Abstract: A geodetic target 1 for use in geodesy comprises an orienting device 10 with a bearing direction P, a first inclinometer 20 with a first axis of inclination 20A, a reflector 30 reflecting incident measurement beams S, an imaging optics 40 that focuses the incident measurement beams S, a matrix sensor 50, whose receiving surface 51 is situated in an image plane of the imaging optics 40, and an interface 60, which is connected to the first inclinometer 20 and the matrix sensor 50. The spatial arrangement and orientation of the optical axis and/or axis of symmetry 30A of the reflector 30 relative to the bearing direction P of the orienting device 10 is predetermined here. The first axis of inclination 20A makes an angle ? other than zero with an optical axis 40A of the imaging optics 40. The optical axis 40A of the imaging optics 40 coincides with an optical axis 30A and/or axis of symmetry of the reflector 30 or is parallel to it or make an angle with it.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a display device including a mechanical indicator, a reference photodetector, a measurement photodetector, and an opaque shroud. The opaque shroud is connected to the mechanical indicator to variably cover the measurement photodetector based on a position of the mechanical indicator. The opaque shroud does not cover the reference photodetector.

Abstract: A method for application of an agricultural product to a field is provided. The method includes acquiring real-time sampled data using real-time agricultural sensors, auto-calibrating the real-time agricultural sensors using statistical characteristics of the real-time sampled data to determine an application rate, and applying the agricultural product to the field based on the application rate. The step of auto-calibrating can be performed in various ways depending upon the type of agricultural product, the data available from the agricultural sensors or otherwise, or otherwise.

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: Apparatus and method, as may be used to acquire different components of solar irradiance in a solar-based power generation system or as may be used in a sky imager, are provided. A filter matrix (12) may be arranged to receive incident solar irradiance. The filter matrix may include an array of pixels (20) controllable to selectively acquire different components of the solar irradiance. A module, such as a photosensor (22) or calculator module (29) may be configured to determine a spatial location of at least one of the irradiance components relative to the array of pixels of the filter matrix. A controller (26) may be electrically coupled to the module to supply a control signal to the filter matrix based on the determined location of the irradiance component to pass a selected one of the irradiance components.

Abstract: An optical pointing device for detecting the direction of the user's finger is provided. The optical pointing device comprises a cover, a light source and a sensor. The cover comprises a press portion with a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, as well as a side wall extending downwards from the periphery of the second surface. The light source projects a main beam onto the press portion of the cover. The main beam then forms a first beam passing through the press portion and a second beam reflected by the second surface. The sensor is adapted to receive the second beam reflected by the second surface, and detect the second beam by an algorithm to output the first displacement position. In addition, the light source and the sensor are covered by the cover, while the side wall is a flexible side wall.

Abstract: This disclosure provides implementations of systems, devices, components, methods, and techniques for producing an optical sensing interface capable of detecting touches or gestures. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a light source, a photo-detector, and a substrate. The apparatus includes an emitting waveguide that extends at least partially over the substrate and that is configured to propagate light from the light source to one or more corresponding emitting portions. Each emitting portion is capable of emitting at least a portion of the light outwards from a plane defining the substrate. The apparatus further includes a sensing waveguide that extends at least partially over the substrate and that includes one or more sensing portions. Each sensing portion is arranged proximate an emitting portion and is capable of receiving light scattered by an object over the corresponding emitting portion. The sensing waveguide is configured to propagate the received light to the photo-detector.

Abstract: An optical position detection system includes a light output unit that outputs lights toward a first detection target and a second detection target, and a first light receiving unit that receives a first reflected light from the first detection target and a second light receiving unit that receives a second reflected light from the second detection target having different wavelengths, wherein the first detection target has a first reflection filter that reflects the first reflected light and the second detection target has a second reflection filter that reflects the second reflected light.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a coordinate recognizing apparatus includes plural light emitting elements, plural light receiving elements, a memory, and a controller. The memory stores, concerning plural pairs of the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements set in advance, reference values used for determination of blocking of a light path. The controller performs, concerning the respective pairs, actions for collecting, plural times, a difference between first intensity indicated by a detection signal output from the light receiving element, which is a pair of the light emitting element, in a state in which the light emitting element is caused to emit light and second intensity indicated by a detection signal output from the light receiving element during non-light emission of the light emitting element and updating the reference value of the pair stored in the memory using a minimum of differences collected plural times.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a sensor system including a first optical sub-system having a first plurality of optical elements, and a second optical sub-system having a second plurality of optical elements including a first mirror. The second optical sub-system is configured to rotate about a first axis relative to the first optical sub-system and the first mirror is configured to rotate about a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The first axis and the second axis are arranged so as not to intersect each other so as to maximize a field of regard of the sensor system.

