Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a method for managing the coating thickness on a substrate in a physical vapor deposition system. Said method is applied to the system that comprises a multi-beam laser monitoring system and a uniformity control system with a multi-mask set. Said method comprises steps of computing error function for transmission of laser passing through the coating layer, ceasing the deposition process based on the comparison between the error function and a predetermined constant, comparing deposition rates among all laser beams, identifying the area of the coating layer with a different deposition rate, adjusting the multi-mask set to modify the deposition rate on that coating area in the next deposition process, and resuming the deposition process for the next coating layer until uniformity of the coating thickness is reached.

Abstract: The invention is an in-process calibration system. It is not an open loop system or a closed loop system, but a hybrid system that retains both the low propensity for error of the closed loop system and the simplicity of the open loop system. The invention comprises a housing, one or more robots that move in up to three axes mounted to the housing, at least one sensor for each axis of the robots' movement, and a microcontroller. The sensors are fixed to the housing at known locations, and the microcontroller instructs end effectors of the robots through a sequence of moves that intermittently trigger the sensors. When the sensors are triggered, the microcontroller corrects the idealized location of the end effectors in the microcontroller's calculations to the actual location of the end effectors, which is, at the moment that the sensors are triggered, the known location of the sensors.

Abstract: A gesture cell including a photodiode comprising a first layer, the first layer formed as a serpentine element on a substrate, and an optical blind configured to guide a light that is incident from a first direction on the photodiode, the optical blind being placed on the photodiode obliquely toward the first direction, wherein the serpentine element is continuously formed from multiple limbs positioned in the first directions and returning in a corresponding second direction, and each limb positioned in the first direction and the corresponding limb returning in the second direction are equally spaced apart.

Abstract: A hand-held information processing terminal includes a display, a camera arranged in proximity to the display and capable of obtaining an image of a user including infrared components, an estimation module that estimates relative positional relation between the display and the user based on the obtained image, a generation module that generates a plurality of display images in accordance with the relative positional relation, and a control module that provides stereoscopic display to the user in accordance with a position thereof with the use of the plurality of display images.

Abstract: To provide a measuring system for guiding a worker to a pile driving point by utilizing a measuring device for performing a distance measurement and an angle measurement by automatic guiding and a controller. The measuring system includes a measurement pole 50 equipped with a prism 52, a measurement device 2 having an automatic guiding function, a memory section 30L, a display section 30G displaying a guiding map, an imaging optical system 30E, and a controller 30C having a transceiver 30D, calculates a difference between present position information and a pile driving point position information, calculates a moving direction of the prism 52 from the current position information and previous position information by the imaging optical system 30E, and when these moving directions are different, calculates a gradient component ? of the controller 30C, and displays a guiding map by amended spaced-apart components ?x?, ?y? amended by the gradient components.

Abstract: A DC motor control device includes a communication circuit configured to receive a control command specifying a target rotation amount for a DC motor, a sensor interface configured to receive a detection signal from a rotational angle sensor that outputs the detection signal every time the DC motor rotates by a certain rotational angle, a step counter that outputs a count signal every time the detection signal has been received a certain number of times, a controller that, based on the number of times the count signal received, determines a step count representing the total amount of rotation, and generates a control signal that controls the DC motor in accordance with the step count and the target rotation amount, and a drive signal generation circuit that generates a drive signal that rotates the DC motor in accordance with the control signal.

Abstract: A hand-held information processing terminal includes a display, a camera arranged in proximity to the display and capable of obtaining an image of a user including infrared components, an estimation module that estimates relative positional relation between the display and the user based on the obtained image, a generation module that generates a plurality of display images in accordance with the relative positional relation, and a control module that provides stereoscopic display to the user in accordance with a position thereof with the use of the plurality of display images.

Abstract: A method for positioning a micro-tool (4) comprises: a positioning gauge positioning process (S1) including placing a gauge surface (5d) of a positioning gauge (5) at a needle tip position while the positioning gauge (5) is fixed to a holding part (30), and aligning a mark (5b) provided in the positioning gauge (5) with the optical axis (62a) of an objective lens (62); a positioning gauge focus adjustment process (S2) to focus on the mark (5b) in a state where the positioning gauge (5) has been positioned; and a micro-tool attachment process (S3) including fixing the micro-tool (4) to the holding part (30) after removing the positioning-gauge (5) from the holding part (30).

