Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical encoder for an electronic device. The optical encoder comprises an elongated shaft and a plurality of markings axially disposed around a circumference of the elongated shaft. The optical encoder also includes an optical sensor. In embodiments, the optical sensor includes an emitter and an array of photodiodes. The emitter and the array of photodiodes may be radially aligned with respect to the elongated shaft or axially aligned with respect to the shaft.

Abstract: An encoder, comprising a first element, a second element, and a plurality of components, in which the first element is movable among a plurality of positions relative to the second element, each position is adjacent to at least one other position, each component generates a signal at each of said positions, and movement of the first element from any position to any adjacent position results in a change in a signal from only one of said components. Also, an encoder that comprises a multi-detector element which comprises two or more sub-detectors that generate sub-signals, the sub-detectors spaced from each other a distance (rotational and/or translational) that is smaller than a distance between two positions of a first element. Also, a method of detecting a position of a first element relative to a second element, comprising moving a first element relative to a second element from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: An optical transceiver includes an internal fiber that optically connects an optical modulator and a VOA, the internal fiber having a lower limit of bending radius, a guide that includes an arc-shaped convex surface, and a lower housing having an internal space and includes the optical modulator, the VOA, the internal fiber, and the guide. The arc-shaped convex surface of the guide and the inner wall of the lower housing forms an arc-shaped path that houses a portion of the internal fiber and bent the portion of the internal fiber with a bending radius larger than the minimum bending radius.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit that has a plurality of pixels 2-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a plurality of signal lines arranged along a column direction; A/D conversion units that are provided corresponding to the respective signal lines and convert an analog signal output from a pixel through the signal line into a digital signal; and a switching unit that switches or converts the analog signal output through each signal line into a digital signal using any of an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, and an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to a signal line other than the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted.

Abstract: Spectrometer for recording a spectrum, in particular in a wavelength range of 250 nm to 1150 nm, comprising: a sensor array and a filter array for filtering the radiation depending on the wavelength, wherein, in order to reduce production costs, provision is made of a device for identifying the sensor pixels covered by the filter array, having a nonvolatile memory in which the coordinates of the filter array in relation to the sensor array and/or the coordinate transformation of the filter array in relation to the sensor array are/is stored in order to assign the sensor pixels to the individual filter pixels on the basis of the stored coordinates and/or coordinate transformation and/or in order to activate the individual filter pixels depending on which of the sensor pixels are covered by the corresponding filter pixels.

Abstract: Provided are nanowire-coated fibers and compositions comprising one or more nanowire-coated fibers and methods of making the fibers and compositions. The fibers can be organic or inorganic fibers. The nanowires can be metallic or semiconducting nanowires. The nanowires are disposed on at least a portion of a surface of a fiber or fibers. The fibers and compositions can be used as barcodes (e.g., for anti-counterfeiting methods). The fibers and compositions also can be used as photodetectors (e.g., methods of detecting electromagnetic radiation).

Abstract: Provided is a lens drive device that, using drive force from a voice coil motor, automatically carries out focusing by moving an autofocus movable unit with respect to an autofocus fixed unit in the direction of an optical axis. The lens drive unit is provided with a position detection unit that is disposed with an intervening space on the image formation side of the autofocus movable unit in the direction of the optical axis and that is for emitting light toward the autofocus movable unit, receiving reflected light that has been reflected by the autofocus movable unit, and detecting the position of the autofocus movable unit in the direction of the optical axis on the basis of the received light intensity. Part of the member displaced along with the autofocus movable unit functions as a reflective plate for reflecting light emitted from the position detection unit.

Abstract: An optical scanning system comprises an optical scanning device and a photoreceiver device. The optical scanning device includes a first waveguide array including a plurality of first waveguides through which light beams propagate and from which the light beams are emitted as emission light in an emission direction crossing a propagation direction of the light beams. The photoreceiver device includes a second waveguide array including a plurality of second waveguides disposed in areas on which, when the emission light from the plurality of first waveguides is reflected as reflected light from a target object, the reflected light is incident, the plurality of second waveguides configured to receive the reflected light to propagate the received reflected light as propagating light beams. An array pitch of the plurality of first waveguides in the optical scanning device differs from an array pitch of the plurality of second waveguides in the photoreceiver device.

Abstract: The present disclosure claims an apparatus, a method and a system for the calibration of a streak camera. A plurality of fiber optic cables is bundled together such that the input ends and the output ends of the fibers are grouped together. Each fiber in the bundle has a distinct and characteristic time taken for light to traverse from the input end to the output end known by the observer. This characteristic time depends on the physical and optical properties of the fibers selected. Calibration light is collected by the fiber input face and travels through the individual fibers in a characteristic time. Individual light pulses will subsequently be detected by the streak camera which converts the time profile of the incoming light pulses into a spatial profile. An observer can compare the observed spatial separation profile to an expected spatial separation profile for calibration.

Abstract: An encoder includes a scale having graduations arranged in a measurement direction, a head including a light receiving unit configured to receive, via the scale, light emitted from a light source, and being configured to detect a relative movement amount with respect to the scale by relatively moving in the measurement direction of the scale, and a control unit configured to control the head. The control unit includes a light amount control unit configured to perform control so as to keep a predetermined light receiving amount by increasing or decreasing a light amount of the light source, an error determination unit configured to determine an error based on light received by the light receiving unit, and a light amount suppression unit configured to suppress a light amount of the light source by stopping control performed by the light amount control unit, when the error determination unit determines as an error.

