Abstract: An optical transmitter module includes a coupling optical element configured to couple a first optical signal from a transmitting optoelectronic component to a first light guiding structure. An optical power monitor system is connected with the first light guiding structure and is provided with a beam splitter for splitting the first optical signal into a transmitted optical signal and a reflected optical signal to be directed to a receiving optoelectronic component for measuring power of the reflected optical signal.

Abstract: An accessory mounting system for mounting an accessory at a windshield of a vehicle includes an accessory adapted for mounting at and demounting from a receiving structure adhesively attached by an adhesive to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield. The accessory includes a camera and circuitry. With the accessory received and supported by the receiving structure and with the receiving structure adhesively attached by an adhesive to an interior surface of a vehicle windshield, (i) the accessory receives an input from the equipped vehicle via a CAN bus communication and delivers an output to the equipped vehicle via a CAN bus communication, and (ii) the camera views forwardly through the windshield via a light transmitting portion of a light absorbing layer of the windshield of the equipped vehicle, with the light absorbing layer otherwise hiding the accessory from view through the windshield from external the equipped vehicle.

Abstract: A fuel cell stack assembly has a plurality of fuel cells each having a fluid coolant conduit. A coolant feed inlet manifold has a coolant inlet, and the coolant feed inlet manifold is coupled to each fluid coolant conduit for distribution of coolant to each fuel cell. The coolant feed inlet manifold also has a discharge conduit located at one end of the coolant feed inlet manifold. The discharge conduit is configured to discharge excess coolant from the coolant feed inlet manifold. By supplying excess coolant to the coolant feed inlet manifold problems arising due to very low coolant flow rates through the fluid coolant conduits in the fuel cells can be reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: Provided is a single infrared emitter dispenser monitor for refrigeration appliance that includes a dispenser that dispenses at least one of water and ice. A vessel detector includes an infrared emitter, a first infrared detector, and a second infrared detector. The infrared emitter emits radiation having an angle of dispersion such that both of the first and second infrared detectors receive the radiation emitted by the infrared emitter. The first infrared detector is arranged more frontward than the second infrared detector. In further examples, an elapsed time between detection signals is compared to a minimum elapsed time, and a dispensing signal is only sent if the elapsed time is greater than the minimum elapsed time. By this configuration, the number of input/output lines running into a control device is reduced, and it is possible to detect a failed emitter if both detector signals fall to zero at the same time.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a sensing region and a non-sensing region; a passivation layer formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first planar layer formed on the passivation layer; a color filter layer formed on the first planar layer with respect to the sensing region and a shielding layer formed on the first planar layer with respect to the non-sensing region; a plurality of micro-lens layers formed on the color filter layer and on the shielding layer; and a plurality of cap oxide layers formed on the micro-lens layer.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus is provided that allows accurate white balance gains to be obtained by accurately estimating the illuminant colors of various objects in an image. The white balance gains are obtained based on values of white pixels that have been extracted from an input image and have colors included in an extraction range, and the white balance gains are obtained based on specular reflection components included in the input image, are mixed in accordance with a mix ratio. The mix ratio is determined in accordance with, for example, a degree of reliability of extraction of the white pixels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wavelength-tunable laser apparatus which can measure a wavelength in a wavelength-tunable laser diode package structure for dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) having a transistor outline (TO) type appearance.

Abstract: A device controls a lighting condition of smart objects. A networking framework is executed on the device and the smart objects. An RF signal is broadcast from the device to the smart objects. The signal requests the objects to transmit an ultrasound signal. Ultrasound signals from the objects are received in the device via microphones. A range and direction to each object may be determined based on reception times of the ultrasound signals. A map of the location of the objects is generated. The objects are controlled, via the networking framework, based on the map. A user interface overlay that shows the current lighting condition and location of objects using icons is presented on the device display. The icons are interactive controls for the objects, which may be interacted with for control of the corresponding object. The objects may be manually or automatically controlled to achieve a lighting condition.

