Abstract: A collision deformation sensor for use within the crush zone of a vehicle consists of first and second spaced apart substrates for mounting to or forming respective vehicle components, with a compressible carrier medium filling the space between the substrates. The carrier medium is formed from a material transparent or translucent to light or other wave energy, and includes wave energy scattering centers dispersed within the medium to create a scattered energy volume. Alternatively the carrier medium forms a hollow cavity, the inside surface of which is coated with a wave energy dispersion coating. A source and receiver of light or other wave energy communicates with the carrier medium. Signal couplings and processors are associated with the source and receiver.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting localized pressure bearing on the sensor, comprises a volume of compressible, light translucent material having light-scattering centers evenly dispersed throughout the material. A light emitter communicates with the material to form a virtual optical cavity within the material; the intensity of scattered light is detected by a detector. A second detector is positioned at some distance removed from the first detector, outside the virtual optical cavity. Pressure bearing on the material increases the intensity of scattered light within the optical cavity. The decreased intensity is measured by the second detector. A signal processor receives signals from the first and second detectors, and resolves these signals into information indicative of pressure bearing on the sensor.

Abstract: Switches and joysticks comprise user-moveable two position and multi position switches, including simple on/off and variable switches such as dimmers. The switches operate on the principle of detecting the position of a user-grippable switch arm, a portion of which bears on a pressure-sensitive pad. The pad is a deformable material which detects and localizes pressure against the pad, by transmitting into the pad matrix a wave energy such as light, and detecting the intensity of same. As the pad is locally compressed, intensity of the wave energy increases in the region around the compression. The position of a switch arm may thus be detected, and the information transmitted to a central processing unit, for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automated inspection apparatus for detection of anomalies in a 3D translucent object, the apparatus having a scanhead assembly including an image processing unit and image capture device, a first and a second light source, and conveyor means, the improvement comprising a light block member positioned along a substantially common axis of the image capture device and a light source.

Abstract: The invention comprises a means of integrating optoelectronic devices onto optical lightguides, including optical fibers, the integrated lightguide-optoelectronic (ILO) devices manufactured simply and at a reduced cost by involving lithographic fabrication of optoelectronic devices directly on the termination aperture of a lightguide, eliminating coupling elements such as lenses mirrors, gratings and other devices normally used for one way coupling, for bidirectional coupling and for wavelength division multiplexed coupling. The invention also includes integrated optoelectronic devices comprising an optically active electronic device integrated on an end surface of a lightguide.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting localized pressure bearing on the sensor, comprises a volume of compressible, light translucent material having light-scattering centers evenly dispersed throughout the material. A light emitter communicates with the material to form a virtual optical cavity within the material; the intensity of scattered light is detected by a detector. A second detector is positioned at some remove from the first detector, outside the virtual optical cavity. Pressure bearing on the material increases the intensity of scattered light within the optical cavity. The decreased intensity is measured by the second detector. A signal processor receives signals from the first and second detectors, and resolves these signals into information indicative of pressure bearing on the sensor.

Abstract: A vehicle acceleration and attitude sensor is provided, having use as a vehicle collision sensor for activation of air bags and the like, and as well for detecting an unsafe angle or attitude of the vehicle. A compressible carrier medium of light or other wave energy, such as translucent foam, is coupled with a light or other wave energy source and a receiver. An inertial mass, which may consist of the carrier medium itself, is in contact with the carrier medium and operates to compress the carrier medium when the apparatus is either accelerated or tilted beyond a predetermined amount. A signal coupler and processor are associated with the energy source and receiver. The apparatus operates on the principle whereby compression of a scattering medium or an integrating cavity, within the region surrounding a light or other wave energy source, will increase the intensity of the wave energy. This increased intensity is translated into a measurement of the acceleration or tilt experienced by the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning the shells of crabs and other crustacean and shellfish for removal of barnacles and other encrusted debris. A conveyor carries the shells through a cleaning station. The cleaning station features a rotating flail, having chains or other like flexible members for impacting against the shells with hard, smooth members for selectively shattering the barnacle shells while permitting the relatively softer crustacean shells to remain intact.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the automated inspection of objects for the presence of visual anomalies. The apparatus includes a first wide angle camera for acquiring an image of the object, a processor for detecting targets and generating target location from the image of the object, a two axis post-objective scanner associated with a high resolution camera for directing target image to the high resolution camera. The scanner provides a mechanism for saccadic emulation in combination with a high resolution video camera, which can be synchronized to the frame rate of the video camera for rapid high resolution examination of an object.

Abstract: A pressure sensor relies on detecting multiply scattered light within an optical cavity. Changes in the volume of the cavity are sensed by the change in sampled light intensity. Pressure sensitive mats with a high density of sensor are assembled using optical fiber technology.

Abstract: A candling method for detecting anomalies in translucent material (10) e.g. parasites in fish fillets, comprises directing an illumination beam (Io) of light through the material. It has been discovered that improved results in terms of more reliable detection of anomalies, and the ability to locate such anomalies in thicker samples than has previously been possible, can be obtained by using a beam with a radius no greater than 1 mm and preferably no greater than 0.5 mm. For still better results the beam radius can be reduced to a value no greater than 0.1 mm, and even down to 0.05 mm.