Abstract: Provided is a vehicle onboard display device, which is to be installed on a vehicle, and configured to cause, when a detection unit detects a predetermined operation, a movable mechanism to operate so as to direct a display panel toward a predetermined direction, and cause the display panel to display an image at a predetermined brightness.

Abstract: A self-leveling multi-line laser device is disclosed. The multi-line laser device includes at least two laser beams and at least two reflecting cones, wherein the cone axes of the reflecting cones are perpendicular to each other and each of the laser beams can be directed, preferably eccentrically, parallel to the axis of one of the reflecting cones against the tip of said reflecting cone. With the multi-line laser device, at least two projectable laser lines can be generated.

Abstract: A thermowell system for measuring a process temperature includes an elongate thermowell having a proximal end and a distal end configured to extend into a process fluid. An infrared sensor is configured to detect infrared radiation from the distal end of the thermowell and responsively provide a sensor output. Vibration detector circuitry is coupled to the infrared detector and configured to detect vibration of the thermowell as a function of oscillations in the sensor output.

Abstract: An agricultural communication system is provided that enables sensor-to-sensor link communications of peripheral farming devices (planters, fertilizer or pesticide applicators, etc.) so as to enhance diagnostics for locating system faults and blockages. The system also provides a means to operate with single-faults present with real-time diagnostics to the operator. The point-to-point communications also facilitates simplified installation by automatically determining the sensor addressing based on the physical connection of the sensors. Since the sensor-to-sensor daisy chain bus system is self-configuring there is no dependency on the sensor manufacturing data or sequential installation procedure to define the sensor address as required in other prior art systems. A dual power supply from each end of the looped bus with independent switching provides operation in the presence of single-faults, and a diagnostic mode combined with sensor power supply voltage measurements provides fault location.

Abstract: The output of an avalanche photodiode (APD) comprises a “photocurrent” component comprising photon initiated events resulting from the interaction of photons with the APD and a “dark current” component comprising dark carrier events arising in the APD even when the APD is not exposed to light. Differences in the pulse height distributions of photon initiated events and dark carrier initiated events are used to statistically discriminate between photocurrent and dark current components of APD output.

Abstract: The technology presented here reduces the number of ports associated with the mobile device by combining a plurality of ports into a single multipurpose port. In one embodiment, the multipurpose port includes multiple sensors that detect various properties associated with a light beam, and a light guide that transmits the light beam between the environment outside and the multiple sensors inside the mobile device. In another embodiment, a multipurpose camera includes one or more pixels, different from the rest of the multipurpose camera pixels, where the one or more pixels receive a unique control signal. The unique control signal, sent by a processor coupled to the multipurpose camera, includes an instruction to perform an action different from the rest of the pixels, e.g., to turn on when the rest of the pixels are off. The active pixels can detect coarse properties of the light while saving mobile device battery life.

Abstract: In order to provide an optical sensor that can accurately sense a direction of movement of an object to be sensed even in a case where disturbance light is present, an optical sensor of the present invention includes: a light-emitting element; a circularly-segmented light-receiving element group (RDPD), including light-receiving elements circularly provided at edges of a region on which reflected light from an object to be sensed reflecting light emitted by the light-emitting element is incident, for generating respective photocurrents upon receiving the reflected light; and a gesture circuit section for sensing a direction of movement of the object to be sensed upon receiving the photocurrents generated by the light-receiving elements included in the circularly-segmented light-receiving element group (RDPD).

Abstract: A laser centering tool for surface areas used to find the center point of a surface. The laser centering tool uses single or multiple laser sources to project a plurality of lines on a horizontal or vertical surface. It may comprise of multiple lasers, rotational plates, prism, beam splitter, gear housing, and/or a gear mechanism. At least one center laser line remains stationary between at least two edge laser lines. The edge lasers may be moved to outline the edge of a surface. At least one center laser projects a beam that indicates the center point of the edge lasers. The edge laser lines may be moved by rotational plates, a set of mirrors, or prism.

