Abstract: A device for monitoring the door area around a that is at least partially glazed door is provided. A transmitter emits a transmission pulse of electromagnetic radiation. An image recorder comprises a receiver matrix having a first receiver blocks which has a plurality of first receivers. The first receivers receive reflected signal components of the transmission pulse. Each first receiver has a memory unit which is designed to integrate and store the reflected signal components received. A control unit triggers a transmission pulse of the transmitter and activates the first receivers for a predetermined first receiving period. An evaluation unit compares topography image data with stored reference image data or compares a respective distance value with a stored reference value for a door area free of objects.

Abstract: A system counts photon interactions in an array of photosensitive diodes and addresses the issue of improving position resolution. Every photo-detector diode of the array is connected to a readout unit cell containing a high-gain charge-to-voltage amplifier, a shaper, at least two comparators with independent thresholds and at least one interpixel communication logic, receiving as input signals from comparator outputs of the same readout unit cell and of the neighboring readout unit cells. This logic is then connected to at least one counter, each counter followed by a counter readout. By means of the digital interpixel communication logic and the set of comparators with different thresholds in every readout unit cell, it is possible to determine the photon hit position in the detector with a higher position resolution than the physical photo-detector size including the removal of the corner effect in pixel detectors.

Abstract: There is provided a pixel circuit including an optically sensitive material (OSM) layer and a readout circuit. The OSM layer is arranged upon the readout circuit, and used to sense light energy to generate signal charges to be integrated in a floating diffusion. The readout circuit includes a source follower for amplifying a voltage on the floating diffusion within a readout interval, and the voltage on the floating diffusion is not changed by an external voltage pulse within the readout interval.

Abstract: A fluid properties sensing system includes an optical sensor which generates a sensor signal based on received laser light, a light source which transmits laser light through a transmitting fiber to a sensor head, a receiver that detects a portion of the laser light from a receiving fiber through an evanescent field of the transmitting fiber when the laser light radiates through a transmitting fiber wall of the transmitting fiber and interacts with a fluid medium at an interface of the sensor and the fluid medium, and a processor. The fibers are coupled at one end through the evanescent field to form the sensor head disposed in a flow field and to interact with the fluid medium. The processor identifies a change in the sensor signal based on a detected portion of the laser light resulting from an interaction of the sensor head with the fluid medium.

Abstract: A portable cross arm support device for temporarily supporting electrical conductors of a power transmission or distribution system. The portable cross arm support is configured for vertical lifting of the conductors. The portable cross arm is configured to fold for facilitating transportation. The portable cross arm has a main support pole mounted in a lifting bracket. Embodiments of the portable cross arm utilize a worm gear lifting system for vertical lifting of the conductors. The cross arm has two opposing horizontal line arms configured to support the electrical conductors. The opposing horizontal line arms extend from a T-connector. The T connector allows the horizontal line arms to pivot to a vertical orientation to provide for folding of the portable cross arm.

Abstract: The system can include: a container no, a set of sensors 120, and a controller 130. The system can optionally include a robot 140. However, the system 100 can additionally or alternatively include any other suitable set of components. The system functions to monitor and/or maintain a fullness level of a container. The system can additionally or alternatively function to enable robotic picking out of the container (e.g., in a pick-and-place setting). The system can additionally function to maintain candidate objects within reach of the robot's end effector to increase robot uptime while minimizing the extent of the robot's required motion (e.g., in the z-axis).

Abstract: An imaging device may include single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs). To improve the sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio of the SPADs, light scattering structures may be formed in the semiconductor substrate to increase the path length of incident light through the semiconductor substrate. To mitigate crosstalk, multiple rings of isolation structures may be formed around the SPAD. An outer deep trench isolation structure may include a metal filler such as tungsten and may be configured to absorb light. The outer deep trench isolation structure therefore prevents crosstalk between adjacent SPADs. Additionally, one or more inner deep trench isolation structures may be included. The inner deep trench isolation structures may include a low-index filler to reflect light and keep incident light in the active area of the SPAD.

Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a support structure coupled to the instrument panel, and a retainer. The support structure defines a receiver that extends from a lower end to an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end. The portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver. The retainer includes a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and having at least one wing. The retainer also includes a head portion coupled to the barrel portion. The retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the at least one wing of the exterior surface is engaged with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver.

Abstract: The present application discloses a laser receiving circuit and a LiDAR. The laser receiving circuit includes an amplifying circuit, a DC bias circuit, and an analog-to-digital converter. The amplifying circuit is connected to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to amplify input first voltage signals to obtain second voltage signals, and the second voltage signals are AC voltage signals. The DC bias circuit is connected to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to generate reverse DC voltage signals, and the reverse DC voltage signals and the second voltage signals are superimposed to obtain third voltage signals. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to sample the third voltage signals.

Abstract: One embodiment illustrated herein includes an optical device. The optical device includes a stacked device, formed in a single semiconductor chip, configured to be coupled in an overlapping fashion to an underlying device. The stacked device includes a plurality of optical output pixels. Each of the output pixels includes a plurality of subpixels. Each subpixel is configured to output a color of light. Each pixel is configured to output a plurality of colors of light. The optical device further includes one or more detectors, configured to detect light, interleaved with the subpixels of the pixels. The stacked device comprises a plurality of transparent regions formed in the stacked device between the pixels. The plurality of transparent regions are transparent, according to a first transmission efficiency, to light in a first spectrum. The underlying device emits light in the first spectrum.

