Abstract: An optical head (4) for sensing banknotes using six different groups of light sources, namely LEDs generating light at six different wavelengths both in the visible range of the spectrum and in the infra-red range of the spectrum. Unitary light guides (16,18) define the path between linear arrays (8,10) of the LEDs and the surface of a banknote (2). Diffusely reflected light is separately collected by a pin diode detector array (12). Both the LEDs and the detectors are commonly mounted on a single printed circuit board (14). The light sources (8,10) are arranged to shine directly into the light-receiving end of each light guide, which are unitary and allow the light to mix and spread within in order to provide a homogeneous illumination. The detectors (12) are optically isolated and detect discrete areas on the banknote transport path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of aligning a collimator assembly requiring only a single-axis adjustment and for which the collimator may be paired with any other similarly aligned collimator. A collimator typically includes a fiber grasped by a ferrule. Both the ferrule and a graded-index (GRIN) lens are eventually bonded to the inside of a glass tube with the fiber/lens distance fixed for optimum collimator performance. According to one method of practicing the invention, the tube/lens assembly is fixed, and the ferrule/fiber is slidably inserted into the tube. The position of the ferrule/fiber is adjusted within the tube while the size of the resultant beam is measured at a fixed distance from the output from the lens. If there are two such positions producing the optimum beam size, the position of less separation between the ferrule and fiber is chosen.

Abstract: An insertion hole for inserting an optical fiber is formed at a case, and then a resilient leaf spring and an operating button are stored in the case. The leaf spring is comprised of a through-pass hole formed at the central part of the leaf spring in correspondence with the insertion hole, a plurality of resilient lock claws extended from the circumferential edge of the through-pass hole toward the center thereof, and a groove recessed from a part of the circumferential edge in an outward direction. The operating button is provided with a stem of which part can be fed into or out of the case, the stem abutted against both edges of the groove is pushed under an operation of the stem, thereby a held state of the lock claws against the optical fiber can be released indirectly.

Abstract: A solution to the problem of I/O card faults caused by spurious RF energy induced by ESD related currents in the vicinity of an aperture in a chassis is to reduce the efficiency of the radiating antenna created by the aperture and decouple any remaining spurious RF energy from any would-be receiving antenna in the I/O card. A conductive boot covers the I/O cable as it emerges from the chassis. The boot is physically attached and AC coupled (as well as probably ohmically connected) to the chassis at one end and tapers down to a small aperture at a distal end to permit egress of the I/O cable. The aperture at the distal end is considerable smaller than the aperture at the chassis, which is no longer visible to ESD induced currents anyway, since its edge has been replaced by the surface of the boot. The smaller aperture is a less efficient antenna at the frequencies of interest and it is now further removed from components that might act as receiving antennae.

Abstract: A sample CD measurement system adapted for measuring the CD of a measurement portion accurately even in the case where the shape of the measurement portion and the direction of measurement are arbitrary. Before the CD measurement, a measurement reference image corresponding to the measurement portion is registered in a computer and controller. At the time of the CD measurement, the measurement reference image is read and compared with an image of the measurement portion to thereby obtain a difference in shape between the image of the measurement portion and the measurement reference image on the basis of a result of the comparison to thereby obtain the CD of the measurement portion on the basis of the difference in shape.

Abstract: A sensor device for measuring a concentration of a substance within a sample comprises a sensor comprising an optical fiber portion having a first end and a second end, the second end having a tip portion attached thereto and an active material incorporated within the tip portion, the tip portion adapted to be inserted into a sample, the active material capable of interacting with a substance within a sample, a light source coupled to the first end of the sensor for emitting a beam of light into and through the sensor and into a sample, the emitted beam of light having a wavelength and the active material interacting with a substance within a sample to change the wavelength of the emitted beam of light to produce a reflected beam of light and the sensor for transmitting the reflected beam of light out of the second end thereof, an optical detector for receiving the reflected beam of light from the second end of the sensor for producing a signal indicative of the reflected beam of light, and a processor for re