Abstract: Embodiments disclose a vibration-controlled robot apparatus. The apparatus includes a robot having an end effector operable to transport a substrate, a sensor coupled to the robot, the sensor operable to sense vibration as the robot transports the substrate, and operating the robot to reduce vibration of the end effector supporting the substrate. In some embodiments, a filter is provided in the motor drive circuit to filter one or more frequencies causing unwanted vibration of the end effector. Vibration control systems and methods of operating the same are provided, as are other aspects.

Abstract: Reflectors in a scene are reconstructed using reflected signals. First, signals are transmitted to the scene, and the reflected signals are received by receivers are arranged in an array. The reflected signals are then processed to reconstruct the reflectors in the scene, wherein the processing enforces a model that a reflectivity of the scene in front and behind any reflector is equal to zero.

Abstract: An imaging system has an imager comprising a plurality of jots. A readout circuit is in electrical communication with the imager. The readout circuit can be configured to facilitate the formation of an image by defining neighborhoods of the jots, wherein a local density of exposed jots within a neighborhood is used to generate a digital value for a pixel of the image.

Abstract: A photon detector is disclosed that includes, in addition to an immobilizable photon-sensitive element, a photon transmission element. The photon detector is configured such that it can vary photon intensities impacting upon the photon-sensitive element and transmitted by the photon transmission element, for example, by modifying an absorption property or a defocusing property of the photon transmission element. Also, the immobile photon-sensitive element, which can be, for example a SPAD (Single Photon Avalanche Diode), always operates close to the optimal operating range and below an immobilization range. A distancing device that includes this type of photo detector is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to photo cell devices. In one embodiment, a trench-based photo cells provides very fast capture of photo-generated charge carriers, particularly when compared with conventional approaches, as the trenches of the photo cells create depleted regions deep within the bulk of the substrate that avoid the time-consuming diffusion of carriers.

Abstract: For angular resolved spectrometry a radiation beam is used having an illumination profile having four quadrants is used. The first and third quadrants are illuminated whereas the second and fourth quadrants aren't illuminated. The resulting pupil plane is thus also divided into four quadrants with only the zeroth order diffraction pattern appearing in the first and third quadrants and only the first order diffraction pattern appearing in the second and third quadrants.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a slit plate including a plurality of rectangular slits with different widths. The control apparatus also includes an acquisition unit which acquires an incident spectrum from the rectangular slit. The apparatus also includes a slit selecting unit which acquires a half value wavelength of the incident spectrum on the basis of the incident spectrum, and performs a selection of one of the plurality of rectangular slits on the basis of the half value wavelength.

Abstract: Provided is an A/D converter including an input terminal, a reference signal line for supplying a reference signal which changes temporally, a comparator, a correction capacitor connected to an inverting input terminal of the comparator; and an output circuit which outputs digital data corresponding to an analog signal input to the input terminal. In a first state in which a total voltage of a first analog signal and an offset voltage of the comparator is held in the correction capacitor, a second analog signal input to the input terminal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the second analog signal or the total voltage is changed using the reference signal, thereby outputting, from the output circuit, digital data.

Abstract: A device (10) and a method for analyzing a sample (16) containing fluorophores use a light source (12) emitting light (?ex) onto the sample (16), and onto a fluorescence standard (14). The fluorophores of the sample (16), given an immission of light of a first wavelength (?ex1), have a first excitation efficiency and, given an immission of light of a second wavelength (?ex2), have a second excitation efficiency. The fluorescence standard (14), given the same immissions of light, has a third excitation efficiency and, a fourth excitation efficiency. An optical element (20) which is arranged between the light source (12) and the sample (16) and/or (12) the fluorescence standard (14) adapts, due to its optical property, a first difference between the first excitation efficiency and the second excitation efficiency and a second difference between the third excitation efficiency and the fourth excitation efficiency to each other.

Abstract: An A/D converter includes a comparator configured to compare an input voltage and a reference signal changing monotonically with respect to time and output a comparison result signal indicating a comparison result, a pulse signal generation circuit configured to generate a pulse signal in accordance with the comparison result signal, a counting unit configured to receive a first clock signal, and to count the first clock signal from a start of changing a level of the reference signal to when a level of the comparison result signal is changed, and a latch unit configured to latch the pulse signal at a timing which is defined by a plurality of clock signals including a second clock signal in phase with the first clock signal and a third clock signal having a different phase from that of the second clock signal.

