is split by a tilted birefringent grating (18).

Abstract: An optical diffraction element (1) comprises a diffraction layer (4) which is divided into diffraction strips (6) alternating with intermediate strips (8). The diffraction strips comprise nano-elements (10) which are aligned in one direction and absorb radiation (b) which is linearly polarized in this direction. The diffraction element may be a linear or two-dimensional grating (1) or a Fresnel lens (160). The polarization-sensitive grating can be used in optical systems in which only radiation with a specific polarization direction should be diffracted, or in an optical record carrier to allow reading of an information structure with high spatial frequencies.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning an optical record carrier comprising an information layer. Crosstalk cancellation is provided using a phase modulating element (40, 140) for generating a phase profile providing an annular spot shape for a subsidiary beam which is coaxial with the main beam. The phase profile varies with an azimuthal angle measured about the optical axis of the beam portion. Further, a grating element (6, 106) is provided to generate two side beams. Each of the side beams and the subsidiary beam are focused to respective spots on the information layer along with the main beam spot. A radiation detector arrangement (25, 125) is provided for detecting information signals in each of the main beam, the two side beams and the subsidiary beam, and a signal processing arrangement (41, 42,43, 44,46,47,49) conducts crosstalk cancellation between the respective information signals to generate an output information signal.

Abstract: This apparatus having an optical head (15—FIG. 1)) for reading data stored in an optical carrier (1) comprises: a light source constituted by a first laser (50) or master laser for illuminating said carrier, an optical mounting (58) for directing the reflected light from said carrier to a detection branch (65) in which a non-linear optical element (80) is placed. This non-linear optical element (80) improves the signal to noise ratio by its non-linear characteristic before detection by the usual detector (75). The invention can be used for DVD players and/or recorders.

Abstract: A optical scanning device (1) for scanning an information layer (2) with a radiation beam (25) in a writing mode and a reading mode comprises a radiation source (7) for emitting the beam and an objective lens (10) for converging the beam so as to form a scanning spot (19) in the information layer. The device also includes a scanning spot power switch (20) for switching the size of the cross-section of the beam between a first size at the writing mode and a second, larger size at the reading mode so as to switch the rim intensity of the beam between a first intensity level (Irim,writing) at the writing mode and a second, higher intensity level (Irim,reading) at the reading mode, thereby switching the light power of the scanning spot between a first power level (Pwriting) at the writing mode and a second, lower power level (Preading) at the reading mode.

Abstract: A disk drive unit having a disk loading mechanism, comprising a housing (1) having an opening (5) in a wall thereof for inserting or removing a disk. A disk drive (9) is accommodated in the housing. A loading mechanism for receiving a disk through the opening in the housing and bringing it into engagement with the disk drive comprises a slide (6). This is slidable with respect to the housing and the disk drive between a first position for receiving a disk and a second position covering the opening and allowing the disk drive to engage the disk. The slide is slidable substantially alongside the wall of the housing in which the opening is made and is adapted to receive the disk through the opening in the housing.

Abstract: An optical information record medium (1) has at least one information layer (100) comprising a transparent substrate wherein nano-elements (101), for example nanotubes, having a symmetry axis are embedded. Information can be recorded by orienting the axes of the nano-elements within selected regions (110,120) in the same direction. Information can be read from the medium by means of a radiation beam having a polarization direction (p1, p2) corresponding to the said direction of the nano-elements, thereby creating absorptive information areas (110,120). In this way high information density can be achieved.

Abstract: An optical scanning device 1 detects an information signal from an optical record carrier 2 using differential interference contrast. Two radiation beams 13a, 13b are generated and focused to two distinct spots 15a, 15b respectively displaced along a data track on the information layer of an optical record carrier. The relative positions of the spots in lands and pits can generate a path length difference between the reflected beams 17a, 17b. This path length difference causes the beams to interfere either constructively or destructively, depending on the relative land/pit position in the data track of the spots. This interference causes a detectable signal to be generated, the signal being representative of a transition from a pit to a land on the information layer 4 or vice versa.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device (200) for use, e.g., in a colour matrix display unit is presented. Picture elements comprise a plurality of electroluminescent sub-pixels (201, 202, 203) capable of emitting light when subject to electric current. The sub-pixels each area (211, 212, 213) and, for any pair of first and second sub-pixels in a picture element, the ratio between the first sub-pixel emissive area and the second sub-pixel emissive area is inversely proportional to the ratio between the degradation lifetime of said first sub-pixel and the degradation lifetime of the second sub-pixel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a full-colour organic electro-luminescent display device comprising RGBX-LEDs, wherein the fourth sub-pixel (X) has a higher efficiency than the efficiencies of the RGB sub-pixels. Said device provides a more power efficient generation of white light and other colours, a prolonged life time, and preferably also an extended colour range, in comparison to conventional RGB-LEDs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display device for displaying an image comprising a plurality of display pixels (2), a controller (3) for generating a driving signal (8) for driving the pixels (2), and sensors (9; 11; 14), wherein the sensors (9; 11; 14) are able to monitor operating conditions of the pixels (2), and the controller (3) is adapted to receive data related to the operating conditions from the sensors (9; 11; 14) to determine a brightness change of the pixels (2) caused by the operating conditions and to generate the driving signal (8) in dependence on the brightness change.

Abstract: An electronic circuit comprising means (CMNS) for controlling a current (IL) through a coil (L) for the generation of a magnetic field (H). The means (CMNS) comprise means (DMNS) for the determination of a parameter which is a measure for the value of the resistance (RL) of the coil (L). During operation the maximum absolute value of the current (IL) is decreased when the parameter exceeds a certain limit.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device (1) has a relief pattern (17) comprising overhanging sections (13) for patterning an electrode layer (11) of the device (1). In order to prevent the take up and transport of fluid, from which a functional layer (7, 9) is obtainable, along the capillary channels (23) formed by the overhanging sections (13), the relief pattern (17) comprises accompanying sections (15) which are positioned at distance of the overhanging sections (13) and between the sections (13) and the electroluminescent areas (21) comprising the functional layers (7,9). A method of manufacturing the EL device (1) comprises depositing the functional layer or layers (7, 9) by means of a wet deposition method such as inkjet printing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of driving a dual-function light-emitting and light-sensing device (5) comprising an organic electroluminescent layer (1), such as a polymer layer or a small molecule compound layer, which is sandwiched between a first and a second electrode (2,3), comprising the following steps:—applying, during a emission state (t1), a first emission signal (V1, J1) to said electroluminescent layer (1), said first signal being such that light is generated by and emitted from said electroluminescent layer (1), and—applying, during a sensing state (t2), a second driving signal (V2,J2) to said organic electroluminescent layer (1), said second driving signal being such that the power of said second driving signal has essentially a zero value for accurately detecting an electric current generated in said organic electroluminescent layer when said organic electroluminescent layer is hit by external light This invention also relates to a dual-function light-emitting and light-sensing device and a

Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device (41) has a plurality of independently addressable electroluminescent elements (51A, B, C, D, E, F) and comprises a patterned first electrode layer comprising a plurality of first electrodes (43A, B, C) and a second electrode layer (26A, B, C, D); an organic, optionally patterned, electroluminescent layer (25) disposed between said first and said second electrode layer; an organic charge transport layer having charge transport areas (24A, B, C, D, E, F) disposed between the first electrode layer and the organic electroluminescent layer (25); and a relief pattern (27) extending between and along neighboring first electrodes. The relief pattern separates said charge transport areas along neighboring first electrodes which has the effect of disconnecting any current path between neighboring first electrodes via the charge transport layer. Thus, the EL device has a small leakage current and can be easily manufactured.