Abstract: A light receiving device is disclosed by which a reception characteristic of a light receiving system can be improved. The light receiving device includes a photoelectric conversion element for receiving a light signal and performing photoelectric conversion of the light signal, and a data detection section for using an decision level for the light signal received by the photoelectric conversion element to detect modulation data included in the light signal. The light received device further includes an decision level control section for feedforward controlling the decision level to be used by the data detection section based on a level of the received light signal.

Abstract: An eccentric optical system forming an optical path where an incident light beam is internally reflected three times to fold the optical path, and then emitted from a transmission surface and imaged on an image surface, and an optical path where the incident light beam is internally reflected two times to fold the optical path, and then emitted from a branching surface and imaged on an image surface. At least two surfaces of the optical operating surfaces are rotationally asymmetric surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides a fiber-optic sensing system, utilizing a fiber-grating-based sensor, for a physical parameter, e.g., a pressure or a temperature. Different kinds of fiber-grating-based sensors may be used for this purpose but in-fiber gratings such as Fiber Bragg Grating, Long Period Grating and Surface Corrugated Long Period Fiber Grating are particularly suitable. Due to the small size of the optical fiber and the fact that same fiber acts as the sensing element as well as the signal conducting medium, it is possible to install the sensor in a small diameter needle which is commonly used for medical diagnosis and treatment. As a result, when the fiber-optic sensing system of the invention is used for in-vivo measurement of a biological parameter, such a sensing needle can be used for different in-vivo pressure or temperature sensing applications without causing too much harm and discomfort to the subject tested.

Abstract: Systems and method for determining, based on a gray scale image, focus of an imaging system. A method of this invention includes the steps of: a) acquiring a gray scale image of a test target, b) binarizing the acquired gray scale image, c) analyzing the binarized acquired image, d) adjusting focus of acquisition optics of the imaging system, and e) repeating steps a) through d) until a substantially maximum number of line pairs of a number of groups of line pairs of the test target is obtained, wherein each group from the number of groups of line pairs has a predetermined spatial frequency.

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 system for measuring gains of a plurality of photo diodes includes a chamber adapted to host the plurality of photo diodes and a temperature control unit configured to control the temperature within the chamber to a predetermined temperature. A control unit selects at least one of the plurality of photo diodes. A hosting unit is configured to provide a bias voltage to the selected photo diode at the predetermined temperature. A light source transmits photo signals to the selected photo diode at the predetermined temperature. A measurement unit configured to measure current signals generated by the selected photo diode in response to the photo signals under the bias voltage at the predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus with an imaging device has a photographing optical system that forms an object image, an image pick-up device that has a photo-receiving area and generates image-pixel signals from the object image formed on the photo-receiving area. The photo-receiving area is inclined relative to a direction perpendicular to an optical axis by a given angle. The electronic apparatus has an extracting processor that extracts a focused-image from the object image as focused-image data on the basis of the image-pixel signals, a recording processor that records the focused-image data in a memory; and a displaying processor that displays the focused-image on a display in accordance with the focused-image data.

Abstract: An object detection system is provided that projects one or more patterns onto a monitored area, captures one or more live images of the monitored area, and detects objects that enter the monitored area by detecting changes in the one or more patterns in the live images. Such an object detection system may be less susceptible to dynamic lighting conditions, and more sensitive to object intrusions. One illustrative example projects a pattern of dots onto an area to be monitored, and captures images corresponding to the monitored area, comparing live images to reference images to determine whether an object has intruded a defined area. The area to be monitored does not consist solely of the area captured in the images and may include a volume illuminated by the pattern as well as a volume corresponding to the captured image area. Objects not in the field of view may be detected by the disclosed systems and methods. Several illustrative analytical methods are disclosed as well.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor consisting of light sensor circuits arranged to form an array of pixels, each of which produces in a photoelectric converting element a sensor current proportional to the quantity of light falling thereon and converts the sensor current into a voltage signal by a MOS type transistor with a logarithmic output characteristic in a weak inverse state, wherein a means for changing over a drain voltage of the transistor for each light sensor circuit to a value lower than a normal value for a specified time to remove a charge accumulated in a parasitic capacity of the photoelectric converting element to initialize the circuit before detecting a light signal. The image sensor can obtain a voltage signal corresponding to the quantity of incident light even if the sensor current was rapidly changed, thereby eliminating the possibility of occurrence of afterglow of each pixel even at a small quantity of incident light.

Abstract: The deterioration of read-image quality caused by LED color-tone variations is suppressed in a case in which a white-color LED illumination module is used as a light source of a color-image reading apparatus. The color-image reading apparatus includes an illumination module formed of a plurality of white-color LEDs arranged in a main-scanning direction; an image sensor such as a CCD; a unit for moving the original and the image sensor relatively in a sub-scanning direction; and an input masking unit. The illumination module is formed of LEDs having the same color-tone rank. The color-image reading apparatus also includes a setting unit for setting a color-tone rank for the illumination module, and a control unit, such as a CPU, for switching a parameter of the input masking unit according to the color-tone rank.

Abstract: A self-running robot tracking and imaging a human body with an inexpensive arrangement includes: first to fourth sensors; a camera; a driving device moving the first to fourth sensors and camera simultaneously; a rotary encoder detecting that the first to fourth sensors and camera have stopped; a control unit which, upon detection of a heat source by one of the first to fourth sensors, controls the driving device such that the camera turns to the direction which the sensor detecting the heat source faced, and controls the camera so as to image an object after the camera has stopped, and controls the driving device such that the first to fourth sensors remain stationary for 3 seconds after the camera has stopped irrespective of whether a heat source is detected.

