Abstract: A position detection system. In representative embodiments, the position detection system comprises a support structure having a cavity, a first light source configured to emit light into at least part of the cavity, a second light source configured to emit light into at least part of the cavity, a first image sensor configured to capture at least part of the light emitted into the cavity by the first and second light sources, an article moveable relative to the support structure, a protuberance attached to the article, and a computation circuit configured to receive a signal from the first image sensor. Movement of the support structure moves the protuberance within the cavity. The computation circuit is configured to compute the location of the protuberance from shadows cast by the protuberance onto the first image sensor.

Abstract: A lighting source capable of producing white light using a semiconductor radiation source. The semiconductor radiation source may be an ultraviolet (“UV”) light emitting diode (“LED”) device that emits light at a short wavelength, e.g., near-violet or ultraviolet light. A thin film of phosphor may be deposited or coated on the surface of the UV LED or positioned directly above the UV LED. The lighting source may also include an UV reflector radiationally coupled to the thin phosphor layer that allows visible white light emitted from the thin phosphor to pass through and reflects shorter wavelength light back to the thin phosphor layer.

Abstract: An imaging device and method for producing a flash of light utilizes pulsing of one or more color lights, e.g., red, green and blue lights, emitted from light sources to produce the flash of light. The light sources may include light emitting diode dies configured to generate different color lights.

Abstract: Multiple motion sensor devices are included in an imaging apparatus. One or more of the motion sensor devices captures images and at least a portion of the sensor images are then processed to determine one or more motion vectors for the processed sensor images. At least one motion vector representing an amount of motion of the imager during image capture is generated when a predetermined portion of the motion vectors match.

Abstract: An electronic flash, imaging device and method for producing flashes of light uses a diffractive optical element to produce a flash of light having a rectangular radiation pattern. The diffractive optical element is configured to diffract light emitted from a light source such that the radiation pattern of the light emitted from the diffractive optical element is rectangular to produce the rectangular flash of light.

Abstract: Light beam focusing components direct light from the top surface of a touch screen display to one or more imagers. The imager or imagers capture one or more images of the top surface of the touch screen display. A processing unit analyzes the image or images to determine the position of an input device on or near the top surface of the touch screen display.

Abstract: A light emitting diode system includes a housing including a light emission opening and a light emitting diode disposed within the housing. A first film layer covers the light emission opening and includes a uniaxial collimating film configured to direct light from the light emitting diode along a first axis.

Abstract: A detection system includes a sensor structure, a luminescence concentrator and a detector. The sensor structure indicates presence of an analyte in a sample by production of light. The luminescence concentrator receives light from the sensor structure and concentrates the light from the sensor structure to increase brightness. The detector detects brightness of light as received from the luminescence concentrator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, apparatus is provided with a display panel, a wavelength converting material, and a light source. The display panel is provided with an interface to receive control signals defining one or more primary images that are projected from the display panel. The wavelength converting material absorbs light of a first wavelength and emits light of a second wavelength. The wavelength converting material defines a secondary image that is projected from the display panel when the wavelength converting material is illuminated by the light of the first wavelength. The light source causes the wavelength converting material to be illuminated by the light of the first wavelength.

Abstract: Light-sensing systems and methods thereof are described. A light source illuminates target areas arrayed on a surface. Light guides receive light reflected from the target areas. The amount of light reflected from a target area corresponds at least in part to the composition of a substance associated with that target area. Detectors receive reflected light carried by the light guides.

Abstract: First and second substrates are spaced apart and joined around a perimeter to define a gas chamber between the substrates. The first substrate is made of a material that transmits visible radiation. A layer of a phosphor material overlies an interior surface of one of the substrates and is capable of converting UV radiation to visible radiation. A layer of a reflective material overlies an interior surface of the other one of the substrates.

Abstract: A handheld fluorescence detector that includes a handheld data processing system and a UV light source connected to the data processing system is disclosed. The UV light source illuminates an object to be scanned with light having a UV illumination wavelength. A safety mechanism inhibits the light from the UV light source from reaching an eye of a person in the vicinity of the UV light source at an intensity that would damage the eye. A fluorescence detector senses fluorescent light generated by the object in response to the illumination. The fluorescence detection can utilize a photodetector or a human observer. The detector can be included in a cellular telephone or PDA. Safety mechanisms that utilize baffles or total internal reflection to protect the user are described. In addition, interlock mechanisms that prevent the UV light source from being activated when no object is present can be incorporated.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: An optical device that receives polarization components of input light, spatially separates the polarization components, provides the polarization components with a angles of polarization and directs them onto a reflective element that has a plurality of states. The spatially-separated polarization components are incident on the reflective element with a incident angles of polarization and are reflected by the reflective element with a spatial separation and reflected angles of polarization, which may or may not be the same as the incident angles of polarization. The angles of polarization of the reflected light are a function of the state of the reflective element. The portion of light reflected by the reflective element and the direction in which the reflected light propagates through the optical device can be controlled by controlling the state of the reflective element.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: A sensor, such as a lateral flow sensor, which includes a chemical layer and a detector on a flexible substrate. An optical signal is produced in response to an analyte placed on the chemical layer. The detector detects the signal, to thereby detect the presence, absence or concentration of the analyte. The detector is on the substrate. The chemical layer and the substrate are laminated together, to thereby form an integrated sensor. The sensor can include a light source. The light source can be on the substrate, or on an opposite side of the chemical layer than the detector.

Abstract: An optoelectronic system for measuring fluorescence or luminescence emission decay, including (a) a light source being a light emitting diode, a semiconductor laser or a flash tube; (b) a first integrated circuit comprising at least one circuit causing the light source to emit light pulses towards a sample which causes a fluorescence or luminescence emission from the sample; (c) a photodiode detecting the emission; (d) a second integrated circuit comprising a detection analysis system determining information about the sample by analyzing decay of the detected emission; and (e) an enclosure enclosing the light source, the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit and the photodiode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for making a self-aligning optical system are provided, Briefly described, in architecture, one such system for making an optical system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a grating substrate supporting a holographically-formed diffraction grating and an array mount for defining relative locations of point sources of light. The array mount contains recording points that define locations of point sources of recording light used to illuminate the grating substrate during fabrication of the holographically-formed diffraction grating and use points that define locations of light apertures used in operation of the holographically-formed diffraction grating. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A wavelength selective switching device and method for selectively transmitting optical signals based on wavelength utilizes diffraction to spatially separate the optical signals of different wavelengths such that the optical signal of a selected wavelength can be selectively transmitted. The wavelength selective switching device selectively rotates the polarization components of the optical signals such that the polarization states of the polarization components are the same in both incoming and outgoing directions at the diffraction grating. Thus, a diffraction grating with a high grating line frequency (e.g. greater than 900 grating lines per mm for signals in the 1550 nm wavelength range) can be used for diffracting the polarization components of the optical signals in both the incoming and outgoing directions.

Abstract: A projection optical system for digital lithography includes an Offner imaging system with a defined optical axis. The Offner imaging system has a well-corrected region. The system includes means for shaping an optical beam having an extent too large to fit within the well-corrected region to propagate through the Offner imaging system within the well-corrected region.