Abstract: A personnel monitoring system. The personnel monitoring system includes a host node having an optical source for generating optical signals, and an optical receiver. The personnel monitoring system also includes a plurality of fiber optic sensors for converting at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy to optical intensity information, each of the fiber optic sensors having: (1) at least one length of optical fiber configured to sense at least one of vibrational and acoustical energy; (2) a reflector at an end of the at least one length of optical fiber; and (3) a field node for receiving optical signals from the host node, the field node transmitting optical signals along the at least one length of optical fiber, receiving optical signals back from the at least one length of optical fiber, and transmitting optical signals to the optical receiver of the host node.

Abstract: A flow cytometer includes a flow nozzle, a light source, an optics system, and a sensor analyzer. The flow nozzle provides a fluid along a flow path. The light source generates a light beam that illuminates the fluid. The optics system collects light rays that are radiated from the light beam by the fluid and passes or blocks the light rays based at least in part on the radiation angles associated with the light rays.

Abstract: A particulate matter (PM) sensor. The sensor comprises a mass separation fluid tunnel body defining a fluid inflow channel, a first fluid channel branch opening off of the inflow channel and having a first outlet, a second fluid channel branch opening off of the inflow channel and having a second outlet, and a fluid port between the first fluid channel branch and the second fluid channel branch, a fan located downstream of the first outlet and the second outlet, a photodetector located in the first fluid channel branch, and a computing device coupled to the photodetector having a processor and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the processor, determines a mass concentration of particles in the first fluid channel branch based on an output of the photodetector.

Abstract: An optical element includes a main body formed of a light transmissive material and including an arc-shaped optical path, and a gap formed on the arc-shaped optical path in the main body. The gap may have a notch shape. The main body may have a semicircular plate shape. The main body may have a hemispherical shape.

Abstract: An apparatus including a sensor carried by a racquet and an indicator in communication with the sensor. The sensor outputs a notification based on (a) the number of hits by the racquet based on signals from the sensor and (b) at least one of an elapsed time since a last stringing of the racquet and an input skill level of a person using the racquet. Additionally, an apparatus including a racquet, a sensor carried by the racquet, and an indicator in communication with the sensor. The sensor can be a strain gauge, a load cell, an acoustic sensor and a vibro-acoustic sensor. The sensor outputs a notification based on the number of hits by the racquet based on signals from the sensor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for detection and identification of opaqueness of vehicle windows. An example vehicle includes a window including an interior surface and an exterior surface, a light transmitter to emit light, and light sensors to measure the light. The light sensors include a first sensor offset from and a second sensor aligned with the interior surface. The light sensors also include a third sensor offset from and a fourth sensor aligned with the exterior surface. The example vehicle also includes a controller for detecting a source of opaqueness of the window via the light sensors.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a communication method that is based on a visible light source and a transport device. In the solution, before a visible light signal is generated, related information carried in the visible light signal is processed by using orthogonal sequences, and different visible light signals processed by using the orthogonal sequences do not interfere with each other. In this way, even if an optical receiving device receives multiple visible light signals, because the received multiple visible light signals are orthogonal to each other, the visible light signals can be accurately received.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable and executable instructions are described herein. One method includes receiving a sequence of images of a flare stack area from a thermal imaging component, identifying a first portion of the flare stack area moving at a first threshold optical flow using the sequence of images of the flare stack area, and identifying a second portion of the flare stack area moving at a second threshold optical flow using the sequence of images of the flare stack area.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a particle sensor including: a first carrier, the first carrier including at least one heating structure and a light detecting structure, at least one spacer structure disposed over the first carrier, a second carrier disposed over the at least one spacer structure, the second carrier including a light emitting structure, wherein the first carrier, the second carrier and the at least one spacer structure are arranged to provide a channel for a fluid flow, wherein the light emitting structure is configured to emit light into the channel and wherein the light detecting structure is configured to detect light from the channel.

