Abstract: A semi-active laser (SAL) sensing system is thus provided that uses a lens concentrator system to pass received reflected laser light from an aperture to a detector. The lens concentrator system facilitates the use of SAL systems with different laser designator wavelengths to improve the performance of the SAL system. In one embodiment, the lens concentrator system is formed from polymer having substantial optical clarity for radiation having wavelengths between approximately 1.5 and approximately 1.65 ?m. For example, the lens concentrator system may be formed from amorphous fluoropolymer. The lens concentrator system formed from amorphous fluoropolymer facilitates the use SAL designators using different wavelengths than those in past SAL sensing systems.

Abstract: An optical touch apparatus includes a sensing region, a first and a second light emitting assemblies and a first and a second light sensor devices. The first and second light emitting assemblies are disposed in an edge of the sensing region. The first and second light emitting assemblies include a light emitting device and an optical cover including a light incidence, light emission and reflection parts, which defines a space for accommodating the light emitting device. The light from the light emitting device is emitted into and out from the optical cover sequentially through the light incidence and emission parts. The reflection part is connected between the light incidence and emission parts and for reflecting the light from the light emitting device. The first and second light sensor devices overlay the light emitting devices of the first and second light emitting assemblies, respectively. An optical sensor module is also provided.

Abstract: An optical system for surveillance systems for space surveillance systems includes at least one telescope with a field greater than or equal to 5° mounted on a mobile mount along two axes, and coupled with an image sensor, whose sensitivity is designed for an integration time of the order of magnitude of a hundred milliseconds.

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 method of making a device comprising one or more quadrant detectors (and such a detector) comprising fabricating a two-dimensional array of photodiodes and placing one or more photodiodes around the perimeter of the array.

Abstract: An angle-sensitive pixel (ASP) device that uses the Talbot effect to detect the local intensity and incident angle of light includes two local diffraction gratings stacked above a photodiode. When illuminated by a plane wave, the upper grating generates a self-image at a selected Talbot depth. The second grating, placed at this depth, blocks or passes light depending upon incident angle. Several such structures, tuned to different incident angles, are sufficient to extract local incident angle and intensity. Arrays of such structures are sufficient to localize light sources in three dimensions without any additional optics.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light curtain for detecting objects within a monitored region. The light curtain comprises an arrangement of transmitters that emit light rays, an arrangement of receivers for receiving the light rays, and an evaluation unit. Object detection signals are generated in the evaluation unit in dependence on the receiving signals present at the outputs of the receivers. The light curtain is divided into sub-regions containing a specified number of transmitters and receivers. The individual sub-regions can be adjusted individually through separate parameter settings. A separate evaluation is realized in the evaluation unit for the individual sub-regions.

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: Disclosed herein is an intrusion detection apparatus which includes an infrared emission unit for emitting infrared beams and an infrared reception unit for receiving the infrared beams. The infrared emission unit adjusts an emission direction in which the infrared beams are emitted based on information received from the infrared reception unit, and adjusts an optical axis which is formed with the infrared reception unit depending on whether infrared beam values corresponding to the adjusted emission direction fall within the normal range. The infrared reception unit adjusts a detection direction in which the infrared beams are detected based on information received from the infrared emission unit, and adjusts an optical axis which is formed with the infrared emission unit depending on whether infrared beam values corresponding to the adjusted detection direction fall within the normal range. The intrusion into a relevant region is detected using the optical axis.

Abstract: An optical touch panel device for a construction machine capable of preventing the occurrence of a detection defect of a tactile contact point caused by external light falling upon a light-receiving element is provided with a planar panel with which tactile contact is made by an operator, light-emitting elements which emit light rays along the surface of the panel, and light-receiving elements which are provided to be paired with the light-emitting elements respectively so as to receive the light rays. The light-emitting elements are arranged so that the three light rays can intersect at each of a plurality of predetermined points upon a plane which is parallel to the panel, so that simultaneous interruption of at least two of the intersecting three light rays can be detected as tactile contact at a point of the surface of the panel facing the predetermined point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for detection of position of touch. The device comprises a waveguide, at least one light source, and at least one detector device. The waveguide has a touch-surface with a surface structure defining a pattern that defines active surface areas and passive surface areas. The pattern is distributed such that an object that contacts a first area will cause a different disturbance of light than an object that contacts a second area, and such that correct positions of a plurality of concurrent touches may be deduced.