Abstract: An electronic ballast is powered from a constant-magnitude DC supply voltage and provides a high-magnitude high-frequency voltage at a ballast output across which are connected two lamp-ballast series-combinations, each consisting of an instant-start fluorescent lamp series-connected with a ballasting capacitor. An auxiliary capacitor is connected in series with the ballast output, thereby having the total ballast output current flowing through it and causing an auxiliary high-frequency voltage to develop across its terminals. The constant-magnitude DC supply voltage is provided via a series-combination of a power-line-connected rectifier delivering an unfiltered full-wave-rectified power line voltage across a pair of rectifier DC terminals and an auxiliary DC power supply delivering an auxiliary DC voltage across a pair of auxiliary DC terminals from which, under open circuit condition, is available a DC voltage of magnitude equal to the peak magnitude of the full-wave-rectified power line voltage.

Abstract: A fluorescent lighting system has: (A) a central power supply including: (i) a parallel-resonant self-oscillating bridge inverter operative to provide a 35 kHz sinusoidal output voltage at a pair of primary output terminals; (ii) a tank-inductor and a tank-capacitor parallel-connected across the primary output terminals; and (iii) plural pairs of secondary output terminals, each connected with the primary output terminals via its own dedicated current-limiting sub-circuit; thereby to prevent a load connected therewith from drawing more than a certain amount of power; thereby, in turn, to render each pair of secondary output terminals fire-hazard-safe and shock-hazard-safe; each pair of secondary power output terminals being connected with its own power output receptacle; and (B) a light-weight power cord plug-in-connected with one of the power output receptacles and having a pair of power conductors between which are connected a number of individually ballasted lighting units; each lighting unit having at lea

Abstract: Disclosed is a lower pressure xenon lamp (12) and the driver circuitry therefor for producing relatively short bursts of intense light from the lamp (12). The lamp (12), including its associated driver circuitry (50) can be used in theatrical, stage, movie and/or video production to simulate, among other things, bursts of lighting. The lamp (12) is installed in a fixture together with a power supply (20) and a control system (50) is provided for controlling when the lamp (12) is turned on and off. Preferably, the control system (50) includes manually operated switches (53, 57, 54) and preferably one or more controllers (50) can be coupled together in a series fashion, should it be desired to control the lamp (12) for a greater number of time cycles then permitted by a single controller (50). Alternative power supplies (20) are disclosed. One power supply (20) permits the intensity of the flashes of light (12) to be controlled.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for expanding the field of application of florescent correlation spectroscopy. The device has a confocal optical structure, a pulsed laser for excitation and components for detection and evaluation of measuring signals for time-correlated single photon counting. The data is registered in such a way that for each detected photon, detection time is recorded in microseconds while fluorescence delay time is recorded in nanoseconds. The information on each detected photon is used to assign parameters determined by time-correlated single photon counting to each detected photon and to create correlation functions from the determined parameters arising therefrom. Correlation functions of parameters or selective correlation functions, e.g. for fluorescence burning life, are thus obtained.

Abstract: A non-obstructive fluid diagnostic technique is described which enables the measurement of different parameters in a fluid. The diagnostic technique includes the steps of focusing a laser (10) in a fluid volume (14) to generate a laser induced breakdown spark (15). The characteristics of the initial laser induced breakdown spark (15) are measured and compared to the characteristics of a delayed image of the spark, formed by light emission due to recombination and excited molecules and ions generated by the laser induced spark (15). The differences between the initial and delayed images being used to diagnose characteristics of the fluid, such as velocity, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to various aspects of a plasma process, and more specifically the monitoring of such plasma processes. One aspect relates in at least some manner to calibrating or initializing a plasma monitoring assembly. This type of calibration may be used to address wavelength shifts, intensity shifts, or both associated with optical emissions data obtained on a plasma process. A calibration light may be directed at a window through which optical emissions data is being obtained to determine the effect, if any, that the inner surface of the window is having on the optical emissions data being obtained therethrough, the operation of the optical emissions data gathering device, or both. Another aspect relates in at least some manner to various types of evaluations which may be undertaken of a plasma process which was run, and more typically one which is currently being run, within the processing chamber.

