Abstract: An optical encoder includes a code strip having a first side, a second side, a first track comprising indicia thereon, and a second track comprising indicia thereon. The code strip is moveable along a displacement path with respect to the optical encoder. A light source positioned on the first side of the code strip directs light toward the code strip. A first detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the first track of the code strip. A second detector element is positioned on the second side of the code strip and is generally aligned with the second track of the code strip. The second detector element is also positioned so that the second detector element is located a spaced distance along the displacement path from the first detector element.

Abstract: A method of operating a pixel array includes activating a global storage signal to store a photosensor charge in a first storage region of each pixel, activating a first reset signal for pixels in a first row to reset a second storage region of first row pixels, sampling the reset second storage region, activating a third reset signal for pixels in a second row to reset a third storage region of second row pixels, sampling the reset third storage region, transferring the photosensor charge from the first storage region of pixels in a first set of columns of the first and second rows of the array respectively to the second and third storage regions, sampling the photosensor charge from the second storage region from first row/first column pixels, and sampling the photosensor charge from the third storage region from second row/first column pixels.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an imaging apparatus which can include a plurality of pixel sections disposed in a two-dimensional pattern. Each pixel section can include a photoelectric conversion member, a semiconductor region holding a signal transferred from the photoelectric conversion member, a transfer switch transferring the signal of the photoelectric conversion member to the semiconductor region, and a reading member reading a signal of the semiconductor region. A plurality of vertical output lines, successively output signals of the pixel sections. At least one horizontal output line successively outputs signals of the plurality of vertical output lines.

Abstract: A light detection device for detecting an optical path position of invisible light. The detection device includes a main body and a light guide. The light guide includes a distal end functioning as a light incident portion through which the detected light enters and a light radiation portion from which visible light is emitted. A drive mechanism reciprocates the light guide in an X-direction while vibrating the light guide in a perpendicular Y-direction. The distal end of the light guide rod moves within a light detection area in an XY plane. A visible light-emitting unit radiates visible light from the distal end when the detected light enters the distal end. The visible light-emitting unit includes a photo-detector for detecting the detected light and a light-emitting element for generating the visible light when the photo-detector detects the detected light.

Abstract: An optical position sensing device for sensing a two-dimensional displacement, comprising a first photosensor arranged parallel to a first axis; a second photosensor arranged parallel to a second axis; wherein the first and the second axis are at an angle with respect to each other; and an encoding means which interferes with a path of light incident on the photosensors such that a pattern consisting of light and shadow is cast onto the photosensors, wherein the encoding means and the photosensors are able to move with respect to each other, resulting in modulation of light received by the photosensors, and are arranged in an arrangement such that when the encoding means moves relatively in a direction parallel to the first axis, the modulation of light received by the second photosensor is larger than the modulation of light received by the first photosensor; and when the encoding means moves relatively in a direction parallel to the second axis, the modulation of light received by the first photosensor is l

Abstract: An assembly is provided that may be used in high data rate optical communications, such as free-space communication systems. The assembly may include a main optical receiver element and a lenslet array or other optical element disposed near the focal plane that collects an optical signal and focuses that signal as a series of optical signal portions onto a photodetector array, formed of a series of InGaAs photodiodes, for example. The electrical signals from the photodetectors may be amplified using high bandwidth transimpedance amplifiers connected to a summing amplifier or circuit that produces a summed electrical signal. Alternatively, the electrical signals may be summed initially and then amplified via a transimpedance amplifier. The assembly may be used in remote optical communication systems, including free-space laser communication environments, to convert optical signals up to or above 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates into electrical signals at 1 Gbit/s or higher data rates.

Abstract: A device is provided having a housing with a housing wall consisting of a non-transparent plastic with an outer surface and an inner surface; and an operating mode display unit with at least one light-emitting element which is/are located inside the housing, underneath the inner surface of the housing wall. The housing wall has at least one recess in the area of the light-emitting element and the light intensity of the at least one light-emitting element is adjusted in such a way that in its light-emitting mode, said at least one light-emitting element is only optically perceptible in a localizable manner through the housing wall in this area.

Abstract: A method of determining at least one optical property of a projection exposure system is described, wherein the exposure system includes a beam delivery system having a light source for generating an exposure optical beam having light of a first wavelength (?1) and a second wavelength (?2), wherein a first ratio is defined as an intensity of light ?2 to an intensity of light ?1 in the exposure optical beam. The method includes supplying at least one measuring optical beam including light of at least ?1 to the projection optical system, detecting wavefronts having traversed the projection optical system, and determining an optical property in dependence of the detected wavefronts, wherein a second ratio of an intensity of light of ?2 to an intensity of light of ?1 in the measuring optical beam being incident on the detector of the wavefront detection system is less than the first ratio.

