Abstract: Provided are a pixel, a pixel array, an image sensor including the pixel array, and a method of driving the pixel array. The pixel includes a photoelectric converter, a capacitor, and a switching element. The capacitor accumulates electric charges converted by the photoelectric converter. The switching element outputs a potential of the capacitor. The switching element includes a transfer switching element transferring the electric charges, converted in the photoelectric converter, to the capacitor. The capacitor serves as a storage through multi-clocking of the transfer switching element.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an imaging apparatus capable of reducing fluctuation in voltage in a current supply line due to fluctuation in a current consumption amount generated when an output circuit shifts from a first state to a second state, and a method for driving the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: A solar tracker comprises: a measuring section which measures the quantity of electric power generated by a solar panel; a solar position getting section which gets information about the theoretical solar position; a driving section which changes the orientation of the solar panel; a dither control section which measures a solar position; a positional shift measuring section which measures a solar positional shift between the measured solar position and the theoretical solar position. The driving section corrects the theoretical solar position based on the estimated attitude error and controls the orientation of the solar panel based on the theoretical position corrected.

Abstract: An imaging system may include several different types of pixels that are each configured to detect different characteristics of light received at the imaging system. An imaging system may include image sensing pixels that detect the wavelength and intensity of the light, direction sensing pixels that detect the directionality of the light, polarization sensing pixels that detect a polarization state of the light, and diffractive wavelength separation pixels that detect multiple different wavelength components of the light. One or more pixels of the different types may be arranged in a pixel cluster. A pixel cluster that includes different pixel types may detect spatially correlated information for multiple characteristics of the light. Multiple pixel clusters may be arranged in a pixel array that generates an image based on spatially correlated information for the different characteristics of the light.

Abstract: An illumination unit includes one or more light sources each including a solid-state light-emitting device having a light emission region configured of one or more light-emission spots, one or more traveling-direction angle conversion device each converting a traveling-direction-angle of light, and an integrator including a first fly-eye lens having cells which receive light from the traveling-direction angle conversion device and a second fly-eye lens having cells which receive light from the first fly-eye lens, the integrator uniformalizing illumination distribution in a predetermined illumination area. An optical system configured with the traveling-direction angle conversion device and the first and second fly-eye lenses has an optical magnification which allows each of light source images to have a size not exceeding a size of the cell in the second fly-eye lens, the light source images being formed on the second fly-eye lens by the respective cells in the first fly-eye lens.

Abstract: A bias-variant photomultiplier tube (PMT) includes a photocathode that when operating absorbs photons and emits photoelectrons responsive to the absorbed photons. The bias-variant PMTO also includes a plurality of dynodes that receive the photoelectrons emitted by the photocathode. The plurality of dynodes include a first pair of dynodes having a first bias difference and at least a second pair of dynodes having a second bias difference. The second bias difference is greater than the first bias difference. The bias-variant PMTO also includes an anode to receive photoelectrons directed from the plurality of dynodes.

Abstract: A star tracker determines a location or orientation of an object, such as a space vehicle, by observing unpolarized light from one or more stars or other relatively bright navigational marks, without imaging optics, pixelated imaging sensors or associated pixel readout electronics. An angle of incidence of the light is determined by comparing signals from two or more differently polarized optical sensors. The star tracker may be fabricated on a thin substrate. Some embodiments have vertical profiles of essentially just their optical sensors. Some embodiments include micro-baffles to limit field of view of the optical sensors.

Abstract: At least one solid-state image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into an electric charge, a first field effect transistor including a gate to which the electric charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit is input, and a bipolar transistor including a base and an emitter, the base being connected to a source of the first field effect transistor, and the emitter being configured to output a signal.

Abstract: Noise in a semiconductor device including a photo sensor is reduced. The semiconductor device includes an analog/digital converter and a photo sensor including a photodiode. The analog/digital converter includes an oscillation circuit and a counter circuit. A first signal output from the photo sensor is input to the oscillation circuit. The oscillation circuit has a function of outputting a second signal obtained by a change in oscillation frequency of the first signal. The counter circuit has a count function by which addition or subtraction is performed by a control signal with the second signal used as a clock signal. The counter circuit performs subtraction during the reset operation of the photo sensor. The counter circuit performs addition during the selection operation of the photo sensor. Thus, the output value of the analog/digital converter can be corrected.