Abstract: A method for determining the alignment of a pair of vehicle wheels includes the steps of positioning a beam projecting device consecutively on each wheel, in the same angular relationship to the wheel, and projecting a beam to a receptor, which is located in a predetermined angular relationship the other wheel. The projecting device, the receptor or both is utilized to determine the angle between the beams and the angle is related to the alignment of the pair of wheels; the receptor being maintained in the same position for each beam projection.

Abstract: An optical sensing apparatus includes M light emitting devices, N sensing devices, a control circuit and a processing circuit. M is a positive integer, and N is an integer greater than or equal to 3. The control circuit is arranged for controlling activation and deactivation of the M light emitting devices, and controlling each sensing device to detect a reflected signal reflected from an object when a corresponding light emitting device is activated in order to generate a sensing result corresponding to the sensing device. The N sensing devices generate N sensing results in response to the M light emitting devices. The processing circuit is arranged for calculating position information of the object according to at least the N sensing results and N sensing positions of the N sensing devices, wherein the N sensing positions define at least one geometric plane.

Abstract: A digitizer system includes a substrate with indicia that uniquely define local areas of the substrate. A multi-mode sensor device, such as a stylus, may sense radiation emitted from the features, and selectively switch to a mode of operation that can sense the indicia and determine therefrom the location of the stylus relative to the substrate.

Abstract: An image-sensing apparatus is provided. The image-sensing apparatus includes: an optical filter array including a two-band passing filter and an infrared filter; an RGB pixel array placed below the two-band passing filter; and a TOF pixel array adjacent to the RGB pixel array and placed below the two-band passing filter and the infrared filter, wherein a combination of the two-band passing filter and the infrared passing filter permits only the incident light in the infrared region to pass to the ToF pixel array.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking an eye including a light source projecting light toward a display surface in a sequential pattern, one or more reflectors associated with an optical device, where the one or more reflectors reflect the pulses of light from the display source, one or more photo detectors, where the photo detectors detect reflected pulses of light from the light source, and a system that measures pulse timing relative to horizontal and vertical pattern to compute a gaze angle of the eye.

Abstract: An optical touch device and a touch control method thereof are provided. The touch control method is adopted by an optical touch device, including: sensing, by a photoelectric sensor, a presence of an object at a touch location on a touch surface; sensing, by a pressure sensor, a pressure; and when the pressure sensor senses the pressure, determining, by a processor, that a touch event has occurred at the touch location.

Abstract: A proximity sensor includes a proximity sensing unit and a signal processing unit. The proximity sensing unit detects whether an object to be detected is close by to obtain a measured value. The signal processing unit compares the measured value with an initial noise cross-talk value to determine whether the initial noise cross-talk value should be updated. If the determined result of the signal processing unit is no, the signal processing unit compares the measured value with a default value to determine whether the object to be detected is located in a detection range of the proximity sensing unit.

Abstract: A motorized venetian blind system for covering a window of a space comprising a blind drive unit having two motors to provide for independent control of a position of a bottom rail and a tilt angle of a plurality of slats of the blind system. The blind drive unit is operable to adjust the position of the bottom rail to a preset position, and to adjust the tilt angle of the slats to a preset angle in response to receiving a single digital message (e.g., a preset command). The blind drive unit is operable to automatically adjust the position of the bottom rail and the tilt angle of the slats to limit a direct sunlight penetration distance in the space to a maximum direct sunlight penetration distance, and to maximum a reflected sunlight penetration distance on a ceiling of the space, while minimizing occupant distractions.

Abstract: In one example of the inventive concepts, a motion sensor array device includes a wafer and at least two motion sensors implemented on the wafer, each of the at least two motion sensors including a plurality of motion sensor pixels to sense a motion of an object and generate motion image data. The motion sensor array device further includes at least two lenses respectively arranged on the at least two motion sensors, wherein the motion sensor array is implemented in one of a chip and a package.

Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing power consumption of a gesture sensor. The method utilizes an auxiliary sensing device to detect whether an object exists in a sensing covering range of the gesture sensor, thereby determining operating states and power consumptions of the gesture sensor and the auxiliary sensing device. If the auxiliary sensing device does not detect that the object exists in the sensing covering range of the gesture sensor or the object moves, the gesture sensor is allowed to be in a low power consumption operating state, thereby reducing the power consumption.

Abstract: A digitizer system includes a substrate with indicia having photoluminescent features that uniquely define local areas of the substrate. A sensor device, such as a stylus, may sense radiation emitted from the features, and a controller may determine therefrom the location of the stylus relative to the substrate.

Abstract: An optical navigation device for use with mobile telephones and the like is disclosed, which has a reduced height as compared with current designs. The navigation device comprises a laser such as a VCSEL laser, an exposed user surface and two other surfaces that provide for total internal reflection of the incident laser beam. The surfaces are constructed with shallower than normal angles, preserving the basic functionality of the device while reducing the height.

Abstract: A position detecting apparatus includes: a driver that moves a moving body having a lens mounted thereon, a first sensor and a second sensor respectively mounted on the moving body, a displacement detection pattern unit that reflects light emitted by the first or second sensors, and a controller that controls the first sensor and the second sensor to be alternately turned on to emit light, and if the light reflected by the displacement detection pattern unit is sensed, the controller detects a position of the lens based on sensing results, where the controller determines a period in which the first sensor is turned on and a period in which the second sensor is turned on based on an intersection point of a signal waveform sensed by the first sensor and a signal waveform sensed by the second sensor. Accordingly, power consumption of the position detecting apparatus can be reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a position detection system capable of detecting the position of a line-shaped object. From among two connected lines (E1E2 and E1?E2?) created by connecting opposed intersecting points among four interesting points (E1, E2, E1?, and E2?), a position detection unit (12) treats the one connected line (E1E2) with a length closer to the overall length of a rod (ST) as the position of the rod (ST) that overlaps a coordinate map region (MA).

Abstract: An optical finger navigation module includes a light source configured for emitting light in a first spectrum; a cover housing disposed above the light source, the cover housing including a window plate that is configured to transmit light in at least the first spectrum, and a light guiding structure that is configured to transmit light in at least a second spectrum; a first light sensor configured to sense light in the first spectrum originally emitted by the light source, reflected by an object, and then transmitted through the window plate; a second light sensor configured to sense light in the second spectrum transmitted through the light guiding structure or the window plate; and a substrate. The light source, the cover housing, the first light sensor and the second light sensor are coupled and mounted to the substrate.

Abstract: An image sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The image sensor includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units that are horizontally arranged and selectively emit electric signals by absorbing color beams.

Abstract: An optical touch sensitive apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of image capturing lens modules, a light detecting unit, and an optical path switching unit. The substrate has an operation surface. Each of the image capturing lens modules has a light input end and a light output end. The light input end is located at the edge of the substrate for capturing optical information in an objective space above the operation surface. The light output end is for outputting the optical information. The optical path switching unit is located among the light output ends and the light detecting unit for transmitting the optical information outputted from at least one of the light output ends to the light detecting unit. In addition, an image capturing apparatus is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus configured for dispensing nutrients is provided. The apparatus includes a dispensing system configured for dispensing the nutrients, 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 is programmed to determine a primary nutrient application rate and an additional nutrient boost rate.

Abstract: There is provided a miniaturized optical system including a protection cover, a light source, an image sensor and at least one interference film. The protection cover has a first surface and a second surface. The light source and the image sensor are disposed opposite to the first surface of the protection cover. The interference film is disposed between the light source and the protection cover to allow the light source to form a predetermined light shape in front of the second surface of the protection cover and/or disposed between the image sensor and the protection cover to allow the image sensor to receive light of a predetermined range in front of the second surface of the protection cover.

