Abstract: An absorbance detector for a chromatograph includes a light source, a flow cell that receives light generated by the light source, a photodetector that detects light transmitted through the flow cell, a light shield member that shields at least part of the light generated from the light source to the flow cell, a motor that rotates the light shield member to change the light shield member between a light-shielding state where the light shield member shields at least part of the light generated from the light source to the flow cell and a non-light-shielding state where the light shield member does not shield the light generated from the light source to the flow cell, and a reference position detector that rotates the motor and also acquires a change in amount of light received by the photodetector to detect a reference position of the light shield member in a rotation direction of the light shield member based on the acquired change in the amount of the received light.

Abstract: The present invention intends to enable light path length to be kept the same between sample measurement and reference measurement and thereby improve measurement accuracy, and is an optical analyzer that analyzes a sample flowing through a pipe having translucency. In addition, the optical analyzer includes: a light source unit that has a light source and a condenser lens; a light detection unit that detects light of the light source unit; and a support mechanism that movably supports the light source unit and the light detection unit. Further, the support mechanism moves the light source unit and the light detection unit between a sample measurement position and a reference measurement position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining the change in concentration of a substance in solution over time by continuously monitoring in real time. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for continuously monitoring the concentration of compounds during the manufacturing process of biomolecules.

Abstract: Medical device or instrument for diagnosing pressure ulcers using optical reflectance spectroscopy. The device may comprise a tip and a controller. The tip is pressed against the skin of the patient and collects the optical reflectance data. The controller processes the data to determine whether there exists a pressure ulcer and, if there is one, its depth. The tip may also include a pressure sensor for sensing the pressure at which the tip is applied to the patient's skin.

Abstract: A probe for transient elastography includes a probe casing, at least one ultrasound transducer having a symmetry axis, a vibrator located inside the probe casing, a position sensor coupled to the probe casing, the position sensor being arranged to measure the displacement of the probe, wherein the vibrator is arranged to induce a movement of the probe casing along a predefined axis, the predefined axis being the symmetry axis of the ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is bound to the probe casing with no motion of the ultrasound transducer with respect to the probe casing, and the probe includes a feedback circuit including the position sensor and a control loop and configured to use the displacement of the probe as a feedback signal and to control the movement of the vibrator inside the probe casing and the shape of a low frequency pulse applied by the probe.

Abstract: A method and a device for diagnostic of skin cancer and other mammalian skin tissue pathologies are described. The method relies on determination of pathological changes in tissue vascularization and capillary blood flow. The device uses photonic emitters and detectors to characterize temporal and spatial changes in blood flow in response to external perturbation such as external mechanical force or temperature change.

Abstract: A camera-based photoacoustic remote sensing system (C-PARS) for imaging a subsurface and deep structures in a sample, has an excitation beam configured to generate ultrasonic signals in the sample at an excitation location; an interrogation beam incident on the sample at the excitation location, a portion of the interrogation beam returning from the sample that is indicative of the generated ultrasonic signals; a camera to map the returning portion of the interrogation beam over the entire field of view.

Abstract: Example aspects described herein relate to an apparatus for adjusting control parameters of a printing substance for a printing system. Such adjustments may occur in conjunction with a color calibration process of the printing system.

Abstract: An optical communication terminal is configured to operate in two different complementary modes of full duplex communication. In one mode, the terminal transmits light having a first wavelength and receives light having a second wavelength along a common free space optical path. In the other mode, the terminal transmits light having the second wavelength and receives light having the first wavelength. The terminal includes a steering mirror that directs light to and from a dichroic element that creates different optical paths depending on wavelength, and also includes spatially separated emitters and detectors for the two wavelengths. A first complementary emitter/detector pair is used in one mode, and a second pair is used for the other mode. The system also includes at least two ferrules. Each ferrule operates with a single emitter/detector pair. The ferrules are designed to operate interchangeably with either emitter/detector pair.

Abstract: A method of detecting natural gas releases that includes the step of traversing a target area with a gas-filter correlation radiometer having a field of view oriented towards the target area. The gas-filter correlation radiometer receives reflected radiation in a passband from the target area and produces gas-filter correlation radiometer signals from the received reflected radiation. A surface reflectivity spectral profile of the target area is determined. The presence of methane in the target area is then determined based upon the received reflected radiation and the surface reflectivity spectral profile of the target area.