Abstract: A scanning 3D imager for recording images of a scene comprises a light source configured to emit a fan-shaped pulsed light beam with linear cross section, a scanning mirror arranged in the light path of the light beam to guide the light beam into the scene and to successively illuminate slices of the scene by sweeping the light beam through the scene transversally to the linear cross section thereof, and an imager chip arranged to receive light from the scene via the scanning mirror, the imager chip comprising an photosensor array disposed in such a way that the illuminated slices of the scene are successively imaged thereon.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to receiving an incoming signal, converting, by an analog circuit, the signal to a discrete time signal, applying, by the analog circuit, a transformation algorithm to the discrete time signal to obtain frequency samples of the discrete time signal, applying, by the analog circuit, a cross correlation algorithm to the frequency samples to obtain a cross spectral density (CSD), detecting, by the analog circuit, phase slopes associated with the CSD, and calculating an angle of arrival (AoA) of the incoming signal based on the phase slopes.

Abstract: A touch screen sensing device includes a touch screen including touch sensors formed at crossings of Tx lines and Rx lines, a Tx driving circuit supplying a driving pulse to each of the Tx lines N times, and an Rx driving circuit which samples a signal voltage of the touch sensors received through the Rx lines and converts the sampled signal voltage into digital data. The Rx driving circuit includes a differential amplifier differentially amplifying signals received through the Rx lines, a low pass filter removing a radio frequency noise from an output of the differential amplifier, an amplifier amplifying an output of the low pass filter, and an integrator accumulating signal voltages which are successively output from the amplifier.

Abstract: An absolute encoder includes a scale with a plurality of marks of various types arranged with a space and a period. A detector includes a plurality of elements arranged along a direction corresponding to the aforementioned arrangement, and detects a partial plurality of marks. A signal processor performs amplitude quantization with respect to each period of periodic signals with a plurality of periods output from the detector to generate a data string. First position data having a resolution of the period is generated. The signal processor obtains a plurality of thresholds for the quantization respectively corresponding to a plurality of periodic signals of the periodic signals with the plurality of periods based on a plurality of representative values respectively obtained from the periodic signals with the plurality of periods.

Abstract: A spectroscopic sensor that applies lights in a wavelength band containing plural wavelengths to an object and spectroscopically separates reflected lights or transmitted lights from the object using plural light band pass filters that transmit the respective specific wavelengths and plural photosensor parts to which corresponding transmitted lights are input based on output results of independent photosensors. The spectroscopic sensor may be integrated in a semiconductor device or module by integration using a semiconductor process and downsizing may be realized.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a modular position sensing system and method for using the system are described. The system may be used to detect the position of one or more radiation blocking objects in a sensing region. The sensing region may overlie a surface such as a wall, whiteboard, display screen or a modular display screen. When used with a modular display screen, the system may include system modules dimensions to correspond to display modules used to form the modular display screen.

Abstract: A system and method for a rangefinding instrument incorporating pulse and continuous wave signal generating and processing techniques for increased distance measurement accuracy. The use of the former technique effectively solves the ambiguity issues inherent in the latter while allowing for relatively simple circuit implementations. Thus, a potentially more accurate phase-based distance measurement technique can be utilized which is also completely independent of the maximum range to the target.

Abstract: There is provided a way of enabling the discrimination or identification of the kind of a light-emitting particle corresponding to each pulse form signal in the scanning molecule counting method using the optical measurement by the confocal or multiphoton microscope. In the inventive technique, the position of a light detection region in a sample solution periodically along a predetermined route is moved in measuring the light intensity from the light detection region; and a signal of light from a light-emitting particle is detected individually. Then, an index value indicating a translational diffusional characteristic of one light-emitting particle in a plane perpendicular to the moving direction of the light detection region is determined based upon intensity values of signals of light of the same light-emitting particle for identifying a light-emitting particle.

Abstract: An absolute encoder includes a scale having marks, a detector for detecting light modulated by some of the marks, and a processor. The marks include a first mark and at least two types of second marks. The first marks and the second marks are alternately arrayed. The processor specifies a signal range of a plurality of periods of output signals based on extrema of the output signals, obtains a data seq constituted by a plurality of quantized data based on based on a plurality of extrema, corresponding to the second marks, of the output signals within the signal range, obtains a phase based on periodic signals of the output signals within the signal range, and outputs data representing the absolute position based on the data sequence and the phase.