Abstract: A multifunction detector for detecting energy reflected from the surface, the detector comprising: a focal plane array in communication with the optical receiving path; and an optical receiving path; a read-only integrated circuit in communication with the optical receiving path, integrated with a focal plane array; and a processor programmed to operate the focal plane array and read-out integrated circuit in a first mode to process signals in a first frequency band, and in a second mode to process signals in a second, wider frequency band.

Abstract: A digitizer system including a substrate having a position-unique photoluminescent indicia pattern. A stylus component receives optical signals indicative of the indicia pattern and determines therefrom the position of the stylus relative to the substrate. Methods of disposing indicia on the substrate, and styli suitable for sensing photoluminescent indicia are also described.

Abstract: A displacement detecting apparatus, comprising: a first detecting module, for detecting displacement for an object on a detecting surface of the displacement detecting apparatus to generate first location information, and for generating a first control signal according to the first location information; a second detecting module, for detecting a target, and for detecting second location information for the displacement detecting apparatus relative to the target, and for generating a second control signal according to the second location information; and a switch apparatus, for selectively outputting at least one of the first control signal and the second control signal.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for tracking one or more items. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a device for tracking one or more items. The device may include a plurality of sensors for detecting light, temperature, humidity, pressure, and acceleration. The device may also include a memory for storing information received from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: According to a measuring method or a control method of life activity, a life object is illuminated with an electromagnetic wave including a wavelength in a designated waveband, and a characteristic in a local area of the life object is detected, or a life activity thereof is controlled. This “local area” is an area constituted by one or more cells. The “designated waveband” is defined based on any one of the following phenomena: [1] transition energy between a ground state of a vibration mode newly occurring between atoms in a constituent molecule of a cell membrane and a plurality of excited states; [2] transition energy between vibration modes occurring between specific atoms in a molecule corresponding to the activity of the life object or the change thereof; and [3] a specific chemical shift value in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of an object, includes: respectively detecting a light beam of a light emitting module emitted from a reference point and respectively reflected and retro-reflected by a stripped L-shaped reflecting mirror and retroreflector to obtain a first signal and a second signal; processing the first signal and the second signal to obtain a plurality of included angles A1 and a plurality of included angles A2 formed by respectively intercepting the light beam emitted from the reference point and blocked directly or indirectly by the object with the first reflecting unit and second unit; and respectively combining the plurality of included angles A1 with each included angle A2, respectively converting the combinations to obtain a plurality of coordinates, and selecting at least two coordinates with the same value among the plurality of coordinates, thereby confirming a relative coordinate of the objects on a work area.

Abstract: An optical navigation device, such as an optical navigation joystick or mouse, includes an internal redirector which may be separate or formed from material of a touch surface of the optical device. The redirector is disposed at an angle with respect to a plane of the touch surface, operative to reflect light which would otherwise strike the touch surface at a low angle and be internally reflected. The light may be reflected in a direction away from a light sensor of the device, reducing sensed internally reflected light, or may be reflected into the touch surface at a higher angle, potentially increasing a quantity of good signal. The redirector may also include portions which block light directly emitted from a light emitter, or reflected off other surfaces of the navigation device.

Abstract: A method for detecting users' pressing action is applied to an electronic apparatus which has at least an optical operating unit for an user to operate the electronic apparatus. The method includes the steps of detecting a deformation of a forcing object which forces the optical operating unit; and determining whether the user performs a pressing action according to a deformation degree of the forcing object. Further, an optical operating unit using the method is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motion sensing switch, and more particularly to a motion sensing switch which can sense external motions without any touching operation. The motion sensing switch of the present invention includes a base; a light receiving device which is disposed at the base; a plurality of light emitting devices which are disposed at the base so as to be symmetric with respect to the light receiving device; a control part which operates the light emitting devices, wherein the light emitting devices are disposed to be inclined in an opposite direction to the light receiving device, and the light receiving device senses light emitted from the light emitting devices and reflected by a reflection body and then transfers an operation signal to the control part, and the control part receives the operation signal and recognizes motion of the reflection body.