Abstract: A 3-D camera system (10) includes a light source (12) and a grating (14) spaced at a predetermined distance from the light source (12). The light source (12) and grating (14) project a shadow of the grating (14) on an object (16). Images of the object (16) with the grating (14) shadows projected thereon are captured by a sensor (18) in a video camera (17). A processor (19) converts the images to a three dimensional bit map of the object (16). The light source (12) includes a plurality of at least three rows of light sources (20) defining a matrix (22) whereby different rows of the matrix (22) may be illuminated to produce different grating (14) shadows on the object (16).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting surface defects on an article freely standing on a conveyer, which generate profile trace data corresponding to profile trace at a cross-section of the article. A surface shape inspection unit comprising an optical ranging system using laser and camera is provided for obtaining the profile trace data through triangulation-based derivation techniques. Base reference curves are derived from regular portions of the profile trace data. Profile trace data are compared to defect threshold curves to recognize a defect induced departure of the trace data with respect to the base reference curve and to produce a defect output signal. The apparatus and method according to the invention are particularly useful for detecting roughness, cavities, wane, missing wood and altered wood on lumber pieces which are conveyed at high speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for photometric analysis and/or identification of properties of a material object comprises a collection of light sources having substantially distinct wavelength envelopes and activated in a rapid sequence of distinct combinations. The apparatus comprises a collection of spatially distributed light detectors which detect radiation from the object and produce detected signals. A signal processor for controlling the light sources and analyzing the detected signals synchronizes the detected signals with the activation of the sequence of distinct combinations of the light sources to produce associated combinations of detected signals which are then analyzed to determine a physical property of the object and/or compared for similarity to previously detected signals from known objects. The photometric data may be combined and correlated with other measured data to enhance identification.

Abstract: What is described here is a measuring system for the non-contacting detecn of the three-dimensional shape of a groove peripherally extending in a spectacle frame, comprising a light source directing its light beam onto the groove or having its beam deflected thereon by means of an optical deflector system, an optical imaging system which projects the light reflected at the groove onto an optical detector unit and which is disposed in a centered position relative to the groove to be measured on the spectacle frame, a holding means supporting the spectacle frame, which is supported for rotation relative to the light source, the detector system and the optical imaging system about a centering axis of a surface inscribed by the peripheral groove of the spectacle frame, as well as an evaluation unit for determining the three-dimensional shape of the groove, which operates in correspondence with the triangulation principle. Moreover, an appertaining method is proposed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring and analyzing light transmittance through containers is provided. A system is disclosed in which a light probe is insertable into a container in order to measure light transmittance through portions of the container wall. The light probe is connected to a spectrophotometer which analyzes the light transmitted through the container wall. Light transmittance is measured over a series of light wavelengths in order to accurately predict the ability of the container to protect its contents from the detrimental effects of light. In addition, the container may be tested for light transmittance at several locations. The measured light transmittance of each location may be weighted differently in order to compensate for the anticipated exposure to light of the particular location.

Abstract: A single fiber optic probe capable of measuring at least two different properties of a medium. More specifically, a single probe having an integral optical element which is capable of directing light to perform at least two distinct spectrometric analyses on a medium. For example, the single probe may be used to monitor a solid phase and dissolved solids in a multiphase medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for counteracting adverse drug events (ADE's) which are caused by the administration of intravenous medications of incorrect types, concentrations or dosages, and which may result in morbidity and even mortality to recipient patients. A container, preferably in the nature of a transparent plastic bag employed for intravenous administrations, contains the requisite infusion at a prescribed volume, adding a specified amount of prescribed medication possessing a predefined amount of a coloring material, such as a vegetable dye, to the volume of infusion material or liquid in order to form a prescribed concentration of medication, with the coloring material defining a specific type of medication. Analyzing of the concentration of medication is effected through the utilization of spectrophotometric equipment, and to resultingly obtain a real medication concentration value.

Abstract: The apparatus for measuring the thickness of an object being measured has a first position measuring unit for measuring the position of a first surface of the object, a second position measuring unit for measuring the position of a second surface of said object opposite to said first surface, and a thickness obtaining portion for obtaining the thickness of the object on the basis of the position of the first surface determined by said first position measuring unit and the position of the second surface determined by the second position measuring unit.