Abstract: An automatic power control system provides a control signal that regulates the output power of at least one laser diode. Coarse adjustment of the control signal is provided by a first means, preferably a digital variable resistor, while fine adjustment and compensation is provided by a second means, preferably by a digital-to-analog converter that receives an input signal proportional to a sensed control system parameter. The control system includes an operational amplifier having a first input coupled to sense output power, and a second input coupled to a DAC to provide finer resolution control. Memory can store system parameter or system parameter variations that can be coupled to the DAC and/or variable resistor to enhance system stability over ambient variations.

Abstract: A monitor for intrusion detection features a detecting arrangement for detecting an intruding object in a 3-dimensional area and outputting corresponding detection information, a setting arrangement for setting information necessary for monitoring the position or actions of the intruding object in the 3-dimensional area, a monitoring information generating arrangement for generating monitoring information concerning the position or actions of the intruding object in the 3-dimensional area, on the basis of the detection information generated by the detecting arrangement and the setting information by the setting arrangement, and an external output arrangement for outputting an control output or a display output according to the monitoring information concerning the position or actions of the intruding object generated by the monitoring information generating means.

Abstract: An optical transducer for determining liquid level within a container includes a sensing probe having a first elongate measurement face and a second elongate measurement face that converges toward the first measurement face. A light source is positioned for directing radiant energy into the sensing probe and a photosensor is positioned for detecting an amount of radiant energy exiting the sensing probe. With this arrangement, a change in the amount of radiant energy as detected by the photosensor is indicative of a change in liquid level within the container.

Abstract: A probe for detecting light or irradiating light comprises a cantilever supported at an end thereof by a substrate, a hollow tip formed at a free end of the cantilever, a microaperture formed at the end of the tip, and a hollow waveguide formed inside the cantilever. A method for producing a probe for light detection or light irradiation which comprises the steps of working a substrate to form a groove therein, forming a flat plate-shaped cover portion on the groove to form a hollow waveguide having an opening in a part thereof, forming a hollow tip having a microaperture on the opening, and removing a part of the substrate by etching, to form a cantilever.

Abstract: A conductive connector for use by an image module connects electrically a first electric circuit substrate having a first conductive pattern to a second electric circuit substrate having a second conductive pattern. The conductive connector includes an insulating substrate located between the first electric circuit substrate and the second electric circuit substrate, and has at least one hole formed by perforation, and a conductive filling material filled in the hole for electrically connecting the first conductive pattern to the second conductive pattern.

Abstract: An imager in which two adjacent pixels share row and reset lines and a row selection circuitry while the output transistors of the two pixels are configured as a differential amplifier. In operation, both pixels are reset at the same time, causing differential reset signals to be output from the amplifier. The charge from the first pixel is readout and a differential pixel signal for the first pixel is output from the amplifier. Because the reset and pixel signals are differential signals generated within the pixels, they are free from common-mode noise. Correlated double sampling can be used to obtain the pixel output value, which is also free from common-mode noise, from the differential reset and pixel signals. The second pixel may be readout in the same manner. Because the two pixels are sharing circuitry, the pixels have decreased fill factor and complexity as well.

Abstract: A sensitive fluid sensor for detecting fluids and particularly trace fluids. The sensor may be adjustable for detecting fluids of various absorption lines. To effect such adjustment, a tunable laser may be used. The laser may be an edge emitting diode, a VCSEL or other tunable source. The detection apparatus of the sensor may incorporate a sample cell through which a laser light may go through. The sample cell may comprise a tunable ring-down cavity. The ring-down cavity may be a ring laser cavity like that of a ring laser gyroscope. There may be a photo detector proximate to the ring down cavity connected to a processor.

Abstract: The first opening 31 and second opening 32 are formed in the rotating plate 3 attached to the rotation axis 2 of an absolute encoder 1 in a prescribed positional relation, and a two-dimensional profile sensor 5 is installed so as to face the lower side 3a of the rotating plate 3. Also, a light supplying unit 4 consisting of light sources 41 and 42 is installed so as to face the photosensitive area of the profile sensor 5 with the openings 31 and 32 of the rotating plate 3 placed therebetween. And, based on a correlation between the first detected position P1 and second detected position P2 where measuring light emitted from the light sources 41 and 42 is passed through the openings 31 and 32 of the rotating plate 3 and is detected by the profile sensor 5, an absolute value of the rotating angle of the rotation axis 2 is calculated, wherein it is possible to achieve an absolute encoder capable of accurately measuring the absolute value of the rotating angle of the rotation axis with a simple construction.

Abstract: Illuminating light emitted from a light source is led via a condenser lens, an optical fiber, a half-silvered mirror, and a condenser lens to a reflector. The reflector reflects the illuminating light to a CCD device through a telecentric optical system which comprises the condenser lens, the half-silvered mirror, and an aperture member. The illuminating light applied to the CCD device is greatly reduced in amount as it passes through a light-transmissive sheet-like body twice. The light-transmissive sheet-like body itself or an edge thereof can be detected with high accuracy even if the light-transmissive sheet-like body has a high transmittance.