Abstract: Provided is an indoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus including: a sensor box accommodating a sensor configured to detect light; a gearbox configured to hold the sensor box so as to be rotatable, and to be moved along a first axis together with the sensor box; a first motor configured to apply a force causing the sensor box to rotate; a second motor configured to apply a force causing the gearbox to move along the first axis; and a shaft inserted through the gearbox to be rotated by receiving the force from the first motor, in which, in the gearbox, the shaft is inserted, and the gear is accommodated so that a rotational force transmitted from the shaft is transmitted to the sensor box, the gear being movable along the first axis.

Abstract: A configurable optical device may include an optical transducer, a multi-lens arrangement, and a controllable optical modulator. The optical transducer is configured to convert light to electrical signals or to convert electrical signals to light. The multi-lens arrangement is positioned to redirect at least some of the light to or from the optical transducer. The controllable optical modulator is provided between the multi-lens arrangement and the optical transducer. The controllable optical modulator is coupled to receive and spatially modulate light to or from the optical transducer. The optical modulator is selectively controllable to steer and/or shape the light to a selected distribution of light from the multi-lens arrangement onto the optical transducer and/or from the optical transducer onto the multi-lens arrangement.

Abstract: The invention is directed at an optical sensor device, comprising a sensing element for receiving an input action, an optical fiber comprising an intrinsic fiber optic sensor, and a transmission structure arranged for exerting a sensing action on the optical fiber in response to the input action received by the sensing element, wherein the optical fiber in a first connecting part thereof is connected to a reference body and wherein the optical fiber in a second connecting part thereof is to the transmission structure for receiving the sensing action, the first connecting part and the second connecting part of the optical fiber being located on either side of the intrinsic fiber optic sensor, wherein the transmission structure comprises a bi-stable spring having a first and a second stable deflection position and a negative stiffness range around an unstable equilibrium position between the first and second stable deflection position, and wherein the optical fiber between the transmission structure and the ref

Abstract: A sensor is disclosed that provides measurements in multiple degrees of freedom without significantly increasing size, complexity, or cost. The sensor can include a light component in support of a first light source operable to direct a first beam of light, and a second light source operable to direct a second beam of light. The sensor can also include an imaging device that can directly receive the first beam of light and the second beam of light and convert these into electric signals. The imaging device and the light component can be movable relative to one another. The sensor can further include a light location module and/or a position module configured to receive the electric signals and determine locations of the first beam of light, the second beam of light on the imaging device and a relative position of the imaging device and the light component.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a system for interfacing with an optically-powered sensor. The system includes an optical emitter configured to emit a beam of optical energy so as to provide operating power for the optically-powered sensor. The system includes an optical detector configured to detect a time sequence of optical pulses generated by the optically-powered sensor, the time sequence of pulses modulated between first and second optical power levels. The system includes a parameter extractor configured to determine a value of a sensed parameter based on the time sequence of optical pulses detected by the optical detector. The system also includes a power controller configured to control power level of the emitted beam of optical energy based on the first and/or second optical power levels detected by the optical detector.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor may include an active pixel electrically connected to a column line and configured to provide an output voltage to a pixel node and a bias circuit electrically connected between the pixel node and an earth terminal, and in which a first current flows through a first line electrically connected to the pixel node, wherein the bias circuit includes a first variable capacitor electrically connected to a power supply voltage, and a second variable capacitor electrically connected to the earth terminal, and the magnitude of the first current may be configured to vary based on a ratio of a capacitance of the first variable capacitor to a capacitance of the second variable capacitor. The output voltage may be configured to be adjusted based on the magnitude of the first current.

Abstract: A unit pixel apparatus may include a plurality of unit pixels including a reset transistor, each unit pixel being suitable for outputting a pixel signal corresponding to incident light; a reset transistor gate voltage transmission unit suitable for transmitting a plurality of reset transistor gate voltages; and a first voltage switching unit suitable for transmitting a first supply voltage among the plurality of reset transistor gate voltages to a gate terminal of the reset transistor in each of the unit pixels during a period from an exposure start time to just before a readout time.

Abstract: A validation device for a ticketing system having at least one first short-range interface that is configured to receive at least one inspection identifier stored in an inspection element, at least one authentication module configured to verify the authenticity of the received inspection identifier, and at least one key module configured to provide a communication dataset to a second short-range interface in the case of a positive authentication result, such that the communication dataset is receivable by the inspection element via the first short-range interface and/or an additional interface of the validator device.

Abstract: A light converting optical system employing a planar light trapping optical structure illuminated by a source of monochromatic light. The light trapping optical structure includes a photoresponsive layer including semiconductor quantum dots. The photoresponsive layer is configured at a relatively low thickness and located between opposing broad-area surfaces that confine and redistribute light within the light trapping structure and cause multiple transverse propagation of light through the photoresponsive layer to enhance absorption. The light trapping optical structure further incorporates optical elements configured for injecting light into the light trapping structure.

Abstract: An imaging device may include (1) an aperture, (2) a lens positioned to direct light received through the aperture to a front side of an image sensor; and (3) the image sensor. The image sensor may include (1) a light capture layer including a photosensitive material that is dimensioned such that (a) a first portion of the light having less than a predetermined wavelength is captured by the light capture layer, producing a current, and (b) a second portion of the light having at least the predetermined wavelength passes through the light capture layer, (2) a conduction pathway that conducts the produced current to a current sink, and (3) an image sensor layer that includes at least one image sensor element positioned to receive the second portion of the light that passes through the light capture layer. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.