Abstract: Sample monitoring and flow control systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring of airborne particulates. A system may include a particle collection filter. The system also includes a fluid moving device for moving a sample through the particle collection filter. Further, the system includes a light source configured to direct irradiating light towards the particle collection filter. The system also includes a light detector positioned to receive the irradiating light passing through the particle collection filter and configured to generate a signal representative of an amount of the received light. Further, the system includes a controller configured to receive the signal and to control the fluid moving device based on the amount of the received light.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the light output of an optoacoustic imaging system is presented. An optoacoustic imaging system includes a light source such as a laser, the light source having a light output control, a probe for delivering light to a volume, the probe being associated with one or more sensors, a light path operatively connected to the first light source, the light path providing light from the first light source to the probe. Generally, the light output of an optoacoustic imaging system may be harmful to the eye, and may be subject to maximum safe fluence levels incident upon the volume of interest in a clinical setting. Accordingly, the light output control may be set to an initial, relatively low value. After the light source is pulsed, the light output may be measured at or near the probe at the distal end of the light path. The measured light output can used to determine whether, and how much, to change the setting of the light output control.

Abstract: A gas analyzer is provided, capable of measuring specific gas amount information within a measurement target gas in which pressure varies greatly. The gas analyzer includes a calculation member for calculating specific gas amount information of the nth cycle, a gas pressure change amount calculation unit for calculating an amount of gas pressure change at each time, and a correction signal creation member for generating a time changing, corrected light intensity at each wavelength ?, by performing a fitting process using the time-changing intensity over a long time period in a time zone in which the amount of gas pressure change is small but using the time-changing intensity over a short time period in a time zone in which the amount of gas pressure change is large.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup unit includes: a substrate made of a first semiconductor; a substrate made of a first semiconductor; a photoelectric conversion device provided on the substrate and including a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode in order from the substrate; and a plurality of field-effect transistors configured to perform signal reading from the photoelectric conversion device. The plurality of transistors include a transfer transistor and an amplification transistor, the transfer transistor includes an active layer containing a second semiconductor with a larger band gap than that of the first semiconductor, and one terminal of a source and a drain of the transfer transistor also serves the first electrode or the second electrode of the photoelectric conversion device, and the other terminal of the transfer transistor is connected to a gate of the amplification transistor.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup unit includes: a substrate made of a first semiconductor; a substrate made of a first semiconductor; a photoelectric conversion device provided on the substrate and including a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode in order from the substrate; and a plurality of field-effect transistors configured to perform signal reading from the photoelectric conversion device. The plurality of transistors include a transfer transistor and an amplification transistor, the transfer transistor includes an active layer containing a second semiconductor with a larger band gap than that of the first semiconductor, and one terminal of a source and a drain of the transfer transistor also serves the first electrode or the second electrode of the photoelectric conversion device, and the other terminal of the transfer transistor is connected to a gate of the amplification transistor.

Abstract: The skew angle of a document image is determined or estimated. The skew angle is determined or estimated by examining patterns found within a Fast Fourier Transform of a subset of the document image. This technique exploits the internal structure of the document designs to allow fast and accurate skew angle estimation, including for arbitrary document fragments.

Abstract: This invention presents a Water Weather Station system and method for monitoring changes in water quality comprising a water quality monitoring unit, a digital image capturing unit, a digital image processing unit, a water quality display unit, a social media network or cloud collaborative network based water quality data storage, distribution and archiving unit and social media network based communication unit, an automatic water quality classification unit as well as a water quality reporting unit. Various components described in this invention are already well established. The current invention is based on a specific arrangement of these components to develop a Water Weather Station system and a method of using it for monitoring of changes in water quality in any source of water including city water supply, bottled water industry, swimming pools, water theme parks and other arenas where people interact with water resources.