Abstract: A touch sensing module including a plurality of image sensors and a processing unit is provided. The image sensors are disposed beside a reference plane and configured to detect the reference plane and to convert a detection result into a plurality of image signals respectively. The processing unit is configured to receive and process the image signals from the image sensors. When an object moves with respect to the reference plane in a plurality of first times and intersects or approaches the reference plane in each of the first times, the processing unit selects one first diagonal having the least length variation in the first times from a plurality of first diagonals of a first polygon surrounding the object in each first time to be a first orientation diagonal corresponding to a real orientation of the object. A touch sensing method and a computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A communication method is used in a terminal having a front camera as a first image capturing unit and a back camera as a second image capturing unit. The communication method includes: switching between the front camera and the back camera according to an orientation of the terminal; and performing visible light communication by using the front camera or the back camera which is selected.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a position sensing unit, a remote control information obtainment unit, and a storage unit. Position information obtained by the position sensing unit is stored in the storage unit in association with remote control information. The mobile device further includes a directional space obtainment unit and an apparatus specification unit. The mobile device recognizes a direction pointed by a user using the mobile device, and enables operation of a terminal apparatus existing in the pointing direction.

Abstract: A method is for evaluating a coverage factor of a photon emission cone of a time of flight sensor. The method may include the steps of assigning a reference curve to the sensory providing a photon flux intensity as a function of time of flight; and acquiring a time of flight and a corresponding flux intensity with the sensor. The method may also include reading the intensity provided by the reference curve for the acquired time of flight, and providing an indication of the coverage factor based on the ratio between the acquired intensity and the read intensity.

Abstract: An optical tracker is provided herein. The tracker may include at least two optical tracker sensors, facing at least partially each other. Each optical tracker sensor may include: a pixel array sensor configured to generate a pixel-by-pixel stream of values representing a scene; at least one visual indicator physically coupled to said pixel array sensor; and an integrated circuit (IC) physically coupled to said at least one pixel array sensor, and configured to: receive said pixel-by-pixel stream of values; and apply a binary large object (BLOB) analysis to said stream, to yield BLOB parameters indicative of the at least one visual indicator present in the scene in a single pass of the pixels representing the scene; and a computer processor configured to receive said BLOB parameters and calculate a relative position and/or orientation, or a partial data thereof, of the at least two optical tracker sensors.

Abstract: An optical touch apparatus and a touch method thereof are provided. A plurality of light sensing units are disposed between a first scanning light source and a second scanning light source, wherein the light sensing units, the first scanning light source and the second scanning light source are disposed at a same side of a touch surface. A touch position of an input tool is determined according to an intensity of a scattered light generated by an input tool and sensed by the light sensing units and generated when a first scanning beam and a second scanning beam scan the input tool.

Abstract: An optical touch system is provided. At least one light source is disposed at a side of a base plane. A first optical sensor and a second optical sensor detect a space in front of the base plane to generate a first signal and a second signal. When two groups of objects approach to or touch the base plane, a processing unit determines at least one first portion of the first signal corresponding to the two groups of the objects and at least one second portion of the second signal corresponding to the two groups of the objects, and converts the at least one first portion and the at least one second portion into a plurality of touch regions, and determines group transformations according to positions corresponding to at least part of touch regions. Additionally, a method of touch detection, and a computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of operation for a high power broad band elongated thin beam laser annealing light source, which may comprise a gas discharge seed laser oscillator having a resonance cavity, providing a seed laser output pulse; a gas discharge amplifier laser amplifying the seed laser output pulse to provide an amplified seed laser pulse output; a divergence correcting multi-optical element optical assembly intermediate the seed laser and the amplifier laser. The divergence correcting optical assembly may adjust the size and/or shape of the seed laser output pulse within a discharge region of the amplifier laser in order to adjust an output parameter of the amplified seed laser pulse output. The divergence correcting optical assembly may comprise a telescope with an adjustable focus. The adjustable telescope may comprise an active feedback-controlled actuator based upon a sensed parameter of the amplified seed laser output from the amplifier laser.