Abstract: Heating device for domestic appliances comprising a base, a coil resistor extending from said base, and an optical sensor able to determine the level of washing liquid around said coil resistor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring particle characteristics are disclosed. In one aspect, an amount of light arising from interaction between light and a suspended sample is detected simultaneously with the acquisition of a photon count from a different direction. At least one measure of particle characteristics can then be derived based at least in part on timing between information from the steps of acquiring and detecting.

Abstract: One variation of a method for detecting a fire includes: during a first time period: detecting an increase in ambient light intensity and detecting an increase in ambient humidity; responsive to the increase in ambient light intensity and the increase in ambient humidity, detecting a fire event; during a second time period: correlating a decrease in ambient light intensity with an increase in visual obscuration; detecting an increase in ambient air temperature; in response to a magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration remaining below a high obscuration threshold and a magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature remaining below a high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as an incipient fire; and, in response to the magnitude of the increase in visual obscuration exceeding the high obscuration threshold and the magnitude of the increase in ambient temperature exceeding the high temperature threshold, classifying the fire as a developed fire.

Abstract: A portable ambient air quality monitor having an enclosure to enclose and protect the monitor from an ambient environment and an airflow intake for controllably allowing ambient air to enter the monitor. A photodiode is disposed at a location downstream from a fan. The airflow from the fan is laminarized by a mesh or baffle to allow a thin stream of air to flow over the photodiode. A sensing region is defined by an intersection of an airflow sampling path and an optical path. The sensing region is also disposed above the photodiode. The airflow sampling path is configured to receive laminar airflow from the airflow intake and for directing the laminar airflow into the sensing region. A light beam is generated from a laser to reflect the light beam for reducing the required area of the sensing region to detect and measure the particles floating in the ambient air.

Abstract: Provided is a particle counter including: a light source; a light superimposition unit configured to superimpose light beams; an irradiation optical system configured to irradiate a fluid in a flow passage with one of a plurality of light beams from the light source; a detection optical system configured to make a part of scattered light beams by a particle in the fluid enter the light superimposition unit; a reference optical system configured to split another one of the plurality of light beams into a plurality of reference light beams and makes the reference light beams enter the light superimposition unit; and a counting unit configured to count the particles on the basis of detection signals corresponding to an interference light beam received by a light receiver. The interference light beam is generated by interference between the scattered light beam and one of the reference light beams at the light superimposition unit, and is received by the light receiver corresponding to the reference light beam.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for determining the absorption coefficient and the optical density of a fluid as they relate to the wavelength of incident radiation. Specifically, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) or the like that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation or the like are used as sources for irradiating the interior of an integrating chamber that is designed to increase the path length of the radiation through the fluid, thus enhancing the detection limits of the absorption coefficient and the optical density according to Beer's Law.

Abstract: A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.

Abstract: A vehicular dust sensor may include a case having an inner space, a light source module disposed in the inner space of the case, and irradiating an air passage with light, the air passage being provided in the light source module for introduction and pass of air and dust, a condensing lens to collect light, emitted from the light source module and scattered by dust in air in the air passage, a light receiving module receiving the scattered light collected by the condensing lens to output an electric signal corresponding to a dust concentration, and an inner housing disposed in the inner space of the case to form the air passage.

Abstract: Biomolecules are specifically captured with magnetic particles and the biomolecules are labeled with fluorescence. A magnetic field generator, for attracting the magnetic particles to the support substrate, is provided on the reverse face of the support substrate, and an adhesion layer is provided on the surface of the support substrate to hold the magnetic particles. First, a dispersing solution for the magnetic particles is placed on the surface of the support substrate with the magnetic field in an off state. Next, the magnetic field is turned on, and the magnetic particles in solution are attracted to the support substrate surface. The magnetic particles colliding with the support substrate adhere to the adhesion layer of the support substrate surface, and then the magnetic field is turned off. Thus, aggregations can be broken up while the magnetic particles are held, and a magnetic particle layer on the support substrate can be a single layer.

