Abstract: An object is to improve accuracy of photon counting in an imaging apparatus. The imaging apparatus includes a light uniformizing unit. The light uniformizing unit included in the imaging apparatus substantially uniformizes distribution of photons in an orthogonal direction toward an optical axis of incident light, which is incident to an imaging element in the imaging apparatus and the number of photons of which is to be detected, a plurality of pixels being arranged to the imaging element. The light uniformizing unit supplies the uniformized light to the imaging element to which a plurality of pixels are arranged in the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: With a method of operating a photoelectric sensor a pulsed light beam is sent by an emitter, received by a receiver spaced from the emitter, and converted into a received signal. Measurement values of the received signal are recorded by an evaluation device with the method. The recording of the measurement values is synchronized with the received signal by the evaluation device. Event times of positive and/or negative flanks of pulses of the received signal are identified by a flank detector of the evaluation device here. A controller of the evaluation device to which the event times are sent determines a subsequent event time after an event time if this lies within a time interval around an expected subsequent event time. Synchronisation is carried out of at least two successive event times have been identified. Measurement times are determined from the event times for recording the measurement values.

Abstract: An inspection system that may include an illumination module that may be configured to scan a sample during multiple scan iterations; wherein during each scan iteration the illumination module scans each beam of a plurality of spaced apart beams along a scan line; a mechanical stage that may be configured to move the sample during the multiple scan iterations; a detection module; and a processor; wherein when the inspection system operates in an interlaced mode, the mechanical stage may be configured to move at a first speed thereby preventing a substantial overlap between scan lines obtained during the multiple scan iterations; wherein when the inspection system operates in a non-interlaced mode: the mechanical stage may be configured to move at a second speed that differs from the first speed thereby introducing an overlap between scan lines of different beams that may be obtained during different scan iterations; the detection module may be configured to generate detection signals in response to a detectio

Abstract: An origin detector includes detecting element groups having a first to a fourth detector, is configured so that a first signal sensitivity of the detectors of a center is larger than a second signal sensitivity of the detectors of a periphery, reads an origin detecting pattern including an origin pattern having a length along a detecting direction of a part having a physical characteristic different from an origin peripheral part larger than a length along the detecting direction of each detecting element group, and outputs a first signal using the first and third detectors, and a second signal using the second and fourth detectors. A processor acquires a third signal from the first signal and a first threshold, and a fourth signal from the second signal and a second threshold, and outputs a fifth signal using the third and fourth signals as an origin signal.

Abstract: A sensor package and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. A sensor package includes a substrate on which an image sensor is mounted, an electronic component mounted on the substrate, and a transparent member coupled to the electronic component and covering the image sensor.

Abstract: A scale is provided with a two-level code pattern according to a pseudo random code sequence along a length measurement direction. Each code of the two-level code pattern indicates a code “1” or “0”, each code includes two bits, and each bit of the two bits is L or H. The code “1” is represented by an A pattern which is a combination of L and H, and the code “0” is represented by a B pattern which is a combination of L and L or by a C pattern which is a combination of H and H. When the codes “0” are continued, the B pattern and the C pattern are alternately used. The scale is commonly used in a reflective type encoder or transmissive type encoder. A detection head part includes an inversion processing unit which performs inversion processing to a detection image of the scale as required.

Abstract: First processing of causing a hold unit to hold a first signal from an amplification unit based on reset of the amplification unit, second processing of performing AD conversion of the held first signal and outputting a second signal obtained by superposing a signal based on charges generated in a photoelectric conversion unit of a first-row pixel on the first signal, third processing of performing an operation of performing AD conversion of the held second signal and an operation of resetting the amplification unit at least partly in parallel, and fourth processing of causing the hold unit to hold a fourth signal obtained by superposing a signal based on charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit of a second-row pixel on a third signal from the amplification unit based on resetting of the amplification unit and is output from the amplification unit are performed.

Abstract: A projection system for a projector and/or a vehicle light, comprising a light-scattering and/or conversion device and having a scanning device with which a light impingement region of the projected light is shiftable on the light-scattering and/or conversion device; the light-scattering and/or conversion device being configured for conversion and/or for physical scattering of the light projected onto the light-scattering and/or conversion device so that a light emitted into an external environment of the projection system encompasses an emitted light and/or physically scattered light having the at least one output wavelength; and the projection system encompassing a hologram onto which a physically unscattered light having the at least one output wavelength, which is transmitted at least once through the light-scattering and/or conversion device, impinges, and by which the physically unscattered light is deflectable.

Abstract: A method for sensing depth of an object in three-dimensional space a Time-Of-Flight Sensing procedure and a Proximity-Sensing procedure are respectively operated in the same one period of time. The obtained information of the two procedures are manipulated to acquire the depth information of the measured object. With the result of the Time-Of-Flight Sensing procedure having high accuracy and the result of the Proximity-Sensing procedure having high resolution, the acquired depth information of the measured object is more precise.

Abstract: An analyzing device, comprising: a light source device; an image pick-up device that generates image data by capturing a biological tissue illuminated with light emitted by the light source device; and an index calculation unit configured to calculate an index representing a molar ratio between first and second biological substances contained in the biological tissue based on the image data, wherein: the light source device switches between light of a first illumination wavelength range which the first and second biological substances absorb and light of a second illumination wavelength range lying within the first illumination wavelength range; and the index calculation unit calculates the index based on first image data obtained by capturing the biological tissue under illumination of the light of the first illumination wavelength range and second image data obtained by capturing the biological tissue under illumination of the light of the second illumination wavelength range.