Abstract: A touch-sensitive apparatus is configured to define a touch surface on a panel by propagating diverging energy beams (e.g. of radiation) across the touch surface inside the panel. Two rows (20A, 20B) of components (2, 3) of a first type that emits energy as a diverging beam and a second type that detects energy are functionally connected to the panel at opposite ends of the touch surface. The rows (20A, 20B) are defined by consecutive component blocks (B) that each contain only components (2, 3) of one type and are defined by type and number of included components. Each row (20A, 20B) comprises a respective sequence (S) of two component blocks (B) of different types and is defined by systematically repeating the sequence (S) along the respective opposite end.

Abstract: A sensor comprises a detector defining a zone axis and adapted to receive a signal from within a zone around the zone axis and to generate an electrical signal, and a display module defining a display plane and adapted to display a pattern in the display plane based on the electrical signal, the display being oriented along an axis forming an angle with the zone axis such that the pattern is visible both from a direction parallel to the zone axis and from a direction perpendicular to the zone axis. In certain examples, the angle is about 45°, 40°-50°, 35°-55° or 25°-65°.

Abstract: A coordinate detector includes a light output part, a light detection part, a first guide part, and a second guide part. The light output part emits light. The light detection part outputs a detection signal according to the amount of entering light. The light output part and the light detection part are provided in an area around a display part on a side closer to a first surface of the display part than to its second surface facing away from the first surface. The first guide part guides light emitted from the light output part toward a direction along the first surface. The second guide part guides, toward the light detection part, light exiting from the first guide part and passing over the first surface.

Abstract: An optical touch device defining a sensing area includes two scanning modules and a light detecting element. The scanning modules respectively disposed on terminals of a first side of the sensing area include light-emitting elements and reflective elements. The light-emitting element is used for emitting a detective light along a first pathway and the reflective element has a reflective surface for reflecting the detective light such that the detective light is emitted along a second pathway. There is an angle forming between the first side and the second pathway and the reflective surface changes a direction of the second pathway such that the detective light scans in the sensing area. The detective light has a first intensity and a second intensity, in which the first intensity is less than the second intensity. The light detecting element is used for receiving a detective light reflected by an object.

Abstract: Two dimensional position sensing system and sensors for use in such systems are disclosed. The sensors incorporate linear array sensors having sensor elements and an aperture plate. Some embodiments include a radiation source that directs radiation onto some of the sensor elements. Other embodiments including radiation blocking objects that block radiation from reaching some of sensor elements. The direction or position of the radiation source or radiation blocking object may be estimated from the radiation incident on the sensor elements.

Abstract: A detection target space of an optical position detection device is divided into a detection target space due to a light emitting/receiving unit and a light emitting/receiving unit and a detection target space due to a light emitting/receiving unit and a light emitting/receiving unit. The light emitting/receiving units overlap each other in a Z-axis direction, and a light receiving element of the light emitting/receiving unit and a light receiving element of the light emitting/receiving unit are disposed so as to overlap each other in the Z-axis direction with light receiving surfaces facing to respective directions different from each other.

Abstract: A device and method to detect a gesture performed by an object in touch-less communication with the device are described. The device includes two or more ambient light sensors arranged at respective first surface locations of the device, each of the two or more ambient light sensors sensing light intensity at the respective first surface location. The device also includes one or more processors to operate one or more light sources at respective second surface locations of the device based on the light intensity sensed by the two or more ambient light sensors, and detect the gesture based on the light intensity sensed by each of the two or more ambient light sensors.

Abstract: Moving-objects movable in a workspace, each includes an imaging unit with a two-dimensional light receiving surface; and a decoding processing unit. If light received by an imaging surface of the imaging unit is brightness-modulated information, the decoding processing unit decodes the received light to the information. If the information decoded by the decoding processing unit contains spatial position information of moving-objects other than a self-moving-object, the self-moving-object receives the light from light sources, has the decoding processing unit decode the light to acquire pieces of position information of the other moving-objects, thereby acquiring position information of the self-moving-object in the workspace from these pieces of position information.

