Abstract: Disclosed is an optical fiber overheat detection testing apparatus. The apparatus includes an optical fiber having a first end and a second end, the optical fiber having a predetermined length associated with a predetermined attenuation based on an overheat detection instrument loop. The apparatus includes a first fiber Bragg grating disposed on the optical fiber having a first wavelength spectrum based on a first temperature detection apparatus. The apparatus includes a second fiber Bragg grating disposed on the optical fiber having a second wavelength spectrum based on at least one of a plurality of overheat detection apparatuses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus can be used in the selection of correctly sized respiratory interfaces. The method includes the use of light beams to project sizing markers onto a patient's face, which enables the size of the patient's facial features to be measured relative to a set of interface sizes. A sizing apparatus can include a light source and beam splitters that will refract and project the light source into a series of beams that can be aligned on a patient's face in order to measure the features of the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a trigger signal in response to detection of a triggering acoustic event sensed by one of a distributed network of optical acoustic sensors mechanically coupled to an aircraft structure. Each of the optical acoustic sensors is configured to generate an optical response signal indicative of an acoustic condition detected by the optical acoustic sensor. A controller receives the optical response signals and generates, if a triggering one of the optical response signals is indicative of a triggering acoustic event, a trigger signal. The controller also determines a location of the specific one of the distributed network of optical acoustic sensors that generated the triggering one of the optical response signals. In some embodiments, the trigger signal is sent to a Health & Usage Monitoring System configured to perform a health scan, in response to receiving the trigger signal, of the aircraft structure.

Abstract: A serial weak FBG interrogator is disclosed. The serial weak FBG interrogator may include a CW tunable laser or pulsed laser utilized as a laser source and an EDFA. The serial weak FBG interrogator may also be an interrogation of a single sensor system by utilization of a DFB laser which utilizes a single sensor, which may be an interferometer sensor, an extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer or a wavelength-modulated sensor. The serial weak FBG interrogator may also include a computer system or CSPU.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring state variables with at least one fiber-optic sensor, containing at least one optical coupler, at least one filter element and at least one photoelectric converter, where the optical coupler, the filter element and the photoelectric converter are integrated on a substrate, and the filter element contains at least one Bragg grating which is designed to supply the light portion reflected by the Bragg grating to the photoelectric converter.

Abstract: A passive pen includes a pen body, and a tip disposed at a first end of the pen body. The tip capacitively couples to the pen body, and the capacitive coupling is configured to change the tip from a first ground mass state to a second ground mass state.

Abstract: An interactive device for improving image processing. The interactive device includes a processing module and a controller. The processing module includes a substrate, an image sensor formed on the substrate for generating a plurality of pixel signals, a calculation unit formed on the substrate for calculating at least one motion vector based on the plurality of pixel signals, and a transmission interface formed on the substrate for serially outputting the motion vector. The controller is used for controlling operation of the interactive device based on the motion vector output by the transmission interface.

Abstract: An optical identification module device has a light pipe integrally formed with transparent material, a lens holder, a lens, a sensing circuit board and a light emitting diode. A light source container and a guiding recess are arranged on one side of the light pipe. A first light channel is defined in the light pipe. An engaging bump and a separating bump aligned with the engaging bump are arranged on one side of the lens holder. The engaging bump engages with the guiding recess. A second light channel corresponding to the first light channel is defined in the lens holder, and the lens is arranged in the second light channel. The sensing circuit board with a receiver soldered at a position corresponding to the second light channel is arranged at the bottom of the lens holder. The light emitting diode is placed in the light source container.

Abstract: Fibre substrates act as a conduit for light along which response signals are transmitted to a controller in the form of an electronic device associated with a component. The processed signals are stored in a local memory to provide a component history and a prediction of future performance and life. Service and repair history may be added to the component device memory to enable a complete history to be stored with the component. A controller may transmit data to an external controller or display through typically a wireless connection. Power to the component electronics may be provided by an induction loop or transformer.

Abstract: In embodiments, a pen digitizer includes a light source that generates light. The pen digitizer also includes light guides, such as fiber optics, configured coaxial within the pen digitizer to transfer the light from the light source and focus the light around an imaging tip of the pen digitizer. A photo array optically-images reflected light from encoded bits in an encoded micro pattern, and a lens focuses the reflected light onto the photo array.

Abstract: A low maintenance path tracing apparatus comprising at least one marker including an emitter of a tracer signal and a receiving medium for recording the path of the tracer signal. The apparatus further includes a power providing arrangement comprising a base unit which wirelessly provides power to the marker for powering the emitter.

Abstract: An array of sensitive pixel elements is configured to generate signals representative of sensed light that is associated with writing being done by a user, and an optical system concentrates light from a light source across a section of the array of sensitive pixel elements, the signals being useful to compute a subpixel measurement of a position of the light source.

Abstract: An optical system comprises an imaging arrangement (1?, 1?) that transmits an image to an image plane; a sensor; and one or more locator elements that locate the imaging arrangement (1?, 1?) to provide the image on the sensor. Tolerances of the locator element(s) allow a lateral translation and a rotation of the imaging arrangement (1?; 1?) around a nominal rotation point. A parameter of the optical system is selected such that a movement, resulting from either the lateral translation or the rotation, of an optical axis (OA) on the sensor is at least partly counteracted by a movement, resulting from either the lateral translation or the rotation, of the image on the sensor with respect to the optical axis (OA). Thereby, the optical system is wholly or partly self-compensating with respect to tolerances affecting the angular position or the lateral position of the imaging arrangement.

