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: 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: A rotary switch including a control element, a light-emitting device arranged on a printed circuit board and configured to emit light, and at least two receivers arranged on the printed circuit board in correspondence with the light-emitting device and configured to detect switching positions of the rotary switch. Further, the light-emitting device is mounted radially at an outside portion of inside of a hollow cylindrical extension of the control element, and wherein on level with the light-emitting device, the extension includes orifices evenly distributed around a periphery of the extension, and that opposite the light-emitting device, on an exterior side of the extension, the at least two receivers are arranged.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic detection device, especially a laser scanner, comprising a transmitting device for transmitting preferably pulsed electromagnetic radiation, also comprising at least one receiving device which is associated with the transmitting device and at least one deflection device which is used to guide radiation which is transmitted by the transmitting device into a monitoring area and radiation which is reflected by the monitoring area to the receiving device. The transmitting device comprises several, preferably two, separate transmitting modules which respectively transmit radiation along a specific transmission path.

Abstract: An optical system including a light source that generates light, a mirror changing an optical path of the light generated by the light source and an aberration correcting element that corrects aberrations generated in the light reflected from the mirror due to an error in the surface shape of the mirror.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical medium judging method for avoiding the collision of an objective lens with a disk or the failure to judge a warped disk when the optical disk drive judging the disk. This method will move the objective lens so as to obtain the data of the laser beam reflection amount of the focusing beam on the plastic layer of the optical disk. By using the reflection amount, the driving circuit will output a rising direct current voltage of a voltage difference to drive an actuator so as to move the objective lens to a proper position capable of judging the disk without colliding with the disk.

Abstract: Dark current caused by a crystalline defect in an interfacial surface of a device isolating layer is prevented according to an image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. A first device isolating layer adjacent to a photodiode disposed on an upper surface of a semiconductor substrate protrudes from the semiconductor substrate. A side surface of the first device isolating layer is covered by a first spacer with a refractivity greater than that of the first device isolating layer. The photodiode is insulated by the device isolating layer protruding from the semiconductor substrate to prevent the dark current. By forming the spacer on the sidewall of the device isolating layer to attain total reflection, efficiency of light incident to the photodiode is improved.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of photodetectors arranged in an array; and a plurality of transistors that are functionally shared by the photodetectors, wherein a distance of each photodetector to an adjacent transistor is substantially the same.

Abstract: A first light source is adapted to illuminate a first object with first light. A first sensor includes a first light receiving element adapted to detect the first light by way of the first object. A second sensor includes a second light receiving element adapted to detect a second light which is externally inputted by way of a second object. A transparent member is disposed on at least one of a first optical path extending from the first object to the first sensor through a first lens and a second optical path extending from the second object to the second sensor through a second lens.

Abstract: A method for automatic focusing of images, which is typically used in image measuring. Key aspects of the method involve a step of controlling a moveable part to move within a predetermined focusing area, a step of processing consecutive images to obtain definition values of the consecutive images, and a step of calculating a focus location of the consecutive images. In particular, if it is the second time to focus the images, the method involves the step of calculating the focus location of the consecutive images.

Abstract: A level detector includes a light receiving element unit having a plurality of light receiving elements; a first amplifier circuit configured to amplify a light receiving signal; a first gain switching circuit; a first peak hold circuit; an arithmetic control device configured to analyze a light receiving position of the position detection unit; a second amplifier circuit; and a second gain switching circuit configured to switch and set a gain of the second amplifier circuit, the arithmetic control device analyzes the light receiving position of laser light received by the position detection unit, based on a signal output from the second amplifier circuit.

Abstract: A scanning optical microscope including: a light source; a lens for altering the cross-sectional shape aspect ratio of a beam of light emitted from the light source; at least one lens for converging beams of light of different cross-sectional shape aspect ratio to create a linear light; a first light modulation member able to impart shade to the converged linear light; a lens that can form the light to which the shade has been imparted as a parallel light; a scanning member that can alter the angle of illumination; a lens for focusing the light to which the shade has been imparted; an objective lens for projecting the light to which the shading has been imparted to a sample body; and a lens for imaging the reflected light from the sample body or the light generated by the sample body on to a sensor.