Abstract: An electrical fixture includes an electrical fixture housing having a mounting surface, an electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface, and an electrical fixture support. A corresponding cover plate or mounting strap includes an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to hot and neutral lines from a junction box and the corresponding electrical connector disposed on the mounting surface of the electrical fixture. An electrical fixture ground connection separate from the fixture electrical connector electrically connects to an electrical ground from the junction box.

Abstract: A biasing voltage generating circuit for generating a required reverse biasing voltage of an avalanche photodiode (APD) includes: a boost power converter configured to operably convert an input voltage into a higher output voltage according to a feedback signal and a reference signal, and to apply the output voltage to be a reverse biasing voltage of the APD; a reference signal generating circuit configured to operably generate the reference signal; and a control circuit. The control circuit includes: a signal sensing circuit configured to operably generate a sensed signal corresponding to an output current of the APD; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) configured to operably convert the sensed signal into a digital signal; and a processing circuit configured to operably adjust the feedback signal or the reference signal according to the digital signal to thereby control the boost power converter to adjust the output voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) for measuring particle size distribution by light scattering comprises a blue LED (102) and a 633 nm helium neon laser (104). Light output from the LED and laser is separately passed or reflected by a dichroic element (116) onto a common path through a sample cell (122) containing a sample, the particle size distribution of which is to be measured. Light scattered from the sample cell is detected by one or more detectors (112B-H). Light transmitted by the sample cell is detected by detectors 112A, 112J. Output signals from one or more of the detectors are passed to a computation unit (114) which calculates particle size distribution. A small percentage of light from the blue LED is reflected by the dichroic element to a detector (110). Similarly, a small percentage of light from the laser is passed by the dichroic element to the detector. Output signals from the detector are fed back to control units (106, 108) to stabilize the output power of the LED and laser.

Abstract: A particle detector that includes an inspection light source that irradiates a flow cell with inspection light, the flow cell that allows a fluid containing a particle to flow therethrough, the flow cell including a semispherical reflective film that reflects reaction light generated by the particle irradiated with the inspection light, and a semispherical lens portion through which the reaction light reflected by the semispherical reflective film passes, an elliptical mirror that has a first focus at a position of the flow cell, and that reflects the reaction light having passed through the semispherical lens portion of the flow cell, and an optical detector that is disposed at a second focus of the elliptical mirror and that detects the reaction light reflected by the elliptical mirror.

Abstract: An aspirated smoke detector with an improved optical chamber is provided. The aspirated smoke detector can include a base, an optical block housed within the base, the optical block housing an emitter and a receiver, and a chamber cover disposed over the base and the optical block to form an optical chamber therebetween. The chamber cover can capture light emitted by the emitter and reflect the captured light within the chamber cover while avoiding multiple back reflections of the captured light.

Abstract: A fire monitoring system includes a smoke detector, a first correction unit obtaining a first corrected value by multiplying a difference value between a reference value and a detection value by a first correction coefficient, a first conversion unit converting the first corrected value into a first smoke density, and a fire determination unit determining occurrence of a fire event based on the first smoke density. The first correction coefficient is set on an increase side corresponding to an increase in a rate of change of the reference value to an initial reference value, and an upper limit value is set for the first correction coefficient.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing the incidence of false alarms attributable to dust in smoke detection apparatus. The method includes obtaining at least two sample air flows, subjecting a first airflow to particle reduction and measuring the level of particles in the first airflow and generating a first signal indicative of the intensity. The method also includes measuring the level of particles in the second airflow and generating a second signal indicative of the intensity. The first signal is compared to a predetermined alarm level and, if the alarm level is achieved, the first and second signals are subsequently compared and an output signal is generated based on the relative difference between the first and second signals.