Abstract: A scene measurement assembly includes a first illuminator assembly having multiple grids of coplanar illuminators, a first system-on-chip light sensing device having sensors disposed to receive reflected light emitted by the first illuminator assembly, a second illuminator assembly having plural grids of coplanar illuminators, each of the plural grids of coplanar illuminators being disposed in different planes relative to each other, and a second system-on-chip light sensing device that receives reflected light emitted by the second illuminator assembly. Each of the multiple grids of coplanar illuminators of both illuminator assemblies is disposed in different planes relative to each other. The first and second system-on-chip light sensing devices each have a sampling rate of greater than 10,000 frames per second relative to performing on-chip image data processing. The system-on-chip light sensing devices are each disposed at a scene to be measured at locations having different perspectives of the scene.

Abstract: A thin film circuit comprises a plurality of thin film transistors, wherein the output response of the circuit is dependent on at least first (36) and second (34, 22) of the transistors. The first thin film transistor (36) is, in use, exposed to a source of illumination (2) and the second thin film transistor (16) is shielded from the source of illumination. The first thin film transistor (36) is operated in use as an analogue switch which provides an analogue output in response to a control input. The illumination of this transistor reduces the effect of dynamic threshold voltage variations, which can be a limitation to circuit performance.

Abstract: A scanning laser projector detects obstructions in a projector field of view using a proximity detector that detects infrared light at a photodetector. The photodetector is tested with an additional infrared light source. The additional infrared light source may also be used as proximity detector that can detect a local obstruction blocking the photodetector.

Abstract: A plasmonic phototransistor includes a photon to surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) transducer including and an optical coupling structure configured to receive incident light and an electrically conducting layer having a first and a second surface. The second surface is on the optical coupling structure and the first surface generates SPPs responsive to the incident light. A gate dielectric layer is on the first surface. A two dimensional (2D) electrically conductive material is on the gate dielectric layer having electrical properties sensitive to electromagnetic fields of the SPP. Source and drain contacts are on the 2D electrically conductive material. Dynamic electric fields of the SPPs reach the 2D electrically conductive material that are operable to electric field-induce modulation of an electrical conductance of the 2D electrically conductive material which is sensed from the source and drain contacts.

Abstract: Provided is a photoelectric sensor that detects a workpiece by measuring light transmission time. A photoelectric sensor includes: a light emitting element which repeatedly generates detection light; a light receiving element which receives reflected light of the detection light; a binarization processing section which binarizes a light receiving signal; a waveform detection section which detects waveform data indicating a temporal change of the binarized light receiving signal; a waveform integration section which matches light emitting timing of the light receiving element to integrate two or more pieces of waveform data and generates integrated waveform data; and a workpiece discrimination section which discriminates presence or absence of a workpiece based on the integrated waveform data, whereby the reflected light is sampled at a high speed while a circuit scale is suppressed, to detect the workpiece.

Abstract: An optical writing device having; a plurality of light-emitting points; a photodiode configured to output a signal which represents a quantity of incident light from a predetermined light-emitting point selected from the plurality of light-emitting points; and a calculation section for calculating a temperature of the photodiode based on a magnitude of a photodiode dark current included in the signal output from the photodiode while the predetermined light-emitting point is OFF.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a touch panel which includes an A/D converter circuit and has a function of image shooting with high resolution and high-level gray scale and at high operation speed. A touch panel includes a plurality of pixels each provided with a display element and a photo sensor, an A/D converter to which a first potential is applied from a photo sensor, and a reading circuit. The A/D converter includes an oscillation circuit which changes the oscillating frequency of a first signal to be generated in accordance with the first potential and stops oscillating when a second potential is applied thereto from the reading circuit, and a counter circuit which generates a second signal having a discrete value determined in accordance with the oscillating frequency.