Abstract: Motions or gestures can provide input to an electronic device by capturing images of a feature used to provide the motions or gestures, then analyzing the images. Conventional cameras have a limited field of view, creating a “dead zone” near the device that is outside the field of view. Various embodiments utilize an array of detectors positioned behind a display screen that are configured to operate as a large, low resolution camera. The array can resolve objects within a distance of the device sufficient to cover at least a portion of the dead zone. In some embodiments the device can include one or more infrared (IR) emitters to emit IR light that can be reflected by an object in the dead zone and detected by the detectors. The use of multiple emitters at different locations enables at least some depth information to be determined from the array images.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for a control device and control device operation. In one embodiment a control device includes a slider configured to support a control knob, a rack coupled to the slider and configured to linearly displace the slider. The rack including slots. The control device may further include a drive element configured to displace the rack and position the control knob, and an optical detection module configured to detect position of the control knob based on one or more optical signals detected relative to slots of the rack. According to another embodiment, a control console is provided including control devices.

Abstract: A light receiving device that receives light having passed through an image forming optical system and outputs a light reception signal includes: a light receiving element array formed by arraying a plurality of light receiving elements; a micro-lens array disposed between the image forming optical system and the light receiving element array, which includes a plurality of micro-lenses arrayed in correspondence to the plurality of light receiving elements; and a storage unit that stores position-related information pertaining to a relative positional relationship assumed by the micro-lens array and the light receiving element array with respect to a plane perpendicular to optical axes of the micro-lenses.

Abstract: An optical position detection device that detects a position of a target object, includes plural detection light sources that output detection light, a light source drive unit that drives the plural detection light sources, a first light receiving unit that receives the detection light reflected by the target object located in an output space of the detection light, a compensation light source unit that outputs compensation light that enters outside the output space, a second light receiving unit that receives the compensation light, and a position detection unit that detects the position of the target object based on a difference between first received light intensity in the first light receiving unit and second received light intensity in the second light receiving unit.

Abstract: A two-dimensional absolute encoder includes a scale having marks arranged thereon along first and second directions different from each other, a detector configured to perform first detection that detects rows of a first number of marks arranged in the first direction and second detection that detects rows of a second number of marks arranged in the second direction, and a processor configured to determine absolute positions of the scale in the first and second directions based on outputs from the detector. Each of the marks has one of different characteristic values each corresponding to a combination of a quantized first code for indicating a position in the first direction and a quantized second code for indicating a position in the second direction, the number of the different characteristic values being smaller than the number of the combinations.

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: 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: An optical tracking device includes a light source, an image sensor and a processing unit. The light source emits light at a lighting frequency. The image sensor outputs an operating image when the light source is being turned on and outputs a background image when the light source is being turned off. The processing unit is configured to obtain background information from the background image, calculate a differential image of the operating image and the background image, obtain object information from the differential image and compare the background information and the object information thereby removing background noise.

Abstract: A digital SAL receiver implements a multiobject tracking method to detect EM pulses transmitted by a known source at a pulse repetition interval (PRI) and returned off of a target object to acquire multiple tracks. Intra and inter track temporal information is used to associate pulses with different tracks and to rank the tracks in order to designate a primary track for the target object.

Abstract: The sensor unit of each of a first bar housing unit and second bar housing unit is moved. The moving amount is measured and stored. The distribution of a light amount received by the light receiving unit of the sensor unit of each of the first bar housing unit and second bar housing unit is detected, and whether the moving amount is appropriate is determined based on the detection result. A calculation value used when the coordinates of the pointed position in the coordinate input effective region are calculated based on variations of the light amount distribution is corrected by using the moving amount stored when it is determined that the moving amount is appropriate.

Abstract: An in vivo endoscope illuminates tissue using multiple sources. Light from a short-range source exits a tubular wall of the endoscope through a first illumination region that overlaps an imaging region, and the light returns through the imaging region after reflection by tissue, to form an image in a camera. Light from a long-range source exits the tubular wall through a second illumination region that does not overlap the imaging region. The endoscope of some embodiments includes a mirror, and light from an emitter for the short-range source is split and reaches the first illumination region from both sides of an optical axis of the camera. Illuminating the first illumination region with split fractions of light results in greater uniformity of illumination, than illuminating directly with an un-split beam. The energy generated by each source is changed depending on distance of the tissue to be imaged.

Abstract: Several system for tracking one or more radiation blocking objects on a surface are disclosed. At least three radiation sensors are provided adjacent the surface and a plurality of radiation sources as provided adjacent the surface. Radiation from at least some of the radiation sources can reach each of the radiation sensors. One or more radiation blocking objects on the surface attenuate radiation from one or more radiation sources from reaching each of the sensors. One or more polygons is calculated based on the attenuated radiation sources and the positions of the sensors. The position of the one or more radiation blocking objects is estimated and may be tracked based on the polygons.