Abstract: A front-side-interconnect (FSI) red-green-blue-infrared (RGB-IR) photosensor array has photosensors of a first type with a diffused N-type region in a P-type well, the P-type well diffused into a high resistivity semiconductor layer; photosensors of a second type, with a deeper diffused N-type region in a P-type well, the P-type well; and photosensors of a third type with a diffused N-type region diffused into the high resistivity semiconductor layer underlying all of the other types of photosensors. In embodiments, photosensors of a fourth type have a diffused N-type region in a P-type well, the N-type region deeper than the N-type region of photosensors of the first and second types.

Abstract: Single-photon avalanche diode includes a central junction having a central p+ area and a deep-n well in contact with the central p+ area, a p-type guard ring disposed between the central junction and the deep-n well, and a shallow trench isolation separated from the central p+ area. Imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor-implemented single photon avalanche device and one or more signal converters electrically coupled thereto and configured to detect changes in output therefrom.

Abstract: A photosensitive pixel with gain stage is disclosed. The photosensitive pixel with gain stage may receive an input light stimulus and output a corresponding output voltage in response to the input light stimulus. The output voltage may correspond linearly to the magnitude of the input light stimulus over a linear operating region and logarithmically to the magnitude of the input light stimulus over a logarithmic operating region. In this manner, the photosensitive pixel with gain stage may be both sensitive to input light stimuli over the linear operating region and may exhibit dynamic range enabling non-saturated response to input light stimuli over the logarithmic operating region.

Abstract: A packaged optical device includes a light source device emitting light to an object surface, a sensor chip receiving reflective light reflected from the object surface, and a non-lens transparency layer located in front of the sensor chip. The light and the reflective light have a first main optic axis and a second main optic axis, respectively, and the first main optic axis and the second main optic axis are configured to form the specular reflection configuration, thereby enhancing images received by the sensor chip. The non-lens transparency layer has a zone passed through by the second main optic axis, and transmittance of the zone is lower than that of other zones of the non-lens transparency layer, thereby preventing the sensor chip from being saturated.

Abstract: A portable solar panel system and method includes a support structure, one or more solar panels mounted on the support structure, at least three wheels coupled to the support structure and rotatably supporting the support structure on a surface, a controller, a sunlight monitor coupled to the controller and a tracking drive system coupled to the controller and mechanically linked to at least one of the at least three wheels.

Abstract: A protective device for an imager which is contained within a housing and in which the imager is aligned with an opening in the housing. The protective device includes a cover which overlies the housing opening and is manually detachably secured to the housing by three or more resilient clips. A plurality of openings are formed through the cover to enable operation of the imager.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to translate a desired light level at a particular task location to a light level measured by a light sensor at a non-task location such as a wall location or a light switch location. For example, the light measured on the wall may be used to accomplish daylighting energy savings while maintaining a relatively constant illuminance value at the task location. Alternatively or additionally, up/down button presses at the wall location may be used to provide constant or consistent illuminance changes at the task location.

Abstract: A color sensor with a plurality of optical sensors in which the number of terminals for connection with the outside can be reduced. The color sensor includes a plurality of optical sensors each provided with a photoelectric conversion element and an optical filter over a light-transmitting substrate. The optical filters in the plurality of optical sensors have light-transmitting characteristics different from each other. The plurality of optical sensors is mounted over an interposer including a plurality of terminal electrodes for electrical connection with an external device. The interposer includes a wiring having a plurality of branches for electrical connection between the terminal electrode for inputting a high power supply potential to the plurality of optical sensors and a wiring having a plurality of branches for electrical connection between the terminal electrode for inputting a low power supply potential to the plurality of optical sensors.

Abstract: The curved image sensor may include: a first substrate including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and having a curved first surface; a bonding pattern formed over a second surface opposite to the first surface of the first substrate, formed along an edge of the first substrate, and having an opening; a second substrate bonded to the second surface of the first substrate by the bonding pattern; and a sealing material filling the opening so that a cavity defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the bonding pattern is sealed by the sealing material.

Abstract: An avalanche diode includes an absorption region in a germanium body epitaxially grown on a silicon body including a multiplication region. Aspect-ratio trapping is used to suppress dislocation growth in the vicinity of the absorption region.

Abstract: A microplate reader includes a pair of linear variable filters (LVFs) that together form a wavelength selector. Movement of one or both of the LVFs enables selection of the desired center wavelength and/or passband used to analyze a sample on a microplate inserted into the microplate reader. The microplate reader may also include a similar second wavelength selector. The LVFs are located on movable frames, with each frame also advantageously including least one of an aperture, a fixed optical filter, and an optical polarization filter. In some cases, different types of measurements may be taken without changing the geometry of the optical path between the wavelength selectors. The microplate reader may additionally use a LVF to form a continuously adjustable dichroic for sample analysis.