Abstract: In a position detection system, a retroreflection portion is provided on an outer peripheral surface of a designating member. Alight source unit emits detection light along an imaginary plane parallel to a reference surface. A light receiving element is arranged on one side in a Z-axis direction from the imaginary surface in such a way that a direction of a normal light to a light receiving surface intersects with the reference surface. When a distance between the designating member and the light source unit is long, light reflected by the retroreflection portion becomes incident more efficiently on the light receiving surface of the light receiving element than when the distance is short.

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: In an optical position detection device, when emitting the detection light from the light source section, the light receiving section receives the reflected light from the target object with the first light receiving element and the second light receiving element. The first light receiving element and the second light receiving element are arranged to have the intersection angle greater than 90° and smaller than 180°, the intersection angle being formed between the normal direction with respect to the light receiving surface of the first light receiving element and the normal direction with respect to the light receiving surface of the second light receiving element.

Abstract: A lens frame, made from metal, retaining a light-emitting lens and a light-receiving lens is retained between a second mold and a third mold both of which are made from light-shielding resins. Anchors are formed by filling light-shielding resin for forming the third mold into fixing slots formed in an upper surface of the second mold and through holes formed in the lens frame. Since the lens frame is made from metal, thermal expansion of the lens frame is hardly caused by ambient temperature changes and self-heating. This causes little difference in the amount of change in difference between the lenses. Further, the lens frame is fixed with anchors between the second mold and the third mold. This suppresses the occurrence of sliding caused by difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the lens frame and the second and third molds.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for touch systems. In one aspect, the touch system can include at least one light guide optically coupled to at least one light source and at least one optical detector. The light guide can be configured to transmit light from at least one light source across the surface in at least one direction and to receive at least a portion of the transmitted light reflected in an opposite direction in response to at least one reflecting object on the surface. The touch system also can include a touchscreen transceiver. The touch system can be configured to determine a location of at least one reflecting object on the surface by identifying a position of where the light guide or the touchscreen transceiver receives the reflected light and by determining time-of-flight of the transmitted light and the reflected light.

Abstract: An optical touch device with a detecting area includes light guide components, a light source module, a light detecting component and an auxiliary light guide component. Each light guide component includes a first light emitting surface. The light guide components includes a first light guide component and a second light guide component. The auxiliary light guide component and the light detecting component are disposed between two neighboring ends of the first light guide component and the second light guide component, and the light detecting component includes a light detecting end. The auxiliary light guide component is positioned between the light detecting component and the detecting area and includes a first light incidence surface, a second light incidence surface and a second light emitting surface connected between the first light incidence surface and the second light incidence surface. The optical touch device can effectively avoid the blind zone problem.

Abstract: A system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes one or more first optical sensors and one or more second optical sensors. The first optical sensor(s) each include a photodetector region and a plurality of first slats over the photodetector region. The second optical sensor(s) each include a photodetector region and a plurality of second slats over the photodetector region, wherein the second slats have a different configuration than the first slats. For example, the second slats can be orthogonal relative to the first slats. For another example, the first slats can slant in a first direction, and the second slats can slant in a second direction generally opposite the first direction. Currents produced by the first optical sensor(s) and the second optical sensor(s), which are indicative of light incident on the optical sensors, are useful for distinguishing between movement in at least two different directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for optically detecting an object position includes: position detection light sources irradiating light onto the object; a light guide plate receiving the light and emitting it onto a detection area to form an intensity distribution in the detection area; a light detector having light receiving portions receiving the light reflected by the object; and a signal processing portion detecting the object position based on the intensity distribution, wherein light incident portions receiving the light and side portions except for the light incident portions are provided on outer periphery side portions of the light guide plate, a light emission surface emitting the light incident from the light incident portions toward the detection area is provided on a plane portion of the light guide plate, and at least a portion of the side portions is an anti-reflection surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for slaving the activation of a set of infrared emitters of a sensor of venous networks to the presence of a living body between this set and an image acquisition means of the sensor. The method is characterized in that each infrared emitter (E) is activated if the presence of a part of the living body (CV) is detected by at least one presence detector (DP) which is associated therewith and each infrared emitter (E) is deactivated as long as the presence of a part of the living body (CV) is not detected.

