Abstract: Optical touch switches are implemented based on the use of light total internal reflection and light scattering concepts. The optical touch switch basically consists of a light source, a light guide, a photodetector, and an electronic controller. The fingertip touching on the touching surface of the optical touch switch leads to the change in electrical current produced by the photodetector. As a result, the electronic control box senses this change of electrical current and allows the electrical load to stay at the desired state. Key advantages include ease of implementation, prevention of the light beam incident directly on the user's eyes, and ability to accept both strong and weak mechanical forces from users.

Abstract: An EL element includes plural light transmitting front-electrodes forming plural lines by wiring and plural back-electrodes forming plural lines by further wiring. The front-electrodes are angled relative to the back-electrodes and a light-emitting layer is disposed between the front-electrodes and the back-electrodes. The EL element combined with a controller works as a lighting unit, which controls light emission at any place, so that a variety of lighting is realized by the lighting unit.

Abstract: A keypad includes a light emitting source, a light detector and waveguide assembly adapted to receive light from the light emitting source and having a plurality of waveguide branches adapted to conduct light to the light detector. A plurality of user actuated keys is provided. Each key includes a moveable engaging member disposed proximate a waveguide branch to engage the waveguide branch as a function of key operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring MEMS-based optical switches and cross-connects. A plurality of partial reflectors are introduced into optical paths of the switch for reflecting light transmitted along the optical paths through a transparent substrate of the switch, without disturbing transmission of the light along the optical paths. The reflected light is transmitted through the substrate, which is preferably made of silicon and transparent to wavelengths of light used in DWDM systems. A photodetector array bonded to the underside of the substrate detects the light reflected by the plurality of partial reflectors through the substrate. The light detected by the photodetector array indicates the switching states and functionality of the switch, and can be processed by circuitry associated with the array.

Abstract: An optically controlled micro-electromechanical (MEM) switch is described which desirably utilizes photoconductive properties of a semiconductive substrate upon which MEM switches are fabricated. In one embodiment the bias voltage provided for actuation of the switch is altered by illuminating an optoelectric portion of the switch to deactivate the switch. In an alternative embodiment, a photovoltaic device provides voltage to actuate the switch without any bias lines at all. Due to the hysteresis of the electromechanical switching as a function of applied voltage, only modest variation of voltage applied to the switch is necessary to cause the switch to open or close sharply under optical control.

Abstract: A method for positioning a movable reflector in an optical switch. A set of optical power values are generated by measuring optical power related to optical reflections from the movable reflection for a plurality of positions of the movable reflector. A processor is used to generate a mathematical approximation of a relationship of optical power versus reflector position based on the set of optical power values. A position of the movable reflector is chosen based on a point in the mathematical approximation of the relationship of optical power versus reflector position.

Abstract: Switches and joysticks comprise user-moveable two position and multi position switches, including simple on/off and variable switches such as dimmers. The switches operate on the principle of detecting the position of a user-grippable switch arm, a portion of which bears on a pressure-sensitive pad. The pad is a deformable material which detects and localizes pressure against the pad, by transmitting into the pad matrix a wave energy such as light, and detecting the intensity of same. As the pad is locally compressed, intensity of the wave energy increases in the region around the compression. The position of a switch arm may thus be detected, and the information transmitted to a central processing unit, for further processing.

Abstract: A tilt switch includes an optoelectronic sensor member with light emitting and receiving units disposed in an insulating housing. A ball member is received rollably in an accommodating chamber of the housing. When the housing is tilted, the ball member can move between a first position, where a light beam emitting from the emitting unit is permitted to be received by the receiving unit so as to enable the receiving unit to make an electrical connection between two terminals, and a second position, where the light beam is prevented from being received by the receiving unit so as to break the electrical connection.

Abstract: An optical switch includes a polymer optical waveguide that is a plate material basically made of polymer and a drive element. The plate material has optical waveguides that extend linearly within the plate material and a cut provided such that it traverses the optical waveguides. The drive element selects a path of light by reducing and increasing a gap of the cut.

Abstract: An automatic player is combined with an acoustic piano for selectively moving black/white keys with plungers of solenoid-operated key actuators, and plunger sensors detect current positions of the plungers on trajectories for supplying feedback signals to a controller for exactly controlling the solenoid-operated key actuators, wherein each of the plunger sensors has a reflecting plate fixed to the bottom surface of the plunger and a photo-coupler radiating a light beam to the reflecting plate for producing the feedback signal from the reflection so that the plunger sensor is compact and free from noise and aged-deterioration.

Abstract: The presence of particulate debris flowing in a hydraulic fluid flow system includes a source of infra-red light passing through a window of the fluid flow line while fluid is flowing therethrough. A portion of the light is directed to a monitoring photodiode prior to reaching the fluid flow line. A detector photodiode is positioned to receive light passing through the flow line, the hydraulic fluid flowing therethrough and out of a second window. A trap is positioned between the hydraulic fluid flow line and the detector photodiode to prevent the direct rays of light from reaching the detector photodiode while permitting scattered light to reach the detector photodiode. A reduction in the amount of light reaching the detector photodiode results in an alarm being activated.

Abstract: A fiber optic control device having a joystick lever in a housing which mounts the joystick lever for universal pivotal movement on the housing from an upright axis thereof. A pair of mirrors are movably mounted on the housing, driving connections between the joystick lever and the mirrors for actuating the latter in response to movement of the joystick. An electronic compensation reference circuit to compensate for variations in incident and reflected light due to temperature, aging, wear and tear, dirt grease etc is provided for each axis of the double axis joystick of this invention.

Abstract: An optical beam switch is designed for improved serviceability by mounting two fiber optic beam deflection arrays to face the front of a rack assembly. Inside the optical beam switch, a reflecting device is located behind each of the two fiber optic beam deflection arrays and used to reflect the light beams between the two fiber optic beam deflection arrays. Front access to the two fiber optic beam deflection arrays is then readily available whether the optical beam switch is mounted horizontally or vertically in the rack assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging fluorescent particles comprises an imaging vessel having a lower section defining an interior space for containing fluorescent particles, the lower section having a side wall, a bottom wall and an exterior surface portion defining an entry surface for transmitting into the interior space a flat excitation beam of light. A light projecting device projects a flat excitation beam of light onto the entry surface of the imaging vessel in a direction generally parallel to the bottom wall thereof to illuminate the fluorescent particles. Images of the illuminated fluorescent particles are captured from the bottom wall of the imaging vessel.

Abstract: A fiber optic control device comprises a joystick having fixed thereon a pivot ball to enable the stick to have universal pivotal movement. The control has a base provided with a socket in which said pivot ball is held captive while permitting the joystick to have said universal movement. The invention provides a pair of swivel members, and pivotally mountings for said swivel members on the base for movement about non-coincidental axes. Slide driving connections are provided between said joystick and swivel members, for causing reversible movements of the members in response to universal movements of the joystick. Mirrors are carried by the swivel members, and a fiber optic light transmission device is provided, which is cooperable with said mirrors and which includes a source of light that is adapted to direct a light beam against the mirrors, thereby to provide output light signals which are a function of the virtual position of said joy stick at any time.