Abstract: A system for determining a location of an object on a planar surface includes a time-of-flight sensor having sensing elements that provide a field of view for the time-of-flight sensor. The system also includes a mirror attached to the shaft of a motor for reflecting the field of view of the time-of-flight sensor across the planar surface. The system also includes electrical circuitry configured to receive range images from the time-of-flight sensor as the field of view is swept across the planar surface and process the range images to identify the object in at least one of the range images. The electrical circuitry is also configured to calculate a location of the object on the planar surface relative to the motor based on an angle of the shaft associated with the at least one range image and based on a distance of the object from time-of-flight sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for dispensing nutrients includes a dispensing system configured for dispensing the nutrients for a particular plant hybrid or plant variety and a variable rate controller operatively connected to the dispensing system and configured to control dispensement of the nutrients from the dispensing system. The variable rate controller may be programmed to use a plant growth response function for the particular plant hybrid or plant variety and adjust the dispensement of the nutrients from the dispensing system based on the plant growth response function and further programmed to use a pre-determined plug value for the particular plant hybrid or plant variety for initial calibration.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels. A readout circuit is coupled to the pixel array. A controller circuit is coupled to control the pixel array and is coupled to the readout circuit to receive array data from the pixel array. The controller circuit includes a mode control logic unit providing logic which when executed causes the image sensor operate in an idle mode of operation and then sample in response to receiving an event signal array data received from the pixel array in a pulsed mode of operation. A pattern in the array data samples over time is recognized and a mode of operation is selected in response to the recognized pattern.

Abstract: Detectors and methods for gathering, detecting and analyzing electromagnetic radiation are disclosed. A radiation detector includes one or more positive lenses to direct radiation to mirrors or to a photodetector. Coordinates of directed radiation are measured and interpreted to determine the angle of arrival. A color filter mosaic may be present to determine wavelengths of detected radiation. Temporal characteristics of the radiation may be measured.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated light and occupancy sensor device having an overall angular field of view, including an array of modified LED elements; a segmented filtering aperture means having a slit aperture defined by a slit length and a slit width that is significantly smaller than the array length, the slit aperture means being positioned at a distance away from the linear array and so oriented that the slit length crosses the array in a transverse direction; and a processor being operably connected to said array to process light data values corresponding to the light signals, the processor operable in first and second modes.

Abstract: Techniques for using photo detectors as tunable proximity sensors for detection of target objects and ascertaining their distance from the proximity sensors are disclosed. In one embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a proximity sensor system including a photo detector having a first doped region, a gate, a second doped region and a light absorbing region, a control circuitry for generating a plurality of control signals to be applied to the photo detector, and a signal detector to detect an output signal from the photo detector.

Abstract: A test arrangement for a laser threats identifying system of an aircraft comprises optical detecting means (10), adapted to pick up threat light beams (B) impinging on the aircraft (12) from a plurality of surrounding space sectors, and a threat warning unit (30), adapted to receive a plurality of actual optical signals indicative of at least one of the threat beams (B) through a plurality of optical channels (20), and arranged for comparing the actual signals with a predetermined library of reference optical signals representing known threats. The test arrangement includes a light emitting source (L) arranged for selectively generating a plurality of predetermined optical signals for simulating virtual threats (S1-Sn), and a plurality of optical guides (F1-Fn) for the simulation signals (S1-Sn), directly coupled with the source (L) and adapted to be connected to the aforementioned optical channels (20—120_n) for selectively stimulating the threat warning unit (30).

Abstract: An optical position detection device includes: a detecting light source section adapted to emit a detection light beam; a light source drive section adapted to drive the detecting light source section to form an X-coordinate detecting light intensity distribution in which an intensity of the detection light beam varies in an X-axis direction, and a Y-coordinate detecting light intensity distribution in which an intensity of the detection light beam varies in a Y-axis direction intersecting the X-axis direction; a light detection section adapted to receive the detection light beam reflected by a target object; and a position detection section adapted to detect a position of the target object based on a reception intensity in the light detection section.

Abstract: For position sensors, e.g., a fiber-based system, that build a shape of an elongated member such as a catheter using a sequence of small orientation measurements, a small error in orientation at the proximal end of the sensor will cause large error in position at distal points on the fiber. Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed which may provide full or partial registration along the length of the sensor to reduce the influence of the measurement error. Additional examples are directed to applying selective filtering at a proximal end of the elongated member to provide a more stable base for distal measurements and thereby reducing the influence of measurement errors.