Abstract: There is provided an optical scanning type photoelectric switch capable of facilitating control of holding a set detection sensitivity, wherein first and second reflection surfaces with different reflection factors are built as reference objects in the optical scanning type photoelectric switch, and arranged in a measurement invalid range in rotation of a scanning mirror, a light projection path, a light reception path, a laser light source LD and a light receiving element, which are used for scanning in the measurement area, are shared, and when a light reception intensity of the white second reflection surface is smaller than a “reference light reception intensity (white)”, a light projection driving section is controlled to increase the light projection intensity.

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.

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: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for identifying line-of-responses (LOR) of photons. A radiation detection machine measures the photons. LOR identification errors are then mitigated using pattern recognition of the measurements. In some embodiments, the photons may comprise positron annihilation photons, each position annihilation photon being associated with one or more scattered photons. In yet some embodiments, pattern recognition may be implemented in a neural network.

Abstract: Disclosed are: a position detection system having improved flexibility in selection of line sensors; and others. In the position detection system (PM) of the present invention, a phosphor (11) which can excite invisible light (UV light) that is light emitted from an LED (23) is arranged on an optical path between the LED (23) and a light receiving element (26).

Abstract: A gesture sensing device includes a single light source and a multiple segmented single photo sensor, or an array of photo sensors, collectively referred to herein as segmented photo sensors. A light modifying structure relays reflected light from the light source onto different segments of the segmented photo sensors. The light modifying structure can be an optical lens structure or a mechanical structure. The different segments of the photo sensor sense reflected light and output corresponding sensed voltage signals. A control circuit receives and processes the sensed voltage signals to determine target motion relative to the segmented photo sensor.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a sensor to locate and track an object of interest; an imaging camera having a plurality of detectors juxtapositionally aligned to increase the field of regard of an image of interest and a plurality of corresponding illuminators, each illuminator co-aligned with the field of view of a corresponding detector; and a digital processor connected to the sensor to receive tracking signals indicative of the track of the object of interest and connected to the imaging camera to provide a control signal to the imaging camera to activate each one of the detectors when the object of interest is within the field of view of a detector.

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: An optical position detection device includes a light receiving section receiving detection light reflected from a target object located in a detectable space through which detection light is radially emitted along an XY plane. The light receiving section includes a light receiving element and a concave mirror. A first cross section (XY cross section) of the reflective surface of the concave mirror is an arc, and a second cross section (YZ cross section) perpendicular to the first cross section is a quadratic curve. Therefore, in the in-plane direction of the XY plane, even light incident from an oblique direction with respect to the light receiving section is reflected by the concave mirror to the light receiving element. In the in-plane direction of the YZ plane, however, the range where the light reaches the light receiving element is limited via the concave mirror.

Abstract: In an optical position detection device, the XY coordinates of a target object are detected based on received light intensity of a light receiving section by forming a light intensity distribution, in which the intensity changes in a radiation angle range of detection light, with first and second light source modules. The first and second light source modules are separated from each other in the Z-axis direction, and the position of the target object in the Z-axis direction is detected based on the received light intensity of the light receiving section when forming the light intensity distribution in which the intensity is fixed in the radiation angle range of detection light.

Abstract: A weighing scale, e.g. a top-pan scale, having a scale pan (01, 02) supported on a force transducer, and a corner load sensor (03, 04, 06, 08, 09) measuring the tilting of the scale pan (01, 02) relative to the force transducer. The corner load sensor includes a light beam source (03, 04, 06) emitting a first light beam and a second light beam. The first light beam and the second light beam are directed toward a reflecting surface on an underside of an arrangement that includes the scale pan (01, 02). The first light beam and the second light beam are respectively inclined relative to the reflecting surface of the untilted scale pan (01). The corner load sensor (03, 04, 06, 08, 09) of the scale also includes a first optical sensor (08) measuring the first light beam reflected by the reflecting surface. If no corner load exists, a predetermined proportion (12) of the reflected first light beam is directed to the first optical sensor (08).

