Abstract: An eye tracking system, images the surface (e.g., sclera) of each eye of a user to capture an optical flow field resulting from a texture of the imaged surface. The eye tracking system includes illumination source (e.g., laser) and a detector (e.g., camera). The source illuminates a portion of the eye that is imaged the camera. As the eye moves, different areas of the eye are imaged, allowing generation of a map of a portion of the eye. An image of a portion of the eye is includes a diffraction pattern (i.e., the optical flow) corresponding to the portion of the eye. Through a calibration process, the optical flow is mapped to a location where the eye is looking.

Abstract: An eye tracking system, images the surface (e.g., sclera) of each eye of a user to capture an optical flow field resulting from a texture of the imaged surface. The eye tracking system includes illumination source (e.g., laser) and a detector (e.g., camera). The source illuminates a portion of the eye that is imaged the camera. As the eye moves, different areas of the eye are imaged, allowing generation of a map of a portion of the eye. An image of a portion of the eye is includes a diffraction pattern (i.e., the optical flow) corresponding to the portion of the eye. Through a calibration process, the optical flow is mapped to a location where the eye is looking.

Abstract: An apparatus classifies a material, which may include identifying the material, identifying the type of the material, or identifying the type of the material's surface. The apparatus includes a detector for capturing an image of a surface of the material, and a processor classifies the material by analyzing the image. When incorporated in a mechanism, this apparatus can classify the material on which the mechanism is operating, and, thus, the mechanism can tune some or all of its settings to the material without inconvenience to and with no susceptibility to error by a human operator. For example, when incorporated in a printer, this apparatus can identify the type of media being printed, and, thus, the printer can tune its print settings to the identified media type without relying on operator input.

Abstract: An optical device and methods thereof are described. The device includes a first light source adapted to emit light onto a surface, and a detector adapted to receive light reflected from the surface. The reflected light produces a speckle pattern. The distance between the optical device and the surface can be measured using a quantifiable attribute associated with the speckle pattern.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the position of a screen pointer includes an at least partially coherent light source for illuminating an imaging surface, thereby generating reflected images. The apparatus includes a navigation sensor for generating digital images based on the reflected images, performing a movement computation based on the digital images, generating movement data based on the movement computation that is indicative of relative motion between the imaging surface and the apparatus, wherein the movement computation includes attenuating fixed pattern noise in the digital images.

Abstract: An optical position-tracking system comprises a first light beam steering device for sweeping a first light beam through a first angular range to cause a reflection of the first light beam by a target. Additionally, the optical position-tracking system further comprises a second light beam steering device for sweeping a second light beam through a second angular range to cause a reflection of the second light beam by the target. Moreover, the optical position-tracking system enables determination of a position of the target using a triangulation technique utilizing a first angular value of the first light beam and a second angular value of the second light beam. The first angular value and the second angular value depend on the existence of the respective reflection.

Abstract: A test system in accordance with the invention includes a field effect transistor (FET) sensor that is operable to detect an electric field present in an area located adjacent to a sensor surface of the FET sensor and generate thereby, a change in the drain-source current of the FET sensor. The change in drain-source current is typically detected by a current detector of the test system.

Abstract: An imaging device comprises a light source configured to illuminate a subcutaneous tissue structure with substantially coherent light, a sensor module, an imaging lens interposed between the subcutaneous tissue structure and the sensor module to focus an image of the subcutaneous tissue structure at the sensor module.

Abstract: An optical mouse comprises a housing, an optics module, and a replaceable contaminant barrier. The housing has a surface with an optical window. The optics module includes a light source disposed within the housing and configured to direct light out of, and receive light in, through the optical window. The replaceable contaminant barrier is transparent and is removably secured across the optical window.

Abstract: An optical position-tracking system comprises an optical device for generating an incident light beam and a reference light beam from a light beam. Moreover, the optical position-tracking system further comprises a light beam steering device for sweeping the incident light beam through an angular range to cause a reflection of the incident light beam by a target, whereas the reflection of the incident light beam is directed to interfere with the reference light beam to form an interference light beam. Additionally, the optical position-tracking system enables determination of a position of the target using an interferometric technique utilizing an angular value of the incident light beam and the interference light beam, whereas the angular value depends on the reflection.

Abstract: An optical position-tracking system comprises an optical device for generating an incident light beam and a reference light beam from a light beam. Moreover, the optical position-tracking system further comprises a light beam steering device for sweeping the incident light beam through an angular range to cause a reflection of the incident light beam by a target, whereas the reflection of the incident light beam is directed to interfere with the reference light beam to form an interference light beam. Additionally, the optical position-tracking system enables determination of a position of the target using an interferometric technique utilizing an angular value of the incident light beam and the interference light beam, whereas the angular value depends on the reflection. If the light beam has a plurality of wavelengths, either due to the existence of these wavelengths simultaneously, or over a time interval having multiple wavelengths, the absolute position of the target can be determined.

Abstract: An optical attenuator having a multi-mode waveguide segment and a perturbation element. An incident single-mode optical signal is converted to a multi-mode optical signal in the multi-mode waveguide segment. The optical attenuator couples incident light into higher order modes of the multi-mode waveguide segment resulting in attenuation of the incident optical signal.

Abstract: An optical attenuator having a multi-mode waveguide segment and a perturbation element. An incident single-mode optical signal is converted to a multi-mode optical signal in the multi-mode waveguide segment. The optical attenuator couples incident light into higher order modes of the multi-mode waveguide segment resulting in attenuation of the incident optical signal.

Abstract: An optical switching apparatus and a method of efficiently switching optical signals are disclosed. Optical insertion loss may be reduced in a planar lightwave circuit by determining an optimal spacing between perturbations including using passive perturbations, having a three dimensional refractive index distribution, in an array of waveguides, or by adjusting parameters of existing perturbations e.g. their spacing. The perturbation and each waveguide have different three dimensional refractive index distributions. The perturbation may be positioned anywhere in the array of waveguides. The perturbation may be a trench, a region of refractive index different from that in each waveguide, a broken waveguide core, or a modification of the topography of the array of waveguides. In one embodiment, the perturbation is a periodic or quasiperiodic perturbation.

Abstract: An optical switching apparatus and a method of efficiently switching optical signals are disclosed. Optical insertion loss may be reduced in a planar lightwave circuit by determining an optimal spacing between perturbations including using passive perturbations, having a three dimensional refractive index distribution, in an array of waveguides, or by adjusting parameters of existing perturbations e.g. their spacing. The perturbation and each waveguide have different three dimensional refractive index distributions. The perturbation may be positioned anywhere in the array of waveguides. The perturbation may be a trench, a region of refractive index different from that in each waveguide, a broken waveguide core, or a modification of the topography of the array of waveguides. In one embodiment, the perturbation is a periodic or quasiperiodic perturbation.