Abstract: A sensor assembly includes a sound sensor, an image sensor, an acceleration sensor, and a gyroscope sensor. The sound sensor includes a substrate defining a first cavity, a diaphragm positioned on the substrate and covering the first cavity, a back plate covering the diaphragm and positioned on the substrate, and a capacitance. A first electrode layer is coated on the diaphragm and faces the first cavity. A second cavity is defined between the diaphragm and the back plate. A second electrode layer is coated on the back plate and faces the second cavity. The capacitance is electrically connected between the first and second electrode layers. The image sensor, the acceleration sensor, and the gyroscope sensor are positioned on the substrate.

Abstract: A mobile device including a source for emitting electromagnetic radiation, an enclosure having a side wall, and a detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation emitted by the source is described. At least a portion of the sidewall is adapted to transmit electromagnetic radiation from the source. The source and detector are positioned inside the enclosure. The detector is spaced from the source, and is arranged to detect electromagnetic radiation from the source that is reflected from an object outside the enclosure and passes through the portion of the side wall.

Abstract: This invention provides an area monitoring sensor capable of setting a monitor area without connecting a terminal device for area setting. The area monitoring sensor that emits detection light in different emitting directions and senses an intruder within a monitor area based on reflection of the detection light, the monitor area being previously set as a polygonal shaped area defined by three or more sides, the sensor being provided on a first side out of the sides of the monitor area, and includes a side selecting unit that selects a second side other than the first side out of the three or more sides that define the monitor area based on an operation input; a distance specifying unit that specifies a distance between the area monitoring sensor and the second side that is being selected by the side selecting unit based on an operation input.

Abstract: A hair removal device utilizes a system for sensing the presence and color of skin. The system includes a skin color sensor assembly and a capacitive sensor assembly disposed in a housing. The skin color sensor assembly includes a light pipe communicating with a color sensor aperture of the housing and having one or more notches defining receiving and emitting light propagation regions, a color sensor and one or more light emitting diodes, and a holder having at least one standoff mated to the notches thereby directing light emitted by the light emitting diodes through the light pipe for reflection of an external surface and receipt by the sensor for detection of surface color. The capacitive sensor assembly includes a plurality of copper elements in proximity to a device aperture and contacting an interior surface of the housing and for detection of an object in contact with the copper elements.

Abstract: A sensor circuit or a display apparatus from which a highly accurate sensor output can be obtained includes a photodiode, a capacitor that is connected to the photodiode via an accumulation node and accumulates charges according to an electric current in the photodiode; a sensor switching element transistor that causes the accumulation node and an output line to be conductive with respect to each other in response to a readout signal and outputs an output signal according to the potential of the accumulation node to the output line; a variable capacitor that is provided between the accumulation node and an input electrode, and whose capacitance varies when a pressure is applied by a touching operation; and a control switching element transistor to which a control signal for switching conduction and non-conduction between the variable capacitor and the accumulation node is input.

Abstract: A thermo insulated beverage container having a sensor and a counting device. The sensor senses the number of beverages that have been placed into the container and the counting device records the sensor signal as a count repetition and displays the count on a displayer which is a count of the total number of beverages that have been placed into the container from the beginning and a count of the total number of beverages that have been placed into the container from the time that the counter was reset.

Abstract: A tunable optical filter apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus may include a filter driver, a filter device, a detector device and a controller device. The filter driver generates a filter driver signal, including a dither signal. The controller device may be coupled to the detector device, the filter device and the filter driver. The controller device may receive the detector output signal and determine a ratio of the odd order harmonic signal to the even order harmonic signal with respect to the dither frequency. The controller device may also compare the ratio to a predetermined setpoint ratio and generate a control feedback signal for generating a new filter driver signal. The control feedback signal may be based on the comparison of the ratio of the odd order harmonic signal to the even order harmonic signal, to the predetermined setpoint ratio that corresponds to a desired filter operating frequency.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a radiation sensor comprises a first pixel and a second pixel. The first pixel comprises a first plurality of antenna elements, a first photodetector, and one or more first feed lines coupling the first plurality of antenna elements to the first photodetector. The second pixel comprises a second plurality of antenna elements, a second photodetector, and one or more second feed lines coupling the second plurality of antenna elements to the second photodetector. The second pixel is an off-axis pixel. Signals feeding each of the second plurality of antenna elements are varied such that an effective radiation pattern of the second plurality of antenna elements is reinforced in a desired direction and suppressed in an undesired direction.