Abstract: A vehicle with a device including a central processing unit, at least one detector with at least one detection surface and designed for detecting, in a detection direction, laser pulses or a light beam coming from an external measuring apparatus which emits laser pulses or light beams for the purpose of detecting a vehicle and/or measuring the speed of a vehicle, and at least one transmitter with a transmission surface and which is designed for transmitting light pulses in a transmission direction that is substantially the same as said detection direction. The central processing unit causes the transmitter to transmit a series of light pulses upon detection of laser pulses or a light beam. The detection surface and the transmission surface are oriented substantially transversely to the driving direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: An optoelectronics apparatus selectively drives a light source, and includes four electrically isolated photodetector (PD) segments that detect light that has reflected off an object. Each of the four PD segments produces a corresponding signal, referred to as signals A, B, C and D, indicative of the light detected by the respective PD segment. Circuitry is used to produce a first motion signal indicative of a sum of the signals A plus B minus a sum of the signals C plus D, i.e., the first motion signal is indicative of (A+B)?(C+D). Further circuitry produces a second motion signal indicative of (B+C)?(A+D). Additional circuitry produces a signal and/or data that is indicative of a direction and/or rate of motion of an object, in dependence on the first and second motion signals.

Abstract: A radiation spot measurement system for a lithographic apparatus, the system having a target onto which a radiation system of the lithographic apparatus may project spots of radiation for a measurement process, the target having a measurement target. The system further includes a radiation detector to detect radiation from one of the spots, and a controller to receive information from the radiation detector and to determine the position of the spot of radiation relative to an intended position of the spot of radiation.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses for implementing an object-detecting backlight unit for a display device. An object-detecting backlight unit includes two or more light sources configured to provide light to a display to form an image, and a light sensor configured to receive reflected light when an object is near the display and determine that the reflected light originated from a region of the display. The reflected light is caused by light from the image reflecting off of the object back towards the display. The backlight unit is configured to detect a position of the object based on the region of the display from which the reflected light originated.

Abstract: An optical position detection device includes a first detection light source unit that outputs a detection light from one side to the other side in a first direction, a second detection light source unit that is separated from the first detection light source unit along a second direction crossing the first direction, and outputs a detection light from the one side to the other side in the first direction, a light detection unit having sensitivity toward the other side in the first direction, and a position detection unit that detects the position of the object based on the light reception in the light detection unit.

Abstract: An optical detecting apparatus, which comprises: a detecting surface; a first light source, for providing light parallel to the detecting surface; an image sensor, for detecting an object close to the detecting surface, to generate object image data; and an object location determining apparatus, for computing location information of the object according to the object image.

Abstract: An optical position detection device includes a first detection light source unit that outputs a detection light from one side to the other side in a first direction, a second detection light source unit that is separated from the first detection light source unit along a second direction crossing the first direction, and outputs a detection light from the one side to the other side in the first direction, a light detection unit having sensitivity toward the other side in the first direction, and a position detection unit that detects the position of the object based on the light reception in the light detection unit.

Abstract: A large-area transmissive type optical image modulator, a method of manufacturing the same, and an optical apparatus including the transmissive type optical image modulator are provided. The large-area transmissive type optical image modulator includes: a base substrate; a first expitaxial layer formed on the base substrate; a second expitaxial layer formed on the first expitaxial layer; a first electrode formed on the first expitaxial layer and spaced apart from the second expitaxial layer; a second electrode formed on the second expitaxial layer; and a transparent substrate covering the second expitaxial layer and the second electrode, wherein the base substrate includes a through hole corresponding to a light emitting area, and the first expitaxial layer may include an n-type or p-type doping material.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes a dispensing system configured for dispensing the agrochemicals and a variable rate controller operatively connected to the dispensing system and configured to control dispensement of agrochemicals from the dispensing system. The variable rate controller is programmed with an algorithm which uses a plant growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration. A method for applying agrochemicals within a geographical area includes acquiring a growth stage appropriate plug value for an initial calibration, using the growth state appropriate plug value in the initial calibration, and applying agrochemicals to the geographical area according to the initial calibration.