Abstract: An optical detector includes a first set of one or more photodiodes configured to generate a first photocurrent according to a first spectral response function of an incident light, a second set of one or more photodiodes configured to generate a second photocurrent according to a second spectral response function of the incident light, and a third set of one or more photodiodes configured to generate a third photocurrent according to a third spectral response function of the incident light. The optical detector further includes a module configured to output an indication of the intensity of the incident light according to a fourth spectral response function based on each of the first photocurrent, the second photocurrent, and the third photocurrent.

Abstract: A method for detecting light amount uniformity is applicable to a light-emitting device including a plurality of light-emitting elements. First, the light-emitting device is placed in a sensed region of a photo-sensing apparatus. Then, the following steps are executed N times: during the nth execution, turning on the (n+i×N)th light-emitting element, where i is 0 or a positive integer, n is less than or equal to N, and n and N are positive integers; detecting light emission of the light-emitting element with the photo-sensing apparatus to produce a scanned image; and finally, comparing whether the bright spots corresponding to the light-emitting elements in the scanned images produced through the N steps are consistent, and outputting an output signal indicating whether the light-emitting device is normal or abnormal.

Abstract: A spectral radiometer system, measures incoming light intensity and spectral distribution in different wavelength-bands. An additional data storage device allows recording of the measured data. The inclusive sensor system yields very high sensitivity to incoming light. Furthermore, outstanding linearity of the detector response over several orders of magnitude of incoming light is achieved. Additional benefits are ultra low power consumption and minimum size. The sensor system can be used in remote solar radiation monitoring applications like mobile solar power units as well as in long-term environmental monitoring systems where high precision and low power consumption is a necessity.

Abstract: An electronic device may have electrical components such as input-output devices. An electrical component may be mounted on a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit may have a bend that forms a flexible printed circuit spring to bias the electrical component in a desired direction. The electronic device may have a display with a display cover layer. In an inactive display area, opaque masking material may be formed on the display cover layer. A light window may be formed in the opaque masking layer. The flexible printed circuit spring may bias the electrical component against the display cover layer in alignment with the light window. An air gap under the electrical component may separate the component from a planar portion of the flexible printed circuit that is overlapped by the electrical component. The electrical component may be a camera, a light sensor, or other device.

Abstract: An optical-electrical converting device includes a substrate, an electrical circuit layer, at least one auxiliary pad, and an optical-electrical converting lens. The electrical circuit layer includes at least one circuit portion. The optical-electrical lens includes at least one first supporting portion and at least one second supporting portion. Each of the at least one first supporting portion is positioned on a respective one of the at least one first circuit portion, and each of the at least one second supporting portion is positioned on a respective one of the at least one auxiliary pad. The electrical circuit layer and the at least one auxiliary pad are arranged on the substrate. The thickness of the at least one first circuit portion layer is substantially equal to the thickness of the at least one auxiliary pad.

Abstract: There is provided a portable electronic device with one or more environmental sensors for measuring an environmental or ambient parameter, a compensator for reducing the difference between a sensor output and the ambient parameter, the compensator being connected to receive a first input based on the sensor output and a second input based on an output of compensator calculated during a previous time step of calculation, and a context evaluator (36) for replacing the second input by an input selected based on conditions as determined by the context evaluator.

Abstract: Fringe-projection autofocus system devoid of a reference mirror. Contributions to error in determination of a target surface profile caused by air non-uniformities measured based on multiple measurements of the target surface performed at different wavelengths, and/or angles of incidence, and/or grating pitches and subtracted from the measured profile, rendering the system substantially insensitive to presence of air turbulence. Same optical beams forming a fringe irradiance pattern on target surface are used for measurement of the surface profile and reduction of measurement error by the amount attributed to air turbulence.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, an apparatus to detect fluorescence from a sample is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a sample plane onto which the sample is arranged, an excitation light unit including at least a light source to illuminate the sample, and a detection unit comprising at least a detector having at least 100,000 active detection elements to detect a fluorescence signal from the sample.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprises a p-type region, an n-type buried layer formed under the p-type region, an element isolation region, and a channel stop region which covers at least a lower portion of the element isolation region, wherein the p-type region and the buried layer form a photodiode, and a diffusion coefficient of a dominant impurity of the channel stop region is smaller than a diffusion coefficient of a dominant impurity of the buried layer.