Abstract: A system may include a housing, a light sensor, and a knob protruding from the housing and configured to rotate between angular positions about an axis. The knob may be configured to receive light from directions generally perpendicular to the axis, and the light sensor may be arranged to receive the light received by the knob. A method may include installing a light level control device having a light sensor, and adjusting the field of view of the light sensor by rotating a knob on the light level control device. The light sensor may be arranged to receive light from different angles in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the knob.

Abstract: A vehicular interior rearview mirror system includes an attachment element attached at an in-cabin surface of a vehicle windshield and an interior rearview mirror assembly that includes a mount for attaching the mirror assembly to the attachment element, a housing, a single ball and socket pivot joint, and an interior rearview mirror head adjustable by a driver of the vehicle about the single pivot joint to adjust a rearward field of view. The housing houses a forwardly-viewing camera and, with the interior rearview mirror assembly attached at the attachment element, the forwardly-viewing camera views through the vehicle windshield. The attachment element is a mirror mounting button and a rain sensor is disposed at an inner open central portion of the mirror mounting button and views, via the inner open central portion of the mirror mounting button, through the vehicle windshield.

Abstract: An object sensing arrangement is provided in combination with a door that is adapted to be supported for movement from one of an open position and a closed position to the other of the open and closed positions without moving in a first direction in which earth gravitational force acts upon the door. The object sensing arrangement is positioned relative to the door for sensing presence of an object adjacent an end surface of the door that faces in a second direction opposite the first direction. The object sensing arrangement further provides signaling to indicate that object presence is sensed.

Abstract: A measurement device adapted for measuring at least one operational parameter of a wind turbine is provided. The measurement device includes a control unit including a light source adapted for emitting light and an optical waveguide connected to the control unit and adapted for transmitting the light emitted from the light source to a sensor device. The sensor device is adapted for detecting the at least one operational parameter and includes an optical-to-electrical power conversion unit adapted for receiving the light emitted by the light source and transmitted via the optical waveguide, and for converting the received light into electrical operation power which is provided for the sensor device.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (“SAW”) device including a SAW element, a first material, a luminescence material and a light source, and a method for signal amplification of a SAW element. The first material may be positioned on the SAW element and bound to a target material in a sample. The luminescence material may be bound to the target material. The light source may apply light to the luminescence material. The SAW device and the method for signal amplification of a SAW element using the same allow amplification of a signal of the SAW element by an electromagnetic wave generated when light is applied to the luminescence material.

Abstract: An optical-lever cantilever displacement detecting mechanism includes a support member, a cantilever cantilevered by the support member, a light source to emit a light beam, and an optical sensor to sense the light beam. The cantilever has a probe at its tip. The support member has a reflecting portion extending to face the cantilever with a space. The reflecting portion has a light transmitting portion to allow the light beam to pass therethrough. The cantilever and reflecting portion have reflecting surfaces on sides facing each other, respectively. The light beam emitted from the source undergoes repeated reflections by the reflecting surfaces of the cantilever and reflecting portion including reflections by the reflecting surface of the cantilever, passes through the light transmitting portion, and strikes the sensor. The sensor outputs a signal representing a change of the entry position of the light beam caused by a displacement of the cantilever.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical module and system for a liquid sample, and more particularly to an optical module and system for measuring a property of a liquid sample. The optical system comprises a substrate, a laser source, at least one photo detector, and a microprocessor, wherein the substrate comprises a sample surface at the top, a light-out surface, and an extruded light guide block with a light-in surface at the bottom. The extruded light guide block guides light from the light-in surface to the sample surface with a useful incident angle. In the present invention, the analysis can be processed with the normalized intensities of the reflected and scattered light for enhancing the accuracy of the system.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a microchannel plate having excellent characteristics which enable to attain both high luminance and high resolution at the same time, a gas proportional counter using such a microchannel plate and an imaging device. The microchannel plate according to the present invention comprises a base body provided with a plurality of through holes (13) and having an insulating property, and is arranged in a gas atmosphere mainly containing an inert gas to constitute a proportional counter. The base body has photoelectric converter portions (1a, 1b) formed on at least inner walls of the plurality of through holes (13).