Abstract: A turbidity sensor or an arrangement for optically measuring one or more physical, chemical and/or biological, process variables of a medium. The medium is located in a pipe. The arrangement includes a housing and the housing is embodied for securement in the pipe. The housing is embodied for accommodating at least one light source for sending light through a window region into the medium and at least one light receiver for receiving light through the window region from the medium. The light is scattered by the medium and the light intensity received by the light receiver is a measure for the physical, chemical and/or biological, process variable, characterized in that the light source is so arranged that the light propagates in the medium in the longitudinal direction of the pipe.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a smoke detection system for an enclosed area. The smoke detection system comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet. The smoke detection system also having a divider within the housing, wherein the housing includes a first compartment to receive air flow from the inlet, a turning portion configured to direct flow to a second compartment in communication with the outlet, and a sensor that senses smoke provided within the first compartment. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A nephelometric turbidimeter with a cylindrical turbidimeter vial. The cylindrical turbidimeter vial includes a transparent vial body and a circular optical shielding configured to optically block an inside from an outside of the turbidimeter vial. The vial body comprises a transparent and flat bottom inlet window, and a transparent vial cylinder body. The vial cylinder body comprises a circular outlet window. The optical shielding is arranged axially above the outlet window of the vial cylinder body, over a part of an axial length of the vial cylinder body, and axially adjacent to a non-shielded part of the vial cylinder body which serves as the outlet window.

Abstract: The present invention provides self-contained systems for performing an assay for determining a chemical state, the system including a stationary cartridge for performing the assay therein, at least one reagent adapted to react with a sample; and at least one reporter functionality adapted to report a reaction of the at least one reagent with said sample to report a result of the assay, wherein the at least one reagent, the sample and the at least one reporter functionality are contained within the cartridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for determining the absorption coefficient and the optical density of a fluid as they relate to the wavelength of incident radiation. Specifically, ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) or the like that emit ultraviolet (UV) radiation or the like are used as sources for irradiating the interior of an integrating chamber that is designed to increase the path length of the radiation through the fluid, thus enhancing the detection limits of the absorption coefficient and the optical density according to Beer's Law.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a dialysis instrument including a blood pump, a dialysate inlet pump, a dialysate outlet pump, and at least one fluid velocity sensor, each sensor including an emitter and a receiver, a dialyzer arranged (i) to receive blood pumped by the blood pump, (ii) to receive fresh dialysate pumped by the dialysate inlet pump and (iii) such that used dialysate is pumped from the dialyzer by the dialysate outlet pump, and a disposable cassette including a to-dialyzer dialysate pathway carrying dialysate pumped by the dialysate inlet pump and a from-dialyzer dialysate pathway carrying used dialysate pumped by the dialysate outlet pump, wherein at least one of the to-dialyzer dialysate pathway or the from-dialyzer dialysate pathway includes at least one sensing area so positioned and arranged such that when the disposable cassette is mounted to the instrument, the sensing area is coupled operably with both the emitter and the receiver of the at least one fluid velocity sensor.

Abstract: A digital signage system and a method of providing information using the digital signage system are disclosed. The digital signage terminal includes an emergency detection unit, an emergency detection message generation unit, a communication unit, and an emergency alert message processing unit. The emergency detection unit collects the surrounding emergency-related information of the digital signage terminal. The emergency detection message generation unit generates an emergency detection message including the collected emergency-related information. The communication unit transmits the generated emergency detection message to a digital signage server, and receives an emergency alert message including an emergency alert corresponding to an emergency situation from the digital signage server. The emergency alert message processing unit parses the emergency alert message, and provides the emergency alert included in the emergency alert message to a user.

Abstract: A particle detecting device includes: a chamber; an injection nozzle provided within the chamber; a discharge nozzle that is disposed within the chamber, opposing the injection nozzle; a detecting mechanism that illuminates a sample fluid that is sprayed from the injection nozzle and detects a particle included in the sample fluid; a pressurizing fluid pipe, connected to the chamber, for supplying a pressurizing fluid for pressurizing an interior of the chamber; and a rectifying member that rectifies the pressurizing fluid so that a flow speed distribution of a fluid between the injection nozzle and the discharge nozzle, rectified in an axial direction, is symmetrical in respect to the axial direction.