Abstract: A quinacridone derivative may be represented by Chemical Formula 1, and a photoactive layer may include the same. A photoelectric conversion device may include a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from and configured to face the first electrode, and the photoactive layer including the quinacridone derivative between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, systems and methods for measuring the dose remaining in a drug delivery device that is used for delivering a dose to a patient. In some embodiments, a dose measurement system for measuring the liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container. A plurality of sensors are located in the apparatus that are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to receive data representing the portion of the detected electromagnetic radiation from each of the plurality of sensors. The processing unit is further operable to convert the received data into a signature representative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an attachment for placement onto an optical sensor having a housing with an inlet opening for the entry of detection light into the attachment, a test light receiver for receiving light incident at the test light receiver and for a power measurement of the light incident at the test light receiver as test light and having a signal outputting device for outputting an output signal correlated to the test light power. The invention moreover relates to a combination of an optical sensor and such an attachment and to a method for operating an optical sensor which method can be carried out with such an attachment.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an optical density sensor comprising calculating a first pigment solid density value of an ink solution using a current first electrical output signal value from a photodetector, a current second electrical output signal value from a photodetector, and a current lens gap value, calculating a second pigment solid density value of the ink solution using a previously measured first electrical output signal value, a previously measured second electrical output signal value, and a previously measured lens gap value, comparing the current first electrical output signal value, the current second electrical output signal value, and the current lens gap value with the previously measured first electrical output signal value, the previously measure second electrical output signal value, and the previously measured lens gap value, and comparing the first pigment solid density value with the second pigment solid density value.

Abstract: A method for assessing an interaction of a sample with light beams having different wavelengths, the method comprising: generating a light beam having a wavelength and being intensity modulated according to a modulation function to create an intensity modulation in the light beam; irradiating the sample with the light beam; detecting a response light from the sample, the response light being released by the sample when the sample is irradiated with the light beam, the response light having intensity fluctuations caused by the intensity modulation; using the intensity fluctuations in the response light to identify the modulation function and associate the wavelength and the response light to each other; assessing the interaction of the sample with the light beam using the response light; stopping irradiating the sample with the light beam and performing the previous step with at least one other light beam having a different wavelength.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to devices, systems and methods for measuring the dose remaining in a drug delivery device that is used for delivering a dose to a patient. In some embodiments, a dose measurement system for measuring the liquid volume in a container includes a plurality of light sources which are disposed and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward the container. A plurality of sensors are located in the apparatus that are optically coupleable to the plurality of light sources and are disposed and configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation emitted by at least a portion of the light sources. The apparatus also includes a processing unit configured to receive data representing the portion of the detected electromagnetic radiation from each of the plurality of sensors. The processing unit is further operable to convert the received data into a signature representative of the electromagnetic radiation detected by the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A joulemeter is capable of non-destructively measuring multiple characteristics of a laser beam. The joulemeter comprises a series of parallel probe beams, which are directed though a transparent media adjacent to an absorbing media that the tested beams pass through. Arrays of optical sensors or a chirp sensor are used to intercept and measure deflections the probe beams. A control unit renders measurements on selected properties of the laser.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and device for determining the static and/or dynamic scattering of light. In the method, a plurality of different zones within a sample vessel (6) is illuminated during various time periods, wherein light is scattered on the sample. The scattered light is detected by means of a plurality of detectors (11, 12, 13, 14), wherein during the implementation of the method each detector captures scattered light from a plurality of different zones, and during a time period each detector detects scattered light from one zone and generates a signal. Said signals are transmitted to an electronic evaluation unit and are processed by said unit, wherein in each case those signals which are generated by the same detector and result from the detection of scattered light from the same zone are processed together.

Abstract: The present invention creates a spectrometer (1; 1?) for measuring the concentration of at least one analyte in a fluid sample (2; 2?), with a light source (3; 3?) to generate a light beam (4; 4?), with a photosensor (5; 5?) to receive the light beam (4; 4?), and with a measurement length (6; 6?), in which the fluid sample (2; 2?) can be placed, in the beam path of the light beam (4; 4?), the measurement length (6; 6?) being provided in changeable form.

Abstract: A method for image sticking inspection of a light-transmissive device is disclosed. The light-transmissive device is responsive to application of a voltage to electrodes thereof to adjust light transmission characteristics. The method includes: providing light for passage through the light-transmissive device; applying a first alternating current (AC) voltage to the electrodes; applying a direct current voltage to the electrodes; and applying a second AC voltage to the electrodes, and measuring intensity of the light passing through the light-transmissive device during application of the second AC voltage.

Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor (10) has a circumferential front screen (42) comprising a curvature both in a circumferential direction and in a transverse height, thus focusing light reflected at the inside of the front screen (42). Test light passes from a test light transmitter (50a-f) through the front screen (42) to a reflector (52a-f) and subsequently onto a test light receiver (56a-b). A decreasing light transmissivity of the front screen (42) is detected based on a decrease of a signal generated by the test light in the test light receiver (56a-b). The test light receiver (56a-b) is arranged on a same side of the front screen (42) as the reflector (52a-f) such that the test light path (54a-f) leads from the reflector (52a-f) via reflection on the inside of the front screen (42) to the test light receiver (56a-b).

Abstract: A testing system including shutter glasses and a testing device is disclosed. The shutter glasses include a left-eye panel and a right-eye panel. The shutter glasses generate an output signal according to a wireless signal. The testing device provides a trigger signal to the shutter glasses to control turn-on times of the left-eye panel and the right-eye panel. When a light passes through the turned-on panel, a penetrating light is generated. The wireless signal is provided by the testing device. The testing device determines whether the shutter glasses are normal according to the output signal and the penetrating light.

Abstract: A low pressure heater control system. In some embodiments a control is in electrical communication with a sensor having a view of a combustion chamber. The control calculates an average sensor value over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods based on a plurality of readings from the sensor. In some embodiments a reference point that may be at least based in part on an average of a plurality of average optical sensor values from earlier brief sampling periods is calculated and compared against the average optical sensor value from a recent brief sampling period to monitor for an abrupt combustion change. In some embodiments a peak-to-peak optical sensor value is also calculated over each of a plurality of brief sampling periods. In some embodiments the type of fuel being combusted is recognized and/or the fuel level approximated based on measured average and/or peak-to-peak optical sensor values.

Abstract: The invention relates to the scan methods and means for tomographic examination of two-dimensional structure of planar objects. The invention aims at developing a method of studying nanodimensional or microscopic objects with a resolution of the order of 30 nanometer and means of implementation of such a method. The task in view is performed such that the scanning microscope comprises a radiation source 1, as well as, positioned along the radiation rays, an opaque screen 2 with a slit, an object stage 4 with a mobility device for disposing of and maneuvering with an object under examination within the scan plane 7, a radiation detector 8 connected to an information processing unit 9, wherein according to the embodiment, the opaque screen is supplied with at least one slit shutter 3 movable in the plane of the opaque screen, the slit shutter providing the variability of cross-sectional dimensions of the slit.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for quantitative and qualitative imaging of gases, vapors, fumes, and the like. In one embodiment, the system uses a moving, or a rotating filter for alternately capturing on-line and off-line images of a scene that potentially includes the target gas of interest. The moving, or rotating filter includes at least two filter segments for transmitting (a) wavelengths corresponding to a spectroscopic absorption feature for on-line elements of the target gas, and (b) nearby wavelengths not corresponding to a spectroscopic absorption feature for off-line elements of the target gas. An image processor executes an algorithm for transforming the collected on-line and off-line data, corresponding to different pixels in the imaging array, into an image map of path-integrated concentration, or concentration path lengths (CPLs). The systems and methods of the invention do not use active light sources to illuminate the target gas.

Abstract: An inspection of a closed carton for acceptable content fill may be provided by a transmitting unit and a receiving unit measuring intensity values of electromagnetic waves directed at the carton. A comparison of a reference intensity value to a measured intensity value may indicate whether the closed carton is filled correctly identifying missing contents such as the main product or a missing leaflet that may contain product instructions.

Abstract: A portal or gateway that includes a detector comprising a chirped laser; an open optical sample cell and a detector for detecting light from the chirped laser that has passed through the cell. The chirped laser may be a quantum cascade laser.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an optical density sensor comprising calculating a first pigment solid density value of an ink solution using a current first electrical output signal value from a photodetector, a current second electrical output signal value from a photodetector, and a current lens gap value, calculating a second pigment solid density value of the ink solution using a previously measured first electrical output signal value, a previously measured second electrical output signal value, and a previously measured lens gap value, comparing the current first electrical output signal value, the current second electrical output signal value, and the current lens gap value with the previously measured first electrical output signal value, the previously measure second electrical output signal value, and the previously measured lens gap value, and comparing the first pigment solid density value with the second pigment solid density value.

