Abstract: Media type is detected. A light beam is produced. The intensity of a specular reflectance component of the light beam is detected. The specular reflectance component results from the light beam being reflected off media. An indication of detected intensity of the specular reflectance component is compared to a mapping to determine media type of the media. The mapping maps detected intensity of the specular reflectance component to media type. The mapping uses only the detected intensity of the specular reflectance component, and no other components of light, to map detected intensity of the specular reflectance component to media type.

Abstract: In LED back-lighted display systems where the LED driving signals are pulse width modulated, brightness of the LED is determined by the duty cycle (length of the “on” pulse). In such systems, it is possible to, from time to time, skip an LED driving pulse without the human eye detecting the absence of (or change in) color during the “skipped” LED pulse. Using this approach, it is possible to measure the intensity of the light output from each LED of a multi-color LED display. Thus, in an embodiment having three colors, such as red, green and blue, it is possible to determine the light intensity from one of the LEDs (for example, the red LED) by skipping (blanking) the input driving pulses to the green and blue LEDs at a particular point in time. During that point in time the only light coming from the display would come from the unblanked LED which, in this case would be the red LED. It is then possible to measure the intensity of the red LED light using a photosensor without use of a filter.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical encoder includes a light source, a detector array and a code member. The detector array is positioned in spaced-apart relation to the light source and includes at least one detector set. Each of the at least one detector sets includes a plurality of detector elements. The code member 1) is positioned between the light source and the detector array, 2) is moveable with respect to the detector array along a displacement direction, and 3) defines a plurality of circular or elliptical openings through which light emitted by the light source is filtered to produce light spots that travel across the detector array as the code member moves with respect to the detector array. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical encoder includes a code member, a light source, and a detector array. The code member has a plurality of reflectors thereon; and the light source is positioned to illuminate an area of the code member that includes at least one of the reflectors. The detector array includes at least one detector set, each of which includes a plurality of detector elements. The code member and the detector array are moveable with respect to one another along a displacement direction, and as the code member moves with respect to the detector array, the reflectors on the code member reflect light emitted by the light source to produce circular or elliptical light spots that travel across the detector array.

Abstract: A system and method for optically detecting media feeding malfunctions in an image forming apparatus captures images of a surface of a sheet of media as image signals to detect positional changes of the sheet of media. The detected positional changes are used to determine that a media feeding malfunction has occurred when the positional changes satisfy a predefined condition.

Abstract: Media type is detected. A light beam is produced. The intensity of a specular reflectance component of the light beam is detected. The specular reflectance component results from the light beam being reflected off media. An indication of detected intensity of the specular reflectance component is compared to a mapping to determine media type of the media. The mapping maps detected intensity of the specular reflectance component to media type. The mapping uses only the detected intensity of the specular reflectance component, and no other components of light, to map detected intensity of the specular reflectance component to media type.

Abstract: The color of a surface is determined by tracking the position of the surface using grayscale image sensing and then using captured grayscale image information, position information, and grayscale-to-color conversion information to determine color. In one embodiment, the technique requires establishing grayscale-to-color conversion information and a relationship between position and the grayscale-to-color conversion information. A calibration pattern is printed on a piece of paper and the surface of the paper is illuminated. Grayscale image information and position information related to the surface is generated in response to the illumination. Color-specific portions of the grayscale-to-color conversion information that are to be used in color determination are selected based on the position information.

Abstract: A technique for sensing color involves detecting a portion of incident light that is not filtered by a color filter in addition to portions of the incident light that are filtered by color filters. The output related to the unfiltered light is used along with the outputs related to the filtered light to correct for voltage offsets that affect the amplification of the outputs. In an application, the output related to the unfiltered light is subtracted from the outputs related to the filtered light in a calculation of a linear transformation matrix.

Abstract: Method for packaging a photo detector integrated circuit (IC) and a pigment filter and resulting package are described. An encapsulated package (e.g., an epoxy-encapsulated package) that includes a first surface is provided. A filter layer is then coated directly onto the first surface. The filter layer provides optical filtering properties (e.g., a predetermined filtering profile) in addition to the filtering provided by the pigment filter.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for generating an output signal that represents light with a desired color profile. A first sensor is provided to receive light and based thereon to generate a first signal with a first color profile. A color sensor is also provided that receives light and based thereon generates a second signal with a second color profile. A signal generation mechanism that is coupled to the first sensor and the color sensor and receives the first signal with a first color profile, receives the second signal with a second color profile, and performs a predetermined operation on the first signal and the second signal to generate the output signal with the desired color profile.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for compensating for variations in the output signal of a color sensor due to varying temperature of the color sensor. The color sensor receives light and generates an output signal that is based on the received light. The temperature compensation mechanism measures the temperature of the color sensor and uses the measured temperature to selectively adjust the output signal of the color sensor to generate a compensated output signal that is not dependent on temperature of the color sensor.

Abstract: The color sensing circuit includes a light detector to receive light and to generate a signal that is dependent on the received light. The light detector includes a first electrode coupled to a first node and a second electrode coupled to a second predetermined signal. A storage device is provided that includes a first node and a second node coupled to the second predetermined signal. A first switch is provided that selectively couples the first node with the first electrode of the storage device based on a charge control signal. A signal processing circuit is provided that includes a first electrode and an output to generate an output signal that represents the light received by the light detector. A second switch is also provided that selectively couples the first electrode of the storage device with the first electrode of the signal processing circuit based on an evaluate control signal. The signal processing circuit selectively asserts the charge control signal and evaluate control signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing pressure existing within a package comprising a substrate to which a die is attached to provide electrical connections between the die and the exterior of the package, a lid, and sealant disposed between the substrate and the lid in a pattern with at least one break in the pattern.

Abstract: A color sensor is implemented on a single integrated circuit chip. The color sensor includes a plurality of color sensor circuits and a gain selection control. Each color sensor circuit in the plurality of color sensor circuits includes a light detector, an amplifier and a gain selection circuit. The amplifier is connected to the light detector. The amplifier amplifies a signal from the light detector. The gain selection circuit is connected to the amplifier. The gain selection controls gain of the amplifier. The gain selection circuit includes a variable feedback resistance. The gain selection control selects a separate value of the variable feedback resistance for each color sensor circuit.

Abstract: An optical encoder comprises an encoder module, an interpolator module coupled to the encoder module, and a modulator module coupled to the interpolator module. The encoder generates a first and second position signals as a function of a light signal modulated by a code wheel. The interpolator module generates a first and second position signals having increased resolution as a function of said first and second position signals. The modulator module generates a first and second modulated position signals as a function of said first and second position signals having increased resolution.

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.