Abstract: A scanner with an extended depth of focus for electro-optically reading indicia having parts of different light reflectivity, comprises a collection optical system for collecting radiation reflected from objects in the field of view along plural different optical axes and an optical detector for detecting radiation collected by the collection optical system along each of the plural different optical axes and for generating electrical output signals indicative thereof. The scanner further includes processing circuitry for processing the output signals of the optical detector by comparing the output signals of the optical detector with one another, a memory for storing the detector output signals and further processing circuitry receiving the stored output signals of the optical detector from the memory and selectively outputting one of the received signals to a decoder.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting fluid level in a container, comprises a housing adapted to be disposed in the container; a float with an associated magnetic element, the float position corresponding to fluid level in the container; a magnetostrictive sensor disposed inside the housing; and a stick gauge disposed inside the housing; the magnetostrictive sensor and the stick gauge each being operable to determine the float position.

Abstract: A detector of a measuring system sensitive to light energy receives light from a process being measured and also from a separate light source which is modulated such that it can be detected in signals generated by the detector. The separate light source is turned on and off to modulate its output such that output signals from the detector can be separated into on-times and off-times of the separate light source. The difference in on and off signal levels generated by the detector, or elements of the detector if the detector has a plurality of elements, are used to calibrate the detector. The light energy is conveyed to the detector by an energy conduit which may be a "leaky" optical fiber which receives light at one end and leaks the light out one sidewall along a portion of the fiber which is positioned adjacent to and preferably secured to the detector.

Abstract: The photo sensor of the present invention is comprised of a photo sensing element for receiving a predetermined light and converting it into an electrical signal; a package for sealing the photo sensing element; and a lens arranged at the front surface of the package so as to collect light within a predetermined range in vertical and lateral directions to the photo sensing element, wherein a shape of the lens is set such that a curvature of the upper segment in the vertical direction is larger as compared with that of the lower segment, and only the requisite signal can be received without being influenced by the disturbance light or the like so as to prevent any erroneous operation.

Abstract: A photodetecting device and a method for constructing the photodetecting device. The photodetecting device provides at least one transistor formed over a substrate and at least one photodiode formed over the at least one transistor. Each of the at least one photodiode is coupled to one of the at least one transistor. The fill factor of the photodiode is very high even when the resolution of the photodetecting device is increased. The photodetecting devices are formed in a matrix having rows and columns. The matrix of photodetecting devices forms a two dimensional imaging device.

Abstract: A three dimensional imaging apparatus may be used as a microscope or camera. The apparatus includes an array of lenses, each of which is aligned with a respective photodetector element. A liquid crystal spatial light modulator has several pixels between each photodetector element and lens. A control circuit controls the modulator so that the pixels in front of each photodetector element act as a moving shutter. The outputs of the photodetector elements are processed and stored to form a three dimensional image.

Abstract: A measuring device with an integrated light beam scanning means for detecting the number of revolutions of a rotating body, contrast-coded data (bar codes) being capable of detection by means of the light beam scanning means. The measuring device includes a selecting means to select the mode of operation consisting of measuring the number of revolutions or detecting data. An analyzing means analyzes signals outputted by the scanning means (1) and automatically selects one of the modes of operation consisting of measuring the number of revolutions and detecting data in dependence on the result of the analysis.

Abstract: A fiber optical chemical detection system detects the presence of hydrazine fuels and nitrogen tetroxide and nitrogen dioxide gases that are used at rocket launch sites using reversible colorimetric sensors that selectively form chemically reversible, intermolecular charge transfer-complexes with the gases that then absorb laser light communicating through a fiber optic network having a conventional diode laser source transmitting interrogation pulses to a plurality of distributed sensors covering a wide area launch site, the sensor being reactive cladding or distal end types both providing optical reflective returns well suited for reflective near infra-red and visible-red laser interrogation by an optical time domain reflectometry monitor which compares the interrogated laser pulses with sensor returns to determine the contemporaneous extent and location of gas cloud concentration over the distributed wide area.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and method for efficiently and automatically monitoring and adjusting the power output of laser diodes used to provide the scanning beams in a ROS system. Light radiated from the back facet of the laser diode is directed onto at least a pair of back facet photodiodes. The photodiode outputs are proportional to the power output of the laser diode associated with the photodiode. The polarization of the laser diode back facet output is controlled so as to ensure that the only outputs from an associated laser diode is sensed by an associated photodiode. In one embodiment, a half wave plate is used to rotate the polarization of one of the laser diodes and in another embodiment optical fibers efficiently transmit light emitted from the back facets to the photodiode.