Abstract: What is disclosed: is a media width detecting apparatus comprising: a first media detecting section to detect media, a second media detecting section put downward from said first media detecting section, to detect media; wherein said second detecting section decide range to detect media according to result of detection by said first media detecting section.

Abstract: A current voltage converter circuit includes a light receiving element which receives a light output from a laser and generates a light current according to the light output, a current distributor circuit which distributes the light current from the light receiving element, the current distributor circuit being configured of a current mirror circuit which includes a transistor pair and a first operating amplifier. The current voltage converter circuit further includes a voltage converter circuit which converts a current distributed by the current distributor circuit into a voltage, the voltage converter circuit including a second operating amplifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method to grade a piece of wood and simultaneously to classify this piece of wood by allowing an examination of four longitudinal faces thereof, so as to determine optimal specifications for a subsequent use thereof such as shaving, trimming ends, and other applications. The system comprises a structure, a transversal conveyor, a vision unit and a processing unit. The vision unit is partly located above the conveyor in an inclined plane, collecting data on a lateral and upper longitudinal face of an object as the object moves with the conveyor, and partly located under the conveyor, at an angle therewith, collecting data from a complementary lateral longitudinal face of the object as well as from an inferior longitudinal face thereof, as the object moves with the conveyor. The system allows classification of wooden pieces according to predetermined standards, at a rate of 200 pieces per minute with a margin of error less than or equal to 2%.

Abstract: A film scanner is configured with a broadband irradiation source and a film carrier. The film carrier has at least one light passage for a visible spectral channel, and the light passage is oriented to at least one photosensitive photodetector. The photosensitive photodetector is arranged in a housing, and the film carrier is connected to the housing.

Abstract: A method of detecting a non-fixed object in a system (12) includes applying a light emitting or generating substance to multiple objects. The objects are illuminated with an object illuminator (13). At least one of the objects (10) is determined to be a nonmember within a known pattern of objects and is identified to be a non-fixed object in response to illumination of the objects.

Abstract: An intrusion detection system comprises a pair of optical lenses arranged a predetermined distance apart and having overlapping fields of view within an area to be monitored to form a common field of view; at least one light-sensitive device responsive to light from each of the optical lenses; a range detector responsive to signals from the light-sensitive device and operable to determine a range to an object within the common field of view; and a range discriminator for setting at least one range gate to sense objects within the common field of view at predetermined ranges and for ignoring objects outside of the predetermined ranges.

Abstract: An assembly for an image capture device comprises an imaging lens, an optical spacer comprising at least one reflective surface and physically integrated with the imaging lens, and a photo-sensing system physically integrated with the optical spacer.

Abstract: Motion of a speckle pattern is employed to provide for navigation in three dimensions. Non-speckle optical navigation methods may also be used to provide for two dimensional surface navigation with speckle being used to provide for navigation in the third dimension.

Abstract: A compact optical sensor package for use in an optical mouse. The optical sensor package includes a chip enclosure which is physically and electrically bonded to a main circuit Board using Ball Grid Array (BGA) technology. The chip enclosure includes a windowed cover having a window, and a base board hermetically sealed to the windowed cover to enclose the sensor chip. The sensor chip is electrically connected to bonding pads on the inner surface of the base plate. The bonding pads are electrically connected through the base plate to bonding pads on the outer surface of the base plate. The bonding pads on the outer surface of the base plate are elements in this application of Ball Grid Array technology.

Abstract: A solid state image sensing apparatus having: an image pickup device including; a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a well of a second conductivity type formed in the semiconductor substrate, charge accumulation regions of the first conductivity type formed in the well, and an overflow drain terminal electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate for controlling a potential barrier formed by the well; an amplifier for amplifying an output from the image pickup device; a sensitivity setter for setting a photographic sensitivity; and an output level controller for changing a saturation amount of charge accumulated in the charge accumulation region by changing the bias voltage applied to the overflow drain terminal in accordance with a set sensitivity.

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: A pixel for use in CMOS or CCD image sensors is disclosed. The pixel includes a light sensitive element, such as a photodiode, formed in a semiconductor substrate. An anti-reflective coating is formed over the photodiode to reduce reflection of incident light. The reduced reflection results in greater “signal” reaching the photodiode.