Abstract: Optical sensors containing reduced amounts of cross talk, as well as methods for making and using such sensors are described. The sensors contain a light absorption coating that is placed on a portion of the external surface of the optical sensor near the detector. This absorption coating reduces the amount of cross talk by reducing the amount of light reflected inside a transparent package of the sensor. As well, the coating can also reduce the amount of ambient and/or stray light that enters the sensor. The coating adds little cost or complexity to the manufacturing process for the sensors, yet reduces the cross talk without substantially increasing the size of the sensor or without increasing any reliability risks. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Optical sensors containing reduced amounts of cross talk, as well as methods for making and using such sensors are described. The sensors contain a light absorption coating that is placed on a portion of the external surface of the optical sensor near the detector. This absorption coating reduces the amount of cross talk by reducing the amount of light reflected inside a transparent package of the sensor. As well, the coating can also reduce the amount of ambient and/or stray light that enters the sensor. The coating adds little cost or complexity to the manufacturing process for the sensors, yet reduces the cross talk without substantially increasing the size of the sensor or without increasing any reliability risks. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A system for reading encoded information includes a housing that has an aperture formed therein, a radiation source mounted within the housing that is used for emitting radiation through the aperture, and a radiation detector mounted within the housing that is used to receive radiation reflected back through the aperture. The radiation source can be an infrared light-emitting diode (LED), and the radiation detector can be a semiconductor sensor.

Abstract: A multiple state opto-electronic switch, having at least three states, includes a moveable member operable to move over a plurality of discrete positions. The moveable member has a plurality of radiation modulating segments from which a plurality of groups are defined. An emitting source is operable to emit radiation. A plurality of detectors, sensitive to the radiation, are each mounted proximate and in fixed position relative to motion of the movable member. Each of the plurality of discrete positions corresponds to a respective mapping between the plurality of detectors and a selected group of the radiation modulating segments. Each group of radiation modulating segments controls the radiation passing from the emitting source to each of the detectors. The plurality of detectors thereby generates a set of output signals responsive to a position of the moveable member.