Abstract: Solar panels of certain technologies may experience a degradation of their efficiency as a result of exposure to sunlight, either prior to installation or during normal operation. A direct current to pulse amplitude modulated (“PAM”) current converter, denominated a “PAMCC”, is connected to the solar panel and to a source of alternating current. The PAMCC receives direct current from the solar panel and provides pulse amplitude modulated current at its output terminals at such times that the solar panel is capable to provide current, denominated “normal operation”. The PAMCC may be reconfigured to form a buck converter and a rectifier wherein the rectifier converts power received at the output (during normal operation) terminals to provide rectified, direct current to the buck converter. The buck converter provides direct current in the forward biased direction to the solar panel, thereby reconditioning the solar panel.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring operation of a ratchet-based locking mechanism. The apparatus includes a ratchet and a pawl with a protrusion for engaging the ratchet during contact between the pawl and the ratchet teeth. The apparatus includes an elongated member or amplification arm extending from the pawl. The elongated member includes a base linked to the pawl and a tip spaced apart from the base. The elongated member is linked to the pawl to move when the pawl is displaced relative to the ratchet. The apparatus includes a sensor sensing displacement of the tip of the elongated member, which is greater than the pawl displacement, and the apparatus includes a processor monitoring displacement of the elongated member to indirectly monitor movement of the pawl protrusion during forward motion of the ratchet to verify the locking mechanism is working properly and the pawl will engage the ratchet to block reverse motion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light sensor, particularly for LED-based lamps. The light sensor comprises at least one photosensor (1) and a temperature sensor (2). The photosensor (1) and the temperature sensor (2) are integrated on a common substrate in a common housing.

Abstract: Ionization systems, methods of using ionization systems, ion source systems, methods of using ion source systems, and methods of ionization, are described herein.

Abstract: An examination apparatus that observes a specimen in a stationary state while suppressing the blurring caused by a control delay. The apparatus includes a first optical system and a second optical system for imaging light produced in a specimen, a first image-acquisition unit with a plurality of first image-acquisition devices for detecting an image formed by the first optical system, a second image-acquisition unit with a second image-acquisition device for acquiring an image formed by the second optical system, and a driving unit that causes the images to be formed at the same position in the second image-acquisition unit. The value obtained by dividing the pixel size Y of the first image-acquisition devices by the magnification X of the first optical system is smaller than the value obtained by dividing the pixel size Y? of the second image-acquisition device by the magnification X? of the second optical system.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a charging pin in a recharging inlet of an electric powered vehicle (EPV) recharging inlet, a ground pin in the recharging inlet and substantially parallel to the charging pin, a safety pin in the recharging inlet and substantially parallel to the charging pin and the ground pin, an electric power source coupled to the safety pin, and a control circuit coupled to the electric power source and the safety pin, wherein the length of the safety pin extended in the recharging inlet is substantially shorter than the length of the ground pin and longer than the length of the charging pin.

Abstract: Each of even-numbered photodiodes 1 and 2 for constituting a diode of the present invention (i) has regions (regions 1a through 1c and regions 2a through 2c) whose sizes in a certain direction are identical to sizes of regions of a reference diode 5, and (ii) has a channel width equal to ½ of a channel width W of the reference diode 5. The regions 1a through 1c and the regions 2a through 2c are arranged so as to (i) extend parallel to the certain direction which is provided parallel to a channel length L of the reference diode 5, and so as to be (ii) line-symmetric or point-symmetric to each other as a whole. The photodiodes 1 and 2 are electrically connected to each other in series so as to carry out an equivalent operation to that of the reference diode 5. Employing of the photodiodes 1 and 2 provides a configuration of diodes each having an identical characteristic and occupying a reduced area on a substrate.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems related to an improved golf data collecting and golf club notification system. The system reminds golfers when a club has been mistakenly left behind on the golf course and notifies the golfer when a golf club or clubs are in or out of the golf bag. The system can notify a golfer if a club or golf bag has been removed without authorization. In one preferred embodiment an apparatus that attaches to a golf club includes dual light sensors—one light sensor configured as a switch and one light sensor configured as a light meter. Algorithms make use of the light sensor data to determine whether a golf club is in or out of a golf bag.