Abstract: A microscope illumination apparatus includes an optical conversion unit that converts laser light incident thereon from a light source to laser light that has an NA and whose main optical axis is distributed on a conical surface that widens at a predetermined angle with respect to an incident optical axis of the laser light, and from which the laser light exits, and an optical device that has no refractive power and that deflects the laser light, which has exited the optical conversion unit, in a direction parallel to the incident optical axis, wherein the microscope illumination apparatus focuses laser light that has exited the optical device at a pupil position of a focusing lens for illuminating a specimen or a position that is conjugate with the position.

Abstract: The present invention is suppressing the elongating phenomenon in the dark field image of defects in detecting a minute defect by using a dark field microscope. Provided is a method for detecting defects in which scattered light generated from the sample, is concentrated to form an image and is captured and processed to extract a defect to find the positional information of the defect, and the positional information is output, wherein an image of the scattered light that suppresses the occurrence of the elongating phenomenon is formed for which partial shielding of a component of the forward scattered light, that passes through a region near the outer edge of the field of view of the objective lens, and the positional information for the defect is found from a luminance signal for a defect that is extracted from a captured scattered light image that suppresses the occurrence of the elongating phenomenon.

Abstract: The present invention features methods and devices for microorganisms through detecting Mie light scattering from immunoagglutinated beads. The methods feature providing a first bead suspension with antibody specific for the microorganism conjugated to beads; mixing the first bead suspension with a sample to form a first mixture; irradiating the first mixture with first incident light; detecting forward light scattering at a first angle with respect to the first incident light, where the first angle being between about 30 to 60 degrees; determining I from the light scattering; providing a second bead suspension with no antibody and simultaneously measuring I0 in a similar manner; comparing I with I0. All light scattering measurements may be made in a two-well slide or a Y-channel microfluidic device.

Abstract: A device and method for self-testing fire detection device uses a blockage sensor system to determine if a detection chamber is blocked due to dust, for example. The system includes at least one pathway light source for shining the light into pathways of a baffle system and one or more detectors for detecting the light. The blockage sensor system detects obstructions in the pathways by analyzing how light propagates through the pathways.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor monitoring system comprising at least one sensor (101, 102, 103) and a processing unit (150), wherein the sensor is arranged to transmit during a plurality of successive time periods data items to the processing unit and the processing unit is arranged to receive the data items from the said at least one sensor, the processing unit being further arranged for: determining for at least some time periods from the said plurality of successive time periods a number of corresponding data items; comparing between the at least some time periods the number of the corresponding data items; deducing for the at least some time periods a parameter associated with a variation in the number of data items per said some time periods. The invention further relates to a processing unit, and a method and a computer program for sensor monitoring.

Abstract: An optical smoke detection unit for a danger alarm includes a light-emitting diode (LED) including at least one LED chip in an LED housing and connection contacts contacting the LED chip and running out of the LED housing. The smoke detection unit may include a photo-detector spectrally sensitive to emitted light for detecting smoke and a control unit for controlling the LED and for evaluating a sensor signal of the photo-detector for characteristic fire magnitudes. The LED may include a photosensor spectrally sensitive to the emitted light. The control unit may detect an electrical characteristic magnitude of the photosensor while providing electrical control of the LED, and based on the detected electrical characteristic magnitude, (a) derive and output ageing information about the LED and/or (b) determine a reduction of light current of the LED and modify the electrical control of LED to correct such reduction.

Abstract: A system and a method is described herein for the collection of small particles in a concentrated manner, whereby particles are deposited onto a solid surface or collected into a volume of liquid. The collected samples readily interface to any of a number of different elemental, chemical, or biological or other analysis techniques.

Abstract: A sensor integrated circuit comprising a controller and a diagnostic module in communication with the controller. The controller is configured for providing a diagnostic reporting signal being a periodic superposition signal on a sensing output of the sensor integrated circuit and/or on a supply current of the sensor integrated circuit. The periodic superposition signal has periodic pulses with a predetermined fixed pulse duration and a predetermined periodicity. The controller furthermore is configured for altering the predetermined periodicity or predetermined fixed pulse duration of the periodic superposition signal upon a fault detection in the diagnostic module communicated to the controller.

