Abstract: A method for operating a photoelectric sensor arrangement having a pulsed light emitting first module, a light receiving and converting second module and a level judging and/or processing third module. The method includes: sending periodically light pulses from the first module towards the second module, producing an analog potential signal at the second module and transmitting the signal to the third module, processing the analog signal at the third module and providing an evaluation or control information or signal depending on the processing results, before transmission to the third module, inverting the analog signal produced by the second module and shifting or offsetting the inverted signal, and at the third module, measuring the inverted and shifted analogue signal at least once between two successive light pulses and processing the measured value(s).

Abstract: A method for generating positional information of an object is carried out by providing a reflector in the object and by providing a personal device containing a light generator and an imager. The personal device is mounted on a person holding the object at a mounting location that is identified to provide a first unobstructed line-of-sight between the light generator and the object and a second unobstructed line-of-sight between the imager and the object.

Abstract: An integrated circuit (IC) includes a photosensor array, some cells of which are reference cells that photosense throughout an application's energy range, while other cells of which are subrange cells that photosense within respective subranges. For example, the subrange cells can receive photons in their respective subranges from a transmission structure that has laterally varying properties, such as due to varying optical thickness. The reference cells may be uncoated or may also receive photons through a transmission structure such as a gray filter. Subrange cells and reference cells may be paired in adjacent lines across the array, such as rows. Where photon emanation can vary along a path, quantities of incident photons photosensed by subrange cells along the path can be adjusted based on quantities photosensed by their paired reference cells, such as with normalization.

Abstract: Signals from an imager pixel photodetector are received by an amplifier having capacitive feedback, such as a capacitive transimpedance amplifier (CTIA). The amplifier can be operated at a low or no power level during an integration period of a photodetector to reduce power dissipation. The amplifier can be distributed, with an amplifier element within each pixel of an array and with amplifier output circuitry outside the pixel array. The amplifier can be a single ended cascode amplifier, a folded cascode amplifier, a differential input telescopic cascode amplifier, or other configuration. The amplifier can be used in pixel configurations where the amplifier is directly connected to the photodetector, or in configurations which use a transfer transistor to couple signal charges to a floating diffusion node with the amplifier being coupled to the floating diffusion node.

Abstract: An image sensor pixel structure including a photosensitive area; a stacking of insulating layers covering the photosensitive area; and a device for focusing the light of the pixel to the photosensitive area. The focusing device includes first and second microlenses, the first microlens being arranged between layers of the stacking and substantially conjugating the second microlens with the photosensitive area.

Abstract: A color sensor for measuring light from a light source and the method for fabricating the color sensor. The color sensor includes a plurality of photodetectors, a plurality of primary color filters and a trim filter. Each primary color filter includes a layer of material between the light source and a corresponding one of the photodetectors. Each primary color filter preferentially transmits light in a corresponding band of wavelengths about a characteristic wavelength. The trim filter is located between the light source and the photodetectors and includes a layer of material that preferentially attenuates light at a first trim wavelength between two of the characteristic wavelengths. In one embodiment, the trim filter further preferentially attenuates light at a second trim wavelength, the first wavelength being less than one of the characteristic wavelengths and the second wavelength being greater than that characteristic wavelength.

Abstract: A video correction circuit of the invention includes an detection unit for detecting the cumulative light-emission frequency data on each pixel by sampling video data supplied to a display device having a plurality of pixels; a cumulative data storage unit for storing the cumulative light-emission frequency data on each pixel; an adder for adding the cumulative light-emission frequency data on each pixel detected by the detection unit to the cumulative light-emission frequency data on each pixel stored in the cumulative data storage unit, thereby writing the result to the cumulative data storage unit as new cumulative light-emission frequency data; and a correction unit for correcting the video data based on the cumulative light-emission frequency data stored in the cumulative data storage unit, thereby outputting the corrected video data to the pixel portion. The pixels are provided with light-emitting elements of a plurality of colors.

Abstract: A photoelectric converter device comprises a semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric converter element formed on its surface, a visible light filter arranged to at least partially cover the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a support member attached to the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The photoelectric converter device further comprises, in an internal portion, a resin layer which absorbs infrared light. With this arrangement, undesirable influences of infrared light can be reduced.

Abstract: There is provided an edge position detecting apparatus that includes a reflective optical sensor that outputs light to a supporting surface of a supporting member, and receives a reflected light; a moving unit that moves the reflective optical sensor; a reflected light data generating unit that generates reflected light data by obtaining a light-receiving signal; and a detecting unit that detects an edge position of the target detection object. The reflected light data generating unit generates the reflected light data when the target detection object is/is not supported by the supporting member. The detecting unit detects the edge position based on a relative change between a first and a second reflected light data. The first reflected light data is generated when the target detection object is supported by the supporting member. The second reflected light data is generated when the target detection object is not supported by the supporting member.

Abstract: An optical encoder module is employed to detect light modulated by a moveable member (e.g., code wheel). The optical encoder includes an emitter having a light-emitting element, and a transparent medium encapsulating the light-emitting element. The transparent medium has a convex aspherical external surface shaped so as to focus light received from the light-emitting element into a substantially collimated beam of light using a single refractive interface for illuminating the movable member. The optical encode module also includes a detector facing the emitter for detecting modulated light of the collimated beam transmitted through the movable member.