Abstract: A light barrier housing is provided in a light barrier for monitoring an automatically driven architectural closure. In order to reduce mounting work, a cable connection having at least one clamped connection is provided.

Abstract: An aperture unit includes a transparent cylindrical member, a magnetic fluid, and a magnetic field generator. The cylindrical member includes a cylindrical chamber. A light input end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent, and an opposite light output end portion of the cylindrical member is transparent. The magnetic fluid is received in the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic fluid includes a transparent solvent, a surfactant, and nano-magnetic particles dispersed substantially evenly in the solvent. Each of the magnetic nano-particles is enveloped by a surfactant. The magnetic field generator is positioned outside the cylindrical chamber. The magnetic field generator is configured for generating a magnetic field applied to the chamber and attracting and clustering the nano-particles, such that an annular nano-particle opaque layer is formed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A deformable mirror device includes a flexible member formed so as to be deformable and having a mirror surface formed on its front surface, and a pressure generating section configured so that a direction of generation of a pressure to be applied to the flexible member is variable.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a mapping mechanism for carrying out mapping for a FOUP which includes a wafer receiving section on which a plurality of wafers can be placed at a plurality of stages in a heightwise direction and a lid member mounted for opening and closing movement, including: a light emitting member and a light receiving member provided outside the FOUP; and a window member provided on a light path between the light emitting member and the light receiving member which can cross at least part of the wafers placed on the stage portions of the wafer receiving section; the light being caused to pass over all of the stages of the wafer receiving section of the FOUP to carry out the mapping for the FOUP.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneous parallel processing of a sample using light energy for optical viewing or surface processing in parallel with a charged particle beam. A charged particle beam transmits a focused ion beam or an electron beam along a path to a sample. An optical microscope transmits light along a first path to the sample, and a prism aligned along the first light path reflects light into a second light path toward the sample. A portion of the prism and reflective surface is removed for passage of the charged particle beam. A lens is aligned along the second light path and has a portion removed for passage of the charged particle beam. The removed portions of the prism and lens are aligned along the charged particle beam path to permit parallel delivery of the charged particle beam and the light to substantially the same portion of the sample.

Abstract: Enclosure door status may be detected. Light may be transmitted from a first component. The light may be received at a second component when a door is in a substantially closed position. The door may be mounted on a structure wherein an angle of incidence between the light transmitted from the first component and the second component increases proportionally to an angle of incidence between the door and the structure. The door may be determined to be in an open position when a light intensity received at the second component is less than a predetermined light intensity value that corresponds to a predetermined angle of incidence between the door and the structure. The first component may comprise a low divergence light emitting diode (LED) transmitter that may be configured to transmit light at a wavelength of approximately 950 nm. The second component may comprise a low profile silicon photodiode.

Abstract: A household appliance which includes an activation unit, a power supply unit, a switch that is operated by the activation unit, and a capacitor that is connected in parallel to the switch on the primary side of the power supply unit. The power supply unit is connected to a power supply network and supplies, on the secondary side of the power supply unit, power to controlled functional units of the household appliance and to the activation unit. The switch is operated by the activation unit to disconnect the power supply unit from the power supply network on the primary side of the power supply unit and in an idle state of the household appliance.

Abstract: A surface acoustic wave (“SAW”) device including a SAW element, a first material, a luminescence material and a light source, and a method for signal amplification of a SAW element. The first material may be positioned on the SAW element and bound to a target material in a sample. The luminescence material may be bound to the target material. The light source may apply light to the luminescence material. The SAW device and the method for signal amplification of a SAW element using the same allow amplification of a signal of the SAW element by an electromagnetic wave generated when light is applied to the luminescence material.