Abstract: A particle detection system including; at least one light source adapted to illuminate a volume being monitored at at least two wavelengths; a receiver having a field of view and being adapted to receive light from at least one light source after said light has traversed the volume being monitored and being adapted to generate signals indicative of the intensity of light received at regions within the field of view of the receiver; a processor associated with the receiver adapted to process the signals generated by the receiver to correlate light received at at least two wavelengths in corresponding regions within the field of view of the receiver and generate an output indicative of the relative level of light received at the two wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention provides for systems and methods for acquiring acoustic information from a resonating body. Specifically, a focused light beam is emitted from an emitter module onto an impedance matching reflector. The impedance matching reflector has similar wave propagation characteristics to the resonating body, so as to capture mechanical vibrations thereof. The impedance matching reflector reflects the focused light beam as it vibrates, and the vibrations are captured by a receiver module through the reflected light beam, which is converted to an input signal. The input signal may be further processed and converted to an audio output signal, as an accurate representation of the acoustic information emanating from within the resonating body.

Abstract: A camera concurrently produces an orthographic map and map spectral content. Illumination from an image passes through a phase modulator and the resulting rotating photo-flux phase is converted to an electrical signal by multiple adjacent sensors of detectors of array of detectors. The amount of unwanted illumination reaching the sensors is reduced by a set of baffles that shield and protect the transducers from unwanted out-of-field light and other light sources.

Abstract: A particular smart hazard detector may itself function as a guide during a process of installation of the same at an installation location. Additionally, the installation location of the particular smart hazard detector may play a central role in how various settings of the smart hazard detector are defined and adjusted over time.

Abstract: A method for indicating a weather threat to an aircraft is provided. The method includes inferring a weather threat to an aircraft and causing an image to be displayed on an aviation display in response to a determination by aircraft processing electronics that the inferred weather threat to the aircraft is greater than a measured weather threat to the aircraft.

Abstract: Provided is a parking space detector designed so as not to erroneously detect an inter-vehicle distance as a parking space, the inter-vehicle distance being the distance between oncoming vehicles continuously passing by. The invention is provided with a parking space presence determination part for determining whether or not a parking space for a vehicle is present. The parking space presence determination part is designed so as to determine whether or not oncoming vehicles are stationary on the basis of the vehicle speed and the relative speed of the oncoming vehicles, therefore preventing the space (inter-vehicle distance) between two other oncoming vehicles being erroneously detected as a parking space, the oncoming vehicles being vehicles traveling toward the vehicle and continuously passing by.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining an aerosol particle size distribution that includes the steps of modulating an aerosol particle beam with an aerosol particle gate which is controlled by a modulation function for generating a modulated aerosol particle beam, guiding the modulated aerosol particle beam through a drifting region, measuring a signal of the modulated aerosol particle beam after the modulated aerosol particle beam has passed the drifting region and calculating a correlation of the modulation function and the signal in order to determine the size distribution of the aerosol particles.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations a retractable environmental detector system includes two portions, a base or retractor unit that can be attached to a ceiling and a retractable environmental detector operably coupled to the base or retractor through a flexible retractable connector that retracts and extends the retractable environmental detector from and to the base or retractor.

Abstract: A particle beam forming device for forming either a linear or conical particle beam from a particle source in which particles are dispersed in a gas, includes: a reduced-pressure vessel in which pressure is reduced; a particle beam generating unit, which has one end arranged outside of the reduced-pressure vessel and an other end arranged inside the reduced-pressure vessel, and which captures the particle source from outside the reduced-pressure vessel and introduces the particle beam into the reduced-pressure vessel; and a particle beam evaluating unit for evaluating a spatial distribution of the particle beam inside the reduced-pressure vessel.