Abstract: A method and a system for jointly determining the content of a first chromophorous and fluorescent compound and a second chromophorous compound in a biological tissue (30). The determination of the content of the chromophorous and fluorescent compound (33) is carried out by optical measurement of the differential absorption of this chromophorous and fluorescent compound (33) and the determination of the content of the second chromophorous compound (34) is carried out by optical measurement of the fluorescence of the chromophorous and fluorescent compound (33). Optical radiations (11-14) are utilized which are suitably chosen in combination with at least one operation of filtering these radiations suited to using single detection (21) and measurement element for the two determinations.

Abstract: Two-color (two-photon) excitation with two confocal excitation beams is demonstrated with a Raman shifter as excitation light source. Two-color excitation fluorescence is obtained from Coumarin 6H dye sample (peak absorption=394 nm, peak fluorescence=490 nm) that is excited using the first two Stokes outputs (683 nm, 954 nm, two-color excitation=398 nm) of a Raman shifter pumped by a 6.5 nsec pulsed 532 nm-Nd:YAG laser (Repetition rate=10 Hz). The two Stokes pulses overlap for a few nanoseconds and two-color fluorescence is generateven with focusing objectives of low numerical apertures (NA?0.4). We observed the linear dependence of the two-color fluorescence signal with the product of the average intensities of the two Stokes excitation beams. The two-color fluorescence distribution is strongly localized around the common focus of the confocal excitation beams.

Abstract: A device to measure the amount of light able to transmit through a liquid. The device uses a light detector and light source mounted to a support mechanism such that the detector and light source define a path of light emitted by the light source and detected by the detector. The device uses a structure designed to surround a liquid to be tested such that the structure allows light to transmit through the structure and the liquid. An actuator engenders relative motion between the support mechanism and the structure such that at certain times the light propagating between the light source and the detector passes substantially through the structure and the liquid to be tested such that the amount of light able to transmit through the liquid is detected by the detector, and at other times the light propagates directly from the light source to the detector without passing through the structure or the liquid such that the amount of light emitted from the light source is directly detected by the detector.

Abstract: A method and system for improved image quality using an image quality matching method is used to match the optical density of single prints produced on multiple print engines by first sensing the optical density of a first image produced on a first print engine and then sensing the optical density of a second image produced on a second print engine before comparing the optical densities and determining if they are substantially equal. If they are not equal set points and exposures are adjusted on one or both print engines until the differences between the optical densities is less than 0.05, preferably 0.03. The density is changed by adjusting the initial voltage on the primary imaging member of at least one print engine and/or by adjusting the exposure of the primary imaging member of at least one print engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface inspection method and apparatus for inspecting a surface of a sample, in which a resistive film is coated on the surface, and a beam is irradiated to the surface having the resistive film coated thereon, to thereby conduct inspection of the surface of the sample. In the surface inspection method of the present invention, a resistive film having an arbitrarily determined thickness t1 is first coated on a surface of a sample. Thereafter, a part of the resistive film having the arbitrarily determined thickness t1 is dissolved in a solvent, to thereby reduce the thickness of the resistive film to a desired level. This enables precise control of a value of resistance of the resistive film and suppresses distortion of an image to be detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement (10) for detecting the penetration of optical radiation (12) in a sectional area (20) of a protective wall system (18) in which at least one receiver (22) is located. The receiver is connected to an evaluation circuit (24). To recognize the failure of an inner protective wall it is suggested that the outer wall (16) of the protective wall system has a breach (26) for a transmitter/receiver unit (28), consisting of a number of receivers (22) located on the circumferential side of a tubular jacket (30) and a number of transmitters (32) concentrically surrounding the receivers (22) in a circle.

Abstract: A device for measuring intensity of a transmitted light, includes a first measuring unit that measures a first intensity of a light transmitted through a medium on a conveying path in its thickness direction and outputs a first measured value; a second measuring unit that is arranged adjacent to the first measuring unit, measures a second intensity of the light transmitted through the medium in the thickness direction, and outputs a second measured value; and an operating unit that obtains a true measured value from the first measured value and the second measured value.

Abstract: A defect detection method of a layered film having a polarizing plate and an optical compensation layer includes steps of: applying light from a light source arranged at the polarizing plate layer side of the film surface of the layered film; a step of imaging a transmitting light image of the layered film by an imaging unit arranged at the optical compensation layer side of the film surface; and a defect detection step for detecting a defect existing on the layered film according to the transmitting light image captured by the imaging unit. The imaging unit performs imaging via an inspection polarizing filter arranged on the optical path between the light source and the imaging unit and adjacent to the imaging unit; and an inspection phase difference filter arranged on the optical path between the light source and the imaging unit and between the inspection polarizing filter and the layered film.