Abstract: An photoelectric convertor comprises an optical coupler, a circuit board and two restricting posts fixed on the circuit board. The optical coupler defined two restricting grooves passing through its bottom surface and top surface. When the optical coupler is positioned on the circuit board, the two restricting posts are respectively engaged in the two restricting grooves. Each restricting groove has a sidewall opposite to a front surface of the optical coupler.

Abstract: Disclose embodiments include an image processor for feature detection comprising a single non-planar chip containing a plurality of integrated sensing and processing resources across two or more layers adapted to capture image frames and extract image features. In a particular embodiment, the non-planar chip is a three dimensional CMOS integrated circuit (3D CMOS IC) with vertical distribution of sensing and processing resources across two or more vertical integrated circuit layers. The 3D CMOS IC implements two or more feature detectors in a single chip by reusing a plurality of circuits employed for gradient and keypoint detection. Feature detectors include a scale invariant feature transform detector (SIFT), a Harris-based feature detector, and a Hessian-based feature detector.

Abstract: The invention provides a high resolution, wide dynamic range, multi-colour detection platform for microfluidic analysers/instruments and methods. The detection platform uses multiple high gain semiconductor optical sensors for the detection of luminescence from cellular or biological samples. The digitized outputs from these sensors are combined and weighted in a signal processing unit, using pre-determined algorithms for each colour, which optimise the resolution in each of these high gain semiconductor optical sensors while extending the dynamic range of the detection platform.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for: (i) receiving an image of a visually perceptible scene; (ii) sensing the presence and intensity of signals in a selected frequency band, which may include one or more of radio frequency, microwave, infrared, visible and ultraviolet, in part or all of the scene; (iii) displaying the frequency band as a visually distinguishable overlay on the visually perceptible scene; and (iv) indicating whether the signal intensity for a selected frequency interval is changing with passage of time.

Abstract: A CMOS image sensor may include an active pixel sensor suitable for generating a pixel signal corresponding to incident light, a reference pixel array suitable for shielding incident light and generate a reference value, a readout circuit suitable for comparing the pixel signal and the reference value with a ramp signal and for removing a first noise of the pixel signal in a common mode, and a pixel signal processing circuit suitable for performing a linear operation on an output signal from the readout circuit and the reference value, and for removing a second noise of the pixel signal in the common mode.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a first output line, a second output line; and a photoelectric conversion cell. The photoelectric conversion cell further includes, a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate an output current corresponding to an intensity of incident light, a first switch element configured to transmit the first output current to the first output line according to a first control signal, and a second switch element configured to transmit the second output current to second output line according to a second control signal. As a result, the photoelectric conversion device can be provided to generate rapidly the image data with wide dynamic range without the need for complex control outside of the photoelectric conversion device.

Abstract: Optical computing devices are disclosed. One exemplary optical computing device includes an electromagnetic radiation source configured to optically interact with a sample and at least two integrated computational elements. The at least two integrated computational elements may be configured to produce optically interacted light, and at least one of the at least two integrated computational elements may be configured to be disassociated with a characteristic of the sample. The optical computing device further includes a first detector arranged to receive the optically interacted light from the at least two integrated computational elements and thereby generate a first signal corresponding to the characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: An optical sensing system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a free-space optical signal toward a target, and a receiver configured to receive a reflected free-space optical target signal from the target. The receiver includes a phase sensitive amplifier (PSA), a homodyne detector coupled downstream from the PSA, and a controller configured to adjust a phase of the PSA based upon the homodyne detector.

