Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting a three-dimensional image. The apparatus includes a projector which projects a reference light on an object; an image sensor which senses an image of the object; and a controller for controlling the projector and the image sensor, wherein the image sensor includes an aperture that restricts the passage of entering light; and an aperture controller for setting an aperture value for the aperture when receiving a two-dimensional image input, and setting an aperture value for the aperture when receiving a three-dimensional image input. The aperture value is set based on the intensity of received reference light. A processing unit determines the position of the object based on a relationship between an illumination direction of the reference light at the determined time center Npeak and an entrance direction of the reference light relative to the target pixel.

Abstract: A vision system is provided which allows viewing and/or inspection of an end surface of an optical fiber through a bulkhead on a backplane of a rack. By placing such a vision system on a mount configured to be inserted in the rack, the use of such a vision system does not require the rack design be modified or that other modules be removed. Preferably an adapter for mating the vision system with the bulkhead may be moved to position the adapter relative to the bulkhead housing the fiber of interest.

Abstract: An imaging spectrometer has fore-optics coupled to a spectral resolving system with an entrance slit extending in a first direction at an imaging location of the fore-optics for receiving the image, a convex diffraction grating for separating the image into a plurality of spectra of predetermined wavelength ranges; a spectrometer array for detecting the spectra; and at least one concave sperical mirror concentric with the diffraction grating for relaying the image from the entrance slit to the diffraction grating and from the diffraction grating to the spectrometer array. In one embodiment, the spectrometer is configured in a lateral mode in which the entrance slit and the spectrometer array are displaced laterally on opposite sides of the diffraction grating in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In another embodiment, the spectrometer is combined with a polychromatic imaging camera array disposed adjacent said entrance slit for recording said image.

Abstract: Devices that comprise novel, mesoscopically periodic materials that combine crystalline colloidal array (CCA) self-assembly with the temperature ined volume phase transitions of various materials, preferably poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a PNIPAM CCA is formed in an aqueous media and contained within cell means. In another embodiment, a CCA of charged particles is formed and polymerized in a PNIPAM hydrogel. Methods for making these devices are also disclosed. The devices of the present invention are useful in many applications including, for example, optical switches, optical limiters, optical filters, display devices and processing elements. The devices are further useful as membrane filters. All of these devices have the feature of being tunable in response to temperature. Devices that change diffracted wavelength in response to pressure are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container inspection system wherein diffused light and collimated light provide backlighting to image a container (10) by a color camera (18). Light strobed through a ring light (36) and parabolic reflector (39) is diffused at a diffusion laminate (46). Light strobed through a ring light (60) and parabolic reflector (64) is collimated at lens (68) and aligned with the diffused light by reflector laminate (48). Diffused light is filtered by a blue band-pass filter (42) and collimated light is filtered by a red band-pass filter (66) and camera (18) segregates the container image according to blue and red color planes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber optic detector for detection of scattered light or fluorescent light from a liquid suspension, comprising: a lighting optical fiber for transmitting light to a lighting optical fiber outlet; a first gradient index lens disposed at the lighting optical fiber outlet to parallelize light; a detecting optical fiber for transmitting back-scattered light from a detecting optical fiber inlet; a second gradient index lens disposed at the detecting optical fiber inlet to parallelize back-scattered light; and at least one means for focusing parallelized light transmitted from the lighting optical fiber on a point and for focusing light back-scattered from the point to the second gradient index lens of the detecting optical fiber for transmission by the detecting optical fiber.

Abstract: A distance measurement device of the present invention detects a subject image with separation from the background and determines the distance to the subject regardless of backlit or forelit situations. In the distance measurement device, the subject is imaged onto two sensor arrays through different optical paths having parallax. The displacement of one of image signals output from the sensor arrays relative to the other is detected to determine the distance to the subject. On the basis of output signals of the sensor arrays, an object detector unit in a CPU determines a main area in the entire area of each sensor array which is occupied by the main subject image. On the basis of output signals from the main area in each sensor array detected by the object detector unit, a correlation operation unit calculates the displacement of the subject image on one sensor array relative to the subject image on the other sensor array.