Abstract: Given n move information signals and m slits 22 (n and m: positive integers), the number of photodiodes associated with the m slits 22 is set to n×ma (a: a positive integer). By doing so, all of the (n×ma) photodiodes 23 can necessarily be positioned evenly in units of an equal number against the slits 22 and the move information signals. Also, the photodiodes can be subdivided more than in a conventional optical encoder having photodiodes counting a number represented by m×n, which is a common multiple of the number m of the slits 22 and the number n of move information signals. Thus, with light reception area of each photodiode reduced, shifts, distortions, variations and the like of the move information signals can be suppressed, resolution can be enhanced, and accurate move information signals can be obtained.

Abstract: An optical fiber probe is disclosed that comprises an optical fiber and an optical probe. The optical fiber includes a core though which light emitted from a light source travels. The optical probe is configured to emit the light from a projecting end portion of the core. An inclination angle of a normal line of a part or all of a surface of the optical probe with respect to an optical axis of propagating light that travels through the core is smaller than a total reflection angle of the propagation light but greater than zero degrees.

Abstract: An optical sensor includes a light receiving element in which a current corresponding to the amount of received light flows between one end and the other end thereof, a comparator which compares a voltage at the one end of the light receiving element with a predetermined threshold voltage to output a logical signal based on the comparison result, an initialization circuit which initializes the voltage at the one end of the light receiving element to the threshold value or a voltage approximate to the threshold voltage before detecting the amount of the received light, and a voltage changing circuit which changes the voltage at the one end of the light receiving element by a predetermined voltage after completing the initialization. In the optical sensor, after changing the voltage by the voltage changing circuit, a period until the logical signal output from the comparator is logically inverted is expressed as a value corresponding to the amount of the received light.

Abstract: A CCD imaging array and a charge measurement amplifier for use in such imaging arrays is disclosed. The array includes a plurality of pixels that accumulate charge when exposed to light, a readout amplifier having input and output ports. The readout amplifier has a variable gain that is set by a gain control signal. The readout amplifier also includes a reset path between the input and output ports, the path having an impedance controlled by a reset signal. A controller generates the gain control signal and the reset signal during a charge measurement cycle. Initially the gain is set to a first value after generating the reset signal. The gain is changed to a second value during the charge measurement cycle if the output signal exceeds a first threshold value. The readout amplifier can be constructed from an operational amplifier having a capacitive feedback loop.

Abstract: A plurality of optical sensing elements in an array where each element has a unique element address identifying the element location. Each element senses light and produces an element address signal in proportion to the intensity of the light sensed by the element. The element address signal corresponding to the highest intensity sensed by the array is asserted as an array output signal.

Abstract: A photodiode has a photodiode gate structure on the surface of the substrate. The photodiode may be located in a pixel sensor cell comprising a substrate having a first surface level. The photodiode has a first doped region of a first conductivity type and a second doped region of a second conductivity type located beneath the first surface level of the substrate. A photodiode gate is formed of a first dielectric substance layer formed over the first surface of the substrate, thereby forming a second surface, and a second polysilicon layer formed over the second surface of the first layer. A transistor is located adjacent to the photodiode. The photodiode gate improves charge transfer from the photodiode to the transfer gate and floating diffusion region. The improved charge transfer minimizes image lag and leakage and reduces energy barriers.

Abstract: A system for identifying a mark or other recess formed in a substrate and at least partially covered by at least one layer of opaque or visibly opaque material. The system includes a radiation source configured and positioned to direct incident electromagnetic radiation of at least one wavelength toward the substrate, a reflectometer positioned so as to receive electromagnetic radiation reflected from a location of the substrate, and at least one processor associated with the reflectometer for analyzing an intensity of electromagnetic radiation of each wavelength of radiation reflected from the substrate. The radiation source may direct incident radiation including a range of wavelengths toward a substrate.

Abstract: Cooled photosensitive cell (80) comprising a table (50), sensors (66) which are fitted on the table, a screen (80) to prevent parasitic radiation on the sensors, and at least one Joule-Thomson cooler (41, 42) to cool the table and the screen. The table (50) and the screen (80) are cooled by convection, the table (50) being provided with apertures (55) for passage of the cooling flow, which communicate with an annular cavity (63) for cooling of the screen (80).

Abstract: The invention is based on an apparatus and a method for scanning specimens (1) using an optical imaging system (3) and a scanning stage (2), images of the specimen (1) being acquired by means of a camera (4), and/or measurements on the specimen (1) being made by means of an optical measurement device (5), at specimen points Xp, Yp. For that purpose, the scanning stage (2) is calibrated by obtaining and storing height values Z at different calibration positions X, Y of the scanning stage (2), and thereby generating a running height profile of the scanning stage (2). For the scanning of specimens (1), the specimen height positions Zp at specimen points Xp, Yp are determined by means of a reference height Zref of the specimen (1) together with the running height profile of the scanning stage (2).

Abstract: A semiconductor pickup device includes a pixel circuit including: a photodiode passing to a prescribed node a current of a value corresponding to intensity of light received; a log transistor operating in a log region when the prescribed node is increased in potential; and a reset transistor operative for the prescribed node's potential higher than a threshold potential to reset in response to a reset signal the prescribed node's potential to a reset potential, and operative for the prescribed node's potential lower than the threshold potential to avoid the resetting. For low illuminance the pixel circuit decreases in frame rate and lower minimum illuminance required for pickup can be provided.