Abstract: An object detection system 1 includes a sensor section 10 configured to detect an object within a detection area A; and an adjuster (remote controller) 20 configured to interactively communicate with the sensor section 10. The sensor section 10 includes a driving machine 6 configured to adjust the detection area A. The adjuster 20 includes a transmission unit 13 configured to transmit, to the sensor section 10, a setting signal for setting an operating condition of the sensor section 10 including adjustment of the detection area A by the driving machine 6; and an adjustment notification unit 23 configured to receive a completion signal of operating condition setting from the sensor section 10 and subsequently give notification of the operating condition, setting of which has been completed.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for mounting optical sensors in physiological monitoring devices worn by a user to sense, measure, and/or display physiological information. Optical sensors may be mounted in the rear face of the device, emit light proximate a targeted area of a user's body, and detect light reflected from the targeted area. The optical sensor may be mounted in a housing or caseback such that at least a portion of the optical sensor protrudes a distance from at least a portion of the housing. The protrusion distance may be adjustable such that a user may achieve a customized fit of the wearable device. Adjustment of the protrusion distance may also result in a customized level of contact and/or pressure between the optical sensor and the targeted area which may, in turn, result in more reliable and accurate sensing of physiological information.

Abstract: The light receiving circuit includes: a photoelectric conversion element for causing a current corresponding to an amount of incident light to flow; a MOS transistor including a source connected to the photoelectric conversion element and a drain connected to a node, for causing the current of the photoelectric conversion element to flow to the node while maintaining a voltage of the source to a first voltage; a reset circuit for causing a current to flow from the node to a GND terminal so that a voltage of the node becomes a second voltage lower than the first voltage; a control circuit for outputting a reset signal to the reset circuit; and a voltage increase detection circuit for detecting a fluctuation in the voltage of the node and outputting a detection result.

Abstract: A sensor device for an alerting system comprises a casing and a sensing element adapted to detect an alerting event, wherein said sensor device is adapted to output an alert signal in response to said sensing element detecting an alerting event. The sensing element is a photosensitive element adapted to detect, when said sensor device is positioned in a sensitive relationship to a display of a mobile communication device, an illumination of the display of said mobile communication device.

Abstract: An array of photodetector is organized along a first organizational axis on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. Each photodetector is at least partially formed in the substrate which forms a first electrode of the photodetector. A peripheral polarization ring is formed around the array of photodetectors. The polarization ring is connected to a polarization voltage generator and to the substrate. A read circuit is connected to a photodetector via the second terminal of the photodetector. A first switch connects the photodetector to a generator of an additional voltage. A second switch connects the photodetector to the associated read circuit. The first and the second switches are in opposite states.

Abstract: One embodiment according to the present invention is an imaging apparatus including a pixel. The pixel includes first and second photoelectric conversion units, a floating diffusion portion, and first and second transfer transistors. The first and second transfer transistors are configured to transfer electric carriers generated respectively at the first and second photoelectric conversion units to the floating diffusion portion. The imaging apparatus includes a first conductive member electrically connected to the gate electrode of the first transfer transistor, a second conductive member electrically connected to the gate electrode of the second transfer transistor, and a control unit. The distance of closest proximity between the first conductive member and the floating diffusion portion is longer than the distance of closest proximity between the second conductive member and the floating diffusion portion.

Abstract: A photosensor is provided with a sensor circuit assembly. The sensor circuit assembly includes a light emitter, a light receiver, a light-emitter support, a light-receiver support, and a connecting part. The light emitter and the light receiver face each other. The light-emitter support extends from and supports the light emitter. The light-receiver support extends from and supports the light receiver. The connecting part connects one end of the light-emitter support with one end of the light-receiver support. The connecting part includes a seal and a connection terminal that protrudes from the seal. The connection terminal includes a first press-contact part, and a first pressure part that presses the first press-contact part in a press-contact direction.

Abstract: Described is an arrangement for registering light, comprising: a MOS-transistor structure (101, 201, 401, 501, 601, 701) having a first source/drain region (103), a second source/drain region (105), and a bulk region (107) at least partially between the first source/drain region and the second source/drain region, wherein the bulk region has a doping type different from another doping type of the first and the second source/drain regions, wherein in the bulk region (107) charge carriers are generated in dependence of light (111) impinging on the bulk region (107), wherein the generated charge carriers control a current flowing from the first source/drain region (103) to the second source/drain region (105) via at least a portion of the bulk region.