Abstract: A device for non-invasively measuring concentration of one or more analytes in a living subject or a biological sample, wherein the device includes several light sources, a system for controlling the timing and intensity of the light source outputs, a system for passing the light through the subject or sample, a system for measuring the amount of light transmitted, and a system for relating the measurement to the concentration of the analyte in question. The light sources are narrow band sources at different wavelengths, and are capable of being rapidly switched between two levels of intensity. The actual number of light sources required and the wavelengths of the sources are dependent upon the specific analyte being measured.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement (10) for detecting the penetration of optical radiation (12) in a sectional area (20) of a protective wall system (18) in which at least one receiver (22) is located. The receiver is connected to an evaluation circuit (24). To recognize the failure of an inner protective wall it is suggested that the outer wall (16) of the protective wall system has a breach (26) for a transmitter/receiver unit (28), consisting of a number of receivers (22) located on the circumferential side of a tubular jacket (30) and a number of transmitters (32) concentrically surrounding the receivers (22) in a circle.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope, including: a light source to generate a beam of probe light; collimation optics to substantially collimate the probe beam; a probe-result beamsplitter; a long working-distance, infinity-corrected objective; scanning means to scan a beam spot of the focused probe beam on or within a sample; relay optics; and a detector. The collimation optics are disposed in the probe beam. The probe-result beamsplitter is arranged in the optical paths of the probe beam and the resultant light from the sample. The beamsplitter reflects the probe beam into the objective and transmits resultant light. The long working-distance, infinity-corrected objective is also arranged in the optical paths of the probe beam and the resultant light. It focuses the reflected probe beam onto the sample, and collects and substantially collimates the resultant light. The relay optics are arranged to relay the transmitted resultant light from the beamsplitter to the detector.

Abstract: To monitor light pulses from a light source, such as a laser, sense signals are provided to a photosensing component or array, causing photosensing during a series of one or more sense periods for the light pulse. Each light pulse can be provided through a transmission structure, such as a layered structure, that provides output light with an energy-dependent position on the photosensing component. A pulse's sensing results can be used to obtain a set of one or more differential quantities; for example, with a photosensing array, two cells of the array can be read out and compared. For a narrow band light pulse, a transmission structure can provide a spot on the photosensing component, and the light spot position can be sensed.

Abstract: The invention relates to electronic circuits for measuring, by synchronous detection, weak signals whose reference level is not well known and is subject to large fluctuations. A first correlated double sampling is performed between a time T1 situated just before the start of the measurement pulse and a time T2 situated just before the end of the measurement pulse; subsequently, a second correlated double sampling is performed between time T2 and a time T3 situated after the end of the measurement pulse. Finally, the difference between signal levels coming from the two measurements is taken, this difference being a representation of the signal value Vm considered with respect to a reference level that is intermediate between the reference levels at times T1 and T3.

Abstract: In a method and system for compensating for contamination of a switch or of a load circuit connected to the switch in a switch circuit, on/off signal levels are obtained corresponding to on/off states of said switch based on a polling signal which turns said switch on and off. With each polling signal, the on signal level is compared with the off signal level to determine whether the signal levels differ by more than a defined amount indicating unacceptable switch or switch load circuit contamination. Based on said comparison, a switch or switch load circuit contamination indication output signal is provided indicating whether or not the switch or the switch load circuit has been unacceptably contaminated. This signal is used by said switch circuit for continued operation of said switch circuit or for taking a corrective action if unacceptable switch or switch load circuit contamination is determined.

Abstract: There is provided a molecularity measurement instrument capable of working out the number of molecules in a sample by comparing a measured value of a light quantity with a theoretical light quantity per a single molecule, and a molecularity measurement method using the same. The molecularity of the sample is quantitatively estimated on the basis of a light quantity having correlation with the molecularity. The molecularity measurement method comprises the step of working out a theoretical light quantity per a single molecule, the step of measuring a light quantity of the sample by use of an image detector, and the step of working out the molecularity of the sample on the basis of a ratio of the light quantity of the sample to the theoretical light quantity as worked out.