Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing non-linear, passive quenching of avalanche currents in Geiger-mode avalanche photodiodes (APDs) is provided. A non-linear, passive, current-limiting device is connected in series with the APD and a bias source. The non-linear, passive, current-limiting device rapidly quenches avalanche currents generated by the APD in response to an input photon and resets the APD for detecting additional photons, using a minimal number of components. The non-linear, passive, current-limiting device could comprise a field-effect transistor (FET), as well as a junction FET (JFET) a metal-oxide semiconductor FET (MOSFET), or a current-limiting diode (CLD) connected in series with the APD and the bias source.

Abstract: A line head includes a light-emitting element line in which a plurality of light-emitting elements, each being interposed between one electrode and another electrode, are arranged; and driving circuits that drive the light-emitting elements on the light-emitting element line, respectively. A power supply wiring line connected to the one electrode through each of the driving circuits is arranged opposite to the other electrode.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixels having a photodetector for collecting charge in response to incident light; a storage region adjacent the photodetector that receives the charge from the photodetector; a sense node adjacent the storage region that receives the charge from the storage region and converts the charge to a voltage signal; and an input to an amplifier for sensing the voltage signal from the sense node.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a light source unit emitting a light beam optically modulated based on image/video information, a scanning unit for scanning the light beam emitted from the light source unit two-dimensionally, an optical system that guides the light beam scanned by the scanning unit to the scanned position, a control unit for controlling operations of the light source unit and the scanning unit in synchronization with each other to form the image on the scanned position, and a light beam dividing unit for dividing the light beam scanned by the scanning unit two-dimensionally into a plurality of light beams and emitting them.

Abstract: In a gantry for an x-ray computed tomography apparatus with a rotor and a stator and a device for measurement of the rotation angle as well as a method for measurement of the rotation angle, a disc is provided with markings that rotate relative to a detection device for detection of the markings. Electrical signals are generated by the detection device, and an evaluation device converts the signals into a measurement signal corresponding to the respective rotation angle. To increase the precision of the measurement, a low-pass filter is connected upstream of the evaluation device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a packaging structure of a light-sensing element and a fabrication method thereof, wherein the light-sensing chip is installed on the substrate, and then a cleaning step is undertaken; next, a light transparent cover with a cavity is installed to the substrate with a glue material in order to envelop the light-sensing chip. Thereby, the present invention not only can clean pollutants completely and promote the yield, but also can reduce the packaging area. In the present invention, the engagement portions may also be formed on the substrate and the light transparent cover so that the alignment can be undertaken easily.

Abstract: A method for operating an optical sensing device having a light source and a photodetector device with at least one photosensitive element. A surface portion is illuminated with radiation by the light source and the radiation reflected from the illuminated surface portion is detected with a photosensitive element. While said surface portion is being illuminated, an output signal of the photosensitive element over time is integrated, the output signal integration level is compared with a first integration reference level during integration; the integration step is interrupted if the output signal integration level has reached the first integration reference level, or the comparison step is repeated until a first integration period has elapsed if the output signal integration level has not reached the first integration reference level.

Abstract: An optical characterization device has a guiding body and a diffractive structure integrated with it. The guiding body delivers radiation to the diffractive structure at a preselected angle and the diffractive structure diffracts at least a portion of radiation guided to it to give spatial resolution according to wavelength. A position sensitive detector detects the position of the spatially resolved radiation and thus the radiation can be characterized according to wavelength. Embodiments can be used to monitor and adjust the wavelength of a radiation source, using a feedback connection. By using the integrated approach, a very small structure can be realized and the structure can be relatively simply fabricated and assembled. The guiding body might be either capable of supporting multimode propagation of the radiation or might be a single mode waveguide. Where it is capable of supporting multimode propagation, an input to the guiding body acts to select a mode for propagation of the radiation.

Abstract: An optical device is described that include: a photoemitter for emitting light, a mounting unit for installing a transparent container accommodating a sample to be subjected to detection, a photoreceptor for receiving the light emitted by a photoemitter and transmitted through the transparent container installed in the mounting unit, a first member disposed between the transparent container and the photoreceptor and having a first pinhole through which passes the light transmitted through the transparent container, and a second member disposed between the first member and the photoreceptor and having a second pinhole through which passes the transmitted light that has passed through the first pinhole.

Abstract: An optical encoder, a system and a method for outputting a signal are provided. The optical encoder and the system have a shaft extending from an interior of a housing. A circuit board having a light emitting element and a light detector is connected to the housing. The light emitting element emits an amount of light within the interior of the housing. A light pipe transmits, deflects and/or directs the amount of light from the light emitting element toward the light detector. A rotor which is connected to the shaft rotates to change the amount of light received by the light detector. The shaft is connected to a sprocket which contacts a spring to produce a sound or vibration which indicates the shaft is rotating, twisting and/or turning. The circuit board outputs a signal via a cable based on the amount of light received by the light detector. The signal corresponds to a position and/or a location of the shaft.