Abstract: An atomic absorption photometer with a hollow cathode lamp and a deuterium lamp uses for each a power source which receives a variable current and switches it on and off so as to output a constant voltage.

Abstract: A display fluorescent lamp comprises; a dielectric cylindrical container having a large-diameter portion in which rare gas is sealed and a small-diameter portion which is almost coaxially connected with the large-diameter portion at one end of the large-diameter portion, the outside diameter thereof being smaller than that of the large-diameter portion; a light emitting portion which is formed at the other end of the large-diameter portion and has permeability; an internal electrode which is inserted into the cylindrical container from the other end of the small-diameter portion which is not connected with the large-diameter portion; a fluorescent substance layer formed on the inside face excluding that in which the light emitting portion is formed, of the large-diameter portion of the cylindrical container; and an external electrode formed on the outside face of the large-diameter portion excluding a portion in which the light emitting portion of the cylindrical container is formed, the length in the axial d

Abstract: A ballast circuit for driving fluorescent lamps characterized by a minimum of components has a power transformer constructed to present a source impedance integrated with the transformer and in series with the lamp load sufficient to regulate the load current to within 10% for a selected maximum wattage fluorescent lamp load, such as 18 or 36 watt, and any lesser fluorescent lamp loads. The transformer has a high voltage secondary winding with a reflected impedance at least 6.0 times greater than the reflected impedance of the selected worst case fluorescent lamp wattage load. The integrated magnetics design of this ballast also provides passive short circuit protection, filament current reduction after lamp strike, and cold temperature start-up with a minimum of circuit components.

Abstract: A lighting control system distributes both the alternating current supply and control signals representing desired adjustments to fixture parameters, such as intensity, via connections including power contacts and, for control signals, an electrically isolating coupling comprising an effective source and detector.

Abstract: A transformer has a primary winding connected in series with a direct current source, a solid state switch and a current sensing resistor. A reactive element is coupled to the primary winding to form a resonant circuit. A high voltage for exciting a gaseous discharge device is produced across a first secondary winding of the transformer. A second resistor couples a terminal of the direct current source to one plate of a storage capacitor that has another plate connected to a second terminal of the direct current source. The one plate of the storage capacitor also is connected to a second secondary winding of the transformer. The control circuitry for the power supply is biased by voltage stored across the capacitor.

Abstract: A unit of series-connected semiconductor elements includes a cylindrical metal case with a clamping mechanism enclosed therein. A chain of semiconductor elements is arranged between the surfaces of clamping elements of the clamping mechanism coaxially with the case. One extreme semiconductor element of the chain contacts the bottom of the case made of a current-conducting material, functioning as one clamping element of the clamping mechanism. The second extreme semiconductor element of the chain contacts the second clamping element of the clamping mechanism, made of an insulation material and mechanically coupled with the side walls of the case.The unit also contains current-carrying busbars electrically associated with the outputs of the extreme semiconductor elements of the chain, one of the current-carrying busbars being electrically connected with the upper part of the side wall of the case.

Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled integrated circuit package is provided which includes a thermally conductive dielectric substrate, an input connecting portion and an output connecting portion supported by the dielectric substrate, and an integrated circuit chip including an input terminal and output terminal. The input terminal is electrically connected to the input connecting portion via a first conductive material, and the output terminal is electrically connected to the output connecting portion via a second conductive material. The first conductive material and the second conductive material thermoelectrically cool the integrated circuit chip when a signal passes through the first conductive material and the second conductive material.

Abstract: A single-in-line semiconductor package uses a multi-level heatsink having patterned conductors surrounding the semiconductor device. The patterned conductors are electrically isolated from the heatsink. Short bond wires are used to connect the semiconductor device to the patterned conductors. This arrangement eliminates the need for bonding shelves when bonding the leads and also increases the resistance of the bond wires from being swept away during encapsulation.