Abstract: An optical lens has a light sensing die integrated into the optical lens. The optical lens is extended compared to a spherical optical lens such that the optical lens is elongated in order to allow for placement of the ambient light sensing die without causing any blocking or distortion of the optical lens. The shape of the optical lens and the placement of the ambient light sensing die is compensated for the change in shape compared to a spherical optical lens thus allowing for correct focal length parametrics.

Abstract: A displacement detecting device includes a scale diffraction grating and a detecting head unit. The detecting head unit includes a light source, a first retroreflecting unit that retroreflectes positive first-order diffracted light of light diffracted by the scale diffraction grating, such that the retroreflected light enters the scale diffraction grating again, a second retroreflecting unit that retroreflectes negative first-order diffracted light of the light diffracted by the scale diffraction grating, such that the retroreflected light enters the scale diffraction grating again, and a light receiving unit that receives an interference signal. Each of the first retroreflecting unit and the second retroreflecting unit has a deflecting function of deflecting light incident on the corresponding retroreflecting unit by a predetermined angle and then emitting the light.

Abstract: A camera has two distinct image sensor arrays. The image sensor arrays are at least one of different types and different resolutions. The image sensor arrays have different dynamic ranges such that one of the image sensor arrays is a high dynamic range image sensor array configured to capture a wider range of light intensity than the other of the image sensor arrays. The camera has an imaging mechanism configured to combine information collected by each of the image sensor arrays to produce a high dynamic range image. The image sensor arrays include one low resolution image sensor array having a high dynamic range, and one high resolution image sensor array having a normal dynamic range smaller than the high dynamic range wherein luminance values within the normal dynamic range represent a subset of luminance values within the high dynamic range.

Abstract: A method for detecting a structural fault in a structure includes the steps of, (a) performing a Brillouin measurement at a point along a sensing optical fiber which operably cooperates with the structure, to obtain a Brillouin gain spectrum at that point; (b) identifying at least two curves which, when added together, best fit the Brillouin gain spectrum; (c) identifying if peaks of the least two curves occur at different frequencies so as to determine if the structure has a structural fault. There is further provided a corresponding apparatus for detecting a structural fault in a structure.

Abstract: Paper has a detection pattern having a length in a main scanning direction, the length becoming shorter from upstream to downstream along a paper feeding direction. An image sensor detects the detection pattern and outputs a detection signal including data in the main scanning direction (length y). A control unit calculates a position of a vertex of the detection pattern, by using the detection signal, a feeding speed, an angle being half of the vertex angle of the pattern, and an imaging time, so as to correct an image forming position on the back side to coincide with an image on the front side. The detection signal from the sensor with a low operation speed is processed according to a method utilizing a shape feature and the like of the detection pattern, thereby precisely detecting the position of the paper in the feeding direction.

Abstract: Light from a direction (D) different from a predetermined direction is reflected by a tapered surface (21) so as to enter an optical fiber (4) for guiding light entering along the predetermined direction to an appliance. Light from the desired direction (D) may thereby be reflected by the tapered surface (21) according to the angle of the tapered surface (21) and may be made to enter the optical fiber (4). Accordingly, even in a case where the installation position of an optical measurement probe (1) is limited, if the angle of the tapered surface (21) is appropriately set, light from the desired direction (D) may be made to enter the optical fiber (4).

Abstract: A hyper-velocity impact sensor including an optical fiber probe that transmits an optical pulse generated during impact with an object, a spectroscopic analyzer that receives the optical pulse and produces spectral information about the optical pulse, a connecting optical fiber configured to convey the optical pulse between the optical fiber probe and the spectroscopic analyzer, and at least one processor coupled to the spectroscopic analyzer and configured to receive and analyze the spectral information to determine at least one chemical element or compound contained in the object.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes an origin point detection scale having an origin point detection pattern and an inverse origin point detection pattern that is the inverse of the origin point detection pattern; a light source emitting light at the origin point detection scale; a light source grid that is inserted on the light source side of the origin point detection scale, the light source grid having two first light source grid patterns corresponding to the origin point detection pattern and the inverse origin point detection pattern, respectively; a photoreceiver detecting a signal from light that has passed through the origin point detection scale; and a photoreceiver grid inserted on the photoreceiver side of the origin point detection scale, the photoreceiver grid having two first photoreceiver grid patterns that are a pattern either identical to or the inverse of the first light source grid pattern.

Abstract: A method for detecting defects in a composite structure, such as in an aircraft structure, that includes sending an optical signal down an optical fiber embedded in the composite structure and analyzing the optical signal at a detector. If it is determined that the optical signal is turning on and off or an increase in the bit error rate is occurring at the detector, the composite structure may be delaminating or the composite structure may be somehow damaged. If it is determined that the composite structure is damaged, the optical signal can be sent down a different optical fiber that may not be at a location where the composite structure is damaged, and a continuous beam of light can be sent down the optical fiber that is at the damaged part of the composite structure to determine whether the damage is increasing.

Abstract: A light receiver (10, 50) having a plurality of avalanche photo diode elements (10, 12a-c) which are biased with a bias voltage greater than a breakthrough voltage and are thus operated in a Geiger mode in order to trigger a Geiger current upon light reception, and having a signal detection circuit (50) for reading out the avalanche photo diode elements (10, 12a-c), wherein the signal detection circuit (50) comprises an active coupling element (52) having an input (54) connected to the avalanche photo diode elements (10, 12a-c) and an output (56), the active coupling element (52) mapping the Geiger current at the input (54) to a measuring current corresponding to the Geiger current in its course and level, wherein the input (54) forms a virtual short-circuit for the Geiger current with respect to a potential (ground, ?UBE; Uconst?UBE), and the output (56) is decoupled from the input (54).