Abstract: An optical fiber measuring module is provided with an optical fiber cable (2) including an optical fiber core (2a), a cladding (2b) and a covering layer (2c), a base member (3) for holding the optical fiber cable (2), and an attachment member (4) for attaching the base member (3) to a structure (1).

Abstract: A switch panel having a touch plate, light converter, and light analyzer are disclosed. The touch plate includes an optically transparent layer having first and second surfaces, and having an index of refraction greater than that of air. The touch plate conducts light of an excitation wavelength between the first and second surfaces and emits part of that light through the second surface at one of a plurality of emission locations depending on the position at which pressure is applied to the first surface. The light converter is positioned to receive the light emitted through the second surface and generates light having a plurality of distinct location-specific spectra, one of the location-specific spectra corresponding to each of the emission locations. The light analyzer generates a signal indicative of which of the location-specific spectra was generated by the light converter.

Abstract: An AD-converted digital video data is encoded by a difference encoding method before it is outputted and such encoded digital video data is then outputted, after it is converted to gray code or to a predetermined code in which a fixed value is added. Problems solved include noise that is generated when the AD conversion circuit outputs video data and that migrates into a CCD side via a power supply line on a printed circuit board, and noise that appears on a display image by migration into an input terminal side from an output circuit side via the power supply line and a semiconductor substrate within an AD conversion LSI.

Abstract: An image sensor is formed with shifts among the optical parts of the sensor and the photosensitive parts of the sensor. The optical parts of the sensor may include a color filter array and/or microlenses. The photosensitive part may include any photoreceptors such as a CMOS image sensor. The shifts allow images to be formed even when the light received at a given pixel location varies in angle of incidence as a function of pixel location within the array. The relative shifts among the pixel components may be, for example, plus or minus some fraction of the pixel pitch. The shift may be variable across the array or may be constant across the array and may be deterministically determined.

Abstract: A distance measuring device capable of being used in microscopes or other optical systems. Embodiments of the invention employ one or more scanning mirrors to scan a reference beam over a target to be inspected. The reference beam is returned and detected by a photodetector. The reference beam may be created by using a knife-edge element which allows the outgoing reference beam and incoming reference beam to follow the same path so that the apparent motion of the spot on the target surface is not detected by the photodetector. The photodetector generates an electronic signal corresponding to the displacement of the target away from the ideal focal point. The electrical signal may be used to drive a servomechanism to displace either the target or the microscope objective lens to bring the target in focus.

Abstract: An active pixel element of an image sensor array includes a sensor, a transfer transistor, a reset transistor, and a source follower. There is a column-read transistor positioned in each column of the image sensor array for controlling the read signals. When the sensor is reset, all column-read transistors are turned off while the transfer transistor and the reset transistor are turned on. When a reset signal is read and all column-read transistors are still turned off, the reset transistor is turned on so as to generate the same reset reference voltage when the sensor is reset. In this way, there is no difference in reset reference voltage between each column and between each row for the image sensor array.

Abstract: A printer has a laser emitter for emitting a laser beam to irradiate a surface of a photosensitive member; a reflector, disposed at a position on a laser beam path defined by the laser emitter and the photosensitive member, for reflecting the laser beam emitted by the laser emitter to direct the reflected laser beam to a target position on the surface of the photosensitive member; a reflective mirror driver for reciprocating the reflector in such a manner that the laser beam travels along a scanning line on the surface of the photosensitive member in a direction for scanning; and an emission controller for controlling the laser emitter to selectively emit the laser beam along the scanning line in the forward direction or the backward direction defined by the movement of the reflector driven by the reflective mirror driver.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting a proximity of an object are provided. The method includes receiving a first beam of radiation from a first field of view directed onto a first detector and a second beam of radiation from a second field of view directed onto a second detector wherein the second beam is angularly displaced from the first beam by a predetermined amount, generating a first output signal from the first detector correlative to the energy received from the first beam and a second output signal from the second detector correlative to the energy received from the second beam, and outputting a proximity signal indicative of the proximity of an object when a differential between the first and second output signals exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An optical encoder system is disclosed with a single pattern medium having a first coded pattern disposed on the first side, a second coded pattern disposed on the second side, a first optical encoder disposed toward the first side, and a second optical encoder disposed toward the second side. An optical encoder device is disclosed with a first coded pattern disposed on the first side, and a second coded pattern disposed on the second side. There is disclosed a method for using an optical encoder device to obtain information related to a motor which includes the steps of illuminating a first coded pattern disposed on a first side of a pattern medium, illuminating a second coded pattern disposed on a second side of the pattern medium, detecting light reflected from the first side, detecting light reflected from the second side, and analyzing the reflected light.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image pickup device capable of greatly reducing delay in drive signals supplied to field emission devices, and cross-talk and the like that originate in these drive signals. The image pickup device comprises a photoelectric conversion film for receiving incident light on one side thereof; a field emission layer having an electron emitting surface apart from and facing the other side of the photoelectric conversion film, and including a plurality of electron emission devices; and a drive layer formed on a back side of the field emission layer and including a plurality of device drive circuits for supplying drive signals to each of back electrodes of the plurality of electron emission devices.