Abstract: An exposure control system and method for an image sensor, which includes an image sensor, an illuminator, a controller and a light separator. The image sensor has plural photosensitive pixels in a two-dimensional matrix arrangement. When an exposure is operated in a sub-region of the plural photosensitive pixels, the illuminator produces a flashlight as a light source for exposure. The light separator eliminates light except the flashlight. The controller sequentially activates each row of pixels in the sub-region, and when each row of pixels is in an exposure state, the controller drives the illuminator to produce the flashlight.

Abstract: A scanning system for carrying out a 3D scan of a tooth model includes an imaging device and a positioning system in the form of a sliding panel which can be positioned and has first locking means. On the locking panel there are provided second locking means which interact with the first locking means such that the sliding panel can assume one of several specified positions relative to the locking panel and locks in the selected position. The sliding panel has means for mounting a dental model and stands on projections disposed on its underside. A 3D scan of a tooth model is provided by creating a first image of the object to be scanned at a precisely defined locked position, moving the sliding panel to at least one further precisely defined locked position and creating another image at each such position, and creating a 3D data set by evaluating the images produced at least two different, precisely defined positions.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for improving the depth discrimination in optically imaging systems. It is applicable in particular in light microscopy for improving image quality when examining three-dimensionally extending objects. It is applicable in the method of structured illumination as described in WO 97/6509. For this purpose, influences due to variations in the brightness of the light source, positioning of the imaged periodic structure and bleaching of the object in fluorescence illumination are determined and taken into account in the calculation of the object structure.

Abstract: A photocurrent amplifier circuit which can be realized as a simple and downsized photocurrent amplifier circuit is capable of selectively amplifying, in an amplifier circuit in an output stage, one or more of current signals which are respectively obtainable from light receiving circuits. The photocurrent amplifier circuit includes: light receiving circuits; amplifier devices associated with the light receiving circuits; device selector switches which apply input voltages, which deactivate the amplifier devices, to the associated amplifier devices; and a differential amplifier circuit having an inverting input unit configured of the amplifier devices which are connected in parallel. The inputs of the amplifier devices and the output of the differential amplifier circuit are connected by gain resistors. The differential amplifier circuit amplifies, into voltage signals, current signals flowing from the light receiving circuits which are respectively associated with the gain resistors.

Abstract: A light-condensing method of irradiating light whose electric field vectors show two or more than two different directions onto a member having apertures arranged at least at two positions and forming a light-condensing section having a strong electric field between the apertures arranged at two positions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for illuminating a subject with deep UV light and detecting 2-dimensional image information, e.g., a transmission image, fluorescence image, reflected light image, etc. The subject may be illuminated with a light pulse having a duration of 2 seconds or less and one or more components with a wavelength of between about 150 nm to about 300 nm. The light pulse may be arranged so as to minimize or eliminate any detrimental effect on the functioning of the subject, e.g., on a living cell. A concentration, mass, quantum yield, absorbance or other characteristics of one or more compounds in the subject may be determined based on one or more 2-dimensional images obtained of the subject. An illumination beam having left and right circularly polarized components may be generated, e.g., for circular dichroism analysis of a subject.

Abstract: Methods and systems for low power switching are provided. In one embodiment, an optical switching system is provided. The system comprises at least one optically controlled switch adapted to maintain one of an open state and a closed state based on an associated light signal; and at least one light source adapted to output the associated light signal to the at least one switch, wherein the at least one light source cycles the light signal on and off, wherein the at least one light source is cycled on for a sufficient duration of time and with a sufficient periodicity to maintain the optically controlled switch in one of an open state and a closed state.

Abstract: Focal plane errors across the field of an array of focusing elements are reduced by using a non-planar correction surface, shaped such that focal points of the focusing elements lie closer to a single plane than they would if the correction surface were planar. For example, this can be used when an array of focusing elements is used in a projection system of a lithography system.