Abstract: A process and a device are provided for ascertaining the rotation of a liquid spray arm for a domestic appliance. Lighting means serves as a light transmitter and a photoreceiver serves as a light receiver. The lighting means and the photoreceiver are assigned a light-conducting element. At a first location of the light-conducting element, at least some light emitted from the lighting means is coupled to a path so that the light is guided in the light-conducting element by total reflection. At a second location of the light-conducting element that spaced apart from the first location in the direction of propagation of the light, the light guided in the light-conducting element is coupled out of the path so that the light is received by the photoreceiver. The intensity of the light received by the photoreceiver is evaluated by an evaluation circuit with respect to the rotation of the spray arm.

Abstract: An optical projector system is provided. The optical projector system includes light source device, an optical system, a lens set, and a photoelectric conversion device. The optical system has a light entrance end corresponding to the light source device and a light exit end corresponding to the lens set. The light source device includes a light source and a hood enclosing the light source. The light source device, the optical system, and the lens set together form a light passage. The photoelectric conversion device is disposed on a deviating light zone outside the hood for receiving the light deviating from the light passage.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a medium without exposing the medium to contamination. The systems and methods employ a novel combination of a small sensor device embedded in a Luer cap and capable of wirelessly transmitting data to a reading device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of imaging an interior of a turbid medium, a device for imaging an interior of a turbid medium, and a medical image acquisition device. A turbid medium is accommodated in a receiving volume (5), light from a light source is coupled into (10) and out of the receiving volume and detected (15) after which a dataset is obtained from the detected light (20). The dataset is then communicated to an image reconstruction algorithm (30) and an image of an interior of the turbid medium is reconstructed based on the detected light (35). According to the invention the dataset is changed prior to communicating the dataset to the image reconstruction algorithm into a further dataset (25), with a further dataset satisfying an input assumption underlying the image reconstruction algorithm.

Abstract: In a device (4) for receiving a piece of baggage (2) for transport, for example at an airport, the device comprises a receiving room (18A) with an infeed opening and a discharge opening. The receiving room is provided with a closing assembly, the closing assembly comprising a closing mechanism (22, 24). The device furthermore comprises a conveyor unit (16, 20) for discharging the piece of baggage from the receiving room through the discharge opening. The closing assembly is equipped at any time to keep at least one or other of the infeed opening and the discharge opening closed. In this way a device according to the invention is equipped to protect deposited baggage from third parties and to prevent persons from following the piece of baggage to the areas not accessible to the public. The present invention also provides a method for receiving a piece of baggage, which method is in accordance with the functioning of the above-mentioned device.

Abstract: An optical sensor has an optical plate which is adapted to make surface contact on a pane, in particular a windshield of a motor vehicle. It further has one or preferably a plurality of photoreceivers arranged on the side of the optical plate facing away from the pane. An optical mask is arranged in the optical path upstream of each photoreceiver, the optical mask having light-blocking and light-transmissive surface areas. The light-transmissive surface areas each allow an optical path to traverse the optical plate, impinging on the photoreceiver and is delimited by the light-blocking surface areas.

Abstract: A remote-controllable electronic device includes a casing, a filter, a sensor, and a shielding element. The casing is formed with a hole where the filter is embedded thereto. The sensor is disposed within the casing and configured to receive a light signal filtered by the filter. The shielding element is disposed in front of the sensor so as to specify a receiving range for receiving the light signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a fluorescence microscope and a method for using this to measure fluorescence. The microscope comprises a silicon wafer filter membrane which is highly-planar and does not fluoresce. Moreover, it has a very high perforation density, so that a small surface area is sufficient for effective measurement. Using a camera as the location-sensitive detector moreover makes it possible to take advantage of better optical resolution, which means that optics having a smaller numerical aperture and a smaller magnification factor can be employed, with a greater working distance. All these factors together provide a fluorescence microscope capable of much more rapid measurements than the existing fluorescence microscopes.