Abstract: An optical touch system and an optical touch method are provided. The optical touch system includes a scanning unit, a light source, a detector, a first light collecting unit and a second light collecting unit. The scanning unit provides an incident ray in a first direction. At least a portion of the energy of a reflected ray corresponding to the incident ray in a second direction is received by the first light collecting unit and collected to the detector. A retro-reflected ray corresponding to the incident ray in the first direction is received by the second light collecting unit and collected to the 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: A detection target space of an optical position detecting device is divided into a detection target space configured by a first light receiving and emitting unit and a second light receiving and emitting unit and a detection target space configured by a third light receiving and emitting unit and a fourth light receiving and emitting unit. The first light receiving and emitting unit and the fourth light receiving and emitting unit are separated in the X axis direction, and the second light receiving and emitting unit and the third light receiving and emitting unit are arranged on one side in the Y axis direction. The first light receiving and emitting unit and the fourth light receiving and emitting unit are arranged on the outer side of the second light receiving and emitting unit and the third light receiving and emitting unit in the X axis direction.

Abstract: Provided is a high-effective concentration photovoltaic solar tracking device and method; and, more particularly, to a concentration photovoltaic solar tracking device and method, which maximize concentration efficiency by concentrating solar light using a Fresnel lens and moving a solar panel based on focus information formed when the concentrated solar light is irradiated on a photodiode.

Abstract: In order to simultaneously carry out, at a smaller sensor density, (i) detection of color information (recognition of a color) of visible light which enters a detection target surface and (ii) detection of an input position of the visible light, a liquid-crystal panel (20) included in a liquid-crystal display device of the present invention has an area sensor function of detecting color information and an input position of visible light by sensing an input image of the visible light on a panel surface. The liquid-crystal panel (20) (position detecting section) includes (i) a yellow sensor (31Y) including a light sensor element (30) which senses an intensity of green light and red light from among three primary color lights and (ii) a cyan sensor (31C) including a light sensor element (30) which senses an intensity of blue light and green light from among the three primary color lights.

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 tracking system can include at least one scanning detector having a scanning mirror and one or more fixed photo-detectors located near the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror can be configured to deflect a light beam from a source towards a retroreflective target and the photodetectors are configured to collect a portion of the light beam that is retroreflected from the target. A scanning optical detector apparatus may optionally comprise a substrate, a scanning mirror having at least one portion monolithically integrated into the substrate, and one or more photodetectors monolithically incorporated into the substrate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the claims' scope or meaning.

Abstract: A sensor and a corresponding method for the determination of the incidence angle of a radiation source are provided. The sensor has a diode assembly of avalanche photodiodes in a semiconductor layer and an application specific integrated circuit, a distance layer, an aperture structure located on the distance layer, and contacts for electrically connecting the sensor. The layers and structures are positioned directly on top of each other and match in their shape, size or thickness.

Abstract: The amount of the light emitted from a light-emitting diode is changed from that of the initial condition to increase, among the light sensors that are not shielded from the light emitted from the light-emitting diode, the number of the light sensors at which the difference (C?D) between the light detection amount at the light sensor when the light-emitting diode is ON and the light detection amount at the light sensor when the light-emitting diode is OFF is equal to the difference (A?B) between the light detection amount at the light sensor in the initial condition when the light-emitting diode was ON and the light detection amount at the light sensors in the initial condition when the light-emitting diode was OFF with no detection object present.

Abstract: A guidance system may include an optical system to focus incident radiation onto a detector configured to generate at least one guidance signal in response to the focused incident radiation. The optical system may include a first lens having a first side and a second side, the first side consisting of a Fresnel lens formed on a generally convex surface and the second side being generally planar.