Abstract: An optical filter may include a first group of layers. The first group of layers may include alternating layers of a first dielectric material, of a group of dielectric materials, and a second dielectric material of the group of dielectric materials. The optical filter may include a second group of layers. The second group of layers may include alternating layers of a third dielectric material, of the group of dielectric materials, and a fourth dielectric material of the group of dielectric materials. The optical filter may include a third group of layers. The third group of layers may include alternating layers of a fifth dielectric material, of the group of dielectric materials, a sixth dielectric material, of the group of dielectric materials, and a metal material. The third group of layers may be disposed between the first group of layers and the second group of layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an optical sensor package with a first assembly and a second assembly with an encapsulant extending between and coupling the first assembly and the second assembly. The first assembly includes a first substrate, a first die on the first substrate, a transparent material on the first die, and an infrared filter on the transparent material. The second assembly includes a second substrate, a second die on the second substrate, a transparent material on the second die, and an infrared filter on the transparent material. Apertures are formed through the encapsulant aligned with the first die and the second die. The first die is configured to transmit light through one aperture, wherein the light reflects off an object to be detected and is received at the second die through another one of the apertures.

Abstract: A monitor riser includes a base configured to be received on a horizontal support surface. A monitor support shelf is situated atop and supported by the base. A slide mechanism is situated below the monitor support shelf. A dry erase pad is supported by the slide mechanism and movable in a frontward direction from a stowed position in which the dry erase pad is at least partially received under the monitor support shelf to an extended position. The dry erase pad, when in the extended position, is movable to a propped position in which the dry erase pad is angled from horizontal to present a dry erase writing surface toward a user at a front side of the monitor support shelf.

Abstract: A vehicle air vent clamping device is disclosed. The vehicle air vent clamping device includes a base, a supporting arm, a hook for hooking a blade of a vehicle air vent, and an adjustment mechanism for driving the hook to move. The rear end of the supporting arm is connected to the base, and a blocking portion is disposed at the front end of the supporting arm. The hook can be located on the supporting arm in a front-rear movement manner, and when the hook moves to the position of the blocking portion, the hook is hidden in the blocking portion. The adjustment mechanism is connected between the base and the hook.

Abstract: A mounting system for securing an appliance to a wall includes at least one wall bracket for mounting to the wall and at least one appliance bracket for mounting to the appliance. The wall bracket(s) includes at least one wall attachment location and the appliance bracket(s) includes at least one appliance attachment location. The mounting system also includes at least one strap lock for mounting to a floor adjacent to the wall. The strap lock(s) is operable between a locked position and an unlocked position. Further, the mounting system includes at least one strap routed through the wall attachment location(s), the appliance attachment location(s), and the strap lock(s). Thus, when in the locked position, the strap lock secures the strap in place, thereby securing the appliance to the wall.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for solar tracking and controlling an angular position of a photovoltaic power system. The solar tracking system includes an imaging device for capturing images of the sky; a solar position data generating module; and a control system comprising a neural network. The neural network has multiple convolutional layers to generate a first output associated with the images, and a solar position data module. A first dense layer module receives the solar position data and generates a second output. A second dense layer module receives the first output and the second output and generates a concatenated data sequence. A processor is programmed to generate a multi-planar irradiance signal (MPIS) in response to the concatenated data sequence, and determine an angular position of the PV power system and adjust the angular position in response to an angle of maximum irradiance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase modulator apparatus comprises at least a first phase modulator for modulating input radiation, and a metrology device comprising such a phase modulator apparatus. The first phase modulator comprises a first moving grating in at least an operational state for diffracting the input radiation and Doppler shifting the frequency of the diffracted radiation; and a first compensatory grating element comprising a pitch configured to compensate for wavelength dependent dispersion of at least one diffraction order of said diffracted radiation.

Abstract: There is proposed an optical power measurement circuit and an optical power meter which use a linear amplification circuit based on multiple transimpedance operational amplification lanes and which add a bootstrap circuit and a compensator circuit. 1) The bootstrap is used to reduce the effect of the photodiode capacitance and increases the amplifier's bandwidth. 2) The compensator circuit monitors the photodiode's voltage and reproduces its transient distortions, to then subtract it from the output and thereby reduce the measurement error.

Abstract: An imaging device comprises a first chip that includes a first semiconductor substrate including a photoelectric conversion region. The first chip includes a first insulating layer including a first multilayer wiring electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion region. The first multilayer wiring includes a first vertical signal line (VSL1) to output a first pixel signal, and a first wiring. The imaging device includes a second chip including a second semiconductor substrate including a logic circuit. The second chip includes a second insulating layer including a second multilayer wiring electrically connected to the logic circuit. The second multilayer wiring includes a second wiring. The first chip and the second chip are bonded to one another, and, in a plan view, the first wiring and the second wiring overlap with at least a portion of the first vertical signal line (VSL1).

Abstract: A sensor has plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and columns with row control circuitry for controlling which one of said rows is activated and column control circuitry for controlling which of said pixels in said activated row is to be activated. The column circuitry has memory configured to store information indication as to which of the pixels are defective, wherein each of the pixels has a photodiode and a plurality of transistors which control the activation of the photodiode. A first transistor is configured to be controlled by a column enable signal while a second transistor is configured to be controlled by a row select signal.