Abstract: A method, and a system employing the method, for determining a position of a rotational part in a reciprocating machine. The system includes a quadrature encoder and an interrupter coupled to the rotational element. As the interrupter rotates with the wrist pin, the quadrature encoder generates some binary signals based on the rotation of the wrist pin. A digital-to-analog converter then converts the binary signals into a single analog signal. The system then wirelessly transmits the single analog signal for processing by other remote components.

Abstract: Scanning mirror based display system and method. A method comprises sampling a scanned light provided by a scanning mirror, converting the sampled scanned light into an electrical signal, analyzing the electrical signal to determine a position of the scanned light, and controlling the light source or the scanning mirror based on the analyzed electrical signal. The electrical signal based on the sampled scanned light may be used to ensure proper operation of the scanning mirror display system, such as determining failure of the scanning mirror, proper rendering of colors, determining whether the scanned light is following a desired scan path at a desired scan rate, and so forth.

Abstract: Method of displaying images on a projection screen in front of a place for an audience, by using different visually-equivalent metameric colors for different portions of images, and by simultaneously illuminating said place for the audience with perturbing infrared radiations and by simultaneously detecting any image capture device in the place for the audience, wherein: the different metameric colors that are visually-equivalent have different spectral wavelength distributions at least in the red region of wavelengths, detection is performed through the perturbing infrared radiations that are reflected by any object in the place for the audience. Such a system seems impossible to circumvent by pirates using camcorders.

Abstract: A gun system including a gun directional receiver for directionally receiving a response light from a target emitter, wherein the response light includes an identification of the target emitter, and the gun system further including a gun emitter for broadly sending an identification light to a target receiver, wherein the identification light includes the target emitter identification.

Abstract: A system removes a light sensor artifact from a light sensor in a printer that is used to obtain reflectance measurements from test patterns printed on an image substrate.

Abstract: An optical detection system has a component support, in which is disposed at least one optical element, and a separate detector unit having a mechanical connection to the component support. The component support and the detector unit are arranged in such a way that light entering into the component support can be guided through the at least one optical element to the detector unit and that the mechanical connection between the component support and the detector unit is configured in a releasable manner by means of a retaining element which is detachably connected to the component support and the detector unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a sensor that has an enclosure to house a photodetector and a pair of light sources. The photodetector may be used to detect presence of a workpiece in a machine based on reflected energy from a surface of the workpiece, and the light sources may be adapted on opposing sides of the photodetector to illuminate the workpiece.

Abstract: A signal detection circuit comprises: a driving power source that drives a photosensor and applies a voltage to a mechanical switch, wherein the photosensor has a light-emitting device, and a light-receiving device to output an electric signal corresponding to an amount of light received from this light-emitting device, and the mechanical switch is connected in parallel between a power supply terminal of the photosensor and a signal output terminal of the photosensor and switchable between on and off states; and a detection means that is connected to the signal output terminal of the photosensor and that detects an electric signal output by the photosensor and an electric signal indicating the on/off state of the mechanical switch.

Abstract: An optical receiving apparatus that receives an optical signal and outputs a data value of digital data transmitted by the optical signal is provided, including a light receiving element that receives the optical signal and outputs a photocurrent according to a strength of the optical signal, a present cycle integrator that integrates the photocurrent corresponding to a present cycle of the digital data over a prescribed period within the cycle, a previous cycle integrator that integrates the photocurrent corresponding to a cycle prior to the present cycle over a period that is substantially equal to the prescribed period in the cycle, and a data value identifying circuit that outputs a data value of the present cycle of the digital data based on a difference between a charge amount obtained through integration by the present cycle integrator and a charge amount obtained through integration by the previous cycle integrator.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a method for detecting solid articles using an apparatus including a sensor system is provided. The sensor system includes a radiation detector and a radiation emitter configured to direct radiation onto the radiation detector. The radiation detector is operative to generate detector signals proportional to the radiation received thereby. The method includes moving the radiation emitter and/or the radiation detector relative to the other. According to some embodiments, the solid articles are solid pharmaceutical articles.