Abstract: An intensity modulated broadband optical signal source is arranged to produce optical signals in a plurality of wavelength bands. A demultiplexer/multiplexer pair receives optical signals from the optical signal source and produces a separate optical signal for each wavelength band. An optical coupler is arranged to receive the separate optical signals. Optical fiber loops connected to the optical coupler guides both clockwise and counter clockwise waves for each of the separate optical signals. The optical signals propagate through a sensor in each loop and then combine in the optical coupler to form a plurality of interference signals in each wavelength band. A multiplexer is optically coupled to the optical coupler to receive the interference signals therefrom, and a detector array having a selected detector corresponding to the each of the plurality of wavelength bands is arranged to provide an electrical signal that indicates the interference signals for each wavelength band.

Abstract: An optical proximity sensor adapted to be mounted in a liquid-jet instrument having a spray head for spraying a jet of liquid. The optical sensor evaluates a distance between the sensor and a surface onto which the liquid is to be sprayed.

Abstract: A system for sensing characteristics of the environment is disclosed. Sensors utilize exponential growth of a signal initiated by interaction of a sensor element with characteristics of the environment. Specific substances in the environment can be detected. The sensor element may be intrinsically sensitive to the specific substance or can be coated with a material that is sensitive to the specific substance. The sensor component is designed such that it can be made to cause exponential growth of a system signal. The exponential growth of the sensor signal is produced by parametric amplification.

Abstract: A hand held device is provided which contains at least one light emitting diode (LED) and is useful for the elimination of microorganisms as well as therapeutic treatment by light. A method of treatment and a kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: An advertising light emitting pen comprises an upper pen tube and a lower pen tube. The feature of the advertising light emitting pen is that a top of the light guide tube resists against a lower end of the light emitting device. A surface of the inner tube is coated with film having advertising patterns or texts thereon. The film includes two parts with one part being a transparent surface and another part being an opaque surface for printing with pattern or texts. The transparent surface has no pattern or text thereon. When the light emitting device lights up, light transmits into the inner tube through the light guide tube and then emits out from the inner tube; the light emits from the outer tube to radiate into a paper to be written.

Abstract: A sensor embedded in a high temperature metal is incorporated into a sensing system for measuring temperature, strain, or other properties of a metal structure. An optical system transmits light to and receives output signals from the sensor for analysis. With rotating structures, an optical fiber lead transmits light between the sensor and external surface of the structure along its rotational axis, allowing the lead to remain fixed with respect to the optical system as the structure rotates at high speeds.

Abstract: A hand held device is provided which contains at least one light emitting diode (LED) and is useful for the elimination of microorganisms as well as therapeutic treatment by light. A method of treatment and a kit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus with the appearance of a pen for scanning a small-sized document has the casing, the cap, the input slot and the output slot for inputting and outputting the small-sized document on the casing, respectively, the transmission apparatus for driving the small-sized document, the light source for emitting the light, the photoelectric sensing device for receiving a light signal reflected by the small-sized document and then outputting a digital data of captured image to the control processing unit. The scanning apparatus also has 1394 interface connector or USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector to transmit the digital data stored in the control processing unit to the terminal operating system such as the computer, the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or the cellular phone for editing or printing. The scanning apparatus of the invention is easy to carry and can be operated anywhere and anytime.

Abstract: A surface sensing device includes an articulating head adapted for attachment to the spindle of a measuring machine and having two relatively rotatable parts capable of rotation about two mutually perpendicular axes. The device additionally includes a stylus assembly having a relatively stiff hollow stylus carrier, and a relatively flexible hollow stylus. An optical transducer system is provided within the stylus assembly and comprises a fixed light source which directs a beam of light towards a stylus tip, and a retro-reflective component at the tip which reflects the beam back to a fixed detector. The arrangement is such that lateral displacement of the stylus tip when the tip is in contact with a surface can be measured directly.

Abstract: A system such as for sensing strain or temperature of an aircraft and for transmitting information in communication systems. A sensor array includes a first light responsive Bragg grating sensor having a first operating bandwidth and a second light responsive Bragg grating sensor having a second operating bandwidth. Each sensor modifies light provided to it at a wavelength indicative of changes in strain or temperature. The second sensor operates within a bandwidth which is different from the operating bandwidth of the first sensor. A tunable light source such as an LED and tunable etalon provides light for illuminating the first and second sensors, the provided light having a wavelength which varies within a band including the first and second bandwidths. A detecting circuit provides signals representative of light modified by the first and second sensors. A processor processes the representative signals to determine the strain and/or temperature.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus with the appearance of a pen for scanning a small-sized document has the casing, the cap, the input slot and the output slot for inputting and outputting the small-sized document on the casing, respectively, the transmission apparatus for driving the small-sized document, the light source for emitting the light, the photoelectric sensing device for receiving a light signal reflected by the small-sized document and then outputting a digital data of captured image to the control processing unit. The scanning apparatus also has 1394 interface connector or USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector to transmit the digital data stored in the control processing unit to the terminal operating system such as the computer, the Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or the cellular phone for editing or printing. The scanning apparatus of the invention